Cots or air mattress?

[kdawg]

We just bought a tent and currently have a queen size air mattress. The tent is a 10 x 12 so either will work. I'm just wondering what do most people prefer for comfort? I do like the idea of a cot, if for nothing else, just getting off the ground a ways and for ease of getting in/out of bed. We looked at some cots at gander mtn. that were $120 or so, and don't mind spending the money if we'd be happier with them. Thanks.

[crappiegetter]

It's really all personal preference between the two. I personally have both and what I use depends if my wife is camping with me or not since she likes the air mattress. If I'm camping alone I like the cot. Also space can be a concern between the two, cots only fold down so far.

[highlife4me]

The double air mattress is also a good option. These are a higher than a regular mattress and are easier to get in and out of.

[Rippinlip]

We have done both and went back to the cots.

Both have their pro's & con's.

I like being off the ground and having the little bit of storage under the cot.

The air mattress was a little more comfy..

See where this is going, I am completely on the fence.

Good Luck

[eyeguy 54]

Dang air, bought 2 spendy ones and they still leaked after a few times. Back to the cot for me.

[sunniewally]

i've been thru alot of air matteres but they always leak, but they are comfortable when they work, we have cots now and i like those but they sure could use some padding, not sure what yet, anyone else have ideas?

[h8go4s]

There are lots of threads on this in the camping forum; do a search.

You will need a pad for insulation between your bag and a cot. I have a Trekker cot from Cabela's at around $40.00 and an Exped Downmat pad (down-filled inflatable) from REI at around $100. Works great for me.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I use a cot with a pad on it. Pad can also be used by itself if I choose to sleep on the ground to save weight on a boat in trip. Get a good cot and also a good self inflating pad. My pad is from REI and is two inches thick. I like it better then my Thermarest pad and it was less money.

[iafish4fun]

I guess it depends if I am camping next to you. It always entertaining to watch a battle of man vs. air mattress. My choice would be a cot definately. But they are not good in cooler weather. In ther winter I use 2 of the Walmart blue foam pads. I also use these same pads on the cot too in the summer. I avoid air mattresses like hand ice augers.

[leech~~]

Used air mattresses until our last Turkey hunting trip when it rained just about every day and we had a river running through our tent. Ran to Gander in La Crosse and picked up a cot and will not be going back to any air mattress on the ground unless really back in the woods where space and carrying capacity is an issue!

[mainbutter]

I usually just use a roll up sleeping pad for most of my camping, which tends to be overnight trips where we've got a lock on the weather. On specific trips, particularly river trips, I'll bring cots.

If I'm going to stay a night at a friend's apartment while I'm visiting, a queen air mattress would be my choice.

If I'm camping and need to get off the ground, I want a cot. Ditto on the poster above who mentioned "man versus air mattress". Too much work, too much that can go wrong.

One thing to consider though is the 'type' of camping you do. If your camping is setting up your tent next to your truck while you're at a state park campground, give some good thought to an air mattress if that's what the wife finds most comfortable. If you're going to be setting up camp after hiking 10 miles, safe some effort, energy, and time with cots.

When I was shorter than 5' in boy scouts, I was still carrying my cot on my pack myself, and space was not an issue.