Need help? What is the best option for getting a good night’s sleep while backpacking or car camping?
In this post, I will try to answer this question plus many more questions about the best camping cots to an inflatable sleeping pad. Whether you are concerned about ease of use of your gear, getting a sore back from sleeping on the hard ground or just worried about camping out in the cold night, the good news is that the market is full of options concerning portable sleeping arrangements.
What is a backpacking cot?
A backpacking cot is mainly for comfort. A cot gives you a place to sit inside your tent, plus you have a comfortable place to sleep. This prevents you from having a sore back from sleeping on the sharp objects, like rocks, lol. Also, it is a better option for the colder climates to sleep up off the cold ground.
What is a sleeping pad?
A sleeping pad, also called a sleeping mat, ground pad, thermal pad or a rolled mat is used in camping. Sleeping pads provide comfort from sleeping on the hard cold ground and help you obtain a good night’s sleep (if this is possible sleeping in a tent, lol). Sleeping pad prices range from $50 to $200 and should weight 1 pound or less.
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What are the differences between a sleeping bag vs a sleeping pad?
A sleeping bag is an enclosed sleeping system while a sleeping pad is a flat cushion. A sleeping pad can be place under a sleeping bag to obtain a good night’s sleep. However, the downside of backpacking both a sleeping bag and a sleeping pad is the extra weight of carry both items. Of course, these would be lighter than a backpacking cot.
A camp cot vs camping pads?
A camp cot is a foldable sleep system that is up off the ground while a camping pad is flat. A camping pad will go under a sleeping bag (on the ground) or it can go on top of a camp cot. Both of these options are personal preferences, but remember it depends on how much extra weight that you want to add to your backpack. So, if you are hiking a great distance, a sleeping bag by itself may be the best lightweight option for backpacking.
What are the most important factors to purchasing a sleep system for camping?
- weather conditions or temperature
- extra weight – how much can you carry if you are backpacking
- compact size – how much room do you have for storage
- different sizes – again, how much room do you have for storage
- do you need electric or is a battery-powered air pump needed
- bug net – will you be in an area where bugs infestation is high
- heat loss
- repair kit – does your cot, sleeping bag or inflatable sleeping pad come with a repair kit
- flat surface – will you be camping on a flat surface or a rocky, hard ground
- plenty of room – how much room will you need
- ease of setup – how hard will it be to setup and how much time will it take
- most durable – which cot or sleeping pad will last the longest under different conditions
- air circulation – take a closer look and see if the cot pad or camp bed is breathable
- body size – be sure to choose the right gear so you won’t feel crowded
Best Inflatable Sleeping Pad
- 2″ THICK SLEEP SUPPORT – Want to sleep comfortably anywhere? Then you will love this backpacking sleeping pad! No need to suffer with a cheap, flimsy, and undersized outdoor sleeping pad! This quality portable camping pad is perfect; super sturdy and extremely comfortable – great for any sleep position!
- LIGHT & PORTABLE – Weighs only 14oz and packs down to the size of a thin water bottle, these are the perfect sleeping pads to accompany you on your next backpacking trip! These ultra-light and super-portable sleeping pads will fit in any backpack and won’t cause backaches from its weight. You’ll wish you found this years ago. Very convenient to carry and comes with a sleek storage pouch.
- TEAR-RESISTANT WITH HEAVY-DUTY RIPSTOP NYLON FABRIC – These lightweight sleeping pads are made of super strong, waterproof, camping-grade ripstop nylon fabric. With 20 denier thickness, these sleeping pads are designed to last a lifetime in the most severe conditions.
- SIZE – Able to accompany you on any type of adventure, these camping mattress pads inflate to an impressive size of 74″ X 22″ and will give you the comfort you need. (Per Amazon)
Best backpacking cot
- Ultralight and Compact: Weighs only 4.8 pound, and folds down to 16.9 x 5.5 inch stuff sack that can fit into your travel backpack. Ideal for camper, trekker, hiker, backpacker, adventurer.
- Simple Setup: Foldable aluminum shock-cord pole structure makes for easy assemble, within minutes you can finish the assembly process. Disassembly is also the same simple.
- Durable: With tent pole style aircraft-grade high strength aluminum legs and ripstop nylon fabric, it is sturdy enough to support up to 275 pounds. Wide feet do not damage what they rest on.
- Comfort: Cot size is optimal for most people, your arms can stay in the bed without crowded feeling. 5 heavy duty rods strongly support the cot make cot surface flat without sag. 10 anti-skid feet make the bed stable without wobbling. Off ground design keeps you away from hard and wet ground.
- Versatility: Convenient for overnight hiking, trekking, hunting, road trip, also ideal for indoor and office lunch break use. Throw off burden to light travel now! (per Amazon)
Popular backing gear!
Either one of the following are a great choice.
- Teton Sports Camp pads
- Teton Sports Adventurer cots
Backpacking, cots and sleeping pad Q&A’s!
What are closed-cell foam pads? A closed foam sleeping pad is one of the simplest designed sleeping pad ever made.
What is a self-inflating therm a rest? Its a specific brand of self-inflating sleeping pad
What are self-inflating mattresses? A self-inflating mattress is a mattress that will blow its self up without the need for an air pump.
What are camping air mattresses? A camping air mattress is a inflatable mattress
Do they make an xxl cot? Yes, the outfitter xxl cot provides a lot of space and is rated up to 600 lb.
What is the difference between open cell and closed cell foam sleeping pads? The difference between open cell and closed cell foam sleeping pads is that closed-cell sleeping pads do not allow air or moisture inside like open celled sleeping pads do, but open celled sleeping pads are more comfortable than closed cell sleeping pads.
Do all cots have an aluminum frame? No, Not all cots have aluminum frames some have steel frames which is more durable than an aluminum, but steel is a little heaver than aluminum.
What is a closed cell foam sleeping mat? A closed foam sleeping mat is one of the simplest designed sleeping mats ever made.
Is an air bed the same as an inflatable sleeping pad? No, A air bed is much heaver and bulkier than a sleeping pad.
What are the three types of sleeping mats? The three different types of sleeping mats are self-inflating, closed-cell foam and air up.
What a great option for side sleepers? A excellent option for side sleepers is the Exped megamat 10 sleeping mat.
Is an inflatable mattress and an inflatable sleeping pad the same? No, A inflatable sleeping pad is much smaller and compact than an inflatable mattress.
What is the best choice of sleeping bags to keep body heat in? A popular choice for sleeping bags that keep in body heat is the marmot ouray 0.
What is the difference between self-inflating pads and inflatable sleeping pad? The difference between self-inflating pads and inflatable sleeping pads is that inflatable pads will be much smaller and compact than a self-inflating sleeping pad.
When purchasing a sleeping setup for your next outdoor adventure the choices are endless. Of course, personal preferences are always a factor. Depending on whether you are camping in warm weather or you will be sleeping on the cold ground.
Camping gear is a huge market, and there are many aspects to think about, like: air pads, storage space, and backpacking cot vs air mattress.
