Anytime you go camping a good night sleep is definitely something you will want to have. It all starts with what you are sleeping on. Unless you are totally fine with sleeping on the ground you’ll want to invest in other sleeping options: cot or air pad (or maybe both). You will want to go with something that is lightweight yet comfortable at the same time. Especially if you plan to also use it for backpacking.
Sleeping Options
I’ve used the ALPS Mountaineering Air Pad as well as the BRS Outdoor Ultralight Folding Cot. They are both excellent choices and you can even use them together.
The ALPS Mountaineering lightweight self-inflating sleeping pad is more convenient as far as setup goes. Simply remove the cap and it airs up in under 3 minutes. The comfort comes from the jet stream polyurethane open cell foam that is inside the pad. For the outer layer, ALPS used Diamond Ripstop for the top fabric and Polyester Taffeta for the bottom fabric. ALPS includes a patch kit with each pad, adding to the already long-term durability. It comes in a variety of sizes so you can get the one that fits your needs best.
As for the BRS cot, the frame and the support rods are aluminum, and the mat is made of cellular polyester with a urethane coating and high-strength nylon. This cot is sturdy, allowing up to 320 pounds for a single size. And while setup isn’t quite as fast as the self inflating pad it is still pretty quick.
Weight is very important when it comes to your hiking gear and both items keep it low. I went with the size Long air pad so the weight is a toss up, they are both just over 3 pounds.
In conclusion, if I have to choose between the two, I pick the cot over the air pad. I choose this because of their sizes when they are folded up. The cot is just 6×15 inches where the air pad is a bit longer at 6.5×26 which can take up a bit of room.
I want to hear from you
What do you prefer to sleep on? What brand of cot or air pad do you have? Let me know if you have any questions or comments, I always love hearing from you.