There are basically two schools of thought when it comes to sleeping on a family camp out. One is that you should sleep as good out in the mountain air as you do at home with your air conditioner.  The other is if you want sleep, check into a hotel.  I subscribe to the school of sleeping well in the outdoors.  Besides, I don't sleep well in hotel rooms anyway.

In my opinion, the best outdoor sleep comes from hauling in a mattress and box springs.  This often requires a separate trailer just for hauling the bed, or leaving the kids and dog at home--which usually defeats the reason for going to the woods in the first place.  And you're also likely to rip the zippers on your tent trying to get them in. 

So what do you do?  Get a cot.  Add to your cot as many foam pads as you can fit in your vehicle.

Choosing a camping cot should be simple, right?  A cot's a cot.  Not so.  I have used several varieties.  Some work really well and others should be given as presents to your "ex."

I bought my first cot down at Sal's Surplus and Supply.  I slept just fine--once I got it set up.  And even then, I fell asleep out of pure exhaustion from setting up the cot.  Getting the cross piece snapped into place required the strength of a lumberjack and the patience of a kindergarten teacher.

My second cot, made by The Byer Manufacturing Company, of Orono, Maine, was similar in design to the one I bought at Sals.  Only this was designed by someone who actually put it up a few times.  The cross piece was longer, providing enough leverage for a kindergartner to set up, or at least a big brother or sister.  It has been a great cot over the years.

The same day I bought my Byer cot, the salesperson said, "How about some cots for the kids?"  I doubted if the kids really needed the same luxury I found with the Byer cot.  So I was talked into a couple of cute little cots manufactured by a committee--and I have regretted it ever since.

Again, once you set them up, they work well.  But remember on a real campout, you're usually setting up the cots later than planned, the kids are well ready for bed, and you are ready for more than a cup of hot chocolate.  This is not the time to test your humor and dexterity.

These cots came with wire support legs which are inserted into holes at the side rails of the cot.  The side rails were steel tubes that came in clever sections.  Attaching the support legs was a constant dance of lining up the holes in the twisting tubes with the fabric.  I've had campouts when I left the cots in the car and had the children sleep like backpackers.

Given my previous experience, I was cautiously optimistic about reviewing the Byer Allagash Cot XL.  Optimistic because it was made by The Byer Manufacturing Company, and I have used many of their products with great satisfaction.  And cautious because of its wire support legs like the ones I usually leave in the car.

When I first pulled the cot out of the box and set it up, it was 11:00pm.  It had been one of those days.  But finally the camp was settling down.  And there I was, disgruntled, trying to line up side rail holes with the cut outs in the fabric.  I was having flashbacks.  Unlike the kid's cots, however, the side rails on the Allagash are one connected piece of sturdy hardwood.  And while the sections didn't fall apart or twist around while I tried to get the support legs in place, I was challenged getting the side rails they lined up with the cut outs in the fabric and put together quickly.   In fairness, the second time I set it up, it was much easier.  The cut outs in the fabric seemed to remember where the holes were and setup was almost as easy as my previous Byer cot.

The effort it might take in setting it up is well worth it!  I am 6'2 inches tall and weigh exactly what a person that tall should weigh.  I had plenty of room to spare given that it is 84 inches long, and 30 inches wide.  Being only 8 inches off the ground, the cot is just right to fit extras underneath, but not so tall you have to be picky as to which tent it goes in.  Like all the products from The Byer Manufacturing Company, this cot is made to last.  The sturdy side rails are made from strong kiln-dried hardwood, and the six spring wire legs are electro-galvanized.  These legs are much more tent-friendly than my old cots.  The removable polyester cover is resistant to water, UV, and mildew.  It is also replaceable if one of your little campers parks her firestick on it.  The convenient leg storage also doubles as a carry handle, so getting it to and from your camp is not a hassle.

Summary: This is a cot I can highly recommend.   I suggest you first set it up in the comfort of your living room, so you know how it works, and how to line everything up just right.  Built to last a lifetime, the Allagash Cot is comfortable enough to keep everybody happy.  The XL model's size can fit a large body like me or a couple of kids with no problem.  If it's too big, try the same cot in the regular size.  So when you are finally ready to blow out the lantern and go to sleep, the Allagash Cot and a foam pad or two is all you need to sleep like a baby.  That is, a baby that has just been fed and changed.

Shayne Clarke is a contributing editor for GearReview.com.