Choosing the right camping cot can make all the difference in your entire trip. Here are 8 tips for selecting the best one so you can get a good night’s sleep.
You’re looking for adventure, want to get away, and love being outdoors, a camping trip is a great way to accomplish all of the above.
Are you planning your next camping trip? If you are, you’ll want to make sure that you have adequate supplies for your trip prior to hitting the trail (or road, if you’re driving to your destination).
Because as fun as going camping can be, a successful trip does require some planning.
For instance, what are some essentials you should have in your backpack?
And, just as important, what are you going to sleep on? If you’re thinking about investing in a camping cot, look no further.
Our guide gives you 8 great tips for selecting the most comfortable cot, so you can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.
Ready to learn what they are? Let’s get to it!
How to Choose a Suitable Camping Cot
Picking an appropriate cot for your unique journey and set of needs is important.
If you don’t do your research and choose the right camping cot for your trip and personal preference, there’s a good chance you’re not going to get a good night’s sleep – and that can have a huge impact on your ability to enjoy the trip as a whole. No one wants to be miserable and exhausted before their hike even starts!
To ensure that you’re making the right choice, take the below considerations into account when shopping for the most comfortable cot for you.
How Much Does It Weigh?
The weight of your camping cot will be particularly important to you if you’re planning to carry it on your back. If that’s the case, be sure to look for models which are light enough so you can carry them comfortably.
If you won’t be carrying it for a long distance, a cot with a sturdy, steel frame won’t be an issue.
What’s the Size?
Another important consideration is the size of the cot. Will it fit inside of your tent or other sleeping arrangements?
Additionally, is it a size that’s going to be comfortable for you to sleep on? You don’t want to end up like Goldilocks, do you?
Is It Portable? Does It Need to Be?
If you’re planning on carrying the cot with you by foot, it’s going to have to be portable enough for you to carry for extended periods of time without hassle.
However, if you’re going to be parking something like a caravan (from Campsmart, for example) or an SUV and setting up camp beside it, you won’t have to worry about carrying your camping cot for a long distance.
If that’s the case, you obviously don’t need to worry about finding a cot that’s ultra-portable.
What Type of Fabric Does It Feature?
For optimal comfort, your ideal camping cot should be comfortable on its own…without any other sleeping gear on top of it.
Think about it like this: If you buy a cot that’s made from stiff fabric, throwing a sleeping bag or pad on top of it really isn’t going to make a whole lot of difference.
You’re still going to be uncomfortable, and you may even wake up with unnecessary aches and pains – making the rest of your trip much more difficult to enjoy.
You’ll also want something that’s easy to clean and relatively light, like nylon or polyester.
What Kind of Support Does It Provide?
Sleeping arrangements are rarely one size fits all. In other words, it’s rare that what works for one person will work for another.
Knowing this, it’s a good idea to look for a cot that offers adjustable tensions, so you can set the tension of the cot to your personal preference to ensure that you get a good night’s sleep.
You’ll also want to confirm that the cot can support your body without issue as well.
How Often Will You Be Using It?
This goes hand-in-hand with our last consideration. Before you purchase your new camping cot, you’ll want to give some thought to how often you’re planning on using it, so you can be sure that it’s going to be a worthwhile investment.
How Much Does It Cost?
The last thing to think about when you’re shopping for a cot for your next camping trip is its cost.
Think about how often you plan to use it and the various features it has. If you’re only going to use it 1 or 2 times a year, it may be best not to splurge on a premium cot, because the cost per use will be outrageous.
However, if you’re confident that you’ll use it and the features are in line with the price, purchase away.
Can You Set It Up?
You don’t want to go and buy a camping cot that you can’t set up easily, do you?
Find a model that isn’t a hassle to set up, and you’ll be better off for it.
Find the Most Comfortable Cot for You
Now that you know what you need to consider when shopping for the most comfortable camping cot for your needs, finding the right one should be easy.
Just think about whether it needs to be portable (and if so, how much it weights) and what the size is. You’ll also want it to provide ample support and be made from a fabric that’s comfortable to you without and added sleeping gear.
Finally, you’ll want to think about how much you’ll be using it, and, if the price of the cot is worth it given all of the above factors.
Keep these considerations in mind, and you’ll be sleeping like a king (or queen) at your campsite from day one.
Want more great tips, like how to improve on every trip you take? Check out the rest of our blog for more!
