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The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When hiking or hunting, a good night's sleep is crucial. Cots are an excellent option to keep you comfortable and off the ground. However they can be a bit heavy and can be difficult to pack when you're traveling.
We tested 10 of the best Cots and gave them a score based on comfort and the ability to move, ease of set-up and durability.
Comfort
Getting a good night's rest on the trail is essential to enjoy your camping experience. Unlike sleeping on the ground, cots keep you off the cold and uneven terrain while providing a comfortable place to sleep on. When selecting a cot look for one that is lightweight and offers solid support to ensure you get an enjoyable night's sleep. Cots with an appearance of a mattress are popular and are usually designed to be used in conjunction with an air mattress or a sleeping pad to add an extra layer of insulation.
Finding the right cot is crucial for car camping or backpacking. For those who are predominantly backpackers, look at lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer a lightweight sleeping solution that is easily carried in your pack. If you plan to combine a mix of backpacking and car camping, then consider something heavier, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
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 possible. Although they're heavier than their ultra-light counterparts they're still fairly easy to transport and set up on the trail.
It is crucial to take into consideration the materials and construction of the cot when selecting one. The fabric's fragility can lead to rips and tears therefore, you should choose a cot with high-quality fabrics that are designed to withstand regular use. You should look for specifics such as 600D polyester fabrics and reinforced seams to ensure that your cot will last for years to be.
A cot should also provide enough cushioning to keep you from the hard, uncomfortable ground. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are quilted and padded, while others, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3, feature baffles to keep your feet from sinking. Also, a cot must be long enough to accommodate your height and wide enough for you to comfortably lay down in. Look for a cot that has a sufficient weight capacity to be able to support your body, particularly when traveling with a spouse or pets.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots are lightweight and take up less space in your pack. This allows you to pack more sleeping gear into your backpack. They weigh less than many other camp bedding options, which can add up quickly during long hikes or multi-day backcountry excursions. The flexibility of the cot's design is essential when considering how long it takes to pack and unpack your gear.
It could take only some time to fold and put together a cot depending on the model. More complex models require more assembly, and some come with parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage pockets, or other features that help to reduce the amount of time you'll spend setting up your bed.
Cots with adjustable legs are the most versatile that allow you to adjust them to accommodate different terrain conditions. Some cots are equipped with a tether that helps keep them in place during windy or stormy weather. cribs beds are especially helpful when backpacking since uneven or unstable ground can compromise the stability of your shelter.
When selecting a cot, take into consideration how often you'll be using it and the location you'd like to camp. 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 better suited to car camping or basecamps. If you plan to use your cot for the home, it's worthwhile to invest in bedding specifically designed for the kind of bed you've got. This includes fitted and flat sheets as well as an appropriate pillowcase.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a fantastic choice if you are seeking an easy and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for all camping types. It folds down into a carry case that's similar in dimensions to the standard camping chair, and has a strap attached for simple haulage. This cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping area of our top selections. However, its strong materials and durable frames make it a good option for camping trips of all kinds.
Easy Setup
Cots can be a necessity for camping however they are more difficult to set up than other sleeping gear. This is due to the fact that you need to set them up in an even space, which can be difficult to find when camping. Some come with bars for the foot and head that you may not want to hit when sleeping.
Fortunately, the most comfortable cots we tested are relatively easy to set up. Some are self-standing which is a huge relief since you don't have to think about how to put them in place. Others feature simple folding designs and require just the click of a button. Traditional cots, however, are often a different story as they require you to construct the frame and tension the fabric yourself, which can take quite a bit of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the easiest to set up, meaning it can be used for camping in a car or tent camping. It can also be used on backpacking trips. It's a bit heavier than the typical cot but it packs down to a size that's similar to the carry case of the folding camping chair. It is also extremely durable, being made from a tough and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that is sturdy.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is simple to set up. It also has a unique construction that eliminates the need for bars that run across your feet and head, making it perfect for back and side sleepers. The cot can be folded down to a size that is similar to the bag that you carry in your preferred backpack. It's a bit heavier than the other cots we've tested but it's extremely sturdy and is suitable for adults of up to 225 pounds.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that is extremely simple to set up. It takes only a few moments to unfold, snap into place, and then a few pulls for it to be broken down. The legs lock in place using a unique lever-lock mechanism that is extremely secure and offers a sturdy platform for sleeping bags.
Durability
The best camping cots will be able to stand up to the rigors of use. They are constructed with durable components such as aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. The fabric should be tightly woven to ensure it doesn't break under the weight and tension of a sleeper. A high-quality cot will be constructed of 600D polyester, which is heavy duty and can endure wear and tear. The top cots also have reinforced seams and double stitching in highly stressed areas like pole sleeves.
Cots are great for camping as they keep you off the ground, comfortable and secure from bugs and other creatures that might be roaming in your campsite at night. Cots are an excellent alternative for sleeping mats and foam bags for hiking or backpacking. But, not all cots are made equal and some will require you to use an additional sleeping pad for maximum comfort. This can be a major issue, especially for backpackers with a heavy bag.
Some cots, such as the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air mattress to make them more comfortable, so you can get an excellent night's sleep and not need to bring a sleeping pad with you. However this cot is heavy and bulky, which means it can be hard to fit it into a tent, even if the tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another fantastic option, and does not require an extra sleeping pad. 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 for hiking trips than an air or foam cushion.
Cots are ideal for camping but they can be used in other situations like when you have guests stay over and don't want them sleeping on the floor. They're also a great option to an RV, camper or any other vehicle with mattresses. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. They're also more sturdy than an air mattress or tent and you don't have to fret when they explode or shift during the middle of the night.