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May 23 2019

Best Camping Cot Tent: Your Ultimate Buying Guide

Best Choice

Kamp-Rite Original      Tent Cot

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Kamp-Rite Oversize     Tent Cot

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Teton Camping Cot

Teton Sports Outfitter Tent Cot

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We are going to help you find the best camp cot tent on the market. Sleeping comfortably outdoors isn’t impossible and if you’re wondering how you can do that, we’re here to tell you that a camping cot tent is your best shot!

In this article, you’ll find our most preferred tent camping cots and a detailed guide on how to choose one. Before we jump in, here’s a sneak peek at our favorites.  

You can also check out our reviews on backpacking cots if you are looking for something smaller and more lightweight.

Camping Cots:

Star Rating:


Kamp-Rite Oversize
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Kamp-Rite Original
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Teton Sports Outfitter Tent
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Browning Big Horn Tent Cot
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Our Top Five Favorite Camping Cot Tents

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#1 - Kamp-Rite Oversize Camping Cot Tent

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Pros

  • Large Size   
  • Serves as a tent cot, standard cot, and lounge chair
  • Elevated off the ground

Cons

  • A Bit Bulky to carry around 
  • Its total weight

Over View:

The Kamp-Rite Oversize tent cot is a sturdy and high-quality cot that comes with 3 different set-up options and can hold up to 350 pounds of weight.


We love that this tent cot is so versatile. Apart from its normal tent set up, this cot can be used as a standard cot if you’d like to fall asleep under the stars. It also doubles up as a lounge chair for daytime use.


The cot is 210D and measures 32 inches wide and 90 inches long so it’s an ideal option if you’re tall. It stands 11 inches off the ground and has a domed top to give more headroom and weighs 32 pounds.


For extra stability, the cot is designed with 2 additional support legs on both ends and its frame is made of good quality aluminum. It’s made of heavy duty nylon and comes with corrosion resistant zippers.


Windows on both sides come with mesh on them to allow for nice airflow when you need it. It’s also easy to assemble.


The tent comes with a waterproof 600D carry bag for more convenient transport and folds to a size of 36 x 34 x 7 inches.

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#2 SansBug Free Standing Pop-Up Mosquito-Net Cot

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Pros

  • Best insect protection
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Requires no assembly
  • Budget-friendly

Cons

  • Doesn’t fit easily into a bag
  • Requires a sleeping mattress for comfort

Overview: 

If you’re like us and you hate those creepy and curious insects, the SansBug cot tent is the one for you.


At only 2.5 pounds, this tent is so lightweight and folds to a 26-inch disc that is easy to carry. The awesome thing about this tent is that it requires absolutely no set-up. All you have to do it pop it open.


When unfolded, the cot measures 86 x 39 x 35 inches. You can use it on top of your standard cot for protection, fit a sleeping mattress inside it, or even use it on a small boat.


Because the tent is made of fiberglass poles, it’s durable and lightweight.


Browning Camping Big Horn Cot Tent

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Pros

  • Large size, enough for a family
  • Withstands intense weather conditions
  • Strong and durable
  • Easy to assemble  

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Heavy

Overview: 

The Browning Big Horn tent feels more like a room rather than just a tent! At 150 sq ft. this tent literally has 2 separate rooms inside, with 2 doors to allow access to each room.


The tent has 6 windows for maximum ventilation and its fiberglass poles and steel give it extra strength and lifespan. The tent is large enough that you can actually stand inside it. On the inside, the cot is designed with mesh pockets that you can use to organize your stuff.


This tent weighs 34 pounds and is really simple to assemble. Just snap the pole clips over the poles and you're good to go


Teton Sports Outfitter Quick Cot Tent

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Pros

  • Plenty of room inside
  • Reasonably priced
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Requires an additional sleeping surface for comfort

Overview:

The Teton Sports Outfitter XXL is another one of our favorites. One of the reasons why we love this tent is that it requires no assembly at all, it simply pops open and is very easy to take down.


The cot is designed for one person at a size of 82 x 89 x 32 inches when unfolded. It only weighs 4.3 pounds, making it a perfect option if you’ll move around with it a lot.


This extra large cot folds down to 25 x 5 inches and can be attached to any standard cot using its 6 attachment points. It’s also water resistant and comes with a built-in zipper guard.


Kamp-Rite Original Camping Cot Tent

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Pros

  • High-quality material
  • Elevation off the ground
  • Multiple use cot

Cons

  • A little stiff - may require an additional mattress
  • Bulky to carry around.

Overview:

The Kamp-Rite Original tent cot is very similar to the Kamp-Rite Oversize tent cot except that it comes at a smaller size. This cot is designed to be used by one person. When unfolded, the cot measures 85 x 28 x 35 inches and weighs 24 pounds and is 11 inches off the ground.


The cot is of made of a good quality powdered aluminum frame and has a capacity of 300 pounds. On both ends of the cot, you’ll find zippered mesh and polyester openings for airflow in warm weather. You can access this tent from both sides through zippered doors.  


You can also use this cot as a standard cot if you want to sleep in the open air or put it in a larger tent. If you’re looking for a tent that can be used as a lounge chair too, this is the one.


The cot comes with a heavy duty nylon carry bag and when folded, it measures 35 x 31 x 6 inches. Additionally, assembling this tent is really simple and easy.  


Things To Consider Before Buying A Camping Cot

Many people prefer camping cots over sleeping bags because they are elevated off the ground and give more of a home-like experience.

There’s a wide variety of camping cots available and because of that, choosing one may not be the easiest task.

To make things easier, we’ve put together this quick yet detailed guide on the things you need to keep in mind when making your purchase decision.

Take a look at the following factors, assess your needs and you’ll sure be able to choose the best camping cot tent!

Camping Cot Tent - Size

The first thing you want to consider when buying your camping cot is its size.

Are you going to use the cot alone? Or are you going to be sharing it with someone?

While the average camping cot size usually measures 75 inches long and 25 inches wide, there are cots that are designed for taller people that measure 90 inches long, and others that are more suitable for heavier people at 40 inches of width.

Some cots are even 60 inches wide to allow for 2 people to share the cot.

The height of the cot also varies. Although it isn’t related to sleeping comfort, a higher camping cot would be a better option if you have back or joint problems. It also offers storage space underneath your sleep surface.

Bear in mind that larger cots often cost more.


Camping Cot Tent - Weight

Cots come in different weight options too. Although we love the idea of a super light camping cot that you can easily carry, you need to know that for these cots to be lightweight, they often compromise durability.

So what does the cot weight depend on?

The first thing is the cot size. Obviously, the larger your cot is, the heavier it’s going to.

Another factor that affects weight is the material used in manufacturing which is usually aluminum or steel. Aluminum cots are lighter in weight than steel cots.

Also, cots that come with a foam or cotton mattress are heavier than canvas cots.

Finally, additional features in the cot like a side table, for instance, add to its weight.


Camping Cot Tent - Capacity

An important thing to take into account is how much weight the cot can support. An average cot will support around 250 pounds of weight and some cots provide a capacity of up to 600 pounds.

Make sure your cot’s weight limit is compatible with your weight.


Camping Cot Tent - Frame

The frame is an essential part of your cot. Basically, it’s what keeps your cot together.

We always recommend that you invest in a high-quality frame. Think of it this way, if the fabric of your cot tears, you can always replace it, but if your frame collapses, there isn’t much you can do about it.

Cots that are made from steel are more durable yet heavier than those made of aluminum. A practical option would be to buy a cot that combines both materials. In that case, the upper part of the cot is made of aluminum and the legs are made of strong heavy-duty steel.

As for leg design, cots can have standard vertical legs, X-shaped, or U-shaped legs, which are all good options.


Camping Cot Tent - Material

The material of your sleeping surface affects the weight of the cot, its comfort level, and its durability.

The sleeping surface will either be an air mattress, a foam mattress, or a canvas. The lightest option is the canvas, although it’s not the best in terms of comfort, it does provide a good combination of comfort, convenience, and durability.

Canvas cots are a breeze to clean when compared to foam mattresses and dry up really quickly.  

High-quality cots sometimes come with what’s called “ripstop” fabric that prevents tearing, making your cot more durable.

When choosing a cot, check the Denier (D) of the cot, which the measurement unit of the fabric. The higher the denier is, the higher the quality will be. Try to opt for a cot with 600D or more.


Camping Cot Tent - Portability

There are a few questions you need to ask yourself when it comes to portability.

How will you store the cot? Will you walk a lot before arriving at your camping spot? How big is your car trunk?

Of course, it’s ideal to have a relatively lightweight cot with a small packed size so you can easily store it and carry it around. Most cots come with a carry bag with a shoulder strap for easy transport.


Camping Cot Tent - Set-Up

Choosing a cot that is easy to assemble is crucial. You definitely don’t want to spend half your day putting your cot together.

Some cots simply fold in half and are so easy to assemble, but they’re not a good option when it comes to mobility. Other cots require no tools and you just have to snap along the joints to quickly connect its parts.

Higher-end cots may require a little bit more effort to assemble, but it should still take you a few minutes to do so.


How Will Weather affect it?

Consider the area that you’ll be camping in and the time of the year as well.

Elevated cots are great for summer nights because they allow air to move underneath it for a cooling effect. In winter though, it’s a good idea to use an insulated cot or add a sleeping pad to your regular cot to keep you warm.


Price for the Camping Cot

At the end of the day, the amount of money you’re willing to pay will play a big role in choosing your camping cot. The bright side is that camping cots come in a wide price range, so getting a good quality cot doesn’t mean you to have to spend a fortune.

Be ready though to spend an average minimum of $50 for your camping cot tent.


Final Thoughts

We can’t think of anything more important than waking up from your sleep rested and having the energy to enjoy what’s coming ahead in your trip. Your camping sleep system is what will help you achieve that.

Your camping cot will either give you an unforgettable experience or a dreadful memory, so make sure you take the time to pick a cot that best suits your needs.

Happy Camping!

Resources:

Princeton.edu

Mountainjobs.com

rei.com

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Written by Justin · Categorized: Buying Guides

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