Backpack cot
Contributors to this thread:Elk
From: Michael Schwister
05-Mar-18
I used one on 2016. Works almost as good as the giant Cabelas cots. About as comfy as an army cot. Add an air mattress and sleep well. I have the thermo-rest larger one
From: standswittaknife
05-Mar-18
I use the ultralite cote but forget the pad. They are very comfortable without pad imho. Its either or for me. The cots sleep colder without a pad as cold air is allowed to draft under you but with a good sleeping bag there is no worries.
From: pav
05-Mar-18
I'm a fan of the ultralight cot....but for me, the air mattress is a must. Bought a new air mattress prior to my Alaska trip in 2016. Found out it had a bad seam AFTER we were on the tundra. Not comfortable sleeping on the cot alone. Part of that may have been the fact I use a Big Agnes sleeping bag....so when the air mattress went flat, I had zero cushion or insulation between me and the cot.
From: elkmtngear
05-Mar-18
Thermarest Ultralight Cot (with pad) helps a lot, I notice a big difference as opposed to pad on the ground.
Best of Luck, Jeff
From: TEmbry
05-Mar-18
I have the thermarest ultralight cot that I have used several times. It is very comfortable when coupled with a pad. I don't spike camp/backpack with it on hunts, but anytime I'll have a base camp it goes with me. Perfect for the weight conscious fly in hunts up here.
From: AT Halley
05-Mar-18
You should start sleeping on the ground (preferably rocks) during the offseason. That way you are used to it during hunting season. It's just like exercising man!
From: bigeasygator
05-Mar-18
I've been so curious to try one out, but for a true backpack hunt they just don't seem worth it to me weight wise. The lightest cots I've seen on the market still come in around 2.5-3 lbs, which is pretty heavy on a backpack hunt (particularly a lengthy one). I guess I could see the scenario where folks are on a weekend trip or a weight-restricted fly-in hunt where they might have a place, but I haven't found a scenario that makes sense for me personally yet.
From: ColoBull
05-Mar-18
We used to use Cabelly's "Grizzly" cots for our pack in camp. IIRC, they were ~ 6-7 lbs per. Topped with a 3.5" SI pad, they were very comfortable, (other than being a bit short for 6' & over). The setup was great for our 1-2 week "spike-base camp", but probably not much good for a mobile spike setup - likely too heavy & bulky.
From: AT Halley
05-Mar-18
Scoot...I will share my elk with you!!! I mean you are going to call it in for me...right!?!?
From: LaGriz
05-Mar-18
Limited durability, Used a Thermarest Ultra-light Cot (with Exped insulated pad) while sleeping in a floorless shelter at a camp ground. Wanted to see if the combination would work before I took the package out on a float/paddle trip. Was very time consuming to assemble. The comfort was good until I broke it. I was being careful and on one of my frequent bathroom interruptions I felt and heard a snapping sound. made adjustments and managed to get one more night with it. Returned it to Cabelas and they would only pro-rate the refund amount. I owned the cot a good while before I ever used it. Lost about $100 on the deal. I would like to try another brand of cot, as I have some issues sleeping with just a pad. Too many aches and pains accumulated over time. LaGriz
From: Indianaforester
06-Mar-18
I use the Thermarest ultralight cot with an air mattress all summer long as I fight forest fires. Last year I slept on this for 111 days. This is the most comfortable lightweight setup I have found.
From: APauls
06-Mar-18
Oh listen to you nancies ;) jk I'm big on good sleep