Camping Cot Reviews
We all love a good nights sleep – well I do anyway.
I also love camping.
But often these two things do not go together…
Until Now.
A lot of campsites hire professional photographers to pretty things up a bit and make everything look awesome, comfortable and flat. Experience tells us this is very often not the case so we like to pack our trusty camp cots just in case.
A great picture can show a nice flat campsite that looks like the ground is made of fluffy pillows, but the reality is it’s probably full of rocks and tree roots jutting about all over the place. No matter what you do one of these will ‘migrate’ into the small of your back while you are asleep.
I also like the option of a camping cot to keep me up off the ground in case the weather turns sour and the rain comes in. A wet sleeping bag is no fun for anybody so getting yourself elevated can save you from a world on pain.
Now don’t get me wrong. I will rough it if I have to but for me a good nights sleep is important and its critical that my dear wife and the kids also have a comfortable nights sleep. The alternative is not that pleasant so why not…
When we started researching travel cots it was a bit of a minefield. Too many products to choose from and prices that start off cheap as chips and go as high as you want. It’s camping, not five-star accommodation so we set our realistic budget and went researching for compact portable costs.
Today we want to share our best options for portable camping cots.
(if you are short on time check out our recommendations below)
Most Comfortable Camping Cot
The Chinook Outfitter is by far the most comfortable camping cot on the market but this comfort comes at a price, both in terms of actual cost and weight. Weighing in at about 18 pounds this is a heavy cot and not for the average backpacker. If you like a very comfortable sleep and are happy to throw this in your truck then this is definitely the cot for you…
Best Cot For Backpacking | Keep it lightweight…
If like me you are a fan of travelling light and find yourself on long hikes through the bush to get to your final campgrounds then you are going to need to get yourself a lightweight camping cot. The Therm-a-Rest LuxuryLite UltraLite Cot is perfect for this and fits right into your backpack.
Best Heavy Duty Camping Cot
When it comes to my kit I also like to invest in gear I can rely on for the long haul. This is where the Teton Sports Outfitter camping cot comes into its own. Built from heavy duty kit this cot will not let you down.
Best Value Camping Cot
Coleman have always had a great name when it comes to camping equipment and their fold away travel cot has everything you need for your next trip. This cot takes top place for best value.
Coleman Camping Travel Cot
Coleman are known for producing top quality kit and we will always look to them to see if they have a product that fits our needs.
This camping travel cot ticks all the boxes when it comes to comfort, durability and quality.
So lets look at some of the features of this travel bed and see if it suits your needs.
Features
- Supports up to 300 lbs with the polyester wrapped heavy duty steel frame
- Plenty wide and will suit your height up to 6ft 8in.
- Handy side table for night light or water bottle.
- Really easy and quick to setup and take down
- Packs up into compact carry bag for transport
- Set it up and pack your kit away underneath it
Review
To be fair to Coleman this really is a superb cot. The ease of setting it up and taking it down makes it worth it alone. It packs away neatly into its own carry bag so you can throw it straight into the car when you are done. The only issue we heard of was that the legs didn’t lock like traditional cots but because of the design this is not at all a problem.
If you are a side-sleeper then this may be the cot for you. It’s nice and wide so you will have plenty of room. Another feature that we like with the design is because the legs fold out nice and wide and the cot edges are super strong, you can sit up on this cot ‘sideways’ and get dressed etc in the mornings without fear of it sagging or toppling over.
The canvas material that makes up the cover of the cot is strong and durable so won’t let you down over time. The small side table is made of the same material and is good for a water bottle or night light for the kids of they need one. Plus you can take the table off if you have multiple cots in the same tent or room and are tight for space. READ MORE
TETON Sports Outfitter
This camping travel cot is super strong, has plenty of room and would make an ideal additional to your camping kit for your next trip.
Features
- Size 216 x 102 x 48 cm, Pack Size 106 x 30 x 18 cm, Weight 11.8 kg., Color Black
- Aluminum frame, patented steel “S” legs, and heavy-duty 600D Poly Canvas top
- Cot folds up for easy transport with included carry bag
- Compatible with Outfitter XXL Camp Pad, Outfitter XXL Quick Tent, Gun Sleeve, Under Cot Storage and Cot Organizer
- Cot bed supports up to 272 kg.
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
Review
A good solid sturdy over-sized cot that will carry the weight of a small army… You might want to consider the sleep mat that you can buy with it if you are looking for that extra level of comfort while you snooze.
Set up and break down are handy enough and it all fits away into the supplied carry bag so you can be on your way. Ideal for having in the car but watch out if you plan to carry it on a long trek into the woods due to its weight. READ MORE
Below is a quick video to show you how easy it is to setup the Teton sports outdoors XXL comfortable cot.
Texsport Camp Cot
The Texsport Deluxe camp cot is great value for money. It is the cheapest of the three camp cots we reviewed, but don’t let that stop you.
This camping bed is good and solid with its aluminium frame covered by a water resistant 600D poly cover and supported by steel legs.
Feature wise there is plenty going for this cot
Features
- Supports up to 250 lbs with the 600D polyester wrapped aluminium frame
- Easy setup and teardown with great folding system.
- Heavy Duty Storage Bag included
- Ideal for Back Sleeper
- Lightweight Aluminium main frame
Review
Overall the Texsport folding cot is a great buy. Cost wise its cheaper that the others we looked at. One thing you might want to be wary of is if you are a side-sleeper this cot may not suit you as it dips a bit in the middle (like a hammock). If this is the case look at the Coleman above as this would be perfect.
The majority of the reviews have only good things to say about this cot but one guy stated that it was coming apart at the seams so read through all of the reviews on Amazon to make sure this is a once off. READ MORE
- TETON SPORTS OUTFITTER
- Easy to setup
- 600 lbs support
- Steel Frame
- PRICE= $$$
- COLEMAN CAMP COT
- Easy to setup
- 300 lbs support
- Steel Frame
- PRICE= $$
- TEXSPORT DELUXE
- Easy to setup
- 250 lbs support
- Aluminium Frame
- PRICE= $
Final Thoughts
We had great fun researching camp travel cots and the best sleeping cots for adults. We hope you find this information valuable in your quest for that perfect nights sleep when you are next out camping.
Our mission was straightforward. Take a look at the best camping best for adults and something to replace the option of a foam mattress or an air bed. We also wanted the option to use these at home as portable beds when guests come over to stay.
These are our thoughts on the best options available but please do your homework and research yourself if you have the time. If not then for value for money go for the Coleman. Great portable camping bed and you will do just fine with this model without having to worry about a sleeping pad or any additional padding. You may want to look for other options for a kids cot but to be honest the Coleman would do the trick – especially with the side table. This is perfect for holding a camping light or drinks bottle.
If you are putting this straight into your tent then you might want to consider getting some floor protectors for under the legs of whatever model you choose. They all have rubberised ends on the legs but better safe than sorry. You don’t want one of them going through the floor of your lovely tent.
Keep an eye on the weight of whatever camping bed you decide to go for. It’s all well and good having one with you but remember if you have a long trek into a forest or campsite you have to carry it along, and bring it back again…
If there is a camping travel cot, camping bed, sleeping system or tent cots that you use we would love to hear about it in the comments below and if you enjoyed the information feel free to hit one of the share buttons to help us spread the word. These are our camping cot reviews so hope you get something useful out of them.
Everybody deserves a good nights sleep – no matter where you are.
Happy Camping…