Camping Cots

Camping cots may save your back during your trip.

Many of us don’t enjoy sleeping on the ground when we go camping, making the choice of a cot more important than you might at first believe. Unrolling a sleeping bag on the tent floor works well enough, but can leave you stiff and cold. This gets worse the older we get, so even if ground camping worked in the past, you might discover that it’s not a viable option anymore. Fortunately, there are plenty of great cots on the market. Here’s a look at how to choose one that’s right for you.

Step one is deciding what kind of camping you’re going to do. Camp cots don’t work very well if you’ll be hiking and need to keep things light. Try a roll up mattress or camping pad instead, to keep you warmer and more comfortable. A shorter trip, or one that only requires you to go a short distance from the car, will allow you to use a camping cot to get more comfortable. Remember to take into account where you’re going to be camping, as well - adjustable camp cots that will allow you to be level, even on ground that’s not, are an excellent choice.

Folding cots are easy to assemble, and collapse to go with you. They’re a little too bulky to backpack, but are extremely comfortable. Check the weight allowances on all camping equipment designed to support you, of course. Many of the smaller, less expensive camping cots have a surprisingly low weight allowance. If you’re taller, more muscular, or just heavier, you may need a higher quality camp cot to prevent damage to the cot and discomfort during the night.

There are a number of different support types when it comes to cots. Some have a rigid bed and foam mattress that will keep your body at an even height during the night. These are generally harder to fold small, but can be more comfortable than types with less support. Others are more like the old style army cots, using a canvas bottom to hold you. This can result in a hammock effect that some people find quite comfortable and others don’t like at all. Adding an air mattress to this kind of cot may fix the problem if you don’t care for the fabric support - just make sure the mattress is the right size for your cot.

Cots run the gamut in price from about thirty dollars to a couple hundred, depending on the features involved, the strength and quality of the cot, and the type of support they provide. Take a look at all the cots on the market before you decide to buy, so that you’ll get a better idea of what you want in a place to sleep. If you’re fed up with sleeping on the ground, and your body just won’t take it anymore, a camping cot could be just what you need.