Getting a good night’s rest is extremely important when camping to keep you healthy and refreshed and feeling strong. The mental part of camping is something that is often overlooked by people to no avail. And sleeping off the ground can help with this, and no this doesn’t mean you have to sleep on your camping table.
Sleeping off the ground is important when you’re exploring the outdoors, for many reasons. The ground is cold and absorbs a lot of your body heat, which can keep you up all night from shivering. There are also all kinds of creepy crawlers that you don’t want to wake up to, even if you’re in a tent.
Best Camping Cot
Having a camping cot is especially nice because it raises you off the ground at least a few inches and usually provides a decent amount of support. Although I’ve slept on plenty of military cots before (and survived through it – haha) there are many out there to choose from. Finding camping cots for sale is pretty easy, go to any outdoors outfitter and you’ll have at least a few to choose from. If you’re looking to save money, camping cots that Walmart sells will work. Going online is your best bet though, as you’ll have a wider selection to choose from with the best prices. I’ll give you a few to look at and consider at the end of this post, in addition to this one:
Easy to set up, this camping cot will surely give you a good nights rest off the ground.
If you’re looking for cots for camping first determine if you’ll be in the woods, how far you’ll be hiking in, and what kind of accommodations you’ll have to work with. If you’re on a 4-wheeling trip you might have enough room to bring along a cot (most can disassemble into a fairly small package). If you’re hiking you might want to think twice about bringing a cot (more on that in a little bit).
You might prefer a camping cot over a blow up mattress because of its stability and durability. Have you ever noticed when sleeping on a blow up mattress that when you fall asleep it’s nice and firmly holding you, but when you wake up its deflated because air has leaked out? Although you might have had a good experience with a blow up mattress for the first few times, eventually they seem to leak. Camping cots can usually maintain their durability for 10, 20, or more years depending on their frames.
A Metal Framed Camping Cot, this is an inexpensive option for your sleeping situation and nice to have around for others when visiting.
Frames can be made with plastic, wood, metal, but if you can find an aluminum frame you’ll be set. They are lightweight yet keep a solid structure that will be sure to last you a very long time. The aluminum frames come at a cost, and that’s size. They can be larger than you can handle on a 4 wheeling trip, so metal frames are smaller (but most likely heavier).
On a four wheeling trip a metal frame would be best, because it’s stronger and smaller, but heavier. You don’t need to worry as much about weight since you’re on a 4 wheeler though. With car camping any type will do, because you’ll have a little extra room to pack a larger cot. Even the best camping cots have their disadvantages though, size and weight and if you’re backpacking I would recommend using a sleeping pad and avoiding the cot altogether.
Collapsible and only 2lbs 12oz, this ultralight camping cot is one of the lightest you can find.
Hunting cabins don’t always have the amount of space necessary to accommodate all the deer or duck slayers you might have in your party, or camp beds. It’s generally nice to have a cot around as an extra place for anyone to be able to sleep, especially if you’re a hunter. If all you use your cot for is sleeping at the hunting cabin consider looking at camping cots for two. This way, if you appreciate a little extra room (and if there’s some in the cabin to spare) when you sleep, you can spread out a little more, as long as you’re not in a sleeping bag.
Tip: Remember to be careful that if you’re sleeping in a tent the frame doesn’t poke a hole through the floor.