Camping Cots vs. Air Beds
When camping, sleeping without a camping cot or air bed can be uncomfortable, particularly during extended trips. Air beds and cots help to support your body above the hard surface of the ground. Each piece of camping equipment has its benefits and drawbacks, and identifying your needs before shopping will help you to make the best choice between the two.
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Needs
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Understanding the needs of your camping party is an important part of deciding between an air bed and a camping cot. It is best to plan your purchase based on your prior and expected trips. If you're a minimalist or backpack camper, identify how much space you'd like the sleeping equipment to consume. For a four-season camper, warmth and air circulation are chief concerns. Recreational campers often spend many consecutive nights in a tent and may wish to have a more padded bed.
Needs
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Understanding the needs of your camping party is an important part of deciding between an airbed and a camping cot. It is best to plan your purchase based on your prior and expected trips. If you're a minimalist or backpack camper, identify how much space you'd like the sleeping equipment to consume. For a four-season camper, warmth and air circulation are chief concerns. Recreational campers often spend many consecutive nights in a tent and may wish to have a more padded bed.
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Considerations
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Camping cots are best suited to individual sleepers and lighter individuals. Air beds are preferred for multiple people and larger individuals who require more sleeping space. Tent space must also be considered when choosing sleeping equipment, as most air beds take up more floorspace than most camping cots.
Space
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Depending on the size of the air bed, a deflated mattress takes up about half the space of a standard quilted sleeping bag, though space considerations must be made for the necessary hand or battery-operated pump used to inflate them. Folding camping cots are the preferred choice for backpackers and minimalist campers without a lot of room to spare. Most cots can collapse into a small space, and some models even collapse into a small pouch.
Comfort
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For longer camping trips, air beds are often preferred, though they are not a good choice for camping in cold weather. The air within the bed stays cold during the night. During warm weather, the surface of the air bed inhibits air circulation. Due to the relatively simple design and lack of padding, camping cots have gotten a reputation for being uncomfortable during extended trips. Cots may be too rigid to sleep on comfortably for more than a few nights but are preferred camping in extreme temperatures.
Cost
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Air beds are slightly less expensive than most camping cots but need to be replaced more frequently. Weather, excess weight and punctures from nearby equipment can damage the exterior of the air bed, making it prone to air leaks and failure. With proper care, camping cots can last for several years.
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References
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- Photo Credit camping show 2. image by mdb from Fotolia.com
