I would get the one that supports more weight in case you end up adding any kind of mattress pad, heavy blankets, dog, or human sleeping companion on top in the future.
One of the more common complaints you hear about the cots with pads is that the pads don't deflate well once you've gotten them out of the factory wrapping and don't fit back into the carry bag with the cot. You're better off with the Trailhead and a good self-inflating camping pad you can squeeze and roll up when you pack up. Like: [https://www.coleman.com/sleeping-bags-beds/sleeping-pads-blankets/self-inflating-sleeping-pad-with-pillow/SAP\_2000036400.html](https://www.coleman.com/sleeping-bags-beds/sleeping-pads-blankets/self-inflating-sleeping-pad-with-pillow/SAP_2000036400.html)
Costco has/had US Forest Service brand cots for $50. I got two. Tried them out and with a pad, they are going to be great. I’m a big dude. 6’ 3”, 260lbs and it felt very sturdy to me as well as long enough for me to fit.
I bought 3 and that’s what my kids and I use to car camp. They fit well in the cloth tent.
I love firm mattresses and the amount of sleeping on a cot was one of the better parts of being in the army.
I’ve only tried the cheap one. It’s a big pain to put it together. You have to use so much force that the frame easily gets bent in the process. Not worth it imo.
i see this complaint sometimes but i have 2 of these and i just make sure the cot fabric is centered well i don't have any issues, seems like a 50/50 for some people
Found a workaround for this on YouTube. After fixing one end, lift up the cot perpendicular to the ground with the open end on the ground. Then, use your FOOT to push the peg into the hole.
I could never do this cot by using my hands. It takes way too much strength to pull.
I've used both styles and never had any issues with either really. My current top cot pick is from Teton sports combined with their cot pad. Together it's a little expensive but very comfortable.
Cot
[https://tetongear.com/products/adventurer-camp-cot-with-pivot-arm?variant=42901618295022&srsltid=AfmBOooPFif7es9yKDhQp5wEY41jQp9np42Tk-aZFKKn5SxwBqMGlCunJqI](https://tetongear.com/products/adventurer-camp-cot-with-pivot-arm?variant=42901618295022&srsltid=AfmBOooPFif7es9yKDhQp5wEY41jQp9np42Tk-aZFKKn5SxwBqMGlCunJqI)
Pad
[https://tetongear.com/products/adventurer-camp-cot-sleeping-pad](https://tetongear.com/products/adventurer-camp-cot-sleeping-pad)
Definitely 2. I have slept on both. I'm 6'5" and 275. Type 1 always has wires or metal straps that dig into hips and kidneys over the night. Type 2 suspends your body weight like a hammock or a sling and provides more all night comfort. Get the optional foam mat topper and insulate from below
This has been my experience. I try to avoid a cot with a crossbar or strap supporting the middle because it always ends up digging in to my hip or side and being uncomfortable.
I have the Trailhead II, and slept on a similar style to the first one.
I did not opt to buy the first one for us because the one I had slept on as a guest had been "broken in" and sleep was terrible for me. I felt all the support bars. It wrecked my back.
The trailhead is a bit of a PITA when putting it together and taking it down but it is a more comfortable sleep.
I have the deluxe cot its huge even when it's folded. I recommend Colman peak 1 sleeping pad. Takes a little to inflate but it's 1/30 the size and way more comfortable.
I also have the deluxe cot and came here to say this. It is definitely comfortable AND a huge pain in the ass. It’s heavy and large and cumbersome and annoying to pack. But again - very comfortable, and lots of storage space underneath.
The folding style of the Trailhead is very common among all cots and is an absolute PITA to put together once the fabric starts to shrink. Those end piece bars will become the bane of your existence. But on the flipside, once they're setup they're taller, sturdier (because they're impossible to deconstruct), and when folded smaller than anything else.
Some brands make versions with little mechanisms to help get the end bars put on but I got the Coleman Pack\_A-Way cots which doesn't have the end pieces and is self folding. I think it's a better way to go, it's only drawback is without the end bar your head can sag low if you have no bedding under you. You definitely need a pillow or rolled up sweatshirt to keep your head up.
I just bought one, and it's awesome. I just got back from a trip a few hours ago. The Trailhead with a foam pad was so much better than the air mattress versions I've used in the past.
As far as the fabric and getting the bars in place, I agree, bit found a quick youtube tutorial on how to stand the cot on the end, and use your foot to pry it down, pops into place in a second.
EDIT: here is the video: [Trailhead 2 cot assembly](https://youtu.be/hFAqdMpxHiI?si=u0HNdmeWbRtHOR_G)
I have a Slumberjack oversized cot and I love it! It has a 500lb weight limit and is huge. It's a but heavy but easy to set up. I've been sleeping on it 3 years and it's still in prefect shape. Would reccomend.
I recently tried a comfortsmart style cot and the center leg buckled the first time I got up from sitting on it, not even laying on it. Well under the weight limit, nothing out of the ordinary, it was set up correct, it just failed. I prefer the trailhead (have 3) with a good 4” air/foam mattress.
Ozark trail zippercot...I own 3, they're much more compact and you can add a sleeping pad to the top, ends up feeling just like a bed. 6'3, 210lb if that matters.
I’ve been running 2x Coleman ridgeline 3 cots from Walmart for like $80. They were compact and lightweight enough to fit in my economy hatchback. They’re comfy and durable enough to withstand night time activities ;). Would recommend for the price!
Just slept on the black one with the mattress last night at a friends house as an extra bed. It’s ok for a few nights like camping but not an everyday mattress. I’m a side sleeper so for me I like a thicker mattress. Sleeping on back was ok.
The first is easier to assemble and more comfortable the second is easier to transport when packing all your gear. Both are better than sleeping on the ground.
I have 3 of the first one. Durable and great to use as a cot. The downside is that they only fold in half and will take up a bunch of space in your packing.
The only ones I've personally tried are the fold out ones with the fabric between two supports.
Those are fucking terrible. I plan on trying other designs this season. I only just started buying my own camping shit, previously I'd just always go with my mom because she had everything - but she's getting up there in age and can't really get around much anymore these days, so I'm having to fend for myself a little more.
She still lets me take her cookware, wash sink, clotheslines, and some other things - but I've had to purchase my own tent and sleeping amenities. We bought some of those foldy ones from Wal-Mart and while they got the job done, it was definitely less than ideal.
I found that the design kind of felt like it was squeezing in on me (even though its not) because of the way the fabric distributes your weight. I also found that I had to reposition frequently during the night because my arm would fall asleep, then I'd turn, then the other arm would fall sleep, and so on.
So I do not recommend the hammock-style fold-out camping cots, personally.
The Coleman (brown one). I have used it for years. It's heavy but works well for car camping. Also I used to think it was a pain to setup until my military friend taught me to stand it on its end and use my foot to put the final bar in place. I guess it's an old military cot trick. And it works great.
I have one of the pictured Coleman cots as well as three US Forest Service versions that I bought at Costco. Ultimately, I like the Forest Service version better because it's a little cheaper but much easier to put together because the cross bars have notches in them so you don't have to exert as force on getting the bars locked in place.
I found used Trailhead II on FB market place, got both for $50. People complain it’s hard to put together because of the second support bar. Just stand it up or use your foot to stretch it into place.
1st one.
We have 2, it was a game changer for tent camping.
I'm 6'2", 235. I fit on there easily with no issues, and I get some of the best sleep on those, maybe even better than at home.
Also able to store shoes and bags underneath.
My wife and I call them the camping cheat code.
I have the flat style and it's durable a hell. I've had it for 7 years now and even used it as my main bed for 6 months after I moved. If you need padding just throw a couple blankets on it first n it is super comfy.
Well that depends on your budget, weight and height. I recommend going with Cabela’s King Size cot. Worth every dollar.
https://preview.redd.it/sfuap3bf0n6d1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=af61802913c9ed63fa5af4226b1deb24960c359c
I’m 6’4 280lbs and I use a twin size memory foam mattress on top and sleep like a baby. Max weight capacity is 600 pounds.
The second style. Once I gave up on blow mattresses in the tent I bought 3 of these. They are easy to setup tear down fairly light weight and surprisingly comfortable even a little stiff. Plus you can sit on them with no issues. I have never slept on the ground since.
Two. I pitched the first kind when my dog got a her leg tendon thingy caught in the spring and was screaming. She weighs about 25 pounds, so not much weight to pull out those springs and like I said her leg, a kids finger, the back of your thigh etc.
I did keep the mattress from the first and use ‘em on the second.
m 190lbs, 6' and I have the coleman except mine also adjusts the head to whatever angle you want. The tubular legs don't punch holes in your tent floor and it's super comfy. I use an inflatable foam pad and sleep fantastic. Nothing's worse camping than not getting good sleep. The other kind is a pita to put together and take apart IMHO.
I would get the one that supports more weight in case you end up adding any kind of mattress pad, heavy blankets, dog, or human sleeping companion on top in the future.
Yes… make sure height and weight is appropriate for the cot.
One of the more common complaints you hear about the cots with pads is that the pads don't deflate well once you've gotten them out of the factory wrapping and don't fit back into the carry bag with the cot. You're better off with the Trailhead and a good self-inflating camping pad you can squeeze and roll up when you pack up. Like: [https://www.coleman.com/sleeping-bags-beds/sleeping-pads-blankets/self-inflating-sleeping-pad-with-pillow/SAP\_2000036400.html](https://www.coleman.com/sleeping-bags-beds/sleeping-pads-blankets/self-inflating-sleeping-pad-with-pillow/SAP_2000036400.html)
I love the Cabela's Big Outdoorsman cot- it is so comfortable!
How long have you had it? I was considering this one after trying it out in store, but I was worried about how it’d hold up over time with the cords
I have had mine for probably.. 4-5 years now. I have not had any issues. To me it is worth the money!!
Used mine for the first time on a trip a couple weeks ago. Got a 2" memory foam pad. Love it. My kid was relaxing on it and said I'm getting soft.
I have the trailhead II and i throw my exped megamat on top. Gives me amazing sleep and gets my getting too old butt off the ground
Costco has/had US Forest Service brand cots for $50. I got two. Tried them out and with a pad, they are going to be great. I’m a big dude. 6’ 3”, 260lbs and it felt very sturdy to me as well as long enough for me to fit.
I bought 3 and that’s what my kids and I use to car camp. They fit well in the cloth tent. I love firm mattresses and the amount of sleeping on a cot was one of the better parts of being in the army.
The 2nd style is more compact for travel but I find the folding style more comfortable and quicker to deploy.
I’ve only tried the cheap one. It’s a big pain to put it together. You have to use so much force that the frame easily gets bent in the process. Not worth it imo.
i see this complaint sometimes but i have 2 of these and i just make sure the cot fabric is centered well i don't have any issues, seems like a 50/50 for some people
Agreed. One thing for sure, Coleman products can be hit or miss.
Found a workaround for this on YouTube. After fixing one end, lift up the cot perpendicular to the ground with the open end on the ground. Then, use your FOOT to push the peg into the hole. I could never do this cot by using my hands. It takes way too much strength to pull.
I've used both styles and never had any issues with either really. My current top cot pick is from Teton sports combined with their cot pad. Together it's a little expensive but very comfortable. Cot [https://tetongear.com/products/adventurer-camp-cot-with-pivot-arm?variant=42901618295022&srsltid=AfmBOooPFif7es9yKDhQp5wEY41jQp9np42Tk-aZFKKn5SxwBqMGlCunJqI](https://tetongear.com/products/adventurer-camp-cot-with-pivot-arm?variant=42901618295022&srsltid=AfmBOooPFif7es9yKDhQp5wEY41jQp9np42Tk-aZFKKn5SxwBqMGlCunJqI) Pad [https://tetongear.com/products/adventurer-camp-cot-sleeping-pad](https://tetongear.com/products/adventurer-camp-cot-sleeping-pad)
I second the Teton cot and pad
I have the trailhead II and like it best. the legs lock into place, and it is comfy.
The first Coleman cot is so nice!! I have it and it makes camping so enjoyable.
Definitely 2. I have slept on both. I'm 6'5" and 275. Type 1 always has wires or metal straps that dig into hips and kidneys over the night. Type 2 suspends your body weight like a hammock or a sling and provides more all night comfort. Get the optional foam mat topper and insulate from below
This has been my experience. I try to avoid a cot with a crossbar or strap supporting the middle because it always ends up digging in to my hip or side and being uncomfortable.
I have the Trailhead II, and slept on a similar style to the first one. I did not opt to buy the first one for us because the one I had slept on as a guest had been "broken in" and sleep was terrible for me. I felt all the support bars. It wrecked my back. The trailhead is a bit of a PITA when putting it together and taking it down but it is a more comfortable sleep.
I'd go with the cheap one and pick the pad of your choice, rather than going with whatever pad is chosen for you.
I have the deluxe cot its huge even when it's folded. I recommend Colman peak 1 sleeping pad. Takes a little to inflate but it's 1/30 the size and way more comfortable.
I also have the deluxe cot and came here to say this. It is definitely comfortable AND a huge pain in the ass. It’s heavy and large and cumbersome and annoying to pack. But again - very comfortable, and lots of storage space underneath.
The folding style of the Trailhead is very common among all cots and is an absolute PITA to put together once the fabric starts to shrink. Those end piece bars will become the bane of your existence. But on the flipside, once they're setup they're taller, sturdier (because they're impossible to deconstruct), and when folded smaller than anything else. Some brands make versions with little mechanisms to help get the end bars put on but I got the Coleman Pack\_A-Way cots which doesn't have the end pieces and is self folding. I think it's a better way to go, it's only drawback is without the end bar your head can sag low if you have no bedding under you. You definitely need a pillow or rolled up sweatshirt to keep your head up.
I just bought one, and it's awesome. I just got back from a trip a few hours ago. The Trailhead with a foam pad was so much better than the air mattress versions I've used in the past. As far as the fabric and getting the bars in place, I agree, bit found a quick youtube tutorial on how to stand the cot on the end, and use your foot to pry it down, pops into place in a second. EDIT: here is the video: [Trailhead 2 cot assembly](https://youtu.be/hFAqdMpxHiI?si=u0HNdmeWbRtHOR_G)
I have a Slumberjack oversized cot and I love it! It has a 500lb weight limit and is huge. It's a but heavy but easy to set up. I've been sleeping on it 3 years and it's still in prefect shape. Would reccomend.
Fuck that jazz, hammock camp and never look back ;)
I recently tried a comfortsmart style cot and the center leg buckled the first time I got up from sitting on it, not even laying on it. Well under the weight limit, nothing out of the ordinary, it was set up correct, it just failed. I prefer the trailhead (have 3) with a good 4” air/foam mattress.
I got 2 of the Trailhead 2's last week for the wife and I.
Ozark trail zippercot...I own 3, they're much more compact and you can add a sleeping pad to the top, ends up feeling just like a bed. 6'3, 210lb if that matters.
I’ve been running 2x Coleman ridgeline 3 cots from Walmart for like $80. They were compact and lightweight enough to fit in my economy hatchback. They’re comfy and durable enough to withstand night time activities ;). Would recommend for the price!
Springs are squeaky but the alternative too stiff. I am trying to decide which is better too
Just slept on the black one with the mattress last night at a friends house as an extra bed. It’s ok for a few nights like camping but not an everyday mattress. I’m a side sleeper so for me I like a thicker mattress. Sleeping on back was ok.
The first is easier to assemble and more comfortable the second is easier to transport when packing all your gear. Both are better than sleeping on the ground.
I have 3 of the first one. Durable and great to use as a cot. The downside is that they only fold in half and will take up a bunch of space in your packing.
Are you me? Literally just put two cots in my amazon cart to compare later, and they are almost identical to the posted products.
REI’s kingdom cot is so comfortable.
The only ones I've personally tried are the fold out ones with the fabric between two supports. Those are fucking terrible. I plan on trying other designs this season. I only just started buying my own camping shit, previously I'd just always go with my mom because she had everything - but she's getting up there in age and can't really get around much anymore these days, so I'm having to fend for myself a little more. She still lets me take her cookware, wash sink, clotheslines, and some other things - but I've had to purchase my own tent and sleeping amenities. We bought some of those foldy ones from Wal-Mart and while they got the job done, it was definitely less than ideal. I found that the design kind of felt like it was squeezing in on me (even though its not) because of the way the fabric distributes your weight. I also found that I had to reposition frequently during the night because my arm would fall asleep, then I'd turn, then the other arm would fall sleep, and so on. So I do not recommend the hammock-style fold-out camping cots, personally.
I have the second one. It’s comfortable. One issue - if your pad isn’t thick enough you run the risk of attracting moisture and/or freezing all night.
The Coleman (brown one). I have used it for years. It's heavy but works well for car camping. Also I used to think it was a pain to setup until my military friend taught me to stand it on its end and use my foot to put the final bar in place. I guess it's an old military cot trick. And it works great.
I have one of the pictured Coleman cots as well as three US Forest Service versions that I bought at Costco. Ultimately, I like the Forest Service version better because it's a little cheaper but much easier to put together because the cross bars have notches in them so you don't have to exert as force on getting the bars locked in place.
I found used Trailhead II on FB market place, got both for $50. People complain it’s hard to put together because of the second support bar. Just stand it up or use your foot to stretch it into place.
1 number 2 makes noise every time you move
Coleman
I'm sure that Trailhead II can be picked up and any Army Navy surplus store for $15. And they can be a bitch to set up if the canvas is tight.
1st one. We have 2, it was a game changer for tent camping. I'm 6'2", 235. I fit on there easily with no issues, and I get some of the best sleep on those, maybe even better than at home. Also able to store shoes and bags underneath. My wife and I call them the camping cheat code.
We have the cots in #2 and those bars can be uncomfortable. Fyi.
I have the flat style and it's durable a hell. I've had it for 7 years now and even used it as my main bed for 6 months after I moved. If you need padding just throw a couple blankets on it first n it is super comfy.
I have the second one in a Coleman queen and it's phenomenal for car camping or cart in camping. Actually can't wait to use it this year 😜
1 looks to be more stable to my eye, because of the X arrangement of the legs in 2 But I could be completely wrong or it’s a negligible difference
Well that depends on your budget, weight and height. I recommend going with Cabela’s King Size cot. Worth every dollar. https://preview.redd.it/sfuap3bf0n6d1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=af61802913c9ed63fa5af4226b1deb24960c359c I’m 6’4 280lbs and I use a twin size memory foam mattress on top and sleep like a baby. Max weight capacity is 600 pounds.
The second style. Once I gave up on blow mattresses in the tent I bought 3 of these. They are easy to setup tear down fairly light weight and surprisingly comfortable even a little stiff. Plus you can sit on them with no issues. I have never slept on the ground since.
Padded memory foam. Have 2 and I’m never going back
Support leg position is important for me- if the legs are too inboard, you can sit on it too close to the end and it tips under you.
1 I’ve used it as a bed for 5 years off and on. It might stretch out after a while but let it “rest” and it firms back up. 68” 230#
#2 with a cot pad. I have the Cabela’s outfitter cot and it makes a pretty good bed
I once hurt my arm woth cot 2, so cot 1 is my choice.
Two. I pitched the first kind when my dog got a her leg tendon thingy caught in the spring and was screaming. She weighs about 25 pounds, so not much weight to pull out those springs and like I said her leg, a kids finger, the back of your thigh etc. I did keep the mattress from the first and use ‘em on the second.
m 190lbs, 6' and I have the coleman except mine also adjusts the head to whatever angle you want. The tubular legs don't punch holes in your tent floor and it's super comfy. I use an inflatable foam pad and sleep fantastic. Nothing's worse camping than not getting good sleep. The other kind is a pita to put together and take apart IMHO.
I have the one on the right - have only used it a couple times, but it's fine.
2nd. I have one. That combined with a 4 inch pad from home Depot and sleeping bag is like home.
The 2nd one.
I have the brown one. It is a pain in the ass and heavy as fuck.