The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting

A good night's rest is critical when hiking or hunting, and cots are a great option to keep you off the ground and comfortable. However they can be heavy and challenging to pack when you're on the go.

We evaluated 10 of the most comfortable co-teaching cots and scored them on comfort, portability, ease of setup, and durability.

Comfort

A good night's rest is crucial for a successful camping trip. As opposed to sleeping on the ground you can rest comfortably in a bed. When selecting a cot, make sure you choose one that is lightweight and provides an adequate amount of support to ensure you get an excellent night's sleep. Cots that have a mattress-like top are the most sought-after. They are typically designed to be used with an air mattress or sleeping pad as well as other types of insulation.

The right cot for you is crucial for car camping or backpacking. Look at lightweight options like 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 backpacking and car camping and camping, you might want to consider something heavier, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.

If you're looking for a more luxurious option, the top-rated cots listed here are all designed to look as similar to a traditional bed as possible. Although they're more heavy than their ultra-light counterparts they're still relatively easy to transport and put up on the trail.

It is crucial to take into consideration the materials and construction of the cot when choosing one. Choose cots that are constructed from high-quality fabrics that can withstand regular use. To ensure that your cot lasts many years to come, look for specifics like a 600D poly material and reinforced seams.

A cot should also provide a decent amount of cushioning to keep you from the hard and uncomfortable ground. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded. Other models, such as REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that prevent you from sinking into the cot. A cot should be long enough to fit your height and wide enough to comfortably lie down in. You should select the cot that has the right weight capacity, especially if traveling with a friend or pets.

Portability

The best 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 during long hikes or multi-day backcountry excursions. Considering how much time you'll spend packing and unpacking your gear, the ability to move a cot around is a major factor in its overall rating.

Depending on the model that you choose, it could take a few minutes to unroll and put up the coffin. More complicated models require more assembly, and some come with parts that can be difficult to locate or connect. Some cots are equipped with built-in storage or other features to help reduce the time to set up your bed.

The most versatile cots to tots are those with adjustable legs, which allow you to adjust them to different ground conditions. Some cots are equipped with a tether that keeps them in place during stormy or windy weather. They are particularly suitable for backpacking trips, as the stability of your shelter could be weakened due to uneven or unstable ground.

Think about how often you'll use the cot as well as the place you intend to camp when choosing a cot. Cots that are lightweight and fold compactly are perfect for backpacking. However cots that are built to last and have a bigger sleeping space are ideal for camping in car parks or basecamps. If you intend to keep your cot at home primarily, it is worth investing in bedding that's specifically designed to fit the type of bed you've got. This includes flat and fitted sheets as well as a matching pillowcase.

The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great choice when you're looking for an easy and comfortable Baby Cot. It's also suitable for all camping styles. It folds down into a case similar to a camping chair, and has a strap for easy transport. It doesn't come with the biggest sleeping platform among the top choices however its robust frames and sturdy materials make it a solid choice for any camping trip.

Easy Setup

Cots can be a necessity for camping however they are more difficult to set-up as compared to other sleeping gear. This is because they require you to place them on a level surface, which is difficult to find in the wilderness. Additionally, some of them have bars on their foot and head areas which you might prefer not to hit when you sleep.

The best cots that we tested were relatively easy to set up. Some are self-standing which is a major relief as it doesn't require you to figure out how to secure them while others come with a simple foldout design and a couple of clicks to get them into place. Traditional cots are often a different story because they require you to construct the frame and tie the fabric yourself, which could take a lot of strength and time.

The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the easiest to set-up, so it can be used for camping in a car or tent camping. It is also suitable for trips to backpack. It's heavier than a typical camping cot, however it can be tucked away to the same dimensions as a folding campchair's carry case. It is extremely durable, constructed of tough and comfortable 600D polyester and a sturdy aluminum frame.

We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is simple to set up. It's a single-body design that removes bars across the feet and head. This makes it ideal for back and side sleepers. The cot is foldable down to a size comparable to the bag that you carry in your backpack of choice. It's a bit heavier than other cots we've tested but it feels very solid and is suitable for adults of up to 225 pounds.

We were also awestruck by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a light cot that is extremely simple to set up. It takes just a few seconds to fold and snap back into place. It only requires a few tugs to take it apart for storage. The legs are locked with a lever-lock system which is very secure and provides an excellent base for your sleeping bag.

Durability

The best camping cots are built to withstand the rigors of abuse and use. These cots are made with strong materials like aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. The fabric should be tightly woven so that it will not tear in the rigors and strain of a sleeper. A cot that is of good quality will use the heavy-duty 600D polyester, which will withstand lots of wear and tear. The best cots also use reinforced seams and double stitching in highly stressed areas such as pole sleeves.

They're great for camping because they are comfortable and keep you free of bugs and other creatures that may be lurking around in the dark. Cots can be a great substitute for sleeping mats and foam mattresses when backpacking or hiking. Some cots and tots don't provide the same comfort and some require a separate sleeping pad to be used together. This can be a huge problem, especially for backpackers carrying a large backpack.

Some cots come with an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This allows you to get a good night's rest without the need to bring an extra sleeping mat. However this cot is big 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 fantastic option, and does not require an extra sleeping pad. Its aluminum frame is lightweight and provides great support and is comfortable to sleep on. Our testers who used it on backpacking hiking trips say they were more comfortable than using an air or foam pad.

They're also ideal for guests who are staying in your home and you don't want to have them sleep on the floor. They're also an excellent option to a camper, RV or any vehicle that has mattresses. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. 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.