Greatest Tenting Cots of 2023, Examined and Reviewed

Even in case you personal a tenting cot, there’s a very good likelihood you—like most campers—have slept on the bottom throughout one in all your adventures. Some could even say that crawling into your sleeping bag and rolling round on a padded mat to get comfy is a tenting ceremony of passage. Nonetheless, with regards to getting a very good evening’s relaxation, tenting cots are exhausting to beat.

Twisting and turning all evening on chilly exhausting floor is a good way to develop into fatigued, uncomfortable, and pissed off. The best cot could make all of the distinction in consolation and comfort. They differ in dimension, design, and function—from extra-large consolation cots to ultralight and moveable backpacking cots.

I checked out a number of the hottest tenting cots for all tenting conditions, from backpacking to staying in a wall tent and all the things in between. Listed here are a number of the finest tenting cots and what you have to contemplate earlier than buying.

How We Picked the Greatest Tenting Cots

As an outdoorsman and hunter, I discover myself in all kinds of tents and constructions all year long. I’ve camped in excessive warmth, excessive chilly, and sure, I’ve slept on rocks as nicely. So, when it was time to search out the perfect cots out there, I knew what to search for. I took the time to search out the perfect cots for practically any tenting state of affairs to spare you from the stressed nights I’ve been by means of.

I based mostly my choices on the next standards:

• Sturdiness: What kind of material is it made from, and the way will it stand up to use?
• Measurement: How massive is it, and the way tall does it sit off the bottom? 
• Packability: How small does it fold down for lengthy journeys?
• Weight: Is it gentle sufficient for a distant backpacking journey, or is it higher for campgrounds?
• Setup: How lengthy does it take to arrange?
• Weight Capability: Should have a very good weight capability to dimension ratio.

Greatest Tenting Cots: Critiques & Suggestions

Greatest Total: Helinox Cot One Convertible

Specs

• Weight: 5 lbs 2 oz
• Dimensions: 75” L x 27” W x 6.5” H
• Weight Capability: 320 lbs

Execs

• Simple setup
• Extraordinarily sturdy
• Leg extensions out there
• Amazingly comfy
• Packs down pretty small

Cons

• It may be exhausting to disassemble

The Helinox Cot One Convertible is the model’s best-selling cot, and for good motive. When testing, I cherished the short setup and distinctive lever-locking leg system that supplied an exceptionally safe material match. Whereas the legs that come inventory with the cot are fairly low to the bottom, it helps hold the load down, making it possible to carry this alongside on virtually any tenting journey. Leg extensions can be found, and lots of older prospects could favor to keep away from being so near the bottom to make it simpler to stand up and down.

This cot isn’t essentially appropriate for backpacking at simply over 5 kilos, nevertheless it’s wonderful for motorbike journeys, automotive tenting, a basecamp, or paddle tenting. The proprietary alloy body helps hold the load down whereas providing distinctive energy (weight capability of 320 kilos). It’s clear this cot is constructed to final and is among the many extra sturdy Helinox choices out there.

The one factor I didn’t like about this cot is that the lever lock know-how may be tough to detach, making disassembly a bit difficult typically. Testing tip: Push down on the lever to launch the facet locks.

Specs

• Weight: 2 lbs 8 oz
• Dimensions: 72.5” L x 23.5” W x 5” H
• Weight Capability: 265 kilos

Execs

• Extremely light-weight
• Extremely moveable
• Sleeps nicely

Cons

When the elk are bugling deep within the backcountry, and all that separates you from the herd bull is the load of your pack, having the perfect light-weight tenting cot is significant. The Helinox Lite Cot weighs lower than 3 kilos and folds down in a compact dimension to simply pack round. It’s a nice possibility for backcountry hunters and hikers alike, particularly when a very good evening’s sleep is essential for the day forward. Once I know I’ll be climbing miles by means of tough terrain, I attain for a cot earlier than a sleeping pad.

Looking and climbing require you to be alert and conscious, which may be exhausting to do in case you don’t sleep. A very good evening’s relaxation makes all of the distinction for the subsequent day, and cots hold you off the bottom and cozy. The Lite Cot is supported with a light-weight aluminum body that gives a agency stage of help. Pair it with a pleasant sleeping bag, and also you actually have a luxurious tenting expertise regardless of the place your journey takes you.

Specs

• Weight: 5 lbs
• Dimensions: 78″ L x 28″ W x 6″ H
• Weight Capability: 300 lbs

Execs

• Light-weight
• Folds up small
• Nice weight capability for its dimension

Cons

• Setup takes a number of minutes

The ALPS Mountaineering Prepared Lite Cot is one in all our favorites as a result of it’s light-weight, extremely moveable, and durable sufficient to final for years. It is a wonderful generalist cot produced from 420D polyester ripstop material with a sturdy but gentle aluminum body. The extremely sturdy materials feels a lot sturdier than most light-weight cot choices I’ve used. A singular two-layer prime holds a sleeping pad as much as 2” in place, giving me a safer and cozy evening’s sleep.

The carrying case is among the many most handy of any cots we examined, making it simple to retailer in any tenting gear setup. Getting the cot arrange is fairly easy however more durable to assemble and disassemble than rivals just like the Helinox.

I’ve taken this cot nearly wherever, together with a number of backcountry fishing journeys deep into the Everglades. At simply 5 kilos, this cot folds down sufficiently small to simply retailer it in my boat with out taking on further area. Setup takes a couple of minutes, and I’m able to go for an early morning of fishing.

Specs

• Weight: 7 kilos, 3 ounces
• Dimensions: 78″ L x 26″ W x 6.5″ H
• Weight Capability: Unavailable 

Execs

• Double Decker
• Equalizing Air Chambers
• Can be utilized as a double extensive

Cons

In case your tenting model requires an adaptable and packable cot, the Huge Agnes Goosenest Double Decker Inflatable Cot is a do-it answer for any outdoorsman. Huge Agnes makes a number of inflatable cots, however the Goosenest Double Decker affords a number of configurations to maximise its usefulness in camp. It comes with two inflatable cots with a built-in buckle system on every. This lets you safe them as a double-stacked cot for max consolation.

If you end up tenting with a number of folks, you possibly can connect the buckles facet by facet for a double-wide cot. I discover myself turning to this cot on lengthy journeys once I want a very good evening’s sleep. Weighing simply over 3 kilos, it’s nice for a solo journey. I can simply match it in my pack, and inflate it with the upcycle inflation pack for a well-cushioned sleep. The inflation pack solves the issue of bringing a heavy pump in your pack and makes the setup sooner. As soon as inflated, the totally different air chambers disperse air evenly, so rocks and uneven floor received’t have an effect on your consolation.

Specs

• Weight: 20 kilos, 8 ounces
• Dimensions: 85″ L x 40″ W x 21” H
• Weight Capability: 450 kilos

Execs

• Robust and steady
• Massive sleeping area
• Excessive off the bottom

Cons

• Too heavy for backpacking journeys

Recharging with the household and spending a weekend within the woods is a favourite pastime of many. A very good cot could make the distinction between a stressed evening and an pleasing getaway. If you end up reserving campsites and loading up the automotive, a big and durable camp cot is good in your journeys. As the perfect king-size cot, the Browning Titan Cot XP is a wonderful possibility for household tenting journeys.

With over 7 ft of sleeping size and a 450-pound weight capability, anybody can sleep on it. It’s simple to arrange and rugged sufficient to deal with a pile of substances through the day and be prepared for an evening in camp. I discover myself placing garments, gear, or no matter I might need mendacity round on the cot and off the bottom. This retains my gear clear and dry through the day when persons are operating round camp. The big facet pockets additionally come in useful to maintain your cellphone and any instruments accessible if you want them.

Most Snug: Byer of Maine Simple Cot

Specs

• Weight: 21 kilos
• Dimensions: 78″ L x 31″ W x 18” H
• Weight Capability: 330 kilos

Execs

• Tremendous simple setup
• Supportive and comfortable 600-denier material
• Good for residence or camp use

Cons

• The heaviest cot I examined

There’s nothing worst than being drained solely to understand you by no means arrange your cot. Most cots have too many shifting elements to shortly arrange, particularly at the hours of darkness. The Byer of Maine Simple Cot is straightforward to make use of and requires no meeting. It really works off of a trifold setup, take away it from the package deal and fold both sides out, flip it over, and you might be able to go. I discover myself reaching for this cot once I want an additional mattress for a pal staying the evening and on any tenting journey the place I do know the automotive will probably be close by.

At 21 kilos, it’s a little bit heavy for any climbing journey. However the Simple Cot makes up for it with 600-denier material that provides you loads of help, making it probably the most comfy and sturdy cot I examined and guaranteeing it would get its justifiable share of use.

Specs

• Weight: 3 kilos, 2 ounces
• Dimensions: 35.5″ L x 23.5″ W x 8.5″ H
• Weight Capability: 132 kilos

Execs

• Simple setup
• Light-weight 
• Sturdy material that’s exhausting for canines to scratch

Cons

• Helps to acclimate your canine to it

When you carry your canine on all of your adventures, you need them to be simply as comfy as you might be within the tent. Canine beds are too giant to carry on lengthy hikes, and the tent ground can get very chilly. The Helinox Elevated Canine Cot retains your canine off the bottom whereas nonetheless being sufficiently small you can pack it on lengthy hikes. Just like the human model, the canine cot contains a inflexible aluminum body and a monofilament mesh that holds up nicely in opposition to canine nails and enamel.

It weighs round 3 kilos which is gentle sufficient to carry with out including numerous weight to your pack. Not like a conventional canine mattress, this cot retains your canine elevated like a daily cot, preserving your canine heat and dry. Nonetheless, I like to recommend setting it up round the home first to acclimate them to a raised mattress. It’s an excellent choice to carry wherever you carry your canine, I discover myself utilizing it on my boat, in a tent, and even behind the automotive if we cease someplace to chill out.

Greatest Price range: ALPS Mountaineering Light-weight Cot

Specs

• Weight: 9 lbs 5 oz
• Dimensions: 74″ L x 30″ W x 7.5″ H
• Weight Capability: 250 lbs

Execs

• Inexpensive value
• Sturdy supplies
• Handy carrying bag
• Snug and durable

Cons

• Not the lightest possibility
• The setup is considerably tough

If you wish to hold your cot buy underneath $100, the ALPS Mountaineering Light-weight Cot is your finest wager. Weighing in slightly below 10 kilos, it isn’t all that gentle, nevertheless it packs down sufficiently small to be appropriate for basecamps or automotive tenting ventures. The handy carrying case is just like a normal camp chair in dimension and is supplied with a shoulder sling. For the value, this cot is a wonderful worth. The supplies are extremely sturdy, and the body supplies satisfactory rigidity for a snug evening’s sleep.

My solely criticism about this cot is that it may be difficult to place collectively. The poles for the body are all separate and may come aside simply when sliding them out and in of the perimeters.

Then, the steel legs require a good bit of compression to suit into the body. Whereas it wasn’t too exhausting to do that, it was a bit extra difficult than desired. Nonetheless, for the value, after setting it up for a number of instances it appears price it.

What to Take into account When Selecting a Tenting Cot

Buying a cot is extra of a private choice than you may assume. First, contemplate the place you may use it, who will use it, and the way you propose to carry it. A light-weight backpacking cot is ideal for campers climbing removed from civilization, whereas others may need a bigger and extra supportive cot for informal journeys. Understanding what options and efficiency you want in your adventures is step one find the perfect tenting cot.

Measurement

When shopping for a cot, it’s best to take into consideration the place you’ll be placing it. When you personal a low-profile tenting tent, it would be best to keep away from giant consolation cots as a result of they sit greater off the bottom and received’t match within the low ceiling. For some, a cot that can be utilized for tenting and a visitor round the home is good. These bigger consolation cots are excellent for preserving you greater off the ground and extra comfy. Don’t neglect to have a look at the scale of the particular sleeping space. Not all cots are created equally; some offers you loads of area to maneuver round, whereas others go away you staring on the tent’s roof all evening lengthy.

Sturdiness and Parts

Search for a cot with sturdy parts; this implies a inflexible body that may help your weight. Frames are sometimes made from aluminum or metal. Whereas the metal frames may be stronger, they’re much heavier and normally discovered on most consolation cots. Light-weight backpacking cots characteristic aluminum frames that save weight and are removable for simple storage in a pack. In the case of the precise sleeping space, robust nylon or canvas materials is a go-to. The perfect tenting cot protecting must be tight to offer a agency and supportive sleeping space whereas additionally withstanding years of abuse with out ripping.

Setup Time

One of the vital missed however vital components of choosing a tenting cot is the time it takes to arrange. The distinction between a couple of minutes and a half hour may not appear too unhealthy, however when you’re deep within the woods and prepared for mattress, a straightforward setup is a should. A cot must be self-explanatory, so that you don’t want to tug an instruction booklet in all places. Look for easy setups. My ultralight cots sometimes characteristic two collapsible sidebars and cross bars that snap into place. It’s simple sufficient that by simply trying on the items, you possibly can determine the place they need to go. This protects time and will get you prepared for the subsequent day’s adventures.

FAQs

Greatest Tenting Cots: Closing Ideas

Selecting the perfect tenting cot is an important piece of having fun with your time tenting. A cushty and straightforward to-set-up cot are good locations to begin, however an important issue is how you propose to make use of the cot. Discovering the appropriate cot in your tenting model must be the deciding issue. My prime picks cowl numerous tenting conditions and may assist steer you in the appropriate path. However at all times do the analysis and tailor your choices to your self and your adventures to search out the perfect tenting cots in your subsequent journey.

Why Belief Us

For greater than 125 years, Discipline & Stream has been offering readers with trustworthy and genuine protection of out of doors gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outside, and that zeal comes by means of in our product evaluations. You possibly can depend on F&S to maintain you updated on the perfect new gear. And after we write a few product—whether or not it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cowl the great and the unhealthy, so you realize precisely what to anticipate earlier than you determine to make a purchase order.