Go to Sleep: The Best Camp Cots for a Good Night’s Rest
1. Helinox Cot One Convertible - Editor's Pick
This is a simple strong design that is sure to keep you comfortable for years to come. The Helinox Cot One convertible is an aluminum framed cot with a wide frame that can accommodate most wide sleeping bags. Setup of the Helinox is quite easy and simple since the handles create tension when they are closed. Simply just unfold the cot and you’re good to go.
Another unique feature of the Helinox Cot One convertible is in its name – convertible. The cot can be converted from a low cot as seen in the picture above to a high cot with the purchase of a leg converter kit. This kit puts the cot well above the ground making it easier for you to get out of bed in the morning. The Helinox Cot One Convertible is available for $299.95.
2. ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot - Budget Pick
I always like to include a no-frills and inexpensive option in these lists as I’m often prone to needing something for a quick weekend trip and just going for what looks like it is going to work. The ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight cot is just that. The simple design may look crude on the surface but it is surprisingly durable and it’s perfect for a quick weekend camping trip.
The ALPS cot breaks down into a small package that fits inside of its own travel bag that ends up being smaller and lighter than a foldable camping chair so this could easily be used as a backpacking cot in a pinch. The ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot is available for under $60.
3. Cabela’s 2XL Outfitter Bunk Bed by Disc-O-Bed - Deer Camp Pick
This is a great option for the larger adventurer or just those that want a bit of extra space on the cot. Not only that, it’s a great way to sleep multiple people and save space in the campground with the bunk bed style design. The Outfitter bunk is loaded with features that turn the concept of a simple cot on its head and turn it into an organizational base camp of sorts.
The Outfitter is versatile as well and can be used as two single cots instead of a bunk bed if this suits your style more. The outfitter is also made from very strong 1,200-denier polyester and features a 2.2mm steel frame with rubber-dipped stabilizer bars to minimize noise. The Cabela’s Outfitter Bunk Bed by Disc-O-Bed is available for $349.99.
4. Therm-a-Rest LuxuryLite Mesh Cot - Hot Weather Pick
With its breathable mesh cot material and lightweight aluminum tent pole design, the Therm-a-Rest LuxuryLite mesh cot is perfect for those hot summer months of camping. The breathable material is strong yet light enough so that you don’t overheat and the slim tool-free design means setup and takedown is super easy.
The LuxuryLite comes with everything you need to carry this cot around and can even fit inside of a backpacking backpack with ease. The low profile leg design is not only strong but also saves overhead space for use inside low canopy tents. The Therm-a-Rest LuxuryLite Mesh Cot is available for $159.95.
5. Cabela's Single Deluxe Tent Cot - Solo Camp Pick
This one is the ultimate solution for the solo camper. This cot not only gets you off the ground but also keeps you protected from the elements with its hybrid tent/cot design. Featuring a sturdy steel frame, waterproof 75-denier 190T taffeta tent covering and a full-coverage rainfly, the Tent cot is a great all-in-one solution for the utilitarian camper.
The Cabela’s Tent Cot also features no-see-um mesh panels that provide great ventilation but also give you some needed privacy and in total the tent cot features two windows, 1 end door and one side door for easy in and out access. The Cabela’s Single Deluxe Tent Cot is available for $249.99.
Camping numbers are up
According to recent industry studies in camping demographics, there are over 77 million households in the United States alone that have at least one person that camps on at least a semi-regular basis. In 2018, there were an average of 4 million people that tried camping for the first time, and those numbers have shot up dramatically in the last two years. Why? Because getting outside has proven to be a great way for people to get out of the house, something that has been proven medically to be a necessity lately. The average new camper was spending roughly $200-$300 on camping gear in 2018, and again, those numbers have been eclipsed by the current era.
What is even more impressive is the amount of people that are sticking with camping and outdoor sports. TV used to portray new campers as people who would wind up miserable and hating the outdoor life, but now, Hollywood has responded and is now showing people enjoying the adventure and peacefulness of camping, fishing and more.
Picking the right way to sleep
Camping presents some challenges to campers who use a tent. you have some basic choices for how you enjoy the night. You can sleep directly on the ground, which can be enjoyable, or miserable, depending upon you and the type of ground. You can use a sleeping pad that goes between you and the ground. This is popular and provides an insulating layer as well as a comfort layer between you and the ground. Air mattresses are popular, and can be very comfortable – as long as the mattress stays inflated. This was always a kicker for me. No matter how much I spent on an air mattress, it never seemed to stay inflated through the night. This is what drew me to camp cots.
In my experience with camp cots. Check your dimensions to make sure the cot is long and wide enough for your needs. You may also want to look into the weight limits of the camp cots. I also learned the hard way that you need to watch how you sit on the cots when they are set up, depending upon how they are constructed. A buddy sat on the end of the cot I was using and the frame bent because it wasn’t designed to have that much weight at that particular point. I’d also suggest you have some kind of go-between from the cot’s footings and the floor of your tent. I always keep thick cardboard squares to help keep the cot from ripping through the tent floor in case of something weird happening – which it always seems to happen when you’re camping. Trust me.
Why use a cot over an air mattress for camping?
While Air mattresses are great for a comfortable night’s sleep, they have a few major drawbacks. First of all, they are prone to punctures which can quickly turn your comfortable mattress into a useless piece of fabric and rubber until you can get it repaired. Secondly, Air mattresses are always going to be on the ground making even the thickest air matters difficult to get out of in the morning versus a cot which is usually placed much higher off the ground.
Are Cots Suitable to Use During the Winter Months?
Yes and no. Cots generally have a lot of space underneath them compared to other sleeping options. This means that cold air will be able to draft underneath your cot and usually through the mesh bottom of it and this will eventually reach you. This is great for the hot summer months and personally I enjoy a nice breeze at night to keep me cool but unless blocked by a thick blanket or sleeping pad this won’t be great for the colder parts of the year where you’re trying to stay warm.
Won’t my cot damage the floor of my tent?
This largely depends on the type of legs that your cot has. A lot of newer modern cots have design characteristics that will help mitigate any potential damage done to your tent floor and there are also a lot of aftermarket or accessory feet that can be purchased to more efficiently distribute the weight of your cot so that it doesn’t wear a hole into the floor of your tent so quickly.
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