Honestly, what’s better than curling up under the stars with a cozy blanket? You just can’t go camping without a blanket . . . or, we suppose you could, but why would you want to? With all the blankets on the market, it can be hard to decide what you need for your camping trip.
Whether you’re looking for a versatile blanket or something very specific, like the lightest blanket possible for backpacking, a wool blanket, or a poncho-style blanket, there’s something out there for you. Here are our 10 favorite camping blankets that’ll keep you cozy and warm.
Our top pick for the best camping blanket is the Kammock Firebelly 30 Trail Quilt, because it’s so versatile. Use it as a quilt or underlayer, this blanket is made for it all.
Our Top 10 Picks for Best Camping Blankets
Image by Kammock
Specs:
- Insulation type: Down
- Dimensons: 88 x 55 inches
- Weight: 1 lb 12 oz
We’re starting with a bang, because, if you can afford this, this just might be the best overall camping blanket. It’s also the warmest blanket on this list.
The Kammok Firebelly 30 can be used as a camping quilt—either as a top layer or as an underlayer that you add to sleeping bags or hammocks. It can also be a minimalist sleeping bag, a blanket you throw over your camping chairs for cold nights or a poncho.
The Firebelly 30 Trail Quilt has an impressive 750-fill-power DownTek
water-repellent duck-down insulation and is temperature-rated at 30 degrees Fahrenheit. DownTek technology absorbs less water and dries more quickly than regular down. This blanket is about the size of a twin comforter.
Best Budget Camping Blanket – Kelty Bestie
Image by Kelty
Specs:
- Insulation type: Synthetic
- Dimensions: 75.5 x 42.25 inches
- Weight 1 lb 8 oz
You really can’t go wrong with the Kelty Bestie. The Bestie is a throw-sized blanket—perfect for sitting around the campfire. It comes with a stuff sack for portability, and it’s light enough to bring along just about anywhere.
The Bestie blanket has quilted Cloudloft synthetic insulation, which offers lightweight warmth, and it has a brushed polyester pongee and polyester taffeta shell surface, which makes it soft to the touch.
I personally love the Bestie’s big sister, the Kelty Biggie, which is the perfect two-person camping blanket. At 81.89 inches long, the Biggie has all the same qualities as the Bestie, including affordability; it’s just bigger.
Image by Therm-A-Rest
Specs:
- Insulation type: Synthetic
- Dimensions: 79 x 56 inches
- Weight 1 lb 8 oz
The REI Co-op Camp Wrap may be economical, but if you want the best wearable blanket, we’d suggest spending a little more and getting the Therm-a-Rest Honcho Poncho.
The soft-touch polyester feels nice to the touch, the kangaroo pocket keeps your hands warm, and the eraLoft
insulation uses hollow fibers that maximize warmth while minimizing weight.
The Honcho Poncho has a purpose-built hood, and a top zip pocket for storing things you don’t feel like carrying, and it folds up into its own pocket to double as a pillow. You can use the Honcho Poncho as a regular flat blanket, but it shines as a poncho.
The Honcho Poncho is perfect for camping, but it’s also a great option for sports games, bonfires on the beach, and any other time you’re outdoors and feeling chilly.
Image by Rumpl
Specs:
- Insulation type: 100% recycled synthetic fill
- Dimensions: 75 x 52 inces
- Weight: 2 lbs 1 oz
Everybody loves a good puffy blanket, and Rumpl blankets aren’t just puffy, they’re perfect (Just ask the thousands of people who’ve reviewed them on Rumpl’s website).
The Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket is a good size and weight, it’s stain resistant and water resistant, and its synthetic fill means it’s machine washable.
The Rumpl Original Puffy stands out from other puffy blankets, though, thanks to its eco-friendliness. Rumpl uses 100% post-consumer recycled materials for both the shell and the insulation, which means you can feel really good about this purchase.
Another reason the Rumpl Original Puffy stands out from other blankets in its category are the gorgeous designs. The company’s National Parks collection includes Original Puffy blankets that feature artwork of the U.S.’s incredible national parks, from Zion to the Great Smoky Mountains.
Image by RTC
Specs:
- Insulation type: N/A
- Dimension: 54.5 x 78.5 inches
- Weight: Not available
If you’re looking for a blanket that you can use between you and the ground, like a picnic blanket but even better, consider the RTIC Anywhere Blanket.
This adventure-ready ground cover has a quilted, water and stain-repellent top and a fully waterproof base (let’s see traditional picnic blankets do all that). The Durable Water Repellent (DWR)-treated top fabric also repels dirt, grass, sand, and pet hair.
The Anywhere Blanket has a built-in, water-resistant zipper pocket, rust-proof corner grommets (stakes are included), integrated straps, and a handle for portability. It’s machine washable and dryer safe.
Honorable Mention: The Nomadix Festival Blanket is a well-loved runner-up in this category. This blanket is an excellent and inexpensive alternative to the RTIC Anywhere. It is not as purpose-built for camping, that said, reviewers have good things to say about the Nomadix Festival Blanket.
Image by Pendelton
Specs:
- Insulation type: N/A
- Dimensions: 54 x 66 inches
- Weight: 2.89 lbs
If you’re looking for a wool camping blanket to add some extra warmth to your next adventure, the Pendleton Yakima is one of the best wool blankets out there.
Compared to down and synthetic blankets, wool blankets are moisture-wicking, antibacterial, and fire-resistant—all without being treated. Wool is warm while also being breathable.
Unlike most camping blankets, though, you can’t throw this one in the wash; it’s dry clean only. It’s not going to be the softest fabric to the touch, either, but if you’re a wool person on the hunt for the best wool camping blanket, give the Pendleton Yakima a try.
Image by Therm-A-Rest
Specs:
- Insulation type: down
- Dimensions: 88 x 88 inches
- Weight: 2lbs 14 oz
Compared to the other down-fill blanket on our list (the Kammok Firebelly 30 Trail Quilt), the Therm-a-Rest Ramble Down Blanket has slightly less fill power (650 vs. 750), but it’s the blanket dimensions that make this one top of its category.
At 88 x 88 inches, the Therm-a-Rest Ramble offers queen-sized coverage for two campers.
The Nikwax Hydrophobic Down
feathers and DWR-treated shell keeps moisture at bay, while the nice, quilted finish feels cozy and soft to the touch. Use this camping blanket in addition to your sleeping bag, or curl up with it any time of day or night. It includes a stuff sack for portability.
Image by Liberty Mountain
Specs:
- Insulation type: N/A
- Dimensions: 79.5 x 51 inches
- Weight: 2 oz
The Liberty Mountain Emergency Blanket doesn’t have insulation or a soft-touch shell like the other camping blankets on this list, but it will help keep you warm if something bad happens.
Made of lightweight polyester that’s windproof and waterproof, this emergency blanket folds up very small, so it’s easy to keep on hand for emergencies.
It will reflect back 80% of your body heat, making it extremely effective as an outdoor blanket. However, we hope you never need to use it. For under $5, don’t hesitate to add the Liberty Mountain Emergency Blanket to your gear.
Image by CGear
Specs:
- Insulation type: N/A
- Dimensions: 96 x 96 inches (medium)
- Weight: 5lbs 9.6 oz (medium)
Not all outdoor blankets can stand up to sand, but the CGear Multimats Original Sand-Free Mat sure can. The company’s patented sand-free technology means sand and dirt won’t stick to the polyethylene surface; you can simply brush it away.
Its unique dual-layer weave allows small particles to fall through, but it won’t let them come back up through the mesh.
Speaking from experience, this ground cover is one of the best camping secrets if you have small children. We plop ours down in front of our camper trailer—an area where the kids play and where we kick off our shoes after a hike.
The material dries quickly (another perk if you’re beach camping), and it has heavy-duty corner D-rings if you want to stake it down. The mat comes in three sizes: medium, large, and extra large.
Image by iClimb
Specs:
- Insulation type: Synthetic
- Dimensions: 73 x 55 inches
- Weight: 16 oz
The most packable blankets on the market are those made for backpackers. The iClimb 3M Thinsulate camping blanket features Thinsulate Insulation Filling, which iClimb describes as “warm yet lightweight, powerful yet thin.”
This option is inexpensive, folds up small, and weighs next to nothing—and yet, it has many of the same features as other top outdoor blankets, like being water-resistant and machine washable.
The iClimb 3M Thinsulate Ultralight Camping Blanket folds to 10.2 × 7.5 × 3.1 inches, and it’s not a one-hit-wonder. Thanks to buttons and elastic straps, you can wear this warm blanket as a poncho or even use it as a sleeping bag, if you need to. You can connect this blanket to another one to double its size.
It includes an internal carry bag and has a limited lifetime warranty.
Things to Consider When Buying Camping Blankets
A camp blanket you’re using to cover your body should ideally be soft and cozy, warm (but not too warm), big enough for your use case, water resistant, and easy to clean. A camp blanket you’re using as a ground cover will need to have different qualities, like being durable and suited for the substrate.
When buying a camping blanket, consider insulation and outer shell material type, size and weight, water resistance, cleaning/care, and price.
Insulation and Outer Shell Material Type
The best camping blankets typically have a durable, water-resistant outer shell. It’s common to see a polyester or ripstop nylon shell. You may also choose a camping blanket without an outer shell, like those made entirely of soft fleece or wool.
A blanket’s insulation type is another factor to consider. Down blankets offer an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio, but in wet weather, a blanket with synthetic insulation may be a better bet.
Size and Weight
Ask yourself how many people will be cuddling together on this camping trip. You may need a double blanket if you camp as a family or with a partner.
If you’re car camping, you may not care about packed size and weight, but if you’re backpacking or hiking to your campsite, pay attention to how heavy a blanket is and how small it packs down. Many camping blankets come with stuff sacks or fold into an internal pocket for easy transport.
Water Resistance
If you want to stay warm outdoors, you’ve also got to stay dry. It’s tough to find a truly waterproof blanket, but a good camping blanket often includes some level of water resistance, like a DWR coating.
Cleaning and Care
Outdoor blankets are going to get dirty. A machine-washable option may be best for you, but some blankets, such as those with wool fibers, are going to require special care. Just be sure you know what you’re signing up for in terms of cleaning and care before you buy.
Price and Quality
The best camping blanket for you must check your boxes while also falling within your budget. Consider the brand’s reputation before buying, read user reviews, and remember that a good-quality blanket should be able to withstand years’ worth of camping trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between down and synthetic fill?
Down fill is made from duck or goose down feathers. Down is lightweight, holds warmth, and can be compressed, making it an excellent option for insulation in camping blankets. It may lose its ability to retain heat when wet, and it may also cost more.
Comparatively, a synthetic blanket filling is made from synthetic fibers. It is often less expensive than down and doesn’t lose its ability to hold warmth when wet.
Can I buy a waterproof blanket for camping?
Outdoor blankets typically offer some level of water resistance, but they are typically not waterproof. Some blankets designed as ground covers offer a waterproof bottom layer.
Are camping blankets usually fire-resistant/fire retardant?
Some blankets are treated to become fire resistant or fire retardant, and wool blankets are naturally fire retardant. If this feature is important to you, be sure to look at the product’s specifications before you buy. Always keep blankets and other fabrics away from open flames.
Ready to Choose a Camping Blanket?
When searching for an outdoor blanket to take camping, you have a lot of options. There are fleece blankets, down blankets, and wool blankets; there are blankets you can wear, blankets you can have a picnic on top of, and blankets big enough to share with a friend.
The right blanket for you depends on how you plan to use it, what’s important to you, and what your budget is. The Kammok Firebelly 30 Trail Quilt is a great overall pick, and there are plenty of others here to set you on the right path. As for me, I love the economical Kelty Biggie best.
The post The 10 Best Camping Blankets to Keep You Comfy Outdoors appeared first on Outdoors with Bear Grylls.
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