How To Recognize The Best Cots That's Right For You
The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A restful and peaceful night is essential while hunting or hiking, and cots are a great option to keep you off the ground and in a comfortable position. However, cots can be bulky and can be difficult to pack when you're on the go.
best cot beds tested and evaluated 10 of the best cots in terms of the quality of their comfort, portability, and durability.
Comfort
A good night's sleep on the trail is crucial for enjoying your camping experience. Instead of sleeping on the ground you can rest comfortably in a bed. When selecting a cot make sure you choose one that is light and offers solid support to ensure a great night's rest. Cots that have a mattress-like top are the most desirable. They are often designed to be used with an air mattress or sleeping pad, or any other types of insulation.
Whether you're backpacking or car camping, finding the best cot to meet your needs is essential. Consider lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot and ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot for backpackers. These are extremely portable sleeping solutions that can be carried in your backpack. If you are doing a combination 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 an even more plush option, the top-rated cots on this list are all made to feel as close to a traditional bed as is possible. While they're more bulky than their ultra-light counterparts, they're still relatively easy to carry and put up on the trail.
When selecting a cot it is also important to think about the materials and construction. Look for cots made of high-quality fabrics that are durable enough to withstand daily use. You should look for specifics such as a 600D polyester fabric and reinforced seams to ensure your cot will last for years to be.
A cot should also provide a good amount of cushioning to shield you against the hard rough surface. Certain models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded, whereas others, such as REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that stop you from sinking into the cot. A cot should also be wide and long enough to fit your height. Look for a cot that is able to support your weight to ensure it's able to support your body, especially if you're traveling with a spouse or pets.
Portability
The best camping cots are small and require less space in your pack. This allows you to put more sleeping gear in 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 excursions. The portability of the cot is important when you consider how long it takes to unpack and pack your gear.
Based on the model you select, it may take a couple of minutes to unfold and put up the coffin. More complicated models require more assembly, and some include parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots are equipped with storage pockets or other features that can help you minimize the amount of time spent making your bed.
Cots with adjustable legs are the most flexible that allow you to adjust them to accommodate different terrain conditions. Some cots are equipped with a tether that helps keep them steady in conditions of stormy or windy weather. They are particularly useful when backpacking as uneven or unstable terrain can compromise the stability of your shelter.
Consider how often you'll use the cot as well as the place you intend to camp when selecting a cot. Cots that are lightweight and compact are ideal for backpacking. However, cots that are heavy-duty and have a bigger sleeping space are ideal for camping in car parks or basecamps. If you plan to keep your cot at the home, it's important to purchase bedding specifically designed for the kind of bed you have. This includes flat and fitted sheets, as well as the pillowcase that matches.
If you're in search of a comfortable, easy-to-set-up cot that's suitable for all types of camping The Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great choice. It folds into a case similar to the camping chair and is equipped with an easy-to-transport strap. It doesn't come with the biggest sleeping platform among the top choices however its robust frames and sturdy materials make it a great choice for any camping trip.
Easy Setup
Cots are often a necessity when camping but they also are often more difficult to put up than other kinds of sleeping equipment. This is because they require you to place them on a level surface which can be hard to find in the wilderness, and some of them have bars on their head and foot areas which you might want to avoid hitting when you sleep.
The top cots we tested were relatively simple to set up. Some of them are self-standing which is a major relief as they don't require you to figure out how to secure them while others have an easy fold-out design and a couple of clicks to set them in place. Traditional cots, however, are not always the best choice since they require you to put together the frame and tie the fabric yourself, which will require a significant amount of energy and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double-Kwik-Cot is one of the most simple to build and can be used for car or tent camping, as well as backpacking trips. It's a bit heavier than the standard cot, but it folds down to a size that's the same size as the carry case of a fold-down camping chair. It's also extremely durable, being made of tough and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that is sturdy.
Another option we suggest is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is also easy to set up. It's a unibody design that eliminates 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 size as the bag that you use to store your favorite backpack. It's 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.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that is extremely simple to set up. It takes only a few seconds to fold and snap back into place. It only requires a few pulls to disassemble to make it easier to store. The legs are locked using a unique lever-lock mechanism that is extremely secure and provides a sturdy platform for sleeping bags.
Durability
The most comfortable camping cots are designed to stand up to lots of use and abuse. They are constructed with durable components such as aluminum frames and robust fabrics. The fabric must be tightly woven so that it does not tear in the rigors and strain of a sleeper. A high-quality cot will be constructed of 600D polyester, which is heavy duty and can stand up to wear and tear. The top cots also feature reinforced seams and double stitching in high-stress places like pole sleeves.
They are ideal for camping as they are comfortable and keep you free of bugs and other creatures that may be lurking around in the dark. Cots are an excellent alternative for sleeping bags and foam mats when backpacking or hiking. However, not all cots are made in the same way and some require you to add an additional sleeping pad to provide optimal comfort. This can be a big problem, especially for backpackers who are already carrying a heavy backpack.
Some cots, for instance the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them more comfortable and allow you to get an excellent night's sleep and don't have to carry a mattress to sleep on. However this cot is large and bulky, so it isn't 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 extra sleeping pad. Its aluminum frame is lightweight and provides good support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. Our testers who used it on hiking backpacking trips said they were more comfortable than using a foam or air pad.
Cots are ideal for camping however they can also be used in other situations like when you're having guests stay over and you don't want them sleeping on the floor. They're also an excellent option to an RV, camper or any other vehicle with a mattress. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. They're also more sturdy than an air mattress or tent and you don't have to worry if they blow up or shift in the middle night.