10 Best Camping Blankets of 2023

Best Camping Blankets of 2023

Whether you’re stargazing in the backyard or hanging at camp on a chilly morning, a blanket is the best way to stay cozy. But you don’t have to drag your comforter outside – the blankets on this list are packable, durable, and made especially for the outdoors!

We own every blanket on this list, and we use them extensively on trips throughout the year. We’re happy to share our experience to help you narrow down the best blankets for you and your lifestyle.

Quick Recommendations

Check out this quick list of our favorite camping blankets if you’re in a hurry, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews.

• Best overall camping blanket:Rumpl Original Puffy
• Most affordable down blanket:Horizon Hound Trek
• Versatile, waterproof blanket:Oceas Sherpa Fleece
• Luxurious wool blankets:Pendleton Yakima & National Parks
• Best picnic blanket:Nomadix Festival
• Best budget wool blanket:EKTOS 100% Wool
• Best lightweight camping blanket:Therm-a-Rest Stellar
• Best camp rug:NEMO Victory Patio Blanket
• Best beach/river blanket: CGear Sandlite
• Best travel blanket:Rumpl NanoLoft Travel Puffy
• Stylish wool-blend blanket:Sackcloth & Ashes
• Best poncho:Poler The Poncho

What’s Most Important to You in a Camping Blanket?

PRICE – Some of the camping blankets on our list are spendy, but they’re well worth the cost if you’ll use them a lot. A high quality blanket will be loved by many and will last for years of enjoyment. If you don’t want to spend a bundle, there are great options below to fit any budget.

• Best value blankets: Rumpl Original Puffy, Horizon Hound Trek, Therm-a-Rest Stellar, NEMO Victory Patio Blanket & Sackcloth & Ashes
• Best budget blankets:Oceas Sherpa Fleece, Nomadix Festival & EKTOS 100% Wool
• Best high-end blankets:Pendleton Yakima / National Parks

WARM BLANKETS VS. GROUNDSHEETS – The term ‘camping blanket’ can mean multiple things. Some folks will think of a warm, insulating blanket to snuggle up in, while others think more of a picnic blanket that you lay on the ground. Most of the blankets we tested are good for one or the other, but occasionally a blanket fits into both categories.

• Best warm blankets:Rumpl Original Puffy, Horizon Hound Trek, Pendleton Yakima / National Parks, EKTOS 100% Wool & Therm-a-Rest Stellar
• Best ground cloth blankets:Nomadix Festival, NEMO Victory Patio Blanket, CGear Sandlite & Matador Pocket Blanket
• Works well for warmth & groundcover:Oceas Sherpa Fleece

WEIGHT & PACKABILITY – Weight isn’t as big of a concern for car camping, and if you’ve got the room, a big heavy blanket can be super luxurious. But if you plan to carry your blanket any significant distance or you’re tight on space, go with a blanket that’s lightweight and small for portability.

• Best light/compact blankets:Horizon Hound Trek, Therm-a-Rest Stellar, Rumpl NanoLoft Travel Puffy & Matador Pocket Blanket
• Medium weight/size blankets: Rumpl Original Puffy, Oceas Sherpa Fleece, Nomadix Festival, Sackcloth & Ashes & Poler The Poncho
• Heavier/bulkier blankets:Pendleton Yakima / National Parks, EKTOS 100% Wool & NEMO Victory Patio Blanket

MATERIAL – Most camping blankets are made with a combination of synthetic materials that are durable, quick-drying, and low cost. Synthetic fabrics can also be waterproof or can mimic down for efficient warmth. Down blankets provide the best warmth for the weight and pack down small for portability. Wool blankets tend to be heavier and bulkier, but they’re great for thermoregulation, resistant to odors, and naturally flame retardant – which is a plus for those who like to hover around a campfire.

• Best synthetic blankets:Rumpl Original Puffy, Oceas Sherpa Fleece, Nomadix Festival, NEMO Victory Patio, Rumpl NanoLoft Travel Puffy & CGear Sandlite
• Best down blankets:Horizon Hound Trek,Rumpl Down Puffy& Kelty Galactic
• Best wool-blend blankets:Pendleton Yakima / National Parks, EKTOS 100% Wool & Sackcloth & Ashes

Best Camping Blankets of 2023

Rumpl Original Puffy

BEST OVERALL CAMPING BLANKET

MSRP: $125-1 person / $220-2 person

WEIGHT: 2.1 lbs.-1 person / 3.7 lbs.-2 person

PROS: Excellent value, warm, durable, water repellent, machine washable, a ton of color/pattern options

CONS: Heavier/bulkier than down

BOTTOM LINE: The Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket is like a cozy comforter that’s made for the outdoors. It’s highly resistant to moisture and dirt, so it easily sheds spills, debris, or pet hair with a quick shake. We like this blanket for wrapping up in camp or to use on top of a summer sleeping bag for extra warmth when temperatures dip. While there are more packable blankets out there, the Original is still pretty lightweight and convenient enough for most car camping situations. It’s no wonder the Original Puffy is an industry favorite – it’s affordable for the quality, and it comes in a huge variety of attractive colors from subdued to bright.

Horizon Hound Trek

MOST AFFORDABLE DOWN BLANKET

MSRP: $65

WEIGHT: 1.1 lbs.

PROS: Affordable, warm, lightweight, compact, converts to a poncho with snaps

CONS: Not as durable as some, down requires special care

BOTTOM LINE: Down has the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any material, but high-quality down products can be costly. That’s why we were pumped to find the Horizon Hound Trek Blanket for such an affordable price! This blanket is incredibly warm when it’s fluffed up. But it packs down small when not in use and only weighs a pound so you can take it anywhere. We also love that it has snaps down the front so you can wear it poncho-style if you need your hands free. With so much versatility for such a great price, we think everyone should own a Trek Blanket. It also makes a really great gift. If you don’t mind paying a bit more, you can also get the GR-20 blanket (1 lb. 6 oz.), which is stuffed with more down for cooler conditions.

Oceas Sherpa Fleece

VERSATILE, WATERPROOF BLANKET

MSRP: $70

WEIGHT: 2.4 lbs.

PROS: Affordable, durable, waterproof, machine washable

CONS: Crinkly sound, a bit bulky, debris clings

BOTTOM LINE: The Oceas Sherpa Fleece Blanket is one of our all-time faves because it’s waterproof for use as a groundcover, cozy for bundling up, and awesomely affordable! This blanket took a little getting used to since the waterproof lining makes it a bit crinkly, but the more we use it, the more we love it. We keep this blanket in the car to protect the seats and warm the dog up after rainy hikes. It’s also awesome for picnics and concerts on damp grass, or as windproof insulation over a camping chair. The one downside is that debris can stick to the fleece, but it’s easy enough to clean it up once you’re home since it’s machine washable.

Pendleton Yakima Camp

LUXURIOUS WOOL BLANKETS

MSRP: $189 (Twin) / $259 (Queen)

WEIGHT: 5.27 lbs. (Twin) / 6.5 lbs. (Queen)

PROS: Warm, stylish, large, odor-resistant, very high quality

CONS: Heavy, bulky, expensive, debris clings, requires dry cleaning

BOTTOM LINE: The Pendleton Yakima is what we consider a forever blanket – the type you use for many years, then pass down as a family heirloom. The wool is extraordinarily heavy and thick, but it’s also highly breathable so this blanket is always the perfect temperature. We love our Yakima Blanket so much that we carry it from room to room at home. We’re also huge fans of the National Parks Blankets, which are made from even finer wool. Both of these beautiful blankets are a bit expensive and high maintenance to be dragging around a dirty campsite, but they’re phenomenal for outfitting your van or cabin. We’re also willing to bet you’ll look past any downsides and take your blanket outdoors anyway after you fall in love. We did! Pendleton blankets are just that good.

Nomadix Festival Blanket

BEST PICNIC BLANKET

MSRP: $70

WEIGHT: 2 lbs.

PROS: Compact, lightweight, soft, durable, machine washable, water resistant

CONS: No stuff sack or closure

BOTTOM LINE: If you’re in the market for a great groundcover blanket to stay comfy while relaxing at the park or the beach, check out the Nomadix Festival Blanket. It has a soft, stylish top layer that’s just satiny enough that debris won’t cling to it. And the underside is made with black water-resistant material, so you’ll stay dry and never have to deal with grass stains. We also like that it has loops in the corners so you can use stakes to keep it in place. The Festival Blanket folds down small enough to easily pack in a picnic basket or tote bag. We wish that it had some kind of closure to keep it rolled up when not in use, but it’s easy enough to use a simple elastic band as a strap.

EKTOS 100% Wool

BEST BUDGET WOOL BLANKET

MSRP: $75 (often on sale for less)

WEIGHT: 5 lbs.

PROS: Affordable, warm, durable, large

CONS: Heavy, scratchier than some wool, debris clings

BOTTOM LINE: The EKTOS 100% Wool Blanket is warm, durable, and it’s a steal for the price considering it’s made with quality, natural fibers. It’s big and heavy, which makes it feel very protective and comforting. The texture also helps it stay put on top of a slippery sleeping bag at night. This blanket could be considered a tad scratchy compared to the Pendleton Yakima or Sackcloth & Ashes blankets, but it’s not a big deal unless your skin is really sensitive to wool. The EKTOS is an awesomely tough, utilitarian blanket that’s safe for use around the campfire – and it’s so affordable that you could outfit your whole crew on a budget.

Therm-a-Rest Stellar

BEST LIGHTWEIGHT CAMPING BLANKET

MSRP: $100

WEIGHT: 1.5 lbs.

PROS: Excellent value, lightweight, compact, packs into its own pocket, machine washable, cinch cord at the foot

CONS: Not as warm as some

BOTTOM LINE: If you like the idea of having a cozy blanket to use around camp but also want to keep your gear streamlined, the Therm-a-Rest Stellar Blanket might be the perfect fit for you. It’s a little thinner than some other blankets, but we like that it’s not bulky, and we were pleasantly surprised by how warm it is. Like any high-performance, synthetic puffy jacket, this blanket uses hollow fibers to trap heat and disperse moisture. We love that it packs into its own pocket so there’s no chance of losing the storage bag as well. The Stellar is an excellent value for the price and strikes a balance between luxury and minimalism for frontcountry trips. The Therm-a-Rest Juno is also great. It’s very similar to the Stellar, but it’s smaller and lighter weight (12.8 oz).

NEMO Victory Patio Blanket

BEST CAMP RUG

MSRP: $100-M / $140-L

WEIGHT: 5 lbs. 3 oz.-M / 7 lbs. 2 oz.-L

PROS: Durable, waterproof, machine washable, stash pocket for small items, bottle opener

CONS: A bit expensive, a bit heavy

BOTTOM LINE: The NEMO Victory Patio Blanket is the best choice on our list if you’re looking for a heavy-duty and waterproof blanket to use as a dedicated camp rug. It creates a clean and comfortable space to chill outside of your tent. And the corners of the Patio Blanket accept tent poles (not included), so you can use it as a base for a shade canopy. The Patio Blanket is a little spendier than a basic ground cloth, but it’s worth the cost if you want something with an inviting texture that’s stylish and compact for easy transport. This blanket is super durable, so we expect it to handle a lot of foot traffic, UV exposure, and regular washing for years to come.

CGear Multimats Sandlite Sand-Free Mat

BEST BEACH/RIVER BLANKET

MSRP: $75 (Medium)

WEIGHT: 1.7 lbs.-S / 2.3 lbs.-M / 3 lbs.-L

PROS: Open weave allows sand to fall through, breathable, quick-drying, lightweight, affordable

CONS: Not as versatile as some, not ideal on damp ground

BOTTOM LINE: If you’re a beach bum or river rat, you’ll appreciate the unique CGear Sandlite Mat. It’s designed to let small sand and dirt particles fall through, so you can stay comfortable and grit-free while you relax. So, if the kids or dog come bombing in to disturb your sunbathing, all you have to do is brush the mat with your hand to clear the chaos. And the Sand-Free Mat is made with lightweight material with an open weave, so it won’t absorb moisture or get mildewy if it’s not 100% dry before you toss it in your trunk.

Rumpl NanoLoft Travel Puffy

BEST TRAVEL BLANKET

MSRP: $95

WEIGHT: 0.7 lb.

PROS: Very lightweight, very compact, warm, water repellent, machine washable

CONS: Small, a bit expensive

BOTTOM LINE: We like the Rumpl NanoLoft Travel Puffy Blanket because it’s efficient and super compact. This handy blanket is made with tiny clusters of synthetic fiber that perform similarly to down. It packs into a stuff sack roughly the size of a Nalgene Bottle, so it’s easy to stash in your backpack or travel bag. And the lap-size dimensions make it really convenient for flights, the car, camp, or anywhere you find yourself needing a little extra insulation. Larger NanoLoft Blankets are also available. They’re excellent but more expensive than some of our other full-size faves.

Sackcloth & Ashes

STYLISH WOOL-BLEND BLANKET

MSRP: $120-140 (depending on pattern)

WEIGHT: 3 lbs.

PROS: Excellent value, lightweight, machine washable

CONS: More expensive than basic wool blankets, debris clings

BOTTOM LINE:Sackcloth & Ashes Camp Blankets are very warm for how lightweight they are, and the blend of wool and recycled materials is super soft and cozy. They also have a ton of style and are designed by artists, so they look just as great in your home as they do in your campsite. Plus, your purchase helps a great cause – for every blanket purchased, Sackcloth & Ashes donates a blanket to a local houseless shelter. It’s a win-win! Sackcloth blankets are a great happy medium for anyone that wants the luxuriousness of a Pendleton Blanket, but needs something that’s easier to care for and has a more approachable price.

Poler The Poncho

BEST PONCHO

MSRP: $100

WEIGHT:2 lbs.-S/M / 2.5 lbs.-L/XL

PROS: Wearable for hands-free use, hooded, machine washable

CONS: A bit bulky, not as versatile as a blanket

BOTTOM LINE: Ponchos are a popular alternative to camping blankets because they keep you cozy while your hands stay free. The Poncho by Poler makes warming up after a rainy hike or surf session easy. We also love the giant kangaroo pocket to keep your hands warm and essentials close. The Poncho comes in upbeat colors and patterns, and it’s reversible so you can switch up the look whenever you want. The Poncho style isn’t for everyone, and it’s a little less versatile than a blanket. But it’s unique and offers wearable convenience that a typical blanket can’t touch. If you’re into it and want to take the cozy factor up a notch further, check out Poler’s full-length Napsack.

Honorable Mentions

The following camping blankets didn’t make our final list, but they’ve still got a lot of good things going for them. You never know, one of these blankets might be perfect for you:

• Matador Pocket Blanket – A super portable groundsheet to keep you clean and dry wherever you go. It’s basic but very compact as well as affordable.
• Rumpl Down Puffy – A light and packable down version of our top pick, the Original Puffy. We really like this comfy and beautiful blanket, but we have a hard time justifying the price when we can get a budget down blanket for less than half the cost.
• Kelty Galactic – Another great warm and lightweight down blanket with a water-repellent coating. It costs significantly less than the Rumpl Down Puffy, but it’s still quite a bit more than the Horizon Hound Trek.
• YETI Lowlands – A high-quality and durable waterproof groundsheet that’s a bit too expensive for its limited use.

Critical Camping Blanket Considerations

BLANKETS VS. SLEEP SYSTEMS – The camping blankets on this list are made for bundling up or to use as a barrier on the ground. If you’re looking for a sleep system, our Best Sleeping Bags (backpacking / camping) or Best Backpacking Quilts lists can help you find what you need.

DWR – Many of the blankets on this list have a durable water repellent treatment that causes water to bead up on the outside rather than soak in. DWR will wear off and need to be reapplied over time, but it’s a nice feature to have. DWR alone won’t make a blanket anywhere near waterproof, but it does add a little extra protection. If you’re re-treating a down blanket, make sure you use a treatment that’s made specifically for down.

STORAGE– Never store a down (or synthetic down) blanket compressed. Always take it out of its stuff sack, fluff it up, and store it in a dry location. You can simply fold your blanket, hang it up, or keep it in alarge stuff sack with room to spread out. Storing your blanket in a compressed state can damage the insulation and hurt its ability to hold heat over time.

WASHING DOWN – Down is a durable material, but it loses some of its efficiency when it gets oily or dirty over time. A good wash will refresh your down blanket and make it like new. Use a special soap like Nikwax Down Direct or a gentle non-detergent to wash your blanket by hand or in a front-loading washing machine.

After it’s washed, take your time tumble-drying it on low heat in the dryer. Adding a few clean tennis balls or dryer balls to the dryer will help break up clumps in the down and redistribute it evenly. For more details on down care, visit our How to Repair, Wash, Store, & Care For Your Sleeping Bag.

WASHING WOOL – Wool is highly durable, but it can shrink or get misshapen if washed improperly. Wash your blanket with a wool-friendly detergent like Woolite that’s free of enzymes or bleach. You can expect a little shedding and shrinkage the first few times.

Use cold water to hand wash your blanket in a bathtub, or use a delicate cycle in a washing machine without a center agitator. Air dry your wool blanket by hanging it or laying it on a flat surface. After it’s 100% dry, you can use your dryer’s spin cycle with NO HEAT to remove loose fibers and make it softer. You can also dry clean wool blankets if you want to prolong their life.

Need More Gear Advice?

If you liked this list, you’ll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. here are some links to popular articles:

• 10 Best Hiking Shoes
• 10 Best Backpacking Tents
• 10 Best Sleeping Bags
• 10 Best Sleeping Pads
• 10 Best Backpacking Packs
• 10 Best Backpacking Stoves
• CleverHiker Top Gear Picks

Why Trust Us?

We fully understand how tough it is to find trustworthy gear advice, and that’s one of the main reasons we built CleverHiker. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously. Here are some of the reasons you can trust us:

• Our choices are completely independent and based on personal experience.
• We’ve logged over 10,000 trail miles and test outdoor gear for a living.
• We own and field test every product we recommend, which is sadly not the norm.
• We travel to industry trade shows to learn about upcoming product innovations.
• We constantly update our guides when new products launch.
• We treat our recommendations as if they were for our family and friends.
• We’re lifelong learners and we’re always open to constructive criticism. If you think we’ve missed a product or got something wrong, we’d love to hear your feedback.

More Information

We hope this guide helps you find the perfect camping blanket for your needs. If you have more questions or a suggestion, we’d love to hear from you! Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on our latest posts then visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation.

If you found this guide helpful, please give it a share on social media! Also, be sure to check out our CleverHiker Gear Guide to see all of our top gear picks.

Thanks for reading and happy trails!

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.