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How to Choose the Best Camping Cot

If you are one of the campers who want to have a lot of fun while camping, a camping cot is the way to go.

What is a camping cot?

It’s a substitute to a sleeping bag and will be more comfortable than one.

If you are planning on buying a camping cot to catch those much needed on a camping trip, and a sleeping bag gives you sleepless nights, look no further.

Here’s how you can have more fun and better sleep on your next outdoor adventure:

Camping cots are really popular because they help you stay warmer during camping trips. This is because they keep you elevated, and off the ground.

This is also a big boon for campers who have perched their campsite on uneven ground.

In warmer weathers, the cot can come in handy since it can keep you cooler by allowing air to freely circulate both above and below you.

Where camping cots work best

Camping cots are best for camping excursions where you don’t have to carry your backpack too far–like car camping, canoe camping, or supported bike trips.

They’re also loved by campers who are in long term situations like pitching base camps on the bases of mountains. These are the times when rigid frames and bulky beds are worth it since sleeping in a sleeping bag is not something one wants to do in the long run. These cots also extend your living space since they allow you to store gear underneath them.

Specs for choosing the right camping cot

If you jumping on the camping cot bandwagon, here are the specs you should consider. Comfort, weight, portability, are the most important factors.

Here’s how you can pick the perfect camping cot for your trip:

Choose the right frame:

The functionality of a cot depends on its frame and support structure–most of them are made of frames of aluminum that is sturdy, yet lightweight. Camping cots to weather tough conditions are made of steel frames which can withstand heavier weights. Standard cots are designed with three main leg styles in a variety of styles:

  • Vertical legs
    -Military-style X legs
  • Horizontal bars that come in a C shape, which are generally suited for indoor use.

If you plan on using your cot inside your tent, you will need to make sure your cot legs have rubber and caps.

Fabric

The fabric used in most cots is single-layer polyester or nylon fabric, which is easy to clean, as compared to cots with cotton fabric.

Mesh fabric cots are recommended for warm-weather camping.

Comfort & Support

Since camping cots rely on fabric tension, spring systems to provide a supportive sleeping surface. These spring systems are adjustable so you can dial in the level of support and comfort you want. Some spring systems use a more flexible system of adding, removing and relocating the support by using afoam mattress topper or camping pad for extra warmth and cushioning.

Size

Though the average cot size is large enough to accommodate most adults, you can swap the normal one for a longer or shorter one as per your needs. But extra-wide costs do cost a lot extra.

Weight and portability

An average aluminum-framed camping cot weighs between 15 to 20 pounds. Choosing a more heavy-duty steel cot can add a little extra weight but it will be more suitable to weathering tough camping conditions.

Camping cots are designed to collapse and be more travel-friendly than your backyard cot. Some fold over into smaller sections while some can disassemble completely, depending on how much money you are willing to spend on a cot. Camping cots that are ideal for 1-2 backpackers can disassemble completely and weigh only 2-4 pounds. Most folding cots come with backpacking straps so that they are easier to carry around.

Ease of assembly

If you are a novice, you might want to look at picking up cots that are easy to assemble. But don’t worry, if you want to opt for a more complicated cot, then you can also easily figure out how to assemble it by the manual or hey, there’s always YouTube which can come to the rescue.

Conclusion

When you are looking to buy the right camping cot, remember that there is no such as the perfect cot. The cot you want to buy depends on your individual preferences, like what level of comfort do you need, are you comfortable with carrying around a cot if you have to, and the size and type of assembly the cot offers. Also one of the most important factors of buying camping equipment is budget, so try and understand if you are buying the right cot that is budget-friendly, yet if it fulfills all your requirements by going through this guide.

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