The best crib Cots For Hiking and Hunting

A restful and peaceful night is critical 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 difficult to carry when you're on the go.

We compared 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 trip. Unlike sleeping on the ground, cots help you stay away from the cold and uneven terrain while giving you a comfortable bed to sleep on. When selecting a cot ensure that it is light and offers an adequate amount of support to ensure you get an excellent night's sleep. Cots with a mattress-like cover are the most sought-after. They are often designed to be used with an air mattress or sleeping pad, or any other forms of insulation.

Finding the right cot is essential for car camping or backpacking. Think about lightweight options such as the Helinox Lite Cot and ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot for backpackers. These are extremely portable sleeping solutions that can be carried in your backpack. For those who combine car camping and backpacking, consider something heavier and larger, such as the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe or REI Kingdom Cot 3.

If you're looking for a more luxurious option, all of the cots featured on this list are designed to be as similar as possible to the traditional mattress. While they're more bulky than their ultra-light counterparts they're still fairly easy to carry and set up on the trail.

When you're choosing a cot it's important to take into account the materials used and the construction. Fabrics that are thin are more prone to rips and tears so look for a cot with high-quality fabrics that are designed to withstand the rigors of daily use. To ensure that your cot will last for many years, look for details like a 600D poly fabric and reinforced seams.

A cot must also offer enough cushioning to protect you from the hard rough ground. Some models, like the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe are quilted and padded, whereas others like the REI Kingdom Cot 3 have baffles that stop you from sinking into the cot. A cot bed sales must also be wide and long enough to fit your height. It is recommended to choose a cot that has a sufficient weight capacity, especially if you are traveling with a partner or pets.

Portability

The best camping cots fold down compactly and take up a small amount of space in a pack and allow you to fit more sleeping gear into your backpack. The cots are less heavy than other alternatives for camp bedding, which can be an advantage when you are taking long hikes and multi-day backcountry trips. When you consider how much time you'll spend packing and unpacking your gear, the ability to move a cot around is a significant factor in its overall rating.

Depending on the model that you choose, it could take a couple of minutes to unfold and put up the cot. More complex 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 to help you reduce the time to put together your bed.

Cots with legs that are adjustable are the most versatile, letting you adjust them to suit different ground conditions. Some also include a tether to help keep them in place during storms and stormy weather. They are particularly useful when backpacking as uneven or unstable terrain could compromise the stability of your shelter.

Think about how often you'll use the cot and where you intend to stay when you select a cot. Cots that are lightweight and compact fold are ideal for backpacking, whereas cots with a heavy-duty construction and a larger sleeping space are ideal for basecamps or car camping. If you intend to use your cot exclusively at home, you should consider investing in a set of bedding that is specifically made for the cot you're using. This includes flat and fitted sheets and an appropriate pillowcase.

If you're looking for a comfy, easy-to-set-up cot that's suitable for all types of camping The Byer of Maine Easy Cot is a fantastic choice. It folds down into a case resembling an outdoor chair and comes with a strap for easy transport. The cot doesn't have the biggest sleeping area of our top selections. However, its sturdy frame and durable materials make it a good option for camping trips of all kinds.

Easy Setup

Cots are a must for camping however they are more difficult to set up than other sleeping gear. It is because you have to place them on an even space, which is difficult to find when camping. Some of them also come with bars for the foot and head that you may not want to strike while sleeping.

The best rated cribs cots that we tested were fairly easy to set-up. Some of them are self-standing, which is a huge relief since they don't require you to figure out how to secure them while others come with an easy fold-out design and just a few clicks to get them into the right position. Traditional cots, however, are not always the best choice as they require you to put together the frame and then tie the fabric yourself and could take 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 is also suitable for trips to backpack. It's a bit heavier than the typical cot, but it folds down to a size that's the same size as the carry case of a fold-down camping chair. It's also extremely durable, made from a rugged and comfortable 600D polyester and an aluminum frame that doesn't contain any plastic parts that are fragile.

Another option we suggest is the Coleman Pack-Away Cot, which is another cinch to set up. It also has a unique design that eliminates bars between your feet and head, making it perfect for sleepers who are back or side. The cot can be folded down to a size comparable to the size of your backpack of choice. It's a bit heavier than the 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's easy to set up. It takes just a few moments to unfold and snap into place and then a few pulls to break it down. The legs lock in place with a lever-lock system which is extremely secure and offers the perfect base for your sleeping bag.

Durability

The best camping cots are made to withstand a lot of use and abuse. They feature durable components like aluminum frames and strong fabrics. The fabric should be tightly woven to ensure that it will not break under the weight and tension of a sleeper. A high-quality cot will be made of 600D polyester which is heavy duty and can withstand wear and tear. The best cots also use reinforced seams and double stitching in high-stress areas like pole sleeves.

Cots 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 mattresses for hiking or backpacking. Not all cots offer the same comfort, and some require an additional sleeping pad to be used alongside them. This can be a major issue, especially for backpackers carrying a heavy bag.

Some cots, such as the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, use an air bed to make them extra comfortable which means you can enjoy a great night's rest and not need to carry a mattress to sleep on. However, this cot is quite large and bulky, so it's not easy to fit it into a tent, even if your tent has plenty of space.

The Helinox Lite Cot offers another excellent option that doesn't require an additional sleeping pad. The lightweight aluminum frame offers 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 an air or foam pad.

They are also great for guests staying with you, and you don't want to let them sleep on the floor. They're also a great addition to a RV or camper since they're much more comfortable than an inflatable mattress. Plus, they're more sturdy than tents or an air mattress, which means you don't have to fret about them blowing up or shifting up in the middle of the night.