I’ve used both hammocks and cots. I much prefer a streamlined and quality cot design such as the ones made by Thermarest. They just work for me. I not only use them for camping and snoozing in my backyard on a warm summer day, but I will also take it with me when I visit my parents. I much prefer the Thermarest over the hideaway couch bed they have.

I always research prices out on my gear, and Amazon always has the best price for Thermarest cots. You might be able to find it similarly priced elsewhere if you are lucky, but once you tack on shipping charges you will find it costs more. Amazon is the cheapest and easiest place to buy one.

I like a good hammock! If you have never used one before, definitely try one out. I don’t use it in my tent, but I often don’t even setup my tent when I go car camping. I’ll find a nice shade spot, set it up, and then relax for hours. I used to attach my hammock to trees, but it is a No-No in National Forests. I have since bought a portable hammock stand. Now I can truly set it up where I want, even if there are no trees around.

The Thermarest cot here though can be used inside of a tent. If you want to be shielded from the elements then I’d just order the Thermarest cot above. If you can, buy both, then you will have the best of both worlds.

If this was a traditional cot that sat much higher than it wouldn’t be very efficient. You couldn’t use it in little tents, you couldn’t pack it with you on a backpacking trip, and you definitely wouldn’t be able to just carry it around in your car as you travel.

Have you considered a hammock before? If you like being higher off the ground and want portability, then the hammock is something that would work.

Your going to get bugs whether you are 3 inches off the ground or 10 feet of the ground. Spiders, bugs, and other creepy crawlies will climb. The best way to avoid insects on you is to not keep your tent unzipped, and to keep your pack either in the car or outside of your tent if backpacking.

You can also use a mosquito flame thrower if things get too bad https://www.coolthings.com/the-moskitofanger-a-mosquito-killing-flame-thrower/

I could be wrong but if you click the “check it out” link there is more pictures of this Therm-A-Rest cot and it looks like there are actually 12 contact points.

Being off the ground is so much more comfortable. Nothing poking into your back and it helps keep you warmer. If the tent gets some moisture on the floor then it will really help you stay warm since you are elevated off of that.

The no crossbars is important. Many lower-end cots have cross bars that dig into your body.

My comment was in reference to the weight of the Therm-a-Rest. I don’t mind packing extra weight with my sleeping gear as long as it allows me to get a good nights rest.

As far as weight capacity goes, many products have a limited capacity. For example, If you weigh 250 and the air mattress has a weight capacity maximum of say 200 pounds, then it will not last very long.

I assume that Therm-a-Rest has a warranty, but I have never had to use it. I would suggest only buying from Amazon as I have had the best customer service ever from them when I have had to return products.

The one I bought was just the sleeping pad. I simply unroll the pad and then it self-inflates. It’s super-easy. I assume that Therm-a-Rest’s Ultralite Cot would be even easier to use because you don’t even need to air it up.

The only problem I had with mine is that I couldn’t easily get it back in the carry bag that it came with. I have the same problem with my sleeping bags. I simply bought some other bags that are a little bigger and now my Therm-a-Rest’s air pad and the sleeping bags are much easier to pack in the morning.

Mine did come with directions. Once you self-inflate it the first time you will literally never have to read the directions again.