What is a cot?
A cot is a type of bed that can be assembled and disassembled.
It consists of legs, support columns, and a fabric body, and is designed to be transported and assembled on-site before use.
Using a cot can help you get a better night's sleep.
Advantages and disadvantages of using a cot
The biggest advantage is undoubtedly having a flat sleeping surface.
No matter how high-performance the mat you lay down, you'll inevitably feel slight unevenness.
Using a cot eliminates that concern because it physically lifts you off the ground.
The downsides are that it's quite heavy and bulky when packed, essentially limiting its use to situations where you're traveling by car.
Recommended cots
KingCamp Cot
KingCamp Cot Wide
A highly stable cot for beginners.
It unfolds and folds up with a single touch, so even first-time users won't get confused. The pillow section is angled, making it very comfortable to sleep on.
There's a pocket on the side of the headrest, which is convenient for storing paperback books you read before going to bed or your smartphone.
It can also be used to store small items such as keys and wallets.
Quickcamp Folding Cot
Quickcamp Folding Camping Bed, Foldable Outdoor Cot
It weighs about 8 kg, which is a bit heavy, but the steel frame provides sufficient strength, and despite the seat height of 43 cm, it feels quite stable.
With only three legs, you can store your belongings underneath, making efficient use of the limited space inside the tent.
Snow Peak Cot High Tension
This low-profile chair is unusual in that it has four legs.
Weighing only 6 kg, it's relatively lightweight and, combined with the storage bag, can be easily carried.
At 32 cm tall, it provides a sense of security while sleeping, and is also just the right size when used as a chair.
However, as it's a Snow Peak product, the price is also exceptionally high. I would recommend it to those who don't mind the budget.
Use of mosquito nets
On sunny days, I take my cot out of the tent and look up at the blue sky.
In the pitch-black darkness, I gaze upon the starry sky.
But there are bugs...
In such situations, I recommend a mosquito net.
The fine mesh keeps out annoying insects, allowing you to fully enjoy the open sky.
Since it weighs generally less than 500g, it won't be a burden to carry.
Cot for winter camping
The biggest challenge of winter camping is the cold from the ground when you go to sleep.
That's where a cot comes in handy.
High cots (approximately 40 cm above the ground) are particularly promising.
However, during the harshest winter months, a cot alone is not sufficient, so some ingenuity is required.
● Cover the cot with a blanket: This prevents air from moving around underneath the cot.
This warms the air, creating an insulating effect.
● Use a sleeping mat in conjunction with the sleeping bag: Due to the structure of the sleeping bag, the cotton filling inevitably gets compressed in the bottom part, resulting in lower insulation.
So, I place a camping mat between the cot and the sleeping bag.
You might be thinking, "What, you're going to use a mat?", but by placing a mat on top of the cot's uniquely taut fabric, you can achieve a level of comfort that surpasses using a mat alone, while also blocking out the cold.
