This is a review of best camping cots.
Sleeping bags and hard floors can sometimes take away the fun of sleeping on a bed.
While camping cots can bring back some comfort of sleeping on a bed.
Camping cots may not be as comfortable as an actual mattress, but they are a great way to level up the sleeping experience during your camping.
As camping cots are heavier and cannot be stuffed into a backpack. So it’s only friendly for the car camping.
In this article, you will find out the best camping cots for your next camping trip.
Table of Contents
Quick Summary:
- If you want an effortless setup for camping cots, then go for Teton Sports Adventurer Camp cot. The pivot arm makes setting the fourth corner into place a whole lot easier.
- For the best level of comfort, go for the Alpcour camping cot. It has a soft cozy fabric with some amazing side features.
- If accessories are what get you down, then try the Coleman camping cot. You get a side table and a cup holder with it.
- Lastly, for the highest resilience, the Byer of Maine cot is recommended. It’s made of welded steel and can hold up a lot of weight
Best Cots For Camping: Our Picks
1. Teton Sports Adventurer Camp Cot
Teton’s Sports Adventurer camping cots are well-known for their innovative design and concepts.
This camping cot is unique in that it features a pivot arm. Simply pull on the pivot arm to get that last end bar positioned.
It’s a quick and easy way to set up the set. So you can get that fourth corner easily.
Aside from that, the Teton camping cot features a strong and rigid steel structure.
This camping cot is a little larger than the others, supporting up to 400 pounds.
The cot can be folded up, but it weighs 20 pounds. So backpacking may be more difficult.
What We Like:
- Minimal assembly required.
- Support heavyweight people.
- Fold right up.
- Accommodate more people.
What We Don’t Like:
- Not friendly for backpacking.
2. Alpcour Folding Camping Cot
Alpcour’s camping cot is a light portable cot that can fit one adult or two children.
It’s a good cot choice if you’re looking for something more on the comfort side.
The fabric is made of a double layer of 600D polyester. Polyester’s extra strength makes it more water-resistant and hostile to ripping.
And the lightweight of the product only adds to the features. It’s only about 13 lbs.
You still can’t store it in a backpack, but it comes with its carry bag.
As an accessory, the Alpcour features a padded pillow along with an organizer pocket.
It has a sturdy frame made out of stainless steel that can support up to 300 lbs.
One design flaw is that the incline of the head and upper body is not correct. It appears to dip just a bit too much.
What We Like:
- Comfortable polyester fabric.
- Include accessories.
- Great for hiking trips.
- Sturdy rigid body.
What We Don’t Like:
- The inclination is not comfortable.
3. Coleman Camping Cot With Side Table
The Coleman Camping Cot is a cozy solution to an outdoor hiking trip. It’s one of the best camping cots for its easy setup and handy side table.
This camping cot can fit people with a height of up to 6 feet 6 inches. So it’s a great personal choice for tall people.
Reinforced stainless steel is the primary material used in the frame.
The frame can support a max weight of 300 pounds. So it’s an excellent option for those who are only slightly overweight.
The stainless steel construction makes for a rust-free and corrosion-resistant camping cot.
It also features a removable side table with a cup holder. So you can keep everything you need in one place.
Unfortunately, you’ll find that the legs cannot be locked into place.
What We Like:
- Good for overweight people.
- Easy setup.
- Handy side table.
- Saves space for your gear.
What We Don’t Like:
- Quite heavy.
- Not very sturdy.
4. Byer Of Maine Easy Cot
If you’re looking for camping cot that is simple and roomy, then the Byer of Maine cot should be on your list.
The design of it is simple, no extras or fancy features.
Even it does not come with many accessories, but this is compensated by the sturdy rigid design. This cot is designed to last long.
It is made of the highest grade industrial quality steel that can hold up to 330 lbs.
But that doesn’t mean that the Byer of Maine camping cot isn’t high on comfort either.
The cot uses a five-panel strengthened fabric made of 600 denier polyester.
Additionally, it is foldable, which means that the setup is as easy as pulling the cot out of the box and unfolding it.
What We Like:
- Highly durable and rigid.
- Simple and easy setup.
- Soft and cozy fabric.
- Tear-resistant polyester.
What We Don’t Like:
- Too heavy.
Best Cots For Camping: What To Look For
Weight Rating
Camping cots that can hold 100 to 200 lbs are more suitable for children of average weight.
And the cots rated at less than 300 lbs are for adults who weigh less than 180 lbs.
A proper weight rating would be 300 to 375 pounds. That can accommodate most overweight people.
A higher rating, such as 400 to 600 pounds, is suited for people who weigh at least 275 pounds.
Fabric And Frame
Most camping cots use either rip-stop nylon or polyester.
Both are preferred over natural variants such as cotton, which tends to retain a lot of dirt.
Make sure that you buy the cots with a double-stitched fabric.
Look for straight stitching that doesn’t stick close to the edge.
Assembly
If you want the best experience, then go for a foldable camping cot.
These camping cots can be folded up, most of the time by pulling on a lever or tab.
Sometimes, the cots can require you to spread the sheet over the frame like a regular bed. It can be harder to do so on the first try.
But if you can, then the sheet can easily be removed for washing and other purposes.
Useful Tips and Resources
Cleaning a camping cot is not a hassle if you know how to clean it.
To clean your cot, you’ll need a clean surface, some sort of aerosol disinfectant, and clean wipes.
Turn the cot upside down on a clean surface such as a table and disinfect the metal frame.
Wipe down the frame, then proceed to spray the underside and the sides of the cot.
Finally, turn the cot the right way up and spray the top.
Then let it dry and it’ll be ready for the next use.
You can also check the handy video.
Final Words
There isn’t one special cot that can do it all. But you can analyze the features and decide how you can optimize the cot.
To summarize everything, choose a camping cot that is sturdy and fit your space. It will level up your sleeping experience in the wild.
