A restful night's sleep is critical when hiking or hunting, and cots are an excellent option for keeping you off the ground and comfortable. However they can be heavy and difficult to carry when you're on the go.
We tested 10 of the best cots and rated them on comfort, the ability to move, ease of set-up and durability.Comfort
Getting a good night's rest on the trail is crucial to enjoying your camping experience. Unlike sleeping on the ground, cots keep you off the cold and uneven terrain, while giving you a comfortable bed to sleep in. When selecting a cot make sure you choose one that is light and offers an adequate amount of support to ensure you get a great night's rest. Cots that feature a mattress-like surface are particularly desirable and are often designed to be used in conjunction with an air mattress or sleeping pad to add an extra layer of insulation.
If you're backpacking or camping, choosing the right cot for your needs is key. For those who are mostly backpackers, consider lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer a lightweight sleeping solution that is easily carried in your backpack. If you do a mixture of car camping and backpacking, then consider something heavier like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.
If you want a more luxurious option All of the cots on this list are designed to feel as close as they can to the traditional mattress. Although they're heavier than their ultra-light counterparts, they're still relatively easy to carry and put up on the trail.
When choosing a cot, it is also important to think about the materials and construction. Fabrics that are thin are more prone to rips and tears, so choose a cot with high-quality materials that are made to withstand regular use. You should look for specifics like 600D polyester fabrics and reinforced seams to ensure that your cot will last for a long time to be.
A cot should also provide adequate cushioning, to protect you against the hard, uncomfortable surface. Certain models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are cushioned and quilted, whereas others, such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3, feature baffles to keep your feet from sinking. Also, a cot must be long enough to fit your height and wide enough for you to comfortably lay down in. Look for a cot that is able to support your weight to ensure it's able to support your body, especially in the case of traveling with a spouse or pets.
Portability
The best camping cots are compact and take up less space in your pack. This lets you fit more sleeping equipment into your backpack. They also weigh less than many other camp bedding options which can quickly add up on long hikes or multi-day backcountry treks. The flexibility of the cot's design is important when you consider how much time it takes to unpack and pack your gear.
Depending on the model you select, it may take a couple of minutes to unfold and put up a cot. More complicated models require more assembly, and some have parts that can be difficult to locate or connect. Some cots have built-in storage pockets or other features that can help you minimize the amount of time you'll spend setting up your bed.
Cots with adjustable legs are the most versatile, letting you adjust them to accommodate different terrain conditions. Some include a tether to keep them in place during storms and windy weather. They're especially useful for backpacking, when the stability of your shelter could be weakened due to uneven or unstable ground.
Consider how often you will use the cot as well as the place you intend to camp when choosing a cot. Cots with a lightweight design and compact fold are ideal for backpacking, while the ones with a strong construction and a bigger sleeping area are better suited to car camping or basecamps. If you plan to keep your cot at your home, it's worthwhile to invest in bedding specifically designed for the kind of bed you've got. This includes flat and fitted sheets as well as the pillowcase that matches.
The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great option when you're looking for an easy-to-setup and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for most camping styles. It folds into a case that resembles an outdoor chair and has an easy-to-transport strap. This cot doesn't have the largest sleeping surface 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 a must for camping however they are more difficult to set up as compared to other sleeping gear. This is due to the fact that you need to set them up in an even surface which is difficult to locate while camping. Some of them also come with bars for the head and foot area that you might not want to touch when sleeping.
Thankfully, the best cots that we tested are easy to install. Some are self-standing which is a great relief because you don't need to worry about how to fix them. Some have a simple folding design and require just a few clicks. Traditional cots, however, are often a different story because they require you to put together the frame and then tie the fabric yourself and it could take a lot of strength and time.
The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is among the simplest to set up, which means it can be used both for camping in the car and tent camping. It can also be used for backpacking trips. It's a little heavier than the average cot, but it can be folded to a size that's about similar to the carry case of the folding camping chair. It's also incredibly durable, made from an extremely durable and comfortable 600D polyester with 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 also easy to set up. It also features a unibody construction that eliminates the need for bars across your feet and head, making it perfect for side and back sleepers. The cot is foldable down to a size similar to the size of your preferred backpack. It's heavier than other cots we've tested but it feels very solid and is suitable for adults of up to 225lbs.
The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that is extremely easy to set up. It takes only a few seconds to fold and snap into place. It only requires a few pulls to disassemble for storage. The legs lock in place with a lever-lock system which is extremely secure and provides a solid base for your sleeping bag.
Durability
The most comfortable camping cots are built to withstand the rigors of abuse and use. These cots are made with durable materials like aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. Fabric should be woven tightly so that it doesn't tear under the weight of an individual sleeping. A high-quality cot is constructed of 600D polyester, which is strong and able to endure 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 because they keep you off the ground, comfy, and safe from bugs and other animals that may be roaming around your campsite at night. They also provide an alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're hiking or backpacking. But there are a few differences between cots. Not all cots are made in the same way, and some require you to pair them with an additional sleeping pad to provide maximum comfort. This can be a major hassle, especially for backpackers who carry a large bag.
Some cots have an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This lets you get a good night's rest without bringing an extra sleeping mat. However the baby cot online (her comment is here) is large and bulky, so it's not easy to fit it into a tent even if the tent has plenty of space.
The Helinox Lite Cot is another excellent option that doesn't need an additional mattress to be comfortable. Its aluminum frame is lightweight and provides good support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. Our test subjects who took it on backpacking hiking trips say they were more comfortable than using a foam or air pad.
Cots are great for camping but they can be used in other scenarios, such as when you're having guests stay over and don't want them sleeping on the floor. They are also ideal for a camper or RV because they're more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. They're also more stable than a tent or air mattress, which means you don't have to fret about them bouncing around or blowing up in the middle of the night.
