The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting

A restful and peaceful night is essential when hiking or hunting, and cots are a great option to keep you off the ground and comfortable. However, cots can be bulky and difficult to carry when you're on the move.

We tested and scored 10 of the best cots on durability, comfort, portability and ease of use.

Comfort

A good night's sleep is vital to fully enjoy your camping excursion. Unlike sleeping on the ground, cots keep you off the cold and uneven terrain, while providing a comfortable bed to rest in. When choosing a cot, make sure you choose one that is lightweight and offers solid support to ensure you get an excellent night's sleep. Cots that have a mattress-like top are the most popular. They are typically designed to be used with an air mattress or sleeping pad, or any other forms of insulation.

Finding the ideal cot is important regardless of whether you're camping in the car or backpacking. For those who are predominantly backpackers, think about lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer a lightweight sleeping solution that is easily carried in your pack. If you are doing a combination of car camping and backpacking and camping, you might want to consider something heavier, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.

If you're looking for a comfortable option, the top cots listed here are all designed to feel as like a traditional mattress as is possible. They're a bit heavier than their ultra-lightweight counterparts but they're still easy to carry and set up on the trail.

When you're choosing a cot it is also important to think about its materials and construction. Flimsy fabrics are prone to rips and tears, therefore, you should choose a cot bed sales made of high-quality materials that are designed to stand up to regular use. To ensure that your cot lasts many years, look for features like a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.

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. Other models, such as REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles to prevent you from sinking into the cot. Also, a cot must be long enough to accommodate your height and wide enough to comfortably lie down in. You should choose a cot that has a sufficient capacity for weight, especially if traveling with a friend or pets.

Portability

The best camping cots are small and require less space in your backpack. This lets you fit more sleeping equipment into your backpack. They also weigh less than other camping bedding options which can add up quickly on long hikes or multi-day backcountry excursions. The mobility of the cot is important when you consider how long it takes to pack and unpack your gear.

Based on the model you choose, it can take a couple of minutes to unfold and set up a cot. Some models are more complicated and require more assembly. Other models have parts that are difficult to find or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage, or other features to help reduce the time to put together your bed.

Cots with legs that are adjustable are the most versatile, letting you adjust them to fit various ground conditions. Some include an anchor to keep them in place during storms or windy weather. They're especially ideal for backpacking, where the security of your shelter may be compromised by unstable or uneven ground.

Consider how often you'll use the cot and the location you plan to camp when selecting a cot. Cots that are light and compact in size are great for backpacking. However, cots that are heavy-duty and have a bigger sleeping space are ideal for basecamps or car camping. If you intend to use your cot at the home, it's worthwhile to invest in bedding specifically designed for the type of bed you've got. This includes flat and fitted sheets, as well as an appropriate pillowcase.

The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great choice if you are seeking an easy and comfortable cot. It's ideal for all camping styles. It folds into a case similar in size to the standard camping chair, and comes with a strap to make it easy to transport. The cot doesn't offer the largest sleeping space of our top picks. However, its strong frame and durable materials make it a great 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 than other sleeping gear. This is due to the fact that you need to put them up on an even space, which is difficult to find when camping. Some of them also come with bars for the head and foot area that you might not want to hit when sleeping.

The best cots that we tested were fairly easy to set-up. Some are self-standing, which is a relief as you don't have to worry about how to fix them. Some have an easy folding design and require just a few clicks. Traditional cots are not always the best choice because they require you to assemble the frame and then tie the fabric by yourself and will require a significant amount of energy and time.

The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik-cot is one of the simplest to build that's why it can be used for tent or car camping as well as for backpacking trips. It's heavier than the average camping cot, however it can be tucked away to the same dimensions as a folding campchair's carry case. It's also extremely robust, made of a tough 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 a breeze to set up. It has a unibody design that eliminates bars across the head and feet. This makes it ideal for side and back sleepers. The cot can be folded down to a size that is similar to the bag that you carry in your backpack of choice. It's heavier than other baby cots on sale we've tested however, it's very sturdy and is suitable for adults who weigh up to 225lbs.

We were also impressed with the Helinox Lite Cot, which is a light cot that is very easy to install. It takes only a few seconds to unfold and snap into place. It just a few twirls to take it apart for storage. The legs are locked with a lever-lock system which is extremely secure and provides an excellent base for your sleeping bag.

Durability

The best camping cheap cots are made to withstand a lot of abuse and use. They have durable components, such as aluminum frames and robust fabrics. Fabric should be woven tightly so that it doesn't tear when the sleeping person. A cot that is of good quality will make use of high-end 600D polyester that is able to withstand a lot of wear and tear. The best cots also use 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, comfy and secure from bugs and other animals that may be roaming around your campsite during the night. Cots are a great alternative for sleeping mats and foam bags for hiking or backpacking. But not all cots are made to be the same and some require you to add an additional sleeping pad to provide optimal comfort. This can be a major hassle, especially for backpackers who are already carrying a heavy backpack.

Some cots, such as the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air mattress to make them more comfortable which means you can enjoy a good night's sleep and not need to carry a sleeping pad with you. The cot is big and heavy, so it could be difficult to fit into a tent even if it has plenty of room.

The Helinox Lite Cot is another fantastic option that doesn't require an additional pad to be comfortable. Its aluminum frame, which is lightweight, provides good support and is extremely comfortable to sleep on. Our test subjects who took it on hikes in the mountains say they were more comfortable than using a foam or air pad.

They are also ideal for guests staying over, and you don't want to have them sleep on the floor. They are also an excellent addition to an RV or camper because they're more comfortable than inflatable mattress. They're also more stable than an air mattress or tent, so you won't have to fret whether they explode or shift in the middle night.