The Best Cots For Hiking and Hunting

A restful and peaceful night is critical while hunting or hiking, and cots are an excellent option for keeping you off the ground and comfortable. However, they are heavy and difficult to pack on the road.

We tested and rated 10 of the top cots for durability, comfort, portability and ease of use.

Comfort

A good night's rest is essential to fully enjoy your camping trip. Unlike 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 make sure you choose one that is light and offers a sturdy level of support to ensure you get an excellent night's sleep. Cots with an appearance of a mattress are attractive and are typically designed to be used with an air mattress or sleeping pad for an extra layer of insulation.

Whether you're backpacking or car camping, finding the right cot to meet your needs is essential. For those who are primarily backpackers, consider lightweight options like the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot, which offer an extremely portable sleeping solution that is easily carried in your backpack. If you do a mixture of backpacking and car camping, then consider something heavier, like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 or Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe.

If you're looking for a plush option, the top-rated cots listed here are all designed to look as like a traditional mattress as possible. While they're more bulky than their ultra-light counterparts they're still relatively simple to carry and put up on the trail.

It's important to also consider the materials and construction of the cot when selecting one. Look for cots made of high-quality fabrics that can withstand regular use. You should look for specifics like a 600D polyester fabric and reinforced seams to ensure your cot will last for many years to be.

A cot should also provide a decent amount of cushioning to keep you from the hard and uncomfortable ground. Certain models, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded. Other models include REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that prevent you from sinking into the cot bed sales. A cot should also be wide enough and long enough to accommodate your height. Find a cot that has an adequate weight capacity to ensure it's able to support your body, particularly when traveling with a partner or pets.

Portability

The most comfortable camping cots are small and require less space in your pack. This allows you to pack more sleeping gear into your backpack. They are also lighter than many other camp bedding options, which can quickly add up during long hikes or multi-day backcountry treks. The mobility of the cot is essential when considering how much time it takes to unpack and pack your gear.

Depending on the model you choose, it could take a couple of minutes to unfold and set up the coffin. More complicated models require more assembly, and some have parts that are difficult to locate or connect. Some cots come with built-in storage pockets or other features that will help you reduce the amount of time you'll spend building your bed.

The most versatile cots come with legs that can be adjusted, allowing you to adjust them for different ground conditions. Some also include a tether to help keep them in place during storms and stormy weather. These are especially useful when backpacking because uneven or unstable ground can compromise the stability of your shelter.

Consider how often you will use the cot and the location you plan to stay when you select a cot. Cots that are light and fold compactly are perfect for backpacking. However, cots with a lot of weight and have a bigger sleeping area work better for basecamps or car camping. If you plan to use your cot for the home, it's worthwhile to invest in bedding specifically designed for the type of bed you have. It usually includes flat and fitted sheets and the pillowcase.

The Byer of Maine easy cot is a great choice if you are looking for an easy and comfortable cot. It's ideal for all camping types. It packs down into a carrying case that's similar in size to a standard camping chair and comes with a strap for simple haulage. The cot doesn't have the largest sleeping platform of the top choices but its strong materials and sturdy frame make it a solid option for camping trips of all kinds.

Installation is simple

Cots are usually a necessity when camping, but they are often more difficult to put up than other kinds of sleeping equipment. This is because they require you to put them up on a level surface, which can be hard to find in the wilderness, and some of them have bars over their feet and head which you might prefer not to hit during your sleep.

The best crib newborn cots that we tested were relatively easy to set-up. Some are self-standing and are a massive relief since it eliminates the need for you to figure out how to secure them and others feature an easy fold-out design and just a few clicks to put them in the right position. Traditional cots are a different story. You have to assemble the frame by yourself and then tie the fabric, which requires a lot of energy and time.

The Alps Mountaineering Double Kwik cot is one of easiest to set-up, so it can be used for car camping and tent camping. It can also be used on backpacking trips. It's heavier than a typical camping cot, but it can be folded down to the same size as a foldable campchair's carry case. It's also incredibly robust, made of a rugged and comfortable 600D polyester and an aluminum frame that doesn't have any plastic parts that are fragile.

Another model we recommend is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is also easy to set up. It's a single-body design that eliminates bars across the feet and head. This makes it perfect for side and back sleepers. The cot folds down to a size that is similar to the bag that you carry in your preferred backpack. It's a bit heavier than some of the other nursery cots we've tested, but it's very robust and is suitable for adults up to 225lbs.

The Helinox Lite Cot is a lightweight cot that's easy to set-up. It takes only some time to unfold and snap into place and then a few pulls to break it down. The legs are locked with a lever-lock system which is extremely secure and provides an excellent base for your sleeping bag.

Durability

The most comfortable camping cots are built to withstand a lot of use and abuse. These cots are made with sturdy materials such as aluminum frames and tough fabrics. Fabric must be tightly woven to ensure that it does not break under the weight of an individual sleeping. A cot that is of good quality is made of heavy-duty 600D polyester, which is able to withstand a lot of wear and tear. The best baby cots cots also use reinforced seams and double stitching in highly stressed places like pole sleeves.

They're great for camping because they will keep you warm and away from bugs and other creatures that might be lurking around in the dark. Cots are a great alternative for sleeping bags and foam mats for hiking or backpacking. Some cots don't provide the same level of comfort, and some require a sleeping pad to use alongside them. This can be a big issue, particularly for backpackers who are already 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 having to bring an extra sleeping mat. The cot is big and bulky, which means it will be difficult to fit in a tent, even if it's spacious.

The Helinox Lite cot beds is another fantastic option that doesn't require an additional pad to be comfortable. The lightweight aluminum frame offers great support and is comfortable to sleep on. Our test subjects who used it on hiking backpacking trips said they were more comfortable than using a foam or air pad.

Cots are a great option for camping, but they can also be used in other circumstances like when you're having guests stay over and you don't want them sleeping on the floor. They're also a great addition to a RV or camper since they're more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. They're also more sturdy than tents or an air mattress, which means you don't have to worry about them bouncing around or blowing up in the middle of the night.