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The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When you're out hunting or hiking sleeping well is essential. Cots are a great option to keep you comfortable and off the ground. However they can be a bit heavy and challenging to pack when you're on the go.
We test 10 of the top Cots and gave them a score based on comfort and accessibility, ease of setting up, and durability.
Comfort
Sleeping well on the trail is crucial to enjoy your camping experience. As opposed to sleeping on the ground, you can sleep comfortably in a cot. When choosing a cot, ensure that it is lightweight and offers a sturdy level of support to ensure you get a great night's rest. Cots with an appearance of a mattress are attractive and are typically designed to be used with an air mattress or a sleeping pad to add an extra layer of insulation.
If you're backpacking, or car camping, choosing the right cot for your needs is crucial. For those who are mostly backpackers, think about lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer an extremely portable sleeping solution that can be easily carried in your pack. If you plan to do a mix of car camping and backpacking look into something heavier and bigger like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for a more luxurious option, the top-rated cots on this list are all designed to look as like a traditional mattress as they can. Although they're heavier than their ultra-light counterparts, they're still fairly easy to carry and set up on the trail.
It's important to also consider the materials and construction of the cot when selecting one. Fabrics that are thin are more prone to rips and tears therefore, you should choose an cot that is made of top-quality materials that are made to stand up to regular use. You should look for specifics like a 600D polyester fabric and reinforced seams to ensure that your cot will last for a long time to be.
A cot should also have an adequate amount of cushioning to guard against the hard, uncomfortable surface. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are quilted and padded, while others, such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3, come with baffles to stop your feet from sinking. A cot should be long enough to accommodate your height and wide enough to comfortably lay down in. You should choose a cot that has a sufficient capacity for weight, particularly if you are traveling with a companion or pet.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots are small and can be placed in a smaller space in your pack. This allows you to pack more sleeping gear into your backpack. They are lighter than other alternatives for camp bedding, which is a big advantage on long hikes or multi-day backcountry excursions. Considering the amount of time you're spending packing and unpacking your gear, the portability of a cot is a major factor in its overall score.
Depending on the model that you choose, it could take minutes to unfold and set up the bed. More complicated models require greater assembly, and some have parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots have built-in storage pockets or other features that can help you minimize the amount of time you'll spend building your bed.
The most flexible cots have adjustable legs, which allow you to adjust them for different ground conditions. Some come with a tether to help keep them stable during storms or stormy weather. They're particularly useful for backpacking, when the stability of your shelter can be compromised due to uneven or unstable ground.
When you're choosing a cot consider how often you'll use it and where you plan to camp. Cots with a lightweight design and compact fold are ideal for backpacking, whereas cots with a heavy-duty construction and a bigger sleeping area are better suited to car camping or basecamps. If you intend to use your cot at the home, it's worth investing in bedding that's specifically designed to fit the type of bed you have. This typically includes sheets that are flat and fitted and an appropriate pillowcase.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a fantastic choice if you are looking for an easy and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for most types of camping. It folds into a case similar to the camping chair, and is equipped with straps for easy transportation. This cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping area of our top selections. However, most recommended cribs and durable materials make it a good choice for most camping trips.
Installation is simple
Cots are often a necessity when camping but they also are often more difficult to install than other types of sleeping gear. This is due to the fact that they require you to set them up on an even surface, which can be hard to find in the wilderness, and some of them have bars over their foot and head areas that you may want to avoid hitting when you sleep.
The best cots that we tested were fairly easy to set up. Some of them are self-standing and are a massive relief since it doesn't require you to figure out how to secure them, and others feature an easy fold-out design and a few clicks to put them in the right position. Traditional cots are a different story. They require you to put together the frame yourself and tension the fabric, which requires an enormous amount of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double-Kwik-Cot is one of the easiest to build that's why it can be used for tent or car camping, as well as for backpacking trips. It's a little heavier than the typical cot, but it folds down to a size that's about the same as the carry case for the folding camping chair. It is also extremely durable, made of tough and comfortable 600D polyester and a sturdy aluminum frame.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is simple to set up. It's a single-body design that eliminates bars across the head and feet. This makes it perfect for back and side sleepers. most recommended cribs folds down to a size, which is about the same size as the bag that you use to store your backpack of choice. It's a bit heavier than some of the other cots we tested however it's extremely sturdy and is suitable for adults who weigh up to 225 pounds.
We were also impressed by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a light cot that is very easy to install. It takes just some time to unfold and snap it into place and then a few tugs to break it down. The legs are locked by a unique lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides a solid platform for sleeping bags.
Durability
The best camping cots will stand up to a lot of abuse. They feature durable components like aluminum frames and robust fabrics. The fabric must be tightly woven to ensure it will not break in the rigors and strain of a sleeper. A cot that is of good quality is made of heavy-duty 600D polyester, which will withstand lots of wear and tear. The top cots also have reinforced seams and double stitching in highly stressed areas like pole sleeves.
They are ideal for camping because they are comfortable and keep you free of bugs or other creatures that might be lurking around at night. Cots are a great alternative for sleeping mats and foam mattresses when backpacking or hiking. Not all cots provide the same comfort and some require an additional sleeping pad to be used together. This can be a major hassle, especially for backpackers with a heavy bag.
Some cots, like the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air mattress to make them extra comfortable which means you can enjoy a great night's rest and not need to bring a sleeping pad along with you. However this cot is heavy and bulky, which means it's not easy to fit it into a tent even if the tent is plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another excellent option that does not require an extra sleeping pad. Its lightweight aluminum frame provides a good level of support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test subjects to use on hiking trips than an air or foam cushion.
Cots are a great option for camping, but they can also be used in other scenarios like when you've got guests staying over and you don't want them to sleep on the floor. They're also an excellent addition to an RV or camper because they are more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. They're also more sturdy than tents or an air mattress, so you don't need to worry about them bouncing around or blowing up in the middle of the night.
