Best Tent Cot for Camping
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Sleeping on cold, hard ground may not be everybody’s ideal idea of a vacation. If you’re tired of getting back pains from small rocks under the tent, or if your sleep constantly get disturbed by motion transfer using an air mattress, a tent cot is the solution for you.
Now camping cots have evolved from the traditional military wood and canvas kind. They are pretty lightweight from 2lb to 5lb, and are capable of providing you a little more luxury when spending time outdoors.
A camping cot is designed as a cot with a built-in tent. As they are elevated from the floor, you will no longer need to worry about dampness seeping through your tent when it rains.
As there are so many options out there, we have narrowed the selection to the top cot tents. If you are hard pressed for time, and want to get the best tent cot, we recommend Kamp-Rite Oversize Tent Cot as the best cot tent in the market.
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Why Trust Us
Jules and Ken
We are Jules and Ken. We are outdoor lovers, travellers and writers all rolled into one. You have seen our posts here reviewing lots of different types of outdoor gear, camping equipment, kayaking to cycling. Our reviews are guided by our years of experience being outdoors.
We are happy to share our knowledge with you so that you can make a better choice for the best tent cots for camping with your family. We can confidently say that you are definitely at the right place. We have reviewed various types of tent, from cabin tents to dome tents so you can save the trouble of reviewing it yourself. In this guide, we have listed down 3 picks for the Best Tent Cot For Camping.
3 Best Tent Cots
Why you need one
Easy to pack
If you are travelling solo, or with a partner, you want to camp light and comfortably with a backpacking cot. A tent cot may allow you to carry less to a campsite for activities like motorcycle camping, or kayak camping. It is easy to pack and store. As you need to minimize and space on board a kayak, a tent cot easily fits the little space you have in a kayak.
Elevation
Tent cots are elevated off the ground, creating better airflow. It prevents rocks, tree limbs or ground bugs from affecting your sleeping area. It makes a difference in the quality of your rest, there is no need to toss and turn trying to find the best angle to sleep.
Carry Less
You no longer need a large tent to create separate sleeping quarters. Also forget about the hassle of lugging an air mattress with you. It is easier to set up a tent cot as there are less poles to put together, compared to a traditional tent. Some tent cots for camping can double up as a camping chair, allowing you to carry less when camping.
Comfort
If you have to deal with a bug out situation, especially for people who are not accustomed to camping. It can help you make your sleep 100% better. It allows you to sleep in privacy while in the company of others.
How to choose a tent cot
Weight and Size
Are you camping solo? or with your partner? There are some tent cots which are designed for larger sized individuals, or for 2 average adults. Thus, you can save some money and not need to buy separate cots. Taller people may require a longer tent cot in order to sleep comfortably. Larger sized tent cots tend to be those heavy duty models, which are heavier than standard tent cots. You do not want something too heavy, if you are always on the move.
Transport
Most likely, car camping is required when transporting tent cots as they are heavier in nature compared to conventional tents. Pay attention to its pack size and its weight factor, as it affects the portability. Some tent cots can be wrapped up into very small parts, while some can be completely disassembled.
The heavier it is, it is less suited for long distances. Super light and portable tent cots may be very expensive, so look for a balance in between. Check if the carrying bags are water resistant. These type of materials can help withstand being rained on when put on an open truck.
Ease in setting up
This factor can make or break your trip. It can be frustrating spending hours trying to assemble your tent cot, or it can be a breeze if the designs are straightforward. Read the owner’s manual and check out Youtube, as there are many resources out there that teaches you how to set it up right.
Durability
One of the core components of a good tentcot is in the frame and support structure. Aluminium frames are light yet strong. On the other hand, steel frames are usually used for heavy duty cots, and these can withstand heavier weight. If you plan to bring your tent cot into your tent, then make sure your cot legs have rubber end caps, to prevent any puncture to the floor of the tent.
Water resistance or waterproof
Waterproof offers the highest level of protection from water, it offers a complete barrier to water. It is easier to clean dirt and stains. Water-resistant offers a lower level of protection. Being Water-resistant depends on the thread count, if it is tightly woven, water struggles to get through. Water resistant sheds water, they are only able to resist the penetration of water to a certain degree. Also consider the weather, if the fabric is cooler for hot summers.
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Kamprite tent is super easy to set up and also take down, compared to your conventional tent. This is so important especially if you arrive late at your destination, being all tired and hungry. All you need a quick setup, and it is super easy to get it up. And when you take down, the carrying bag that comes along with it is large enough for you to store it back without much struggle.
This tent has a sleeping area of 90X32 inches which can fit a 6 feet tall person with fully extended arms. It can withstand a maximum capacity of 350 pounds and take in a maximum of 2 adults, equivalent to a double tent cot. It is well constructed with straps with four durable aluminum steel bar leg frames.
It is elevated 11 inches off the ground, protecting you from the elements like rain, crawly bugs and rocks. It has a foam insulating pad which helps withstand moderate weather, and you will not feel the frames biting in your back. One thing great about this double cot is, it has been innovated to have multiple usages. It can be converted into a sitting arrangement, or it can be used as a chair or as a lounge. So it gives you a 3 in 1 configuration.
It is perfect for hot summers, as it is well ventilated with double layered mesh. It has two doors, accompanied by two large sized zipper windows, so large that you can actually exit from all four sides. This tent comes with a tape-sealed seams rain fly which keeps the rainwater out. So you can understand, there is a dome top that allows extra headroom for you to sit comfortably and change your clothes inside. There are fabric ties in the center of the ceiling to attach a light, making it easier to see at night.
This tent is a excellent buy, as it provides you comfort and privacy while being outdoors.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Stable
- Durable materials
- Comfortable with extra padding
- 3 in 1 design (cot, chair, lounge)
Cons
- Heavy
- Large
PROS
CONS
- Easy to set up
- Stable
- Durable materials
- Comfortable with extra padding
- 3 in 1 design (cot, chair, lounge)
- Heavy
- Large
This is a smaller version of the Kamp-rite Oversize Tent Cot, fitting only 1 person who is six feet less in height. The walls are completely vertical, creating lots of volume within the tent. It measures 84X28 inches, which is narrower and shorter. It is made of lightweight aluminium, so it is much lighter for a person to carry while camping solo. When folded up, it measures only 33X30X6 inches, making it portable in its heavy duty 600D carry bag.
Its material is made from 190T polyester taffeta fabric with 190 threads per square inch, creating a water resistant surface which enough to repel moisture. This tent cot is not waterproof. But you can get a waterproof rainfly (sold separately) that fits over the entire tent cot, so that you are well protected. You can attach reinforcements to avoid the tent from tipping over when there is breeze.
It is so easy to set up this tent that you do not even need to read the instructions. This tent allows you to transform the cot into a chair or a lounge. Its base keeps you 11 inches off the ground. The zippers are designed with a bolted framework, so if you lock it from the inside. Rest assured, no one or wild creature can open it from the outside. This gives you a better sense of security from the outside.
There are interior pockets within the tent to keep small items such as your phone or torch light. It weighs 26.6 pounds by its own and can support up to 300 pounds in weight. This tent is the first model created by Kamp-rite company, and is still a very popular choice for many campers.
Pros
- Double layer mesh doors and windows
- Lighter
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Heavy
- Not suited if you are claustrophobic
- Only for 1 person
PROS
CONS
- Double layer mesh doors and windows
- Lighter
- Easy to set up
- Heavy
- Not suited if you are claustrophobic
- Only for 1 person
Yescom Single Tent is very similar to Kamp-rite’s Original Tent. It has 2 large zippered 2 D-type doors and side windows to allow air circulation. Being far off the ground makes a difference in temperature, as you do not feel so warm especially in hot summers. Its meshed windows allow good ventilation within the tent, and it keeps the bugs at bay.
It supports up to 265 lbs which, which is good enough for most users. It weighs 24.7 lbs by itself, which is stable and will not sink regardless of where it is pitched up on. It is large enough at 84.25X31.5X40.5 inches to support 1 adult or 2 kids.
Its waterproof fabric made of 600D polyester fabric bottom, 190T polyester top and 190T oxford rainfly, makes is able to resist moisture . It is coated with 2000mm PU coating for water resistance, which is enough for light rain conditions. However, it is not waterproof enough for heavy rains. One of the small setbacks of this tent cot is its flat roof, which collects water when it rains.
You can hang towels in the tent cot with available straps found on the doors. There are a few interior storage pockets for your small items like your eyeglasses. You can even set it up on the platform of your truck, for convenience. Yescom Single Tent is easy to set up and collapse it once you are done.
Pros
- Comes with rainfly
- Large and comfortable
Cons
- Roof is flat
PROS
CONS
- Comes with rainfly
- Large and comfortable
- Roof is flat
Summary
If you are looking to getaway outdoors, and yet not leave the comforts of your bed, Kamp-Rite Oversize Tent Cot is the solution for you. Kamp-Rite is the first brand that released the commercial tent cot to the market, earning them the title of World Leader in Off-the-Ground Camping Gear. It has everything you need in a tent cot that will see you through many outdoor camping adventures. It is an enormously popular tent cot that has lots of amazing features allowing you to configure it for multiple purposes at your campsite.
What's Next
You already have a tent and but find it too difficult to sleep on the cold, hard ground? Then check out our recommended folding cots. Looking for campsites to set up your tent cot? Check out our recommended places to camp around the world.
I hope you enjoyed this review and if you have questions about any of the these Tent Cots, or want to leave your own personal review, feel free to leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you.
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