The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting
A restful night's sleep is essential when you're hiking or hunting and cots are a great option for keeping you off the ground and in a comfortable position. However they can be heavy and challenging to pack when you're on the move.
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
Sleeping well on the trail is essential to enjoying your camping experience. Instead of sleeping on the ground, you can sleep comfortably in a cot. When selecting a cot make sure you choose one that is lightweight and provides an adequate amount of support to ensure you get an enjoyable night's sleep. Cots with a mattress-like cover are the most popular. They are typically designed to work with an air mattress, sleeping pad or other forms of insulation.
If you're backpacking or camping, finding the best cot to meet your needs is essential. For those who are primarily backpackers, think about lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer an extremely portable sleeping solution that is easily transported in your bag. For those who do a mix of backpacking and car camping look into something heavier and bigger, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.
If you're looking for an even more plush option, the top-rated cots listed here are all designed to look as similar to a traditional bed as is possible. Although they're heavier than their ultra-light counterparts, they're still relatively easy to transport and set up on the trail.
It's important to also consider the cot's materials and construction when selecting one. Flimsy fabrics are prone to tears and rips, so look for a cot made of high-quality fabrics that are designed to withstand the rigors of daily use. To ensure that your cot will last for many years, look for features such as a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.
A cot should also provide enough cushioning to shield you from the hard rough ground. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded, whereas others, such as REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles to prevent you from sinking into the cot. Lastly, a cot should be long enough to meet your height and wide enough to comfortably lay down in. You should choose a cot that has a sufficient capacity for weight, particularly if you are traveling with a companion or pet.
Portability
The most comfortable camping cots are small and can be placed in a smaller space in your backpack. This lets you pack more sleeping gear into your backpack. They weigh less than many other camp bedding options which can add up quickly when you go on long hikes or multiple-day backcountry excursions. When you consider how much time you spend packing and unpacking your equipment, the mobility of a cot is a significant aspect in the overall rating.
Based on the model you select, it may take a couple of minutes to unfold and put up the cot. Some models are more complicated and require more assembly. Other models have parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots have built-in storage, or other features to help you reduce the time to put together your bed.
Cots with adjustable legs are the most versatile that allow you to adjust them to fit various ground conditions. Some cots have a tether that helps keep them in place during windy or stormy weather. best cots uk are particularly useful when backpacking because uneven or unstable terrain could compromise the stability of your shelter.
When you're choosing a cot think about how often you'll use it and the location you'd like to set up camp. Cots that are lightweight and fold compactly are perfect for backpacking. However, cots that are heavy-duty and with a larger sleeping area work better for car camping or basecamps. If you intend to use your cot primarily at home, it's worth investing in a set bedding designed specifically for the cot you're using. This includes fitted and flat sheets, as well as a matching pillowcase.
If you're looking for a comfy, easy-to-set-up cot that's suitable for most types of camping and camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great option. It folds into a carry case that's similar in dimensions to a standard camping chair and comes with a strap for simple haulage. This cot does not have the biggest sleeping area of our top picks. However, its sturdy frame and durable materials make it a great option for camping trips of all kinds.
Easy Setup
Cots are often a necessity when camping, but they tend to be more difficult to install than other types of sleeping gear. 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 of them also come with bars for the head and foot area that you may not want to strike when you sleep.
Fortunately, the most comfortable cots we tested are relatively easy to install. Some are self-standing, which is a great relief because you don't need to worry about how to secure them. Some have a simple folding design and only require the click of a button. Traditional cots, however, are not always the best choice since they require you to assemble the frame and tension the fabric yourself and will require a significant amount of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is one of 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 cot, but it folds down to a size that's about similar to the carry case of the folding camping chair. It's also incredibly sturdy, constructed from a rugged and comfortable 600D polyester and an aluminum frame that doesn't have any plastic parts that are fragile.
Another model we recommend 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 perfect for side and back sleepers. The cot can also be folded down to a compact size that's roughly the same size as the bag that you use to store your favorite backpack. It's a little heavier than other cots we've tried, but it's very sturdy and is suitable for adults who weigh up to 225 pounds.
We were also awestruck by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a light cot that is very easy to install. It takes only two seconds to unfold and snap into place. It just a few twirls to take it apart for storage. The legs lock in place using a lever lock system that is extremely secure and offers the perfect base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The best camping cots are built to withstand the rigors of abuse and use. These cots are constructed of strong materials like aluminum frames and tough fabrics. The fabric must be tightly woven to ensure that it doesn't break when strained by the weight of a sleeping person. A cot that is of good quality will make use of heavy-duty 600D polyester, which is able to withstand a lot of wear and tear. The most durable cots have double stitching and reinforced seams in high-stress zones like pole sleeves.
Cots are ideal for camping because they keep you away from the ground, comfortable and secure from bugs and other animals that might be roaming in your campsite at night. Cots are a great alternative for sleeping bags and foam mats when backpacking or hiking. Not all cots provide the same comfort and some require a separate sleeping pad to be used alongside them. This can be a huge hassle, 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 a great night's rest and don't need to bring a sleeping pad with you. The cot is huge and bulky so it may be difficult to fit into a tent even if it has plenty of room.
The Helinox Lite Cot offers another excellent option that does not require an extra sleeping pad. Its lightweight aluminum frame provides good support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. Our test subjects who used it on hiking backpacking trips said they felt more comfortable than using an air or foam pad.
They're ideal for guests who are staying over, and you don't want them sleep on the floor. They're also a great option for a camper, RV or any vehicle that has a mattress. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. They're also more sturdy than an inflatable mattress or tent and you don't have to be concerned when they explode or shift during the middle of the night.