Outdoor blankets are useful for both avid hikers and casual picnickers.
They range from tightly packable options to wooly, multi-layered ones that are perfect in chillier conditions.
To help you choose the outdoor blanket for you and your needs, we’ve compiled a list of the best outdoor blankets based on their quality, durability and user reviews.
Top Outdoor Blankets – Editor’s Pick
This table shows the top 3 outdoor blankets from our list and compares them by weight, size, material, and in-house rating.
Product Name |
Size |
Material |
Get It AT |
ANJ Outdoors Premium 3-Layer Outdoor Blanket | 80″ x 72″ | PEVA, foam, fleece | |
Down Under Outdoors Premium Large Stadium Blanket | 82″ x 55″ | Polyester, fleece | |
Lightspeed Outdoors Plush Fleece Outdoor Blanket | 72″ x 58″ | Polyester, fleece |
10. yodo Outdoor Waterproof Picnic Blanket Tote (XL)
Ideal for:
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Family picnics on damp grass
-
Outdoor festivals
-
Concerts
-
Sporting event
-
Occasional use
This extra-large waterproof picnic blanket by yodo comes in two variants, a 79″ x 79″ one and a 79″ x 59″ one, which makes it perfect for family outings under the clear sky, such as camping trips, picnics, and even festivals and concerts.
The best part about this supersized blanket for picnics is that it is made of 3 layers: fleece, foam, and a waterproof bottom to keep water at bay, because no one really wants a damp cloth underneath them while having tons of fun outdoors.
The only real downsides are that it can get really hot in the summer and that it is not ideal for beach use as the fleece side easily attracts sand and water.
Heights:
- Large, lightweight, and very soft (great for families)
- Beautiful and fun vibrant colors
- Non-slip, waterproof plastic bottom
- Machine washable (on gentle without tumble drying)
Plains:
- Velcro closure not sturdy enough to carry the blanket by hand
- Hard to fold because of extra layers (it gets bulky when folded up)
9. ZOMAKE Waterproof Extra Large Outdoor Blanket
Ideal for:
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Picnics
-
Beach use
-
Park
-
Concerts
Next on our best outdoor blanket list we have this waterproof extra large blanket from Zomake.
It is covered with a soft fleece surface on the top side and with a waterproof surface at the bottom to prevent ground moisture.
This blanket is quite large and can fit a group of people, however, it is quite lightweight and easily folds to the size of a purse.
Heights:
- Very sturdy
- Easy to roll up for storage
- Nice design and patterns
Plains:
- Not very good for hot weather
- Too lightweight
8. Puredown Natural Down Packable Throw Sport Blanket
Ideal for:
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All-Season Outdoor Camping
This Puredown down throw is versatile enough to be used as a casual everyday layer at home or brought along on camping trips.
It’s lightweight and packable, and the down filling makes it quite warm, which means that it can double as a cozy supplement to a standard sleeping bag.
It’s a perfect throw blanket for those in-between days or as an additional layer.
Users recommend washing and drying it before first using it since it’s a little flat out of the box.
Heights:
- Good length
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight but warm
Plains:
- A bit flat at first
- Does not come with a stuff sack
- A little thin
Suggested Read: The 10 Best Air Mattress for Camping
7. Bearz Outdoor Beach Blanket
Ideal for:
-
Beach Trips
If you need an outdoor blanket to use as a ground cover, this Bearz blanket is a great option.
It’s not very warm, but it’s waterproof and sand proof and is easy to carry anywhere without weighing you down.
It comes with a matching pouch and carabiner, and though the blanket is large it’s not difficult to roll it back up to stow it away.
Heights:
- Corner pockets
- Lightweight and portable
- Very versatile
- Waterproof and sand proof
Plains:
- Not very warm
- Smaller than advertised
- Hard to fold it back in the bag
6. CozyCoverz Outdoor Stadium Blanket
Ideal for:
-
Day Trips
This Cozy Coverz blanket is useful for two main purposes: it will keep you dry and comfortable while you sit on the ground outdoors, and it can also be used to keep you warm in bad weather.
One side is nylon and one side is fleece.
It comes with a carrying case, so you can easily take this versatile outdoor waterproof blanket with you anywhere.
It doesn’t fold that compactly, and it’s a bit hard to fold up when you’re ready to pack it.
So we recommend it as the best outdoor blanket for day trips.
Heights:
- Rainproof and windproof
- Warm and cozy
- Very durable
- Supplied carrying bag
Plains:
- Hard to fold up completely
- Can be slippery
- Top and bottom lining are not joined together
5. Oceas Outdoor Pocket Blanket
Ideal for:
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Hiking
-
Camping
-
Picnics
-
Festivals
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Beach use
The Oceas Outdoor pocket blanket is one of the most versatile foldable outdoor blankets.
It can be used just about anywhere from backpacking to picnicking with your family and from mountains to the seaside.
Thanks to the high-quality waterproof polyurethane used in its built, this tiny blanket can double as a tent tarp too as it is virtually puncture-free.
It comes with built-in sand pockets and ground stakes, which makes it windproof as well.
The blanket comfortably fits three adults and easily folds up into a pocket-sized blanket.
Thanks to this, you can easily carry it in your pocket or clipped to your backpack or bag.
Heights:
- Waterproof and windproof
- Lightweight and very small
- In-built ground stakes
Plains:
- Material too thin
- Sand attractor
4. Cocoon CoolMax Blanket
Ideal for:
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Hikes
-
Picnics
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Travel
Though a little pricey, the Cocoon CoolMax blanket is well worth the value.
It’s only 11 ounces, it folds up into a convenient storage pouch, and it’s warm yet still breathable.
It’s not quite warm enough to depend on for cold season camping, but it’s in the race for the best outdoor blanket to snuggle up with next to a fire or during spring nights.
Heights:
- Comfortable and soft
- It is quite warm
- Compact and lightweight
- Highly portable blanket
Plains:
- Can’t be used in all seasons
3. ANJ Outdoors Premium 3-Layer Outdoor Blanket
Ideal for:
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Picnics
-
Camping
-
Beach use
If you’ll be driving to your outdoor destination, consider bringing the ANJ Outdoors 3-Layer waterproof picnic blanket along with you.
It doesn’t fold up very compactly, but it is easy to fold and sure is convenient.
One side is made of waterproof PEVA while one side is made of polar fleece.
That means this fleece blanket will keep you protected from water and sand while also keeping your bottom warm.
The only downside to this outdoor blanket is that it isn’t machine washable.
Heights:
- Soft, light and durable
- Good size
- Waterproof
Plains:
- Might rip fast
- Doesn’t fold up that compactly
2. Down Under Outdoors Premium Large Stadium Blanket
Ideal for:
-
Camping
-
Beach use
-
Picnics
The next item on our best outdoor blanket list is this product from Downunder Outdoors that’s ideal for snuggling up with during picnics or camping trips.
It’s both warm and waterproof, so you can stay dry even on damp ground.
It comes with a convenient carrying pouch, though it can be a bit tricky to fold it back up into the pouch.
Also, it folds into a nice large size. It is one of the best camping blankets out there.
Heights:
- Dual-sided
- Great design and size
- Waterproof and windproof
Plains:
- Not good for very cold weather
- Hard to fold it in the bag
Suggested: You can use your favorite outdoor blanket with one of the best hammock chairs as well.
1. Lightspeed Outdoors Plush Fleece Outdoor Blanket
Ideal for:
-
Camping
-
Picnics
The Lightspeed Outdoors blanket will keep you safe from the wind and rain.
It’s convenient in a few ways, firstly, it can be washed and dried in a regular machine.
Secondly, it has two sides so it protects you from the water while also keeping you warm with cozy fleece.
Lastly, it comes with a convenient pouch for carrying it on your trips with you.
It’s not the warmest blanket in the world, but it’s our pick for the best outdoor blanket to use as a layer.
Heights:
- Quite warm
- Rainproof and windproof
- Easy to clean
Plains:
- Quite thin
- Might rip fast
Conclusion
As you can see, choosing the best outdoor blanket isn’t quite that simple.
Outdoor blankets can be used for a variety of purposes, like camping, hiking, going to the beach, or simply to a picnic.
However, our choices above suit a variety of needs and experience levels.
Let us know in a comment below which outdoor blanket seems most appropriate for your lifestyle?
Recommended Read: The Best Camping Tents to Take With You