Cots for tents

[tacklejunkie]

What are some good quality cots for tents that wont risk ripping the floor and are semi comfy?

Anybody use those one man tents that are just a cot with a tent over it that I see in cabela's?

[echotrail]

Buy a cot that has rubber pads on the feet or use some carpeting peices under each of the feet. Just pack them in with the tent or your sleeping bag. The cot I have has rubber pads and I got it at Sams Club.

[jigginjim]

I like the cots with round tubing on the floor. Depending on your camping site or how far you carry the equipment. You could use a piece of carpet that cover the whole floor in the tent.

[Rippinlip]

We have the ones with the round tube for the legs and they work out fine, wife just went and bought new air mattress, so these are just sitting in my garage for now...

We like them, but trying something different for now.

[jeffreyd]

i have a tent cot, it is pretty cool. i have used it in the summer and winter, if you dont mind a tight fit or being closed in they are great. my son uses it most of the time now as it is simple for him to set up.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I just bought a "Twist Cot" and really like it. Easy to set up, lighter weight, but strong and nice pads on the feet. Got it at Fleet in Owatona, or google it.

[tacklejunkie]

Do you guys prefer the air mattress or cots for camping?

[Duffman]

If you plan on using a cot during cold weather, use some sort of insulating pad as well.

I just picked up a couple of cots last week for car and boat camping, I plan on using the sleeping pads I usually take on top of them.

I threw in some bar coasters in the cot bags to help protect the tent floor.

Otherwise I've been bringing two mattress/pads with me the last two years tent camping. Why two? I like my sleep, and in case one pad fails I have backup.

[swamptiger]

Quote:

If you plan on using a cot during cold weather, use some sort of insulating pad as well.

That's some really good advice. A good pad in cold weather will do much more for you than a good sleeping bag. Of course, a good bag doesn't hurt, either.

[Duffman]

The thing with cots or hammocks is that your smooshing down all the insulation capability of your sleeping bag. The same is true on the ground, but the ground does provide some insulation. The air underneath a cot or hammock will constantly be replaced by cooler air.

[sdpikehntr]

I have used both cots & air beds, and if it is just myself, and not the family, I would take the cot over the airbed. I use the military style cots with the alum. frame, it is not a cot for back pack by any means. The cot is firm and I typically have a good night sleep on it.

Duffman is right on with the insulating pad, but would like to add it is good any time of the year. What I use as a insulating pad is a second sleeping bag; I just lay both down on the cot and sleep in the top one. In summer it wicks any moisture away and in the winter it keep the cold from comming up.

I just use doubled over cardboard pieces for floor protectors under the cots, and they are cheap and easy to find.

[jigginjim]

When I go to the BWCA, I have a self inflating mattress, they work great. If I use a cot, a great addition is a military sleeping pad, adds heat and firmness for sleeping.

[Rippinlip]

I have slept on both and will say for the comfort factor, I am leaning towards the Air mattress, for ease of set-up, the cot will do the trick. I do like the cot for the lack of space it takes up and for the storage under the cot too. They both have their upsides.

Good Luck

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I've spent most of my camping sleeping on a self inflating pad (REI 2.5). However, I love my new cot (see above). I can store all my bags under it, which makes for a ton more room in the tent. When I wake up I just swing my legs over and stand right up.

During the day I keep my clothes bag on top of the cot so I don't need to bend down and pick stuff off the ground all the time. Great for siting on while dressing too.

I also use my REI pad on top for more comfort and also insulation if cold.