5 Motives Best Cots Is Actually A Great Thing
The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A restful and peaceful night is vital while hunting or hiking, and cots are a great option to keep you off the ground and comfy. However, they are heavy and hard to transport for travel.
We compared and scored 10 of the best cots in terms of the quality of their comfort, portability, and durability.
Comfort
A good night's rest is essential to fully enjoy your camping excursion. Instead of sleeping on the ground, you can sleep comfortably in a cot. When selecting a cot, look for one that is lightweight and offers solid support to ensure you get an enjoyable night's sleep. Cots that have a mattress-like top are the most desirable. They are typically designed to work with an air mattress, sleeping pad or other types of insulation.
If you're backpacking or camping, choosing the right cot for your needs is crucial. For those who are primarily backpackers, consider lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which provide a very portable sleeping solution that can be transported in your bag. If you do a mixture of backpacking and car camping, then consider something heavier, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If you want a more luxurious option, all of the cots that made this list are designed to feel as close as they can to the traditional mattress. They're heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts but they're still easy to carry and set up on the trail.
When you're choosing a cot it's also important to consider the materials used and the construction. Look for cots made of top-quality fabrics that are durable enough to withstand daily use. To ensure that your cot will last for many years, look for features such as a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also have an adequate amount of cushioning, to protect you against the hard, uncomfortable surface. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are padded and quilted, while others, such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3, have baffles to prevent you from sinking in. A cot should be long enough to accommodate your height and wide enough for you to comfortably lie down in. It is recommended to choose the cot that has the right capacity for weight, particularly if you are traveling with a companion or pets.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots fold up compactly and take up little space in your backpack, allowing you to fit more sleeping gear in your backpack. The cots are less heavy than other options for camp bedding, which can be a big advantage on long hikes and multi-day backcountry trips. Considering how much time you spend packing and unpacking your equipment, the ability to move a cot around is a significant factor in its overall score.
Based on the model you choose, it could take a few minutes to unroll and put up a cot. More complex models require more assembly, and some come with parts that can be difficult to locate or connect. Some cots have built-in storage pockets or other features that will help you reduce the amount of time spent making your bed.
The most versatile cots are those with adjustable legs, which allow you to adjust them for different terrain conditions. Some cots come with a tether to keep them in place during conditions of stormy or windy weather. They're particularly useful for backpacking, when the security of your shelter may be weakened due to uneven or unstable ground.
Consider how often you will use the cot and the location you plan to stay when you select a cot. Cots with a lightweight design and compact fold are perfect for backpacking, while the ones with a strong construction and a bigger sleeping area are ideal for car camping or basecamps. If you plan to use your cot exclusively at home, it's worth investing in a set bedding that is specifically made for the type of cot you're using. It usually includes fitted and flat sheets and a pillowcase.
If you're in search of a comfortable, easy-to-set-up cot that's suitable for most types of camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great option. It packs down into a carrying case that's similar in dimensions to a standard camping chair and has an attached strap for easy transport. It doesn't come with the biggest sleeping platform among all our top picks, but its sturdy frames and sturdy materials make it a solid choice for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots are often a necessity for camping, but they also are often more difficult to install than other types of sleeping gear. This is because they require you to put them up on a level surface, which can be difficult to find in the wilderness. Some of them have bars on their feet and head which you might prefer not to hit when you sleep.
Thankfully, the best cots we tested are relatively easy to set up. Some are self-standing and are a massive relief since it eliminates the need for you to figure out how to secure them while others have a simple foldout design and a couple of clicks to get them into the proper position. Traditional cots are not always the best choice since they require you to assemble the frame and then tie the fabric by yourself, which will require a significant amount of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is one of easiest to set up, which means it can be used both for camping in the car and tent camping. It can also be used for trips to backpack. It's a little heavier than the average cot but it packs down to a size that's about similar to the carry case for a folding camp chair. It's also incredibly durable, made from a rugged and comfortable 600D polyester and an aluminum frame that isn't made of any plastic parts that are flimsy.
Another option we suggest is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is also easy to set up. It's a single-body design that removes bars across the feet and head. This makes it ideal for those who sleep on their backs and sides. The cot folds down to a size comparable to the storage bag of your favorite backpack. It's a bit heavier than other cots that we've tested but it feels very solid and is suitable for adults weighing up to 225 pounds.
We were also impressed with the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a light cot that is extremely simple to install. It takes just a few seconds to fold and snap into place and only requires a few pulls to take it apart for storage. The legs lock into place using a unique lever-lock mechanism that is extremely secure and provides a sturdy platform for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The best camping cots are able to withstand a lot of abuse. They are constructed with durable materials like aluminum frames and strong fabrics. The fabric must be tightly woven to ensure that it will not break under the weight and tension of a sleeping person. A high-quality cot is made of 600D polyester that is extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear. The top cots also feature reinforced seams and double stitching in highly stressed areas like pole sleeves.
They're great for camping as they will keep you warm and free of bugs or other creatures that could be lurking in the night. Cots are a great alternative for sleeping mats and foam bags for hiking or backpacking. Some cots don't provide the same level of comfort, and some require an additional sleeping pad to be used with them. This can be a major problem, particularly for backpackers with a heavy bag.
Some cots come with an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This allows you to get a good night's rest without having to bring a sleeping mat. cot beds is huge and bulky so it may be difficult to fit in the tent, even though it is spacious enough.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another fantastic option that doesn't require an additional sleeping pad to be comfortable. The lightweight aluminum frame offers excellent support and is very comfortable to sleep on. Our test subjects who used it on hiking backpacking trips said they were more comfortable than using an air or foam pad.
Cots are great for camping however they can also be used in other circumstances, such as when you're having guests stay over and don't want them sleeping on the floor. They're also ideal for an RV or camper because they're more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. Additionally, they're more stable than a tent or air mattress, so you don't have to fret about them bouncing around or blowing up during the night.