The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting

If you're hiking or hunting getting a good night's rest is essential. Cots are a great option to keep you comfortable and off the ground. However they can be a bit heavy and difficult to carry when you're on the go.

We compared and rated 10 of the top cots for comfort, portability and durability.

Comfort

A good night's sleep is crucial to fully enjoy your camping excursion. In contrast to sleeping on the ground, cots keep you off the cold and uneven terrain while providing a comfortable bed to sleep on. When selecting a cot, ensure that it is light and offers a sturdy level of support to ensure you get an enjoyable night's sleep. Cots that feature an appearance of a mattress are attractive and are typically designed to be used with an air mattress or a sleeping pad to provide an additional layer of insulation.

Finding the ideal cot is essential for car camping or backpacking. For those who are primarily backpackers, look at lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which provide a very portable sleeping solution that is easily carried in your pack. For those who do a mix of car camping and backpacking look into something heavier and bigger, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.

If best cot beds looking for a plush option, the top-rated cots on this list are all designed to be as close to a traditional bed as possible. Although they're heavier than their ultra-light counterparts, they're still fairly easy to carry and put up on the trail.

When selecting a cot it's also important to consider the materials and construction. Find cots made of top-quality fabrics that can withstand regular use. To ensure that your cot lasts for many years, look for features like a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.

A cot must also offer a good amount of cushioning to shield you against the hard and uncomfortable surface. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe, are padded and quilted, while others, such as the REI Kingdom Cot 3, come with baffles to stop you from sinking in. A cot should be wide enough and long enough to accommodate your height. Choose a cot which has an adequate weight capacity to be able to help your body, especially when traveling with a companion or pet.

Portability

The best camping cots are lightweight and can be placed in a smaller space in your pack. This allows you to fit more sleeping equipment into your backpack. They weigh less than other camping bedding options, which can quickly add up when you go on long hikes or multiple-day backcountry excursions. The mobility of the cot is essential when considering how long it takes to unpack and pack your equipment.

Depending on the model that you choose, it can take minutes to unfold and put up the coffin. 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 it takes to put together your bed.

Cots with legs that can be adjusted are the most flexible, letting you adjust them to suit different ground conditions. Some cots are equipped with a tether that keeps them in place during conditions of stormy or windy weather. They are particularly useful when backpacking since uneven or unstable terrain could compromise the stability of your shelter.

Consider how often you will use the cot as well as the place you intend to camp when selecting a cot. Cots with a lightweight design and compact fold are great for backpacking, whereas the ones with a strong construction and larger sleeping area are better suited to basecamps or camping in cars. If you plan to use your cot exclusively at home, it's worth investing in a set of bedding designed specifically for the cot you have. This includes fitted and flat sheets as well as an appropriate pillowcase.

The Byer of Maine easy cot is a fantastic choice to consider if you're seeking a comfortable and easy-to-setup cot. It's ideal for all types of camping. It packs down into a carrying case that's similar in size to the standard camping chair, and has a strap attached for easy transport. This cot does not have the biggest sleeping area of our top selections. However, its strong frames and sturdy materials make it a great option for camping trips of all kinds.

Ease of Setup

Cots are usually a necessity when camping but they also are more difficult to set up than other types of sleeping gear. This is due to the fact that they require you to place them on a level surface which can be difficult to find in the wilderness, and some of them have bars on their head and foot areas that you could prefer not to hit when you sleep.

The top cots we tested were relatively 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 an easy folding design and only require an easy few clicks. Traditional cots aren't the same. They require you to put together the frame by yourself and then tie the fabric, which requires a lot of strength and time.

The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik-cot is one of the most simple to build, which means it can be utilized for tent or car camping as well as for backpacking trips. It's heavier than your typical camping cot, but it can be tucked away to the same size as a folding camping chair's carry case. It's extremely durable, constructed from a tough and comfortable 600D polyester with a sturdy aluminum frame.

Another model we recommend is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is another cinch to set up. It also features a unibody design that eliminates bars across your head and feet, making it perfect for sleepers who are back or side. The cot is foldable down to a size comparable to the size of your preferred backpack. It's a bit heavier than other cots we've tested, however, it's very sturdy and is suitable for adults of up to 225 pounds.

We were also impressed with the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a cot that is light that's extremely easy to install. It takes just two seconds to unfold and snap into place and just a few twirls to disassemble to make it easier to store. 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 are able to withstand a lot of abuse. They are constructed with durable components such as aluminum frames and strong fabrics. Fabric should be woven tightly so that it will not break when an individual sleeping. A cot that is of good quality is made of the heavy-duty 600D polyester, which is able to withstand a lot of wear and tear. The best cots also use reinforced seams and double stitching in highly stressed places like pole sleeves.

Cots are great for camping, as they keep you away from the ground, comfortable and secure from insects and other creatures who might be swarming around your campsite during the night. Cots are an excellent alternative for sleeping mats and foam bags when backpacking or hiking. Not all cots provide the same comfort and some require a separate sleeping pad to use alongside them. This can be a major problem, particularly for backpackers carrying a heavy bag.

Some cots, for instance the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them extra comfortable and allow you to get a good night's sleep and not need to carry a sleeping pad to sleep on. The cot is big and bulky so it may 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 additional sleeping pad. The lightweight aluminum frame offers excellent support and is comfortable to sleep on. It was more comfortable for our test participants to use on hiking trips than an air or foam cushion.

affordable cots for guests staying over, and you don't want them sleep on the floor. They are also ideal for an RV or camper because they are more comfortable than inflatable mattress. They're also more stable than an air mattress or tent and you don't have to fret if they blow up or shift in the middle night.