What makes a blanket good for camping? Is it not just a regular blanket that you take with you when you go outside? Not exactly.
A good outdoor blanket is often made using the same materials as sleeping bags but is more versatile and practical. A sleeping bag is just a sleeping bag. A camp blanket is more practical, and offers more flexibility while still being able to keep you warm and dry.
However, picking the best camping and outdoor blanket is a quite challenging task, so in this guide, we will help you find the right type of blanket for your next adventure. We also include important things to consider before buying your next camp blanket.
Best Camping And Outdoor Blankets (2023)
Best Overall: Mambe Extreme Weather Outdoor Blanket
Most expensive outdoor blanket on this list, but worth every penny. Mambe Extreme is a warm, waterproof, and highly durable all-around blanket, perfect for various outside activities. Marketed as the warmest and highest quality cold-weather stadium blanket you can buy, the blanket is made from genuine Polartec® fleece which is soft and has a waterproof lining on the other side that will keep you dry and warm when it rains.
The Mambe Extreme is available in 2 sizes: a small size that is great for a lap blanket while the large version is the perfect size for two adults. It´s completely compact and portable and can be easily compressed down into the included stuff pack.
Best For Couples: Rumpl The Original Puffy
Ever since their debut in 2014, Rumpl has made many devoted fans in the outdoor community. Rumpl blankets are made with extremely durable material to ensure warmth and durability. In fact, the materials found in the Original Puffy were originally developed for hardcore outdoor gear and activewear, so you will surely get a perfect balance of warmth and performance.
The Original Puffy from Rumpl comes in three functional sizes: Throw, 1-person, and 2-person. The Throw size is the most compact and most popular for outdoor enthusiasts for its portability, while The 1-person and The 2-person are best suited for the comfort of your home, cabin, camping or hiking.
Best Value: Oceas Outdoor Waterproof Blanket
Whether you are going out on a camping trip, picnic, or an open concert, a blanket is a must. For such occasions, you need a compact, light and portable blanket. The Oceas Outdoor is made with the highest quality materials that will provide you with great protection, yet still lightweight and durable enough to withstand rainy and windy weather. What´s more, the Oceas Outdoor blanket comes in an extra-large version, huge enough to comfortably warm 3 adult persons.
Best Budget: Down Under Outdoors Waterproof Blanket
Cheap doesn’t always mean poor made. Down Under Outdoors is a blanket made from polyester waterproof backing that is internally coated with polyurethane. This is making the blanket waterproof in most weather situations.
The thick outdoor blanket by Down Under Outdoors is very soft, yet still durable and comes with high-quality anti-pill fleece that is highly comfortable whether you are using it for camping, boating, at a concert, or your favorite sporting event.
Best Synthetic Blanket: Sorison Synthetic Puffy Camping Blanket
The Sorison Synthetic Puffy Blanket is constructed with many of the same materials found in premium backpacking sleeping bags, so you can be sure, this blanket will keep you warm and cozy. The Sorison used an ultra-warm atomicLoft™ insulation with microfiber that is as close to the natural down insulation as possible, in terms of both softness and warmth.
Overall, Sorison Puffy Blanket is durable, warm, versatile, and has a reasonable price. And with the premium insulation that will keep you warm but not hot, it´s an ideal, all-season blanket for outdoor adventures.
Best Blanket For Cold Weather: Snugpak Oversized Survival Blanket
Not only does the Snugpak Survival Blanket work as a comfy camping blanket, but it is also engineered to keep you warm with temperatures as low as 2 °C (36 degrees Fahrenheit). The highly efficient heat retention is achieved with Travelsoft insulation, lightweight fabric with high loft fibers that allow the blanket also has water repellent properties.
The Snugpack Survival is a premium blanket for big guys. It comes in an extra-large size, is extremely versatile, windproof, water-resistant, antibacterial and has a functional anti-microbial fabric for preventing odors.
Best Personal Campsite Blanket: Kelty Bestie Blanket
For the best camping blanket that won’t break the bank, check out Kelty Bestie. An outdoor-inspired lounging blanket similar to the Oceas Outdoor Waterproof Blanket. Kelty is a perfect blanket for hanging out in the early mornings or evenings at camp.
Kelty Bestie will never replace outdoor quilts and bags, it doesn’t have advanced insulation and fabrics, still, this blanket is perfect for occasional bonfire or evening picnics. However, the blanket is fluffy, comfortable, cozy, and lightweight. Plus the price is ideal if you’re looking for a quality blanket but don’t want to spend more than $50.
Best Waterproof Outdoor Blanket: Horizon Hound Down Camping Blanket
Of course, the best camping blanket list wouldn’t be complete without Horizon Hound. It´s super light, waterproof and packable, so it is a great addition for a festival, camping, backpacking or for any exciting outdoor activity. The blanket is made of tough 20D ripstop nylon which is water-resistant, less staining and can prevent odors. The Horizon Hound Down is designed for everyday use, and thanks to its included stuff sack, you can take it almost anywhere.
Best Wool Blanket: Ektos Outdoor Blanket
Wool blankets as always popular because they are so amazingly soft and warm. We know how difficult is to find 100% wool blankets for outside that come with a reasonable price tag. The Ektos Outdoor Blanket is dense and heavy and has finished edges on all sides to prevent fraying. If you like to sleep under a heavy woolen blanket this is definitely for you. Plus, Ektos blanket is ruggedly designed, so it is thick, heavy-duty, durable and naturally long-lasting.
Camping Blanket Buying Guide And FAQs
Types Of Camping Blanket Fabrics
Cotton – Blanket made from cotton is awesome if you want to stay warm in cold conditions. However, this type of blanket is not waterproof and fire retardant. You shouldn’t take a cotton blanket near a fire or take it with you when is too cold or windy outside.
Wool – Extremely durable and long-lasting material. This type of blanket is excellent for outdoors because wool can still keep you warm even when wet. They are also perfect for an evening bonfire because, unlike cotton, the woolen fabric is 100% fire retardant.
Fleece – usually made of Polyester, fleece is a popular material for outdoor gear because it is warmer and lighter than wool. Lightweight, durable and cheap, three benefits of fleece material. The main downside is that it is flammable.
Nylon and polyester – Waterproof, fire retardant, and the ripstop nylon is resistant to tears. Nylon is an extremely light material that provides great insulation. The only downside is the comfort, nylon blankets are not as soft as cotton or wool.
Disclosure: This post is brought to you by NechGear. We aim to highlight products and services you might find interesting, and if you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners, including Amazon.
Clicking the device names, images or check price buttons will redirect you to the product listing on the appropriate Amazon.com (.co.uk, .de, etc.), where you can find the updated prices, customer reviews, and more product details.