The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting

If you're hiking or hunting, a good night's sleep is crucial. Cots are an excellent option to keep you comfortable and off the ground. However, cots are bulky and can be difficult to carry on the road.

We compared and scored 10 of the best cots for comfort, portability and durability.

Comfort

A good night's rest is essential for a successful camping trip. As opposed to sleeping on the ground, cots keep you from the rough and cold terrain while providing a comfortable place to rest in. When selecting a cot make sure you choose one that is lightweight and provides an adequate amount of support to ensure a great night's rest. Cots with a mattress-like top are the most desirable. They are usually designed to work with an air mattress, sleeping pad or other insulation.

Whether you're backpacking or car camping, finding the right cot to meet your needs is essential. Think about 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 do a mixture of car camping and backpacking, then consider something heavier such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.

If you want a more luxurious option All of the cots that made this list are designed to feel as close as possible to a traditional mattress. Although they're heavier than their ultra-light counterparts they're still fairly easy to transport and put up on the trail.

It is crucial to take into consideration the cot's materials and construction when choosing one. Find cots constructed from high-quality fabrics that can withstand regular use. You should look for specifics such as 600D polyester fabrics and reinforced seams to ensure your cot will last for many years to come.

A cot must also offer enough cushioning to shield you from the hard and uncomfortable ground. Some models, like 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 must also be long and wide enough to accommodate your height. Find a cot that has an adequate weight capacity to be able to help your body, especially in the case of traveling with a companion or pet.

Portability

The best camping cots are lightweight and take up less space in your pack. This lets you pack more sleeping gear into your backpack. They are also lighter than other camping bedding options and can quickly add up on long hikes or multi-day backcountry treks. The flexibility of the cot's design is essential when considering the amount of time it takes to unpack and pack your equipment.

It can take just several minutes to fold and assemble a cot depending on the model. Some models are more complicated 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 that can help you reduce the time to put together your bed.

Cots with legs that are adjustable are the most versatile, letting you adjust them to fit various ground conditions. Some come with a tether to help keep them in place during storms or stormy weather. They're particularly useful for backpacking, when the stability of your shelter can be weakened due to uneven or unstable ground.

When choosing a cot, take into consideration how often you'll be using it and where you plan to set up camp. Cots that are lightweight and compact are ideal for backpacking. However, cots with a lot of weight and with a larger sleeping area are better suited for basecamps or car camping. If you plan to use your cot at the home, it's worth investing in bedding that's specifically designed for the kind of bed you've got. This typically includes flat and fitted sheets and the pillowcase.

The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great choice when you're seeking an easy-to-setup and comfortable cot. It's ideal for all types of camping. It folds into a carrying case that's similar in dimensions to the standard camping chair, and has an attached strap for simple haulage. It doesn't come with the biggest sleeping platform among all our top picks, but its sturdy materials and sturdy frame make it a great choice for any camping trip.

Easy Setup

Cots are often a necessity when camping, but they are more difficult to install than other types of sleeping gear. This is because they require you to set them up on an even surface, which is difficult to find in the wilderness. Some of them have bars over their head and foot areas that you may need to be careful not to hit during your sleep.

The top cots we tested were relatively simple to set up. Some of them are self-standing which is a major relief since they don't require you to figure out how to secure them, while others come with an easy fold-out design and a couple of clicks to get them into place. Traditional cots are a different story. You must assemble the frame yourself and then tension the fabric, which takes an enormous amount of strength and time.

The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the easiest to set up, meaning it can be used both for car camping and tent camping. It can also be used for backpacking trips. It's heavier than your typical camping cot, but it can be tucked away to the same dimensions as a folding campchair's carry case. It is also extremely durable, made of a rugged and comfy 600D polyester and strong aluminum frame.

Another option we suggest is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is a breeze to set up. It's a unibody design that eliminates bars across the feet and head. This makes it ideal for those who sleep on their backs and sides. The cot folds down to a small size that's about the same size as the bag you carry in your backpack of choice. It's heavier than other cots we've tested, but it feels very sturdy and is suitable for adults up to 225 pounds.

We were also impressed with the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a light cot that's extremely easy to set up. It takes only a few moments to unfold and snap it into place and then a few tugs for it to be broken down. The legs are secured with a lever-lock system which is extremely secure and offers an excellent base for your sleeping bag.

Durability

The best camping cots are able to stand up to a lot of abuse. They are constructed with durable materials like aluminum frames and strong fabrics. Fabric should be tightly woven so that it does not break when a sleeping individual. A good cot will use the heavy-duty 600D polyester, which can withstand a lot of wear and tear. The best cots use double stitching and reinforced seams in high stress zones such as pole sleeves.

Cots are great for camping, as they keep you off the ground, comfortable, and safe from insects and other creatures that may be roaming around your campsite during the night. Cots can be a great substitute for sleeping mats and foam bags for hiking or backpacking. But there are a few differences between cots. Not all cheap baby cots (you can look here) are made to be the same and some require you to use an additional sleeping pad to provide maximum comfort. This can be a major problem, especially for backpackers who are already carrying a heavy pack.

Some cots, like the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them more comfortable and allow you to get a good night's sleep and not need to carry a mattress along with you. However the cot is heavy and bulky, which means it's not easy to fit it into a tent, even if the tent is plenty of space.

The Helinox Lite Cot offers another fantastic option, and does not require an additional sleeping pad. The lightweight aluminum frame offers great support and is comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our testers to use on hikes than a foam or air cushion.

They're ideal for guests who are staying with you, and you don't want to let them sleep on the floor. They're also a great addition to an RV, camper or any vehicle that comes with an air mattress. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. Additionally, they're more stable than a tent or air mattress, which means you don't have to fret about them blowing up or shifting up in the middle of the night.