When most folks hear the words “off the grid,” they think roughing it. They don’t understand how you can be off the grid without being uncomfortable.
I love getting off the grid, but I’m no fan of being uncomfortable. And I’m happy to say it’s not at all necessary to be miserable when off grid.
One of the biggest challenges many people face when getting off grid is being able to sleep comfortably. But camping doesn’t mean sleeping on the ground, or even on the floor of your tent, in a sleeping bag or a thin pad. I’ve had some of my most comfortable nights of sleep on cots, which can get you off the ground or tent floor.
Cots come in a variety of types. Some have springs between the frame and the mattress, but what I’ve found the most comfortable are cots that have neither. Cots with a trampoline-type material offer the right amount of give and the right amount of support, without any metal pieces digging into you as you sleep.
I’m a tall guy, so I initially struggled to find the right-sized cot until a friend suggested the Cot One Convertible L by Helinox. The L, as you’ve probably guessed, stands for long. It’s 83 inches long, a full 8 inches longer than most standard-sized cots. It’s also wide enough to accomodate my frequent roll-overs during the night.
This cot is rated for up to 320 pounds, but weighs just slightly more than 6 pounds itself. And it packs up into a 23.5 inch long, 6.5 inch wide, and 6.5 inch tall case, so it’s plenty portable.
With a shock-corded pole system, it sets up very quickly. The cot gets you 6.5 inches off the ground, but optional leg extensions, which I opted for, put you at 15 inches high. This allows me to more easily get in and out of bed, and also provides room under the cot to stow my gear.
Camping cots are notorious for collapsing at just the wrong moment, but with an aluminum alloy frame and ultra-durable hubs, and an innovative lever-locking system, the fram is incredibly strong and lightweight, and the ripstop fabric that makes the sleeping surface stays taut throughout the night.
The White Duck Outdoors Dog Bed has a water repellent coating and a removable cover for easy cleaning, and is comfortable enough to keep dogs happy while at home or off the grid. (Picture by Hunter Cook)
I even slept on this cot in the open air out west on the banks of Lake Powell.
This is not a cheap cot, but one thing I learned early on during my off-the-grid camping years is that it’s best not to scrimp on products, especially those that have to do with your level of comfort. I’ve had this cot for many years, and used it during many outings, and it’s not showing any sign of aging.
Let sleeping dogs lie
I rarely go afield without my dog. And while dogs can usually find a comfortable place to sleep anywhere, I don’t think it’s fair for me to have a premium bed while she has to settle for the ground.
Her bed of choice is the White Duck Outdoors Dog Bed. The bed is made of 10-ounce cotton polyester fabric, so it’s extra durable. It’s filled with premium fiberfill, and keeps her comfortable at home, in the back seat of my truck, in the tent while camping or outside next to the fire.
It’s also got a water repellent coating, which keeps it resistant to dirt and water, and the cover is removable thanks to its heavy-duty zipper. It’s machine washable, making it easy on me to take care of. My dog is rough on toys and beds, but she’s never ripped this one.
Available in sizes L and XL, my 30-pound mini golden doodle has plenty of room to spare on the L. Weighing under 8 pounds, it’s easy to move from living room to porch, to the woods, and everywhere in between.
Most importantly, my dog loves it, and the more comfortable she is, the more enjoyable my camping trips are.
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