Camping

Image by Perfectance via Flickr

. . . Comfortable Camping Sleeping Solution

Camping, hiking, backpacking, sleeping . . . spot the odd one out. Well, the first three all go together perfectly well, unfortunately, sleeping isn’t always something which many campers, hikers or backpackers get that much of, which is a shame really because after a long days hiking or even “messing about at the campsite” a good nights sleep is definitely required.

Camping cots can make the difference between getting all of your zzzzz’s and spending the night counting the stars . . . I mean, it’s fantastic to sleep under the stars and stars are very nice to count, plus they don’t move around as  much as sheep, but still, after an hour or two I’m sure you’d rather be sleeping.

They’re having trouble sleeping in a proper bed, and a camp cot can be a great alternative to a “proper bed” when you’re on your camping trip.

7 Great Camping Cots Advantages

Camping cots are not suitable for all hiking and back packing situations, but there are 7 great advantages for taking a camp cot with you on your next camping trip:

• Camp cots protect you from the uncomfortable lumps and bumps on the ground, the ones which are even too lumpy and too bumpy for a sleeping pad to deal with.
• Camping cots raise you from the ground where the creepy crawlies and bugs live.
• Camp cots give you that little bit of extra tent floor storage space . . . push it under your bed just like you do at home.

I didn’t even think about a storage pocket too . . . brilliant!

• Camping cots are easier to get in and out of when you’re knees have seized up after a days unusual activity – I mean hiking, backpacking, swimming, surfing, horseback riding, climbing . . . you know, being active for one week of the year (for some people anyway).
• Camp cots lift you away from the drafty tent floor, a little extra comfort and insulation.
• Leaking tents and condensation are not a problem if you sleep on a camping cot . . . the floor of the tent might get wet but you won’t. Your sleeping bag will remain lovely and dry for the following nights sleep.
• Modern camp cots are so simple to set up making it much easier to get your tent organized than blowing up an air mattress or air pad.

Camping Cots – Now For The Bad Points

Hey, I told you that camp cots don’t suit everybody and every situation, so I’m telling you about the disadvantages too . . . I do try to be objective you know, that’s objective, not objectionable (well, okay, I am a little objectionable too sometimes).

• Camp cots are a little bit on the heavy side for the majority of backpackers and hikers, most of them would probably choose a sleeping pad instead (much lighter and more compact for hauling around in your pack all day long).
• Camping cots are comfortable, but to be absolutely honest they might not be quite as comfortable as some of those really super duper air mattresses . . . but then again you don’t need to remember a pump and a puncture repair kit.
• Camping cots are great for singlies (you remember Billynomates), but for camper couples they’re not half as much fun as a double air mattress . . . I don’t know where you get your energy . . . be careful or you’ll burst it!

Camping Tent Cots

Camping tent cots are, however, very suitable for some hikers and backpackers . . . even those who are obsessed with traveling light, because they’re a camp cot and a camping tent all in one.  They’re kind of like a bivy sack with legs. They do look a bit weird and are not that common these days, but I’m sure that they’ll soon catch on . . . oh, and they’re available as doubles too.

I would be slightly worried in a strong wind that I might wake up in a different place to where I camped out in the first place, but apart from that I think they’re groovy, don’t you?