air mattress or cot for drop camp hunt

[vandeman17]

We are trying to decide between using an air mattress or cots for our hunt in Oregon this fall. We are getting packed in 11 miles and there will be a 14x12 wall tent for us to use. It will just be my dad and I and we can't decide what route we want to take. I like the comfort of the mattress but I also like the decreased weight of the cot as well as not having to worry about it possibly popping on us. Thoughts?

[gaddy]

an air mattress will roll up nicely but if it pops you are on the ground. used them a few times & one thing I learned is that when they get cold ( they do transfer cold from the ground ) the seams will let loose & down you go. you cant store gear under them. go with a good light weight cot. or a good sleeping pad!

[bobcat]

A cot with a good pad on it.

Air mattresses are for backpacking.

[sirmissalot]

A cot and a good cot pad. Not sure it will really be any lighter but getting up off the ground, storage underneath and not having to worry about popping are my reasons.

[vandeman17]

Those are the things we have been tossing around. Our thinking with the mattress is we each get two mules as far as weight goes so that won't be an issue. We were talking about bringing the actual bigger bed type mattress with the battery operated pump. We will also have our backpacking self inflating sleeping pads with us in case we decide to spike camp it at any point. We could use those as back up in case the air mattress popped. There are just too many things to think about when prepping for a hunt. 

[bobcat]

Another advantage of the for is it gives you a good place to sit. Plus as others have said, you can store things under the cot.

[Goldeneye]

If your doing a drop camp you might consider this.  It's a large cot with a roll up pad.  Darn near as comfortable as a bed.  Anyways, it's a thought for you to look at.

COT:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Outfitter-XL-Cot/713995.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch%2F%3FN%3D%26No%3D20%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dcot%26Ntx%3Dmode%252Bmatchallpartial%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26WTz_st%3D%26WTz_stype%3DSP%26form_state%3DsearchForm%26recordsPerPage%3D20%26search%3Dcot%26searchTypeByFilter%3DAllProducts%26x%3D0%26y%3D0&Ntt=cot&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products


PAD:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Deluxe-Cot-Pad/714117.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FproductId%3D713995&WTz_l=AC%3BIK-515444

[gaddy]

I would think of keeping it as simple, light as possible. also with only 2 mules you need to think of space as well as weight. those air beds with pump etc. take up room & can be pretty heavy & never seen one fold up as small as when it came out of the box. as said the cot serves more purposes with one system than hauling a bunch of extra stuff along

[gaddy]

also is only 2 mules for extraction? if yes you really need to consider weight & space if bringing out game.

[vandeman17]

I would think of keeping it as simple, light as possible. also with only 2 mules you need to think of space as well as weight. those air beds with pump etc. take up room & can be pretty heavy & never seen one fold up as small as when it came out of the box. as said the cot serves more purposes with one system than hauling a bunch of extra stuff along

Yes, I agree with that and that is one of our concerns as well. We are having to buy odds and ends gear to get ready for the adventure and since I already have a nice air bed, that is part of the reason we were thinking about using it. For a decent cot and pad, you are looking at about $150 each. That money right there would darn near cover our food and drinks for the week. 

[vandeman17]

also is only 2 mules for extraction? if yes you really need to consider weight & space if bringing out game.

We each get our one horse to ride in and out on as well as two mules each way at 125 lbs per mule pack weight.

[headshot5]

One thing to consider with a cot, is if the ground is wet/soft, the cot legs will sink in a little.     

[MtnMuley]

Cabelas Outfitter XL with the pad designed for that cot is the best setup I've used and would recommend.  A little bulkier, but if you have the mules to pack it, that's the only way I'd go.  After hunting hard all day, nothing beats a comfortable sleeping setup.  I just don't see an air matress doing that for me and giving me the support I need.  I sleep as good or better in this cot as I do in my Temperpedic bed at home.

[vandeman17]

Cabelas Outfitter XL with the pad designed for that cot is the best setup I've used and would recommend.  A little bulkier, but if you have the mules to pack it, that's the only way I'd go.  After hunting hard all day, nothing beats a comfortable sleeping setup.  I just don't see an air matress doing that for me and giving me the support I need.  I sleep as good or better in this cot as I do in my Temperpedic bed at home.

I have heard great things about those cots/pad setups. The hard part is dropping the coin for them when I have the air bed. I like sleeping on the air bed but it can do a number on my back if it isn't pumped up well. You guys are making me lean more and more towards the cot. 

[Goldeneye]

Cabelas Outfitter XL with the pad designed for that cot is the best setup I've used and would recommend.  A little bulkier, but if you have the mules to pack it, that's the only way I'd go.  After hunting hard all day, nothing beats a comfortable sleeping setup.  I just don't see an air matress doing that for me and giving me the support I need.  I sleep as good or better in this cot as I do in my Temperpedic bed at home.

I have heard great things about those cots/pad setups. The hard part is dropping the coin for them when I have the air bed. I like sleeping on the air bed but it can do a number on my back if it isn't pumped up well. You guys are making me lean more and more towards the cot. 

I have not been sorry about making that purchase some years ago.   

[bmccalister]

I picked up a nice cot for my drop camp hunts and love it. I had used an air mattress once and only once. When not if you get a leak you will be unhappy, uncomfortable, and will hate every minute of your hunt.

[jackelope]

Cot and pad. Ditch the air bed.

[lostbackpacker]

cot and pad

[watrapper]

  If you have room and if the extra weight is not a problem, you will be happy with the cot and pad.

[T-Dozzer]

Check out the Comfort Cot at REI
speedy, but worth it

[turkeyfeather]

You pansy's!! Sleep on the ground, just kidding.  Definately the cot.

[Maligator]

Have to agree with the cot & sleeping mat option. Air mattress is just asking Murphy to come along and screw up your trip IMO.

I've been on a hunt in the snowy mountains where my buddy's air mattress deflated. I was woken up in the middle of the night to rustling sounds & grumbling as he tried to stay warm & get comfortable ON THE GROUND 

[bloodhound]

i did a 2 week 6 mile in last year and all i used was a small tarp, self inflating pad and sleeping bag on the ground. i had no issues. but i also through down a bunch of grass and what not under the tarp for extra comfort!

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/Alps-Comfort-XXL-Self-Inflating-Air-Pad/productDetail/Cots-Pads-Hammocks/prod999901361521/cat100849

[Skyvalhunter]

Cot with a good pad but it must be a good pad if not the underside will be cold. Of coarse this depends on the temperature outside. You are less likely to have sore spots sleeping on a cot. I remember once I was glad to be sleeping on a cot when hunting on the Olympic Peninsula and it rained all night when I got up to put my shoes on there was 3 inches of water on the tent floor. Poor tent placement on my part.

[Dan-o]

Cots don't go flat....