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The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When hiking or hunting getting a good night's rest is vital. Cots are a great option to keep you comfortable and off the ground. However they can be a bit heavy and difficult to carry when you're on the go.
We tested and evaluated 10 of the best cots for comfort, portability and durability.
Comfort
A good night's sleep is vital for a successful camping trip. Unlike sleeping on the ground, cots help you stay away from the rough and cold terrain while giving you a comfortable bed to sleep in. Find an cot that is not heavy, but also provides a solid foundation. This will guarantee a good night's sleep. Cots with mattresses are especially popular and are usually designed to be used with an air mattress or a sleeping pad to provide an additional layer of insulation.
Finding the ideal cot is important, whether you're car camping or backpacking. Consider lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot and ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot for backpackers. They are extremely portable sleeping solutions that can be easily carried in your backpack. If you do a mix of backpacking and car camping think about something heavier and bigger like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you want a more luxurious option All of the cots that made this list are designed to be as similar as they can to a traditional mattress. They're heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts, but they're still easy to carry and setup on the trail.
When choosing a cot, it is also important to think about its materials and construction. Fabrics that are thin are more prone to rips and tears, so look for an cot that is made of top-quality fabrics that are designed to stand up to regular use. Look for features such as a 600D polyester fabric and reinforced seams to ensure your cot will last for many years to be.
A cot must also offer enough cushioning to shield you from the hard, uncomfortable ground. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded. Other models include REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that stop you from sinking into the cot. A cot should also be wide and long enough to fit your height. Look for a cot that has an adequate weight capacity to be able to support your body, especially when traveling with a spouse or pet.
Portability
The best camping cots fold up compactly and take up little space in your backpack which allows you to pack more sleeping gear in your backpack. The cots are less heavy than other alternatives for camp bedding, which is a big advantage on long hikes and longer backcountry trips. Considering how much time you'll spend packing and unpacking your gear the portability of a cot is a significant aspect in its overall score.
Based on the model you select, it may take a few minutes to unroll and set up the coffin. More complicated models require more assembly, and some come with parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots have built-in storage pockets or other features that can help you reduce the amount of time you'll spend building your bed.
The most versatile cots have legs that can be adjusted, allowing the user to adjust them for different terrain conditions. Some cots come with a tether that helps keep them stable in conditions of stormy or windy weather. These are especially helpful when backpacking as uneven or unstable ground could compromise the stability of your shelter.
Consider how often you will use the cot and the location you plan to camp when choosing a cot. Cots that are lightweight and compact fold are great for backpacking, while cots with a heavy-duty construction and a larger sleeping space are better suited to basecamps or camping in cars. If you plan to use your cot mostly at home, it's worth investing in a set bedding specifically designed for the cot you own. This usually consists of flat and fitted sheets as well as an appropriate pillowcase.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great choice to consider if you're seeking an easy-to-setup and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for most camping types. It folds down into a case that resembles a camping chair and comes with straps for easy transportation. It doesn't come with the largest sleeping platform of the top choices but its strong materials and durable frame make it a solid option for camping trips of all kinds.
Ease of Setup
Cots are often a necessity for camping however they are more difficult to set-up as compared to other sleeping gear. This is due to the fact that you need to put them up on an even surface that can be difficult to locate when camping. Some of them also come with bars for the head and foot area that you might not want to touch while sleeping.
Fortunately, the most comfortable cots we tested are relatively simple to set up. Some are self-standing, which is a huge relief since you don't have to think about how to fix them. Others feature an easy folding design and require just a few clicks. Traditional cots aren't the same. You must assemble the frame yourself and tension the fabric, which requires an enormous amount of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double-Kwik-Cot is one of the easiest to set up that's why it can be utilized for tent or car camping, as in backpacking trips as. It's heavier than the average camping cot, however it can be folded down to the same size as a folding campchair's carry case. It's also extremely durable, made from a tough and comfortable 600D polyester and an aluminum frame that doesn't contain any plastic parts that are fragile.
Another model we recommend is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is a breeze to set up. It also has a unique construction that eliminates the need for bars between your head and feet, making it perfect for side and back sleepers. The cot can be folded down to a size comparable to the size of your favorite backpack. It's heavier than some of the other cots we've tried, but it feels very solid and suitable for adults who weigh up to 225 pounds.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that's easy to set up. Mini Cot Bed takes only the time of a few minutes to unfold, snap into place, and then a few nudges to break it down. The legs are locked with a lever-lock system which is extremely secure and provides an excellent base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most durable camping cots can be able to stand up to the rigors of use. They are constructed with durable components such as aluminum frames and robust fabrics. Fabric must be tightly woven to ensure that it doesn't break when a sleeping individual. A high-quality cot will be constructed of 600D polyester, which is heavy duty and can stand up to wear and tear. The top cots also have reinforced seams and double stitching in high stress places like pole sleeves.
Cots are great for camping, as they keep you off the ground, comfortable, and safe from insects and other creatures that might be roaming in your campsite at night. They are also an alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're backpacking or hiking. There aren't all cots that provide the same comfort and some require a separate sleeping pad to be used with them. This can be a major problem, especially for backpackers carrying a heavy backpack.
Some cots come with an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This allows you to have a restful night's sleep without having to bring an extra sleeping mat. However, this cot is quite heavy and bulky, which means it isn't easy to fit it into a tent even if the tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another fantastic option that doesn't require an additional mattress to be comfortable. Its lightweight aluminum frame offers a great level of support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our testers to use on hikes than an air or foam cushion.
Cots are a great option for camping but they can be used in other circumstances like when you've got guests staying over and you don't want them to sleep on the floor. They're also a great addition to a RV or camper since they're much more comfortable than inflatable mattress. They're also more sturdy than an inflatable mattress or tent and you don't have to worry when they explode or shift during the middle of night.
