The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting

When hiking or hunting, a good night's sleep is vital. Cots are an excellent option to ensure you're comfortable and off the ground. However, cots are bulky and can be difficult to carry for Cribs travel.

We compared and evaluated 10 of the best cots in terms of comfort, portability and durability.

Comfort

A restful night's sleep is vital to fully enjoy your camping trip. Instead of sleeping on the ground you can rest comfortably in a cot. When choosing a cot, ensure that it is lightweight and provides an adequate amount of support to ensure a great night's rest. Cots with a mattress-like cover are the most sought-after. They are often designed to work with an air mattress or sleeping pad, or any other types of insulation.

Whether you're backpacking or car camping, finding the right cot for your needs is crucial. For those who are mostly backpackers, consider lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer a lightweight sleeping solution that is easily carried in your backpack. If you plan to combine car camping and backpacking think about something larger and heavier like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.

If you're looking for a luxurious option All of the cots on this list are designed to be as similar as they can to the traditional mattress. Although they're more heavy than their ultra-light counterparts they're still relatively easy to carry and put up on the trail.

When you're choosing a cot it's also important to consider the materials used and the construction. Fabrics that are thin are more prone to tears and rips, so look for a cot with high-quality materials that are made 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 have enough cushioning to keep you from the hard, uncomfortable ground. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded. Other models, such as REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles to prevent you from sinking into the cot. Lastly, a cot should be long enough to accommodate your height and wide enough to comfortably lay down in. You should select a Baby Cot Bed that has a sufficient weight capacity, especially if traveling with a companion or pet.

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 other camping bedding options, which can add up quickly on long hikes or multi-day backcountry excursions. The mobility of the cot is important when you consider how much time it takes to pack and unpack your gear.

Depending on the model that you choose, it can take a couple of minutes to unfold and set up the cot. Certain models are more difficult and require more assembly. Others have parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots are equipped with built-in storage or other features to help you cut down on the time it takes to put together your bed.

The most flexible cots come with adjustable legs, which allow you to adjust them to different ground conditions. Some include a tether to keep them in place during storms or turbulent weather. They are particularly useful when backpacking because uneven or unstable ground can affect the stability of your shelter.

When you're choosing a cot consider how often you'll use it and where you plan to stay. Cots that are lightweight and compact in size are great for backpacking. However, cots that are heavy-duty and have a bigger sleeping space are ideal for car camping or basecamps. If you intend to use your cot at the home, it's important to purchase bedding specifically designed to fit the type of bed you have. This usually consists of fitted and flat sheets and an appropriate pillowcase.

If you're looking for a comfortable, easy-to-set-up cot that's suitable for most types of camping, the Byer of Maine Easy infant cot bed is a fantastic choice. It packs down into a carrying case that's similar in size to the standard camping chair, and has a strap attached to make it easy to transport. This cot doesn't have the largest sleeping surface of our top rated cots picks. However, its sturdy frame and durable materials make it an excellent option for camping trips of all kinds.

Easy Setup

Cots are often a necessity when camping, but they are often more difficult to put up than other kinds of sleeping equipment. It is because you have to place them on an even space, which can be difficult to find when camping. Some come with bars for the head and foot area that you may not want to touch when sleeping.

The best cots that we tested were relatively simple to set up. Some are self-standing, which is a relief as you don't have to think about how to secure them. Others feature simple folding designs and require only the click of a button. Traditional cots aren't the same. You have to assemble the frame by yourself and then tie the fabric, which takes a lot of strength and time.

The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the easiest to set up, which means it can be used both for car camping and tent camping. It can also be used for backpacking trips. It's heavier than the average camping cot, but it can be packed down to the same size as a folding campchair's carry case. It's also incredibly sturdy, constructed from a rugged and comfortable 600D polyester and an aluminum frame that isn't made of any plastic parts that are fragile.

Another model we recommend is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is a breeze to set up. It's a unibody design that removes bars across the head and feet. This makes it ideal for side and back sleepers. The cot folds down to a compact size that's roughly the same as the storage bag for your backpack of choice. It's heavier than other cots we've tested, but it's very robust and is suitable for adults weighing up to 225lbs.

The Helinox Lite Mini Cot Bed is a lightweight cot that's simple to set up. It only takes some time to unfold and snap into place and then a few tugs to break it down. The legs are locked with a unique lever-lock system that is extremely secure and offers a sturdy platform for sleeping bags.

Durability

The best camping cots are able to stand up to a lot of abuse. These cots are made with durable materials like aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. The fabric should be tightly woven so that it does not tear in the rigors and strain of a sleeping person. A high-quality cot is made of 600D polyester which is extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear. The best cots also use reinforced seams and double stitching in highly stressed places like pole sleeves.

Cots are ideal for camping as they keep you away from the ground, comfortable, and safe from insects and other creatures who might be swarming around your campsite during the night. Cots can be a great substitute for sleeping mats and foam mattresses when backpacking or hiking. Some cots don't offer the same comfort, and some require a sleeping pad to be used with them. This can be a huge problem, particularly for backpackers who carry a large bag.

Some cots use an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This allows you to get a good night's rest without the need to bring a sleeping mat. The cot is big and bulky, which means it will be difficult to fit into a tent even if it's spacious.

The Helinox Lite Cot is another fantastic option that doesn't require an additional pad to be comfortable. Its lightweight aluminium frame provides excellent support and is very comfortable to sleep on. Our testers who used it on hikes in the mountains say they felt more comfortable than when using a foam or air pad.

Cots are great for camping, but they can also be used in other circumstances for instance, when you're having guests stay over and you don't want them to sleep on the floor. They are also a great addition to an RV or camper because they're much more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. Plus, they're more sturdy than tents or an air mattress, which means you don't have to worry about them blowing up or shifting up in the middle of the night.