The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting

A restful night's sleep is vital when hiking or hunting, and cots to tots are an excellent option to keep you off the ground and comfortable. However, cots are bulky and difficult to pack for travel.

We tested 10 of the best co-teaching cots and scored them on comfort and portability, ease of setup and durability.

Comfort

A good night's sleep is essential to fully enjoy your camping trip. As opposed to sleeping on the ground, cots keep you off the cold and uneven terrain while providing a comfortable place to sleep in. Look for a cot that is lightweight and also offers a solid level of support. This will guarantee you a restful night's sleep. Cots that have a mattress-like top are the most sought-after. They are typically designed to work with an air mattress or sleeping pad as well as other forms of insulation.

The right cot for you is essential regardless of whether you're camping in the car or backpacking. For those who are predominantly backpackers, consider 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. If you plan to combine a mix of backpacking and car camping you should consider a heavier option like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.

If you're looking for a more comfortable option, the top rated cots cots listed here are all made to be as like a traditional mattress as possible. They're a bit heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts, however, they're easy to carry and setup on the trail.

It is important to consider the materials and construction of the cot when selecting one. Choose cots that are made of high-quality fabrics that can withstand regular use. Look for features such as 600D polyester fabrics and reinforced seams to ensure your cot will last for many years to come.

A cot should also provide a good amount of cushioning to guard from the hard and uncomfortable surface. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded, while others like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that 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. Choose a cot which has a sufficient weight capacity to ensure it can support your body, particularly in the case of traveling with a partner or pet.

Portability

The best camping cots are small and can be placed in a smaller space in your pack. This allows you to fit more sleeping equipment into your backpack. They are less heavy than other alternatives for camping bedding, which can be an advantage when you are taking long hikes and longer backcountry excursions. When you consider how much time you spend packing and unpacking your gear the ability to move a cot around is a significant aspect in its overall score.

It can take just some time to fold and assemble a cot, depending on the model. Certain models are more complex and require more assembly. Other models have parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots have built-in storage pockets or other features that help to reduce the amount of time spent building your bed.

cots offers with legs that can be adjusted are the most versatile that allow you to adjust them to fit various ground conditions. Some come with an anchor to keep them in place during storms or turbulent weather. These are especially helpful when backpacking since uneven or unstable terrain can compromise the stability of your shelter.

When choosing a cot, think about how often you'll use it and the location you'd like to stay. Cots with a light design and compact fold are great for backpacking, whereas the ones with a strong construction and larger sleeping area are more suitable for car camping or basecamps. If you intend to keep your cot at your home, it's important to purchase bedding specifically designed to fit the type of bed you have. This includes flat and fitted sheets as well as a matching pillowcase.

If you're looking for a comfortable and easy-to-set-up cot suitable for all types of camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a great choice. It folds into a carry case that's similar in dimensions to the standard camping chair, and has an attached strap for easy transport. The cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping platform of all our top picks, but its sturdy materials and durable frame make it a good option for camping trips of all kinds.

Easy Setup

Cots can be a necessity for camping but they can be more difficult to set-up as compared to other sleeping gear. This is due to the fact that you need to place them on an even space, that can be difficult to find when camping. Some have bars on the head and foot area which you don't want to touch when you sleep.

The best cots that we tested were fairly easy to set up. Some are self-standing, which is a huge relief since it doesn't require you to figure out how to secure them, and others feature an easy fold-out design and just a few clicks to put them in the right position. Traditional cots, however, are usually a different story since they require you to construct the frame and tension the fabric yourself and it will require a significant amount of strength and time.

The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik-cot is one of the most simple to set up, which means it can be used for tent or car camping as in backpacking trips as. It's heavier than a typical camping cot, however it can be folded down to the same dimensions as a folding campchair's carry case. It's also incredibly sturdy, constructed from a rugged and comfortable 600D polyester with an aluminum frame that doesn't contain any plastic parts that are flimsy.

Another option we suggest is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is another cinch to set up. It's a single-body design that eliminates bars on the head and feet. This makes it ideal for back and side sleepers. The cot also packs down to a compact size that's roughly the same as the storage bag for your backpack of choice. It's a little heavier than other cots we've tested, but it's 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 is extremely simple to install. It takes only the time of a few minutes to unfold and snap it into place and then a few tugs for it to be broken down. The legs lock in place with a unique lever-lock system that is extremely secure and provides a solid platform for your sleeping bag.

Durability

The best camping cots will be able to stand up to the rigors of use. They are constructed with durable components such as aluminum frames and sturdy fabrics. Fabric should be woven tightly so that it doesn't tear when an individual sleeping. A high-quality cot is made of 600D polyester which is heavy duty and can endure wear and tear. The best cots also use reinforced seams and double stitching in highly stressed areas such as pole sleeves.

They are perfect for camping as they keep you comfortable and free of bugs or other creatures that could be lurking around at night. They also offer an excellent alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads when you're hiking or backpacking. Some cots don't provide the same level of comfort, and some require an additional sleeping pad to use together. This can be a big issue, especially for backpackers with a heavy bag.

Some cots have an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This lets you get a good night's sleep without the need to bring an extra sleeping mat. The cot is huge and heavy, so it could be difficult to fit in a tent, even if it's spacious.

The Helinox Lite Cot offers another great option, which does not require an extra sleeping pad. Its lightweight aluminum frame offers a great level of support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test participants to use for hiking trips than an air or foam cushion.

They're also great for guests staying with you, and you don't want to have them sleep on the floor. They're also ideal for an RV or camper because they are more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. Plus, they're more stable than a tent or air mattress, so you don't need to worry about them bouncing around or blowing up in the middle of the night.