The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
When hiking or hunting getting a good night's rest is crucial. Cots are a great option to keep you cozy and off the ground. However they can be a bit heavy and challenging to pack when you're traveling.
We tested and rated 10 of the top cots for the quality of their comfort, portability, and durability.
Comfort
Sleeping well on the trail is essential to enjoying your camping experience. Unlike sleeping on the ground, cots keep you off the cold and uneven terrain, while providing a comfortable bed to sleep in. When selecting a cot make sure you choose one that is lightweight and offers an adequate amount of support to ensure you get an excellent night's sleep. Cots that feature an appearance of a mattress are desirable and are often designed to be used in conjunction with an air mattress or sleeping pad to provide an additional layer of insulation.
Finding the right cot is crucial regardless of whether you're camping in the car or backpacking. For those who are predominantly backpackers, consider lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer a lightweight sleeping solution that can be carried in your pack. For those who do a mix of backpacking and car camping, consider something larger and heavier, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for a plush option, the top-rated cots listed here are all made to be as like a traditional mattress as they can. Although they're more heavy than their ultra-light counterparts they're still fairly easy to transport and put up on the trail.
It is important to consider the cot's materials and construction 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 fabrics that are designed to stand up to regular use. To ensure that your cot lasts many years, look for details such as a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also have a good amount of cushioning, to protect you from the hard rough surface. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are quilted and padded, while others, such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3, have baffles to prevent you from sinking in. Also, a cot must be long enough to meet your height and wide enough to comfortably lay down in. Choose a cot which has an adequate weight capacity to ensure it can support your body, particularly when traveling with a partner or pets.
Portability
The best camping cots fold up compactly and take up a small amount of space in a pack, allowing you to fit 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 trips. Considering how much time you're spending packing and unpacking your gear, the ability to move a cot around is a significant aspect in the overall rating.
It can take just several minutes to fold and assemble a cot, dependent on the model. More complicated models require more assembly, and some include 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 spent making your bed.
The most flexible cots come with legs that can be adjusted, allowing you to adjust them to different ground conditions. Some cots come with a tether that helps keep them steady in conditions of stormy or windy weather. They are particularly ideal for backpacking, where the stability of your shelter could be compromised by uneven or unstable ground.
When choosing a cot, consider how often you'll use it and where you plan to stay. Cots with a lightweight design and compact fold are ideal for backpacking, whereas the ones with a strong construction and a larger sleeping space are better suited to basecamps or camping in cars. If you plan to keep your cot at the home, it's worth investing in bedding that's specifically designed for the type of bed you have. This usually consists of flat and fitted sheets and an appropriate pillowcase.
If you're looking for a comfy, easy-to-set-up cot that's suitable for all types of camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great option. It folds down into a carry case that's similar in dimensions to the standard camping chair, and comes with a strap to make it easy to transport. The cot doesn't offer the largest sleeping space of our top picks. However, its strong frames and sturdy materials make it an excellent option for most camping trips.
Ease of Setup
Cots are often a necessity when camping, but they tend to be more difficult to put up than other kinds of sleeping equipment. This is due to the fact that you need to set them up in an even surface which is difficult to find when camping. Some come with bars for the foot and head which you don't want to hit while sleeping.
Fortunately, the most comfortable cots we tried are easy to set up. Some are self-standing which is a great relief because you don't have to think about how to fix them. Others feature a simple folding design and only require an easy few clicks. Traditional cots are not always the best choice because they require you to put together the frame and then tie the fabric yourself and will require a significant amount of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik-cot one of the easiest to set up, which means it can be utilized for tent or car camping as well as backpacking trips. It's heavier than your typical camping cot, but it can be tucked away to the same size as a folding camping chair's carry case. It is also extremely durable, being made of tough and comfortable 600D polyester with a sturdy aluminum frame.
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 back and side sleepers. The cot can also be folded down to a size that's about the same as the bag that you use to store your backpack of choice. It's heavier than the other cots we've tested, however, it's very sturdy and is suitable for adults who weigh up to 225lbs.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that is extremely simple to set up. It takes only a few moments to unfold and snap it into place and then a few tugs to break it down. The legs lock in place by a unique lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides a solid platform for sleeping bags.
Durability
The most comfortable camping cots are designed to withstand the rigors of use and abuse. These cots are made with durable materials like aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. Fabric should be tightly woven so that it will not tear when a sleeping individual. A good cot will make use of the heavy-duty 600D polyester, which is able to withstand a lot of wear and tear. The top cots also feature reinforced seams and double stitching in highly stressed areas such as pole sleeves.
Cots are great for camping, as they keep you off the ground, comfy and protected from insects and other creatures that may be roaming around your campsite during the night. They also provide an excellent alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're backpacking or hiking. There aren't all cots that offer the same comfort, and some require a separate sleeping pad to use with them. This can be a big problem, especially for backpackers who are already carrying a large backpack.
top ranked cribs come with an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This lets you have a restful night's sleep without bringing a sleeping mat. This cot is large and bulky so it may be difficult to fit in a tent even if it's spacious.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another great option that doesn't require an additional mattress to be comfortable. Its lightweight aluminum frame provides good 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.
They're ideal for guests who are who are staying in your home and you don't want to let them sleep on the floor. They're also ideal for an RV or camper because they're more comfortable than inflatable mattress. They're also more sturdy than an air mattress or tent which means you don't need to worry whether they explode or shift in the middle night.