The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A restful and peaceful night is essential when hiking or hunting, and cots are a great option for keeping you off the ground and comfy. However, cots are bulky and difficult to pack for travel.
We test 10 of the top Cots and gave them a score based on comfort mobility, portability, ease of setup, and durability.
Comfort
A good night's rest is crucial to fully enjoy your camping excursion. In contrast to sleeping on the ground, cots keep you off the cold and uneven terrain, while providing a comfortable bed to sleep on. Find a cot that is light and also offers a solid foundation. This will ensure you a restful night's sleep. Cots that feature a mattress-like surface are particularly desirable and are often designed to be used in conjunction with an air mattress or a sleeping pad to provide an additional layer of insulation.
The right cot for you is essential for car camping or backpacking. For those who are mostly backpackers, consider lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer a lightweight sleeping solution that is easily transported in your bag. If you do a mixture of car camping and backpacking you should consider a heavier option, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If you're looking for a more luxurious option All of the cots featured on this list are designed to feel as close as they can to the traditional mattress. Although they're heavier than their ultra-light counterparts, they're still relatively simple to carry and put up on the trail.
It's important to also consider the materials and construction of the cot when choosing one. Choose cots that are constructed from high-quality fabrics that can withstand regular use. To ensure that your cot lasts for many years, look for details such as a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also provide a good amount of cushioning to shield you from the hard rough surface. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded, whereas others like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that stop you from sinking into the cot. A cot should also be wide enough and long enough to fit your height. You should select the cot that has the right weight capacity, especially if traveling with a friend or pet.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots fold down compactly and take up very little space inside a backpack which allows you to pack more sleeping gear into your backpack. They weigh less than other camping bedding options which can quickly add up when you go on long hikes or multiple-day backcountry trips. Considering the amount of time you spend packing and unpacking your gear the mobility of a cot is a major factor in its overall score.
Based on the model you choose, it could take a couple of minutes to unfold and set up the coffin. Certain models are more complex and require more assembly. Others have parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots are equipped with built-in storage or other features that can help you cut down on the time it takes to set up your bed.
Cots with legs that are adjustable are the most flexible that allow you to adjust them to suit different ground conditions. Some include a tether to keep them in place during storms or windy weather. These are especially useful when backpacking because uneven or unstable ground could compromise the stability of your shelter.
When selecting a cot, think about how often you'll use it and where you plan to camp. Cots with a light design and compact fold are great for backpacking, whereas the ones with a strong construction and a bigger sleeping area are better suited to basecamps or car camping. If you intend to use your cot for home primarily, it is worth investing in bedding that's specifically designed for the type of bed you have. This includes fitted and flat sheets as well as the pillowcase that matches.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great choice to consider if you're looking for an easy-to-setup and comfortable cot. It's ideal for all camping styles. It folds down into a case that resembles the camping chair and comes with a strap for easy transport. This cot doesn't offer the largest sleeping space of our top picks. However, its strong frames and sturdy materials make it a great option for most camping trips.
Easy Setup
Cots are often a necessity for camping but they can be more difficult to set-up as compared to other sleeping gear. It is because you have to put them up on an even surface that can be difficult to find when camping. Some of them also have bars on the foot and head that you may not want to strike while sleeping.
The cots we tested were fairly easy to set up. They are also self-standing, which is a huge relief since you don't have to worry about how to put them in place. Others have simple folding designs and only require a few clicks. Traditional cots aren't the same. You have to assemble the frame by yourself and then tie the fabric, which takes an enormous amount of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the easiest to set-up, so it can be used both for camping in the car and tent camping. It is also suitable for trips to backpack. It's heavier than the average camping cot, but it can be tucked away to the same size as a foldable campchair's carry case. It's also extremely robust, made of an extremely durable and comfortable 600D polyester and an aluminum frame that isn't made of any plastic parts that are fragile.
Another option we suggest is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is a breeze to set up. It also has a unibody design that eliminates bars that run across your head and feet which makes it ideal for back and side sleepers. The cot also packs down to a size that's roughly similar to the size of the storage bag for your backpack of choice. It's a bit heavier than some of the other cots we've tried, but it feels very sturdy and is suitable for adults up to 225lbs.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that is extremely simple to set up. It takes just a few seconds to unfold and snap into place and just a few twirls to take it apart to store it. The legs lock into place with a unique lever-lock system that is extremely secure and provides a sturdy platform for sleeping bags.
Durability
The most durable camping cots can be able to stand up to the rigors of use. These cots are made with sturdy materials such as aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. Fabric should be woven tightly so that it does not tear under the weight of an individual sleeping. A cot that is of good quality will use heavy-duty 600D polyester, which can withstand a lot of wear and tear. The top cots also have reinforced seams and double stitching in high stress areas such as pole sleeves.
They're great for camping, as they keep you comfortable and away from bugs and other creatures that might be lurking around at night. They are also an excellent alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads if you're hiking or backpacking. Not all cots offer the same comfort, and some require an additional sleeping pad to use together. This can be a big issue, especially for backpackers who carry a large bag.
Some cots have an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This allows you to get a good night's rest without the need to bring a sleeping mat. However, this cot is quite heavy and bulky, which means it's not easy to fit it into a tent, even if the tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another great option, which doesn't require an additional sleeping pad. The lightweight aluminum frame offers excellent support and is very comfortable to sleep on. tots and cots who used it on hiking backpacking trips said they felt more comfortable than when using an air or foam pad.
Cots are great for camping but they can be used in other scenarios, such as 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 the tent or air mattress, so you won't have to fret if they blow up or shift during the middle of night.