Quick answer: They can, especially with thin backpacking-tent floors. Cot feet concentrate weight on small points and slide when you move, which abrades and can puncture the floor. Marmot describes abrasion as the main threat to a tent floor. Prevent it with caps or pads on the feet, a footprint or an extra layer under the cot, and a tent floor with room around the cot.
A cot is a great sleep upgrade in a large tent and a liability in a small one. The difference is foot pressure on fabric.
This guide covers prevention and what to do if a hole appears.
Related: tent camping gear checklist, sleeping pads vs cots and footprints.
Why Cots Damage Floors
A cot puts your weight onto a few small feet. Every shift in the night slides those feet a little on the floor. On gritty ground, the fabric is pressed between the foot and the grit, which is the abrasion Marmot warns about. Thin, lightweight floors suffer first.
Prevention
- Cap the feet with rubber caps, tennis balls or foam pads.
- Put a footprint under the tent, slightly smaller than the floor, per Marmot.
- Add a layer inside, such as a foam pad or small rug, under the cot feet.
- Clear the ground of rocks and sticks before pitching.
- Choose a tent with room so the cot does not press against walls.
If There Is a Hole
Patch it from inside and outside with tent repair tape until a proper patch kit can be used. Check that the floor coating around the hole is intact. Clean and dry the tent fully before storage, per MSR.
Honest Limits
We found no agency or manufacturer guidance specific to cots in tents, so this applies general floor-protection guidance. Cot and tent designs vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a cot puncture a tent floor?
Yes, if feet press and slide on thin fabric.
How do I protect the floor?
Cap the feet, use a footprint, add a layer under the cot.
Does a footprint help?
Yes. It adds a layer against grit under the floor.
What should I put under cot feet?
Rubber caps, tennis balls or foam pads.
Are cots bad for backpacking tents?
Their floors are thin. Use a pad instead.
Do cots keep you warm?
No. Add a pad on top.
Can I use a cot in a 2-person tent?
Only if it fits without pressing the walls.
Can I repair a cot hole?
Yes, with repair tape or a patch kit.
Should I clear the ground first?
Yes. Grit under the floor is the abrasion source.
Is a cot worth it?
For car camping comfort in a large tent, many think so.
Bottom Line
Cots can wear holes in tent floors through foot pressure and grit.
Cap the feet, use a footprint and add a layer inside.
Sources: Marmot, What Is a Tent Footprint (manufacturer guide); REI, How to Choose a Sleeping Pad; MSR, How do I keep my tent clean and dry (manufacturer).