I'm headed out to BWCA second half of September. While it's hard to imagine as I live here in SWFL, I understand I should get a pad for my cot (Naturehike Ultralight Folding Camping Cot). I'm tall and 250lbs.

Does anyone here have any suggestions? I've been searching here and elsewhere but it seems to be a somewhat un-popular topic :)

Cots allow air flow to cool the bottom of your s-bag, they can be cold. Nite temps in mid Sept. can get to the 30's. Just like sleeping on the ground a pad/mattress of some type, preferably insulated, should be part of the sleeping system.

butthead

Is there any particular one recommended to use on a cot? I’ve seen mention of CCF

Are you sure you want to carry a cot? The bulk and weight will definitely be a factor on portages. Not sure what a cot costs, but there are so many quality air mattresses now (Thermarest, Exped and others), and they are lightweight and they pack small, not much larger than a Nalgene bottle.

Just brainstorming a bit with you.

+1 for ditching the cot. Get a quality insuated air mattress. They pack very small and weigh almost nothing.

ockycamper: "+1 for ditching the cot. Get a quality insuated air mattress. They pack very small and weigh almost nothing."

Thanks - is there a quality insulated air mattress which anyone here could recommend?

I use a Lymit Insulated Static V Luxe. VERY comfortable and comes with a tiny battery operated pump to inflate it. The pad goes into a small pouch. Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe camping pad Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe

ockycamper: "I use a Lymit Insulated Static V Luxe "

Thanks so much , camper!

Neither is the discussion I was looking for, but this could interest you.

discussion1

discussion2

I have always used insulated pads. I have Exped, Big Agnes, Therm-A-Rest, and Nemo. I would probably put Exped in front of the others but they are all pretty similar in performance. I have a couple models of Exped and Big Agnes. Some are easier to inflate than others, some are easier to deflate, some are lighter, some have a smaller packed size, some are quieter, some are warmer. It really depends how much you want to spend.

ockycamper: "I use a Lymit Insulated Static V Luxe. VERY comfortable and comes with a tiny battery operated pump to inflate it. The pad goes into a small pouch. Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe camping pad Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe "

Looks like they stopped supplying the air pump with this purchase

Agree 100% with no cot.

At your size, and if you are looking for comfort over weight savings, I'd look at the following pads:
Thermarest Neoair Topo Luxe in XL
Big Agnes Q-Core in the largest size
And maybe the Nemo Quasar or Tenor insulated in their largest sizes.

I don't know as much about the Exped offerings, so can't advise there.

These large, thick pads will make you forget about a cot.

Even at my size (5'11" & 180) I wish my 25" wide pads were a bit wider.

Thank you! The links are right on target.

THANK YOU!

Leave the cot at home. I used an uninsulated pad once, once.

I'm another that supports a pad rather than a cot.

I am a good size guy too (6-2, 225), and I use a ThermaRest pad that is at least 15 years old. Still works like a charm. Very firm (I like a firm bed), trustworthy. It does not pack up the size of a Nalgene bottle, but still does not take much room in the pack. I have to blow it up a bit, but that doesn't take too long.

I recommend purchasing a washable cover for the pad. I used an old flannel sheet for many years, but it was heavy and bulky. A couple of years ago i got a thin Coolmax cover that uses elastic to stay tight. There are a lot of covers out there. But a cover saves the pad from getting all stinky.

Please resist the temptation to get a three-quarter length pad in order to save some room or weight. I tried that, once. Because my legs were essentially hanging off the edge of the pad, however small that height difference was, I always ended up with sore legs in the morning. I know others have had similar experiences.

Mike

Expanding on my earlier post. I have a Helinox Cot One which is just a way more expensive version of your cot, probably the same thing. An insulated pad on that cot is the most comfortable system I have ever found. In the Spring when the ground may still have frost down deep the cot would be a good idea if you are base camping. In the Fall if your base camping... well your the one carrying the pack not any of us. If you are limiting out on weight and you have to make the decision between the cot and a ultralight camp chair, GO WITH THE CAMP CHAIR! I love reading trip reports from people who bring a chair for the first time. I think 99% would never trip without the chair again.

For a budget pad, the Klymit Insulated Static V is hard to beat. If you’re interested in a higher end pad, I’ve had good luck with the Thermarest NeoAir XTherm in cold weather.

Keep the cot.

Close your eyes to the cost and buy this multi-use, durable pad. Where else will you find a good night’s sleep, a chair and relief for your knees on hard ground? Oh, and a pad for sliding a kayak onto a vehicle without assistance.

Signed,
The Voice of Experience

North Water Paddle Float

Leave the cot at home, you won't regret it if you can invest in a quality pad. I am your size and absolutely love my Exped Ultra 7R in the LW (long wide) size. I picked it up a few years ago based on recommendations on this site. I find it extremely comfortable as long as I don't overinflate it.

Exped Ultra 7R

gravelroad buy this multi-use, durable pad

Uh - which pad? the klymit?

Northwoodsman: "I have a Helinox Cot One which is just a way more expensive version of your cot, probably the same thing. An insulated pad on that cot is the most comfortable system I have ever found.

Strongly agree! I always take a Helinox Cot One and an Exped Synmat 3D-7. Incredible comfort. A cot with an inflatable insulated mattress is literally twice as comfortable as a mattress on the ground. Caveat: I don't portage. I do kayak camping and I can fit a cot, mattress, table, and chair in my hatches.

One vote for a cot: Cots keep you off the ground which keeps your body heat from wicking into the ground. To avoid too much cool down because of the circulation afore mentioned, I put a Therma-Rest air mattress on the cot. You can control heat from going down by adding a layer of cloth on or under your air mattress. The air mattress adds firmness also. To keep the air mattress in place, use bungy cords around the bottom of the cot and air mattress. I never have trouble with my upper body sliding off the cot, but did have trouble with keeping my feet in place.

Cots also allow you to put your tent on rocky and uneven ground without sleeping on roots, etc.

Yes, cots add weight, but for me, where I spend at least 1/4th of my time in the BWCA, my comfort matters. The portage weight issue is not worth leaving comfort at home. The older you get, the more you will want a cot on future trips, especially as trips get shorter or with more base camping or layover days.

There are several types of cots available and firmness in one can be available. Mine came from Cabella's and is not a firm one which is fine for me.

I sleep in a hammock, so I can't really comment on the question at hand. But, I was just in a store that had a thermarest cot set up and I couldn't believe how light the thing was. Weighed next to nothing and felt quite comfortable even without a pad.

Jerlane: "I sleep in a hammock, so I can't really comment on the question at hand. But, I was just in a store that had a thermarest cot set up and I couldn't believe how light the thing was. Weighed next to nothing and felt quite comfortable even without a pad.


"

This. The solution for being able to wake up and put your feet on the ground, or not feel roots is a hammock.

bwcadan: ".... I spend at least 1/4th of my time in the BWCA....
"

Really?? 3 months per year in the BW at age 75? Wowza!

bobbernumber3: "

bwcadan: ".... I spend at least 1/4th of my time in the BWCA....
"

Really?? 3 months per year in the BW at age 75? Wowza!"

A very understanding wife is invovled or very large direct deposit checks!

Also a vote for cots! After a couple of tries I found a brand and design I liked at a cost I was willing to pay and now will never go without a cot again. It made such a huge difference to get up just a few inches off of the ground. As I set up the tent, no more rocks or roots to worry about causing me nighttime discomfort anymore. My cot is under 5 pounds, packs down smaller than a loaf of bread and supports me well (about 200 pounds). It still sells for under $100. These are all parameters that make it well worth it to me. I put my Therm-a-rest self-inflating pad between my sleeping bag and the cot and sleep very soundly and comfortably.

Wow - thanks all!!!!

bobbernumber3: "

bwcadan: ".... I spend at least 1/4th of my time in the BWCA....
"

Really?? 3 months per year in the BW at age 75? Wowza!"

Nice to find someone who actually reads "Kings English". I like it. Should have pointed out that these 3 months usually are December, January, and March. Some of February thrown in for good measure. HaHa

chrisstratton: "

gravelroad buy this multi-use, durable pad

Uh - which pad? the klymit?"

No, the North Water PADdle Float.

I would recommend the Exped 7 for you. Great pad, be sure to get the Snozzle with it to inflate it faster.

Savage Voyageur: "I would recommend the Exped 7 for you. Great pad, be sure to get the Snozzle with it to inflate it faster. "

What Savage said.

Jackfish: "

Savage Voyageur: "I would recommend the Exped 7 for you. Great pad, be sure to get the Snozzle with it to inflate it faster. "

What Savage said."

Enjoy this as well. I have the long wide version and I believe under just around 1#. I am not sure this pad is available anymore I bought mine at least 10 years ago, but I am sure they have a similar version. I just did a week at BSA camp and slept awesome. I personally couldn’t see how a cot would have been any better. The key is don’t over fill an exped.

I could see bringing a cot if basecamping or just a couple of portages. Especially if everyone in the group added a cot :) My pad and mattress are under 3#…adding a 5+ pound cot that weighs more than my tent? Or my group adding 22-32#? That’s almost a whole extra pack to carry? To each their own…just know what kind of trip you are going on. Are you the only one bringing a cot? We have rule if you bring stuff that is heavy it’s ONLY your pack that is going to be heavier :) the rest of us aren’t hauling your stuff on our aging backs or we are all upgrading.

Anyway…personally I think a cot is too expensive and heavy, find a really good pad and you will sleep as well or better and your friends and back will thank you for not hauling more weight on portages :)

T