The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting

A good night's rest is essential when hiking or hunting and cots are a great option for keeping you off the ground and comfy. However they can be a bit heavy and challenging to pack when you're traveling.


We tested 10 of the best cots and rated them on comfort, the ability to move, ease of set-up, and durability.

Comfort

A good night's rest is crucial for a successful camping excursion. As opposed to sleeping on the ground, cots help you stay away from the cold and uneven terrain while giving you a comfortable bed to sleep in. Look for a cot that is lightweight and also offers a solid level of support. This will guarantee an excellent night's rest. Cots with a mattress-like surface are particularly popular and are usually designed to be used with an air mattress or a sleeping pad to provide an additional layer of insulation.

Finding the ideal cot is crucial for car camping or backpacking. For those who are predominantly backpackers, look at lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which provide a very portable sleeping solution that can be carried in your pack. If you do a mix of backpacking and car camping think about something heavier and bigger like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.

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

It is crucial to take into consideration the materials and construction of the cot when selecting one. Fabrics that are thin are more prone to rips and tears, so choose a cot made of high-quality materials that are designed to withstand regular use. You should look for specifics such as a 600D polyester fabric and reinforced seams to ensure that your cot will last for years to come.

A cot must also offer enough cushioning to protect you from the hard and uncomfortable ground. Certain models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded, whereas others include REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that prevent you from sinking into the cot. A cot should be wide enough and long enough to fit your height. Find a cot that has a sufficient weight capacity to be able to support your body, especially if you're traveling with a companion or pet.

Portability

The most comfortable camping cots fold down compactly and take up very little space in a pack which allows you to pack more sleeping gear into your backpack. They weigh less than many other camp bedding options which can add up quickly when you go on long hikes or multiple-day backcountry treks. Considering the amount of time you spend packing and unpacking your gear the portability of a cot is a significant factor in the overall rating.

It may only take some time to fold and assemble a cot depending on the model. Certain models are more complex and require more assembly. Some have components that are difficult to find or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage, or other features that can help you reduce the time to set up your bed.

The most versatile cots come with adjustable legs, which allow the user to adjust them for different ground conditions. Some include a tether to help keep them in place during storms and windy weather. They are particularly suitable for backpacking trips, as the stability of your shelter could be compromised by uneven or unstable ground.

When selecting a cot, take into consideration how often you'll be using it, as well as the place you'd like to stay. Cots that are light and compact are ideal for backpacking. However cots that are built to last and have a bigger sleeping space are ideal for basecamps or car camping. If you intend to use your cot mostly at home, it's worth investing in a set of bedding specifically designed for the cot you own. It usually includes sheets that are flat and fitted and the pillowcase.

If you're looking for a comfy and easy-to-set-up cot suitable for a variety of camping The Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a fantastic choice. It folds into a case similar to a camping chair and comes with an easy-to-transport strap. The cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping platform of the top choices however its robust materials and sturdy frame make it a great choice for most camping trips.

Easy Setup

Cots can be a necessity for camping however they are more difficult to set-up than other sleeping equipment. This is due to the fact that you need to set them up in an even area, which is difficult to locate when camping. Some have bars on the foot and head that you might not want to strike while sleeping.

The best cots that we tested were relatively simple to set-up. Some are self-standing which is a major relief as it eliminates the need for you to figure out how to secure them and others feature an easy fold-out design and a few clicks to put them in place. Traditional cots are usually a different story because 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 easiest to build and can be used for car or tent camping as in backpacking trips as. It's heavier than a typical camping cot, but it can be packed down to the same size as a folding camping chair's carry case. It is also extremely durable, made of tough and comfortable 600D polyester and a sturdy aluminum frame.

Another option we suggest is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is also easy to set up. It also has a unibody construction that eliminates the need for bars that run across your feet and head which makes it ideal for back and side sleepers. The cot can be folded down to a size similar to the size of your preferred backpack. It's heavier than some of the other cots we've tested, but it's very sturdy and is suitable for adults who weigh up to 225lbs.

We were also awestruck by the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a very light cot that's extremely easy to install. It takes only a few seconds to fold and snap into place and only requires a few pulls to disassemble to store it. The legs lock into place with a unique lever-lock system that is extremely secure and offers a sturdy platform for your sleeping bag.

Durability

The best camping cots will stand up to a lot of abuse. These cots are constructed of sturdy materials such as aluminum frames and strong fabrics. Fabric must be tightly woven to ensure that it doesn't fall apart when the sleeping person. A high-quality cot is made of 600D polyester that is extremely durable and can endure wear and tear. The top cots also have reinforced seams and double stitching in high-stress places like pole sleeves.

Mini Cot Bed are ideal for camping, as they keep you away from the ground, comfortable and secure from insects and other creatures that might be roaming in your campsite at night. Cots are a great alternative for sleeping mats and foam bags for hiking or backpacking. There aren't all cots that provide the same comfort and some require a sleeping pad to be used together. This can be a huge hassle, especially for backpackers carrying a large backpack.

Some cots have an air mattress to make them more comfortable. This lets you have a restful night's sleep without the need to bring a sleeping mat. The cot is huge and bulky so it may be difficult to fit into a tent even if it is spacious enough.

The Helinox Lite Cot offers another excellent option that doesn't require an additional sleeping pad. Its lightweight aluminium frame provides excellent support and is comfortable to sleep on. Our test subjects who used it on backpacking hiking trips say they were more comfortable than using a foam or air pad.

They're also ideal for guests staying over, and you don't want to have them sleep on the floor. They're also a great option to an RV, camper or any other vehicle with a mattress. They're more comfortable than inflatable mattresses. Plus, they're more sturdy than tents or an air mattress, so you don't need to worry about them blowing up or shifting up during the night.