The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting

A restful night's sleep is critical when you're hiking or hunting and cots are an excellent option for keeping you off the ground and comfy. However, they are heavy and hard to transport for travel.

We test 10 of the top Cots and gave them a score based on comfort mobility, accessibility, ease of setting up and durability.

Comfort

Getting a good night's rest on the trail is vital for enjoying your camping experience. As opposed to sleeping on the ground, cots keep you off the cold and uneven terrain, while providing a comfortable bed to rest in. Look for a cot that is lightweight but also offers an adequate amount of support. This will ensure an excellent night's rest. Cots that feature a mattress-like surface are particularly attractive and are typically designed to be used with an air mattress or sleeping pad for an extra layer of insulation.

The right cot for you is important regardless of whether you're camping in the car or backpacking. For those who are predominantly backpackers, look at lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer an extremely portable sleeping solution that is easily carried in your pack. For those who do a mix of backpacking and car camping look into something larger and heavier like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.

If you're looking for a more luxurious option, all of the cots that made this list are designed to feel as close as they can to a traditional mattress. They're a bit heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts however, they're easy to carry and setup on the trail.

It is crucial to take into consideration the materials and construction of the cot when choosing one. Fabrics that are thin are more prone to rips and tears, therefore, you should choose a cot made of high-quality fabrics that are designed to stand up to regular use. To ensure that your cot lasts many years to come, look for specifics such as a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.

A cot should also have adequate cushioning to keep you from the hard rough 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. A cot must also be wide enough and long enough to accommodate your height. Choose a cot which has a sufficient weight capacity to be able to help your body, especially when traveling with a companion or pet.

Portability

The most comfortable camping cots fold flat and take up very little space in your backpack, allowing you to fit more sleeping gear in your backpack. They weigh less than many other camp bedding options and can add up quickly during long hikes or multi-day backcountry treks. When you consider how much time you'll spend packing and unpacking your gear the mobility of a cot is a significant factor in its overall rating.

It could take only a few minutes to unfold and assemble a cot, dependent on the model. More complex models require more assembly, and some come with parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots have built-in storage pockets, or other features that can help you reduce the amount of time you'll spend building your bed.

Cots with legs that are adjustable are the most versatile, letting you adjust them to fit various ground conditions. Some cots have a tether that helps keep them in place during windy or stormy weather. They are particularly useful for backpacking, when the security of your shelter may be weakened due to uneven or unstable ground.

When choosing a cot, consider how often you'll use it and the location you'd like to set up camp. Cots that are light and compact in size are great for backpacking. However, cots that are heavy-duty and with a larger sleeping area are better suited for car camping or basecamps. If you plan to use your cot for the home, it's worth investing in bedding that's specifically designed for the type of bed you've got. This includes flat and Cots4Tots fitted sheets, as well as a matching pillowcase.

The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great choice when you're seeking an easy and comfortable cot. It's also suitable for all camping types. It folds into a case resembling the camping chair and is equipped with straps for easy transportation. The cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping area of our top picks. However, its strong frames and sturdy materials make it a good option for camping trips of all kinds.

Easy Setup

Cots are often a necessity when camping but they also are more difficult to set up than other types of sleeping equipment. It is because you have to set them up in an even surface which is difficult to locate while camping. Some of them also have bars on the head and foot area that you might not want to touch while sleeping.

The best cots that we tested were fairly easy to set-up. Some of them are self-standing, which is a huge relief since they don't require you to figure out how to secure them, while others come with simple foldout designs and a couple of clicks to set them in place. Traditional cots are not always the best choice as they require you to construct the frame and then tie the fabric yourself and can take quite a bit of energy 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 is also suitable for backpacking trips. It's heavier than a typical camping cot, however it can be packed down to the same dimensions as a folding campchair's carry case. It's also extremely durable, being made from a tough and comfortable 600D polyester with a sturdy aluminum frame.

We also recommend the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. It is easy to set up. It also has a unique construction that eliminates any bars between your feet and head, making it perfect for sleepers who are back or side. The cot is foldable down to a size comparable to the bag that you carry in your backpack of choice. It's heavier than some of the other cots we've tried, however it's extremely solid and suitable for adults who weigh up to 225lbs.

We were also awestruck by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a cot that is light that is extremely simple to set up. It takes only two seconds to unfold and snap back into place. It only requires a few pulls to disassemble for storage. The legs lock in place by a unique lever lock system that is extremely secure and provides a sturdy platform for sleeping bags.

Durability

The best camping cots are built to withstand the rigors of use and abuse. They are constructed with sturdy materials such as aluminum frames and strong fabrics. The fabric should be tightly woven so that it will not break under the weight and tension of a sleeping person. A cot that is of good quality will use high-end 600D polyester that will withstand lots of wear and tear. The best cots are made with double stitching and reinforced seams in high-stress zones such as pole sleeves.

They are perfect for camping because they keep you comfortable and free of bugs and other creatures that could be lurking in the night. Cots are a great alternative for sleeping mats and foam mattresses when backpacking or hiking. There aren't all cots that provide the same comfort and some require a separate sleeping pad to use together. This can be a big problem, especially for backpackers who are already carrying a heavy pack.

Some cots have 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. This cot is large and bulky, which means it will be difficult to fit in a tent even if it has plenty of room.

The Helinox Lite Cot is another fantastic option that doesn't require an additional mattress to be comfortable. Its aluminum frame, which is lightweight, provides good support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our testers to use on hikes than a foam or air cushion.

They are also great for guests staying over, and you don't want to let them sleep on the floor. They are also an excellent addition to an RV or camper because they're more comfortable than inflatable mattress. Additionally, they're more sturdy than tents or an air mattress, which means you don't need to worry about them bouncing around or blowing up during the night.