Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Anyone use cots?
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Northwoodsman |
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CanoeViking |
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mjmkjun |
Go with Helinox if you can swing it. There's a difference in fabric strength/tautness than that of the competitors. No-sag guaranteed. I went to hammock hanging last year and that's a whole new level of comfort. No pressure points so zero joint aches and I get to spill out of the hammock. Easy peasy. Not a 100% dedicated hanger yet, so hanging on to my cot till then. |
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mpeebles |
On backcountry trips I use an Exped and sleep on the ground. I sleep fine with either but as far as overall comfort goes the cot sleeps much nicer, hands down. I've been looking at the lightweight cots for several years now and think I might just try one out this year. Based on the conversation I think I know which one I'll be buying. Safe travels...... |
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bwcadan |
For sleeping, it is well worth the weight as I base camp after a maximum of 2 or 3 portages. I use a thermal-Rest on said cot and use bungy cords at the foot end to keep the T_R from sliding around. My age at 72 may color my thinking. Considering I spend 6 hours a day or more on the cot, it is one of the most used items on the trip. (Hours of use). No one really wants to carry my duffle, so I do that at all portages. I would never take it on a nice loop trip moving most days. When each member of our party uses a cot, we each take a four person tent. Lots of room for everything I want or need. Triple portaging is normal these days. If not enough pads are available at the camp site, I take what is left over and am above the rocks, sticks, etc. Sleep is quite important and I sleep well on the cot. |
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Mnpat |
Northwoodsman: "I have two Helinox Cot One's. I took them once when I camped at Sawbill but I have never felt the necessity to take them into the BWCA until recently. I wish that I would have taken one this past May. The ground was still frozen in a few spots and even though I had an Exped Downmat and a down sleeping bag, it was chilly on the ground side. I ended up placing my down jacket and some extra clothes under my pad. I have a Big Agnes Park series bag so there is no insulation on the underside, just a pad sleeve. If I do a May trip again I'll likely opt to take one of them. I may even loan one to my travel partner." I put my down mat right on the ice and have never been chilled on the ground side. Try using more air. If the pad is to deflated You lose r value. |
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afromaniac |
Mnpat: "Northwoodsman: "I have two Helinox Cot One's. I took them once when I camped at Sawbill but I have never felt the necessity to take them into the BWCA until recently. I wish that I would have taken one this past May. The ground was still frozen in a few spots and even though I had an Exped Downmat and a down sleeping bag, it was chilly on the ground side. I ended up placing my down jacket and some extra clothes under my pad. I have a Big Agnes Park series bag so there is no insulation on the underside, just a pad sleeve. If I do a May trip again I'll likely opt to take one of them. I may even loan one to my travel partner." Agreed - i have some experience camping in the winter and even with just a tarp right over snow, a well inflated mat and a good bag does the trick. Lately I have been topping that off with a thick fleece blanket and it helps even more. A few years ago in the winter I slept on a cot and I can't honestly say I was warmer than I would have been otherwise, and the sides dug into my shoulders, and when I sat up my head scraped the frosty tent :) So I'm not sold on cots. |
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boonie |
Northwoodsman: "I have two Helinox Cot One's. I took them once when I camped at Sawbill but I have never felt the necessity to take them into the BWCA until recently. I wish that I would have taken one this past May. The ground was still frozen in a few spots and even though I had an Exped Downmat and a down sleeping bag, it was chilly on the ground side. I ended up placing my down jacket and some extra clothes under my pad. I have a Big Agnes Park series bag so there is no insulation on the underside, just a pad sleeve. If I do a May trip again I'll likely opt to take one of them. I may even loan one to my travel partner." Try this instead - lighter and less bulky. Take a survival blanket instead. Give it a try some cold day this winter. |
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Northwoodsman |
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boonie |
Where was I? I was asleep in my nice warm bed. :) |
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prettypaddle |
Last year we paddled about 10 minutes from the EP to our campsite and spent the rest of the day watching the four young kids exploring the site. No long paddles, no multiple grueling portages, just a bit of hiking around. That night I slept great and woke up with none of the aches and pains I usually associate with camping. Our friends did bring cots (which I tried out and were very comfortable) but they had to contend with their 1 year old crawling all over them all night long so I can't give you a direct comparison of sleep quality for Thermarest vs cot ;) |
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Jackfish |
There are so many ways to do a canoe trip. One lake in (as prettypaddle mentioned above) or 100+ mile expeditions. All the comforts of home or minimal gear. Do what works best for you. |
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butthead |
But I will occasionally use a cot, mostly at historic road race events. But then I break out plenty of furniture. butthead |
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LilyPond |
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