The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting

If you're hiking or hunting, a good night's sleep is vital. Cots are a great option to ensure you're comfortable and off the ground. However they can be heavy and difficult to carry when you're on the move.

We evaluated 10 of the most comfortable cots and rated them on comfort and accessibility, ease of setting up, and durability.

Comfort

Getting a good night's rest on the trail is vital for enjoying your camping experience. Unlike sleeping on the ground, cots keep you from the cold and uneven terrain, while giving you a comfortable bed to rest in. Look for a cot that is light, but also provides a solid level of support. This will guarantee you a restful night's sleep. Cots that have a mattress-like top are the most desirable. They are typically designed to work with an air mattress or sleeping pad, or any other forms of insulation.

The right cot for you is essential for car camping or backpacking. Look at lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot and ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot for backpackers. They are extremely portable sleeping solutions that can be carried in your backpack. If you plan to do a mix of backpacking and car camping look into something heavier and larger like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.

If you're looking for an even more plush option, the top-rated cots listed here are all made to look as similar to a traditional bed as is possible. They're heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts, but they're still easy to carry and setup on the trail.

When choosing a cot, it is also important to think about its materials and construction. Find cots constructed from high-quality fabrics that are durable enough to withstand daily use. To ensure that your cot lasts many years to come, look for specifics like a 600D poly material and reinforced seams.

A cot must also offer adequate cushioning to shield you against the hard, uncomfortable surface. Some models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are quilted and padded, while others, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3, come with baffles to stop you from sinking in. Lastly, a cot should be long enough to meet your height and wide enough for you to comfortably lay down in. Look for a cot that has an adequate weight capacity to ensure it can support your body, particularly when traveling with a partner or pet.

Portability

The best camping cots fold flat and take up very little space in a pack and allow you to fit more sleeping gear in your backpack. The cots are less heavy than other alternatives for camp bedding, which is a big advantage on long hikes or multi-day backcountry excursions. The portability of the cot is essential when considering the amount of time it takes to unpack and pack your gear.


It can take just a few minutes to unfold and assemble a cot, depending on the model. More complicated models require more assembly, and some have parts that can be difficult to locate or connect. Some cots have built-in storage or other features that can help you reduce the time to put together your bed.

Cots with legs that can be adjusted are the most versatile, letting you adjust them to accommodate different terrain conditions. Some include an anchor to keep them stable during storms or turbulent weather. They're especially ideal for backpacking, where the stability of your shelter can be weakened due to uneven or unstable ground.

Think about how often you'll use the cot and where you intend to camp when choosing a cot. Cots with a light design and compact fold are great 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 important to purchase bedding specifically designed to fit the type of bed you have. This includes fitted and flat sheets, as well as a matching pillowcase.

If you're in search of a comfortable, easy-to-set-up cot that's suitable for most types of camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a fantastic choice. It folds into a carrying case that's similar in dimensions to the standard camping chair, and has a strap attached for simple haulage. This cot does not have the largest sleeping surface of our top choices. However, its sturdy frame and durable materials make it a great choice for most camping trips.

Easy Setup

Cots are usually a necessity for camping, but they also tend to be more difficult to set up than other types of sleeping equipment. This is due to the fact that you need to put them up on an even space, which can be difficult to locate while camping. Some of them also come with bars for the head and foot area that you may not want to touch while sleeping.

The top cots we tested were fairly easy to set up. They are also self-standing, which is a great relief because you don't need to worry about how to fix them. Others feature simple folding designs and require only an easy few clicks. Traditional cots aren't the same. They require you to put together the frame yourself and then tension the fabric, which takes lots of strength and time.

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

Another option we suggest is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is also easy to set up. It has a unibody design that eliminates bars on the head and feet. This makes it ideal for side and back sleepers. The cot folds down to a small size, which is about the same size as the bag that you use to store your backpack of choice. It's a bit heavier than other cots we've tested but it's extremely sturdy and is suitable for adults who weigh up to 225 pounds.

The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that is extremely easy to set-up. It takes just two seconds to unfold and snap into place and only requires a few tugs to take it apart for storage. The legs are locked using a unique lever-lock mechanism that is extremely secure and provides a solid platform for your sleeping bag.

Durability

The best camping cots are made to stand up to lots of abuse and use. They feature durable components like aluminum frames and robust fabrics. The fabric should be tightly woven so that it doesn't tear under the weight and tension of a person sleeping. A high-quality cot is constructed of 600D polyester, which is heavy duty and can endure wear and tear. Read Full Report feature reinforced seams and double stitching in highly stressed areas such as pole sleeves.

Cots are ideal for camping because they keep you off the ground, comfortable and secure from bugs and other creatures that might be roaming around your campsite at night. They also provide a great alternative to sleeping bags and foam pads if you're hiking or backpacking. There aren't all cots that provide the same level of comfort, and some require a separate sleeping pad to use with them. This can be a major issue, especially for backpackers who carry a large bag.

Some cots, such as the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air mattress to make them extra comfortable which means you can enjoy a good night's sleep and don't need to bring a sleeping pad to sleep on. This cot is large and bulky, which means it will be difficult to fit in the tent, even though it has plenty of room.

The Helinox Lite Cot is another great option that doesn't require an additional sleeping pad to be comfortable. Its aluminum frame, which is lightweight, offers a great level of support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. Baby Crib was more comfortable for our test participants to use on hiking trips than an air or foam cushion.

They are ideal for guests who are who are staying in your home and you don't want them sleep on the floor. They're also a great option to an RV, camper or any vehicle that has a mattress. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. They're also more stable than the tent or air mattress and you don't have to worry if they blow up or shift in the middle night.