The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A restful and peaceful night is essential when hiking or hunting, and cots are a great option to keep you off the ground and comfy. However, cots are bulky and hard to transport for travel.
We tested 10 of the best co-teaching cots and scored them on comfort, the ability to move, ease of set-up and durability.
Comfort
A good night's sleep on the trail is crucial to enjoying your camping experience. As opposed to sleeping on the ground, cots help you stay away from the cold and uneven terrain while providing a comfortable bed to sleep on. When choosing a cot, make sure you choose one that is lightweight and offers an adequate amount of support to ensure an enjoyable night's sleep. Cots with a mattress-like cover are the most sought-after. They are often designed to work with an air mattress, sleeping pad or other types of insulation.
Finding the ideal cot is important regardless of whether you're camping in the car or backpacking. For tots and cots who are predominantly backpackers, think about lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer an extremely portable sleeping solution that can be carried in your backpack. If you are doing a combination of backpacking and car camping, then consider something heavier, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If you're looking for an even more comfortable option, the top cots listed here are all designed to be as similar to a traditional bed as they can. Although they're heavier than their ultra-light counterparts they're still relatively simple to transport and set up on the trail.
It's important to also consider the materials and construction of the cot when choosing one. Flimsy fabrics are prone to rips and tears so look for an cot that is made of top-quality materials that are made to withstand the rigors of daily use. To ensure that your cot lasts for many years, look for features like a 600D poly material and reinforced seams.
A cot should also provide adequate cushioning to keep you from the hard and uncomfortable ground. Some models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are quilted and padded, while others, such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3, feature baffles to keep you from sinking in. A cot should be wide enough and long enough to be able to accommodate your height. You should select a cot that has a sufficient capacity for weight, especially if you are traveling with a partner or pet.
Portability
The best camping cots are lightweight and take up less space in your pack. This lets you fit more sleeping equipment into your backpack. They are lighter than other alternatives for camp bedding, which is an advantage when you are taking long hikes and longer backcountry trips. The portability of the cot is essential when considering how much time it takes to pack and unpack your equipment.
It may only take a few minutes to unfold and assemble a cot depending on the model. More complicated models require more assembly, and some have parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots have built-in storage, or other features to help cut down on the time it takes to set up your bed.
Cots with legs that can be adjusted are the most versatile, letting you adjust them to suit different ground conditions. Some cots come with a tether that keeps them in place during windy or stormy weather. They're especially useful for backpacking, when the security of your shelter may be compromised due to uneven or unstable ground.
When choosing a cot, take into consideration how often you'll be using it, as well as the place you'd like to set up camp. Cots that are light and fold compactly are perfect for backpacking. However, cots with a lot of weight and with a larger sleeping area are better suited for camping in car parks or basecamps. If you intend to use your cot mostly at home, you should consider investing in a set of bedding specifically designed for the cot you're using. This includes fitted and flat sheets and the pillowcase that matches.
If you're looking for a comfy easy-to-set up cot that is suitable for most types of camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great choice. It folds into a case resembling the camping chair, and comes with straps for easy transportation. The cot doesn't have the largest sleeping platform of all our top picks however its robust materials and durable frame make it a good choice for any camping trip.
Easy Setup
Cots are usually a necessity when camping but they also are more difficult to set up than other types of sleeping gear. This is due to the fact that they require you to put them up on a level surface which can be difficult to find in the wilderness. Some of them have bars across their foot and head areas that you could prefer not to hit during your sleep.
The top cots we tested were relatively simple to set up. They are also self-standing, which is a relief as you don't need to worry about how to put them in place. Some have simple folding designs and require just a few clicks. Traditional cots, however, are often a different story as they require you to put together the frame and tie the fabric by yourself and it can take quite a bit of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik-cot is one of the simplest to set up, which means it can be used for tent or car camping, as well as for backpacking trips. It's heavier than a typical camping cot, but it can be tucked away to the same size as a foldable campchair's carry case. It's also incredibly robust, made of an extremely durable and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that doesn't have any plastic parts that are fragile.
We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is easy to set up. It also features a unibody construction that eliminates the need for bars that run across your feet and head which makes it ideal for sleepers who are back or side. The cot can also be folded down to a small size that's roughly the same size as the bag that you use to store your favorite backpack. It's heavier than some of the other cots we tested but it's very sturdy and is suitable for adults weighing up to 225 pounds.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that's easy to set-up. It takes just the time of a few minutes to unfold and snap into place and then a few pulls for it to be broken down. The legs lock in place with a lever-lock system which is very secure and provides a solid base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most comfortable camping cots are made to stand up to lots of abuse and use. These cots are made with strong materials like aluminum frames and strong fabrics. Fabric must be tightly woven to ensure that it doesn't fall apart under the weight of the sleeping person. A good cot is made of the 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 like pole sleeves.
Cots are ideal for camping, as they keep you off the ground, comfortable, and safe from bugs and other creatures who might be swarming around your campsite during the night. Cots are a great alternative for sleeping bags and foam mats when backpacking or hiking. There aren't all cots that provide the same comfort and some require a sleeping pad to use together. This can be a big problem, particularly for backpackers who carry a large bag.
Some cots come with an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This lets you get a good night's sleep without the need to bring the mattress. However the cot is large and bulky, so it's not easy to fit it into a tent even if your tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another great option, which does not require an additional sleeping pad. Its lightweight aluminum frame provides good support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our testers to use for hiking trips than a foam or air cushion.
They're also great for guests staying over, and you don't want to have them sleep on the floor. They're also ideal for an RV or camper because they are more comfortable than inflatable mattress. Plus, they're more sturdy than tents or an air mattress, so you don't have to worry about them shifting or blowing up in the middle of the night.