Five Best Camping Cots for Your Extraordinary Outdoor Experience
To me, camping is a chance to have some peace and a way to recharge your batteries. If you too want to relax in the hush of nature, grab your camping gear, ask your family or friends along and enjoy all the great outdoors has to offer. Commune with Mother Earth once in a while and see the benefits. A brain burdened by the daily grind can find peace and a new perspective.
If you are already familiar with camping, you probably already know about what you need to bring along. But if you haven’t gone camping yet, then get familiar with your basic camping needs. Bear in mind that it is the things you bring that will make your camping trip that much more comfortable and enjoyable.
Veteran campers will likely know exactly what to bring; a camping axe, cookware, a tent, camping flashlight and lantern. Some campers bring along some luxuries like camping folding chairs, a camping cooler, a camping grill, an air mattress, and a camping cot. Why a cot when you've got a sleeping bag? To avoid crawling insects and to keep off bumpy ground.
If you don't have a cot or are considering buying a new one, here are five of the best cots I've either tried or researched.
NEBO Sports Outfitter Cot (XXL)
This Nebo cot is made for those on the largish side. It measures 85x40x19 inches so it's plenty roomy and weighs around 26 pounds. It has an aluminum frame with steel legs and the the fabric is made of 600D Oxford Nylon. This cot may be a bit on the heavy side, but it can support a 500 pound person; yes you read that right, 500 pounds. It's sturdy and supportive, with enough room to move, and it's very likely you'll sleep like a log. This is a favorite among hunters and car campers. When folded, you can easily stow it in its carry bag, though obviously it's a bit big for carrying strapped to a backpack. You can even take it on the beach and enjoy a seriously comfortable lounge on it.
Kamp-Rite Kwik Cot
If you want a lightweight cot you can use for camping or home use, this is one to consider. It's lightweight at 22 pounds and it measures 39x6x6 inches. Made with an Alumasteel frame and heavy duty polyester cot material, it can support a 300 pound man without sagging or stretching. What's nice about this folding bed is it's easy to set up; even a kid can do it. Sturdy, durable and comfortable, it provides a solid night's sleep. And conveniently it also has a storage pocket underneath where you can store your flashlight and your cell phone securely.
Rio Adventure Military Style Cot
This classic folding cot is also a favorite as a cabin bed. It measures 26x75x16 inches and is made with a 600D polyester cover fabric which is washable. The legs are of powder-coated, aircraft gauge aluminum with steel hardware and will give you years of service. However, even with its ruggedness, you can be sure you'll sleep comfortably because it's so solidly made they're virtually squeak free. And when you're tired and ready to hit the sack you'll appreciate that it has Rio’s exclusive industrial strength Velcro closure for easy set-up. It weighs around 15 pounds. You can now watch the stars and not be bothered by the crawling insects, the damp soil and hard rocks again.
Cool Camping Game Cot
Ok, I'm a guy. And I like this cot, alot. It has a super strong steel frame that can hold a person that weighs up to 300 pounds. It measures 6.5 ft. x 26 inches x 17 inches and has a fabric made of tough 600-Denier Nylon Fabric. It weighs about 18 pounds and comes with a carry bag. But the coolest features are the pocket organizer and, to make it unique, the game boards (like checkers) printed on its canvas. It makes for a fun time with your friends and family. It's perfect for scouting excursions, camping trips or even slumber parties. Kids (of all ages) will obviously love it too. But on a practical note, when you are out there camping, you won’t have to worry about getting soaked if the ground gets soggy or soaked in a hard rain. Having a reliable cot eliminates this worry.
EARTH JAMBOREE "Military Style" COT w/ Heavy-Duty Aluminum Tubing
This is another military style cot that has an anodized reinforced aircraft quality aluminum frame so it is really built for durability. When open and set up it measures 77 inches x 25 inches x 17 inches and only weighs 13 pounds. The polyester fabric is washable and resistant to mildew, which is fantastic. How many times have you gone camping, thought your gear was dry, stored it and then the next time you took it out realized it's mildewed? It is really portable but despite its compactness, it's strong and suportive, so it can really provide you the comfort you need. This little cot is built for toughness, so expect to get your money's worth as it should last for years. So if you really want to enjoy your camping but are looking at a bit of comfort, think about taking this cot with you.
