How to choose the best camping cots – what do you need to know?
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When you go camping you need various equipment to spend time outdoors and camping cots are especially important as you never know what to expect from Mother Nature. Camping sites offer different conditions – some are rocky, some may have tree roots and it is inconvenient to sleep on hard ground. In addition, the weather may suddenly change to rainy or windy and if you are not prepared, the whole experience will be quite unpleasant. We shall look at various models of camping cots as they provide a comfortable sleep and adequate rest and most importantly – they are isolated from the cold ground.
How to choose the best camping cots – a quick buyer’s guide
Generally speaking, if you go camping with a car or other vehicle, you could use any bed to sleep outdoors but it is much more reasonable to opt for lightweight camping cots. There are many models of camping cots with heavier construction which are more comfortable and as many lightweight options which are compact but less cozy. It is highly recommended that you try different options before buying your camp cot and see how you feel. A camp cot has to meet several criteria and characteristics – length, softness, width, weight, etc. We shall look at the advantages and disadvantages of different types of camping cots to help you choose the best one for you and your family.
What are the key characteristics of camping cots?
Camping cots come in a wide variety of models, size and prices. Investing in durable and high quality camping equipment, including the camping cots, is always a wise decision.
The length of the camping cot is one of the first things you need to check. It should not be less than your body length and your feet should not go beyond the mat otherwise you will feel uncomfortable. People who have experience in camping know that the human body begins to cool from the limbs and is very important to provide the necessary warmth and insulate them from the cold ground.
The width and the shape of the cot is the second criterion. Almost every camping cot and a cot to sleep in a tent offer a minimum width of 50 cm. If you to rotate a lot at night, you will probably need a larger camping cot, for example, about 65-70 cm. When choosing your cot, however, you should have in mind the size of your tent. Make sure that you can fit two camping cots in it.
Height – Camping cots are usually manufactured with a standard height of the bed (30-40 cm. above ground) although you can find models with lower height. However, in wet conditions, lower height is not advisable.
The frame of the camping cots – many models are offered with a sturdy aluminum or steel frame which makes them lightweight. Wooden frames are more solid and convenient for heavier load, but they weigh significantly more.
Transforming camping cots are those who can be transformed into a furniture piece like a sofa. Usually, those are bunk beds with a mechanism and can accommodate two sleepers at night while at daytime they’ll serve as a sofa or a sofa bed.