Our camping experts researched over 40 of the best camping blankets before selecting 10 to snuggle into. We spent months traveling and camping in the warmth of summer and the chill and bluster of winter. For each adventure, we trucked along our cadre of camping blankets to test side-by-side. In addition to assessing how each performed on cold nights, we measured insulative properties and packed size. Our thorough testing and research are designed to help you find the best camping blanket for your needs, while our recommendations are unbiased and will help you find a cozy option that'll be nice on the wallet and the skin.
Heading out on a camping trip requires some special gear. You'll need a tent, a camp mat or sleeping pad, and a camping stove. Items like hammocks or a dedicated camping chair can make camp that much cozier. Lucky for you, we've tested just about every category of camping gear imaginable. From camping cookware to cots, we can help you find exactly what you're looking for.Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
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Price | $186.69 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $100 List | $59.73 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $55 List $49.95 at Amazon | $80 List $69.89 at REI |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Lightweight, packs down small, turns into poncho, impressive weather-resistance, useful stuff sack | Softer underbelly, weather-resistant, great features, feels warm, easy to clean | Quite warm and puffy, fairly weather-resistant, comfortable, reasonably affordable | Solid insulation, light and packable, compression stuff sack, large size, affordable | Good coverage dimensions, impressively light weight for synthetic, decent weather-resistance, sheds most debris |
Cons | Slippery and swishy, on the small side, expensive | A bit large and bulky | Very large and bulky, a bit slick, not home washable | No cross-stitching, not weatherproof | Extremely simple design/use, not particularly warm |
Bottom Line | A super light, packable poncho-option blanket that's great for when space and weight matter | It's large, seriously cozy, and it offers solid comfort, warmth, and protection | A warm, cozy blanket for cold days, though a bit too bulky for serious travel | Despite its unconventional look and feel, this blanket is warm, useful, and impressively affordable | A "life-proof" option for casual outdoor use |
Rating Categories | Rumpl Down Puffy | NEMO Puffin | Alps Mountaineering... | Snugpak Jungle | REI Co-op Camp |
Comfort (30%) | |||||
Warmth (25%) | |||||
Versatility (20%) ![]() |
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Packed Size (15%) | |||||
Features & Design (10%) | |||||
Specs | Rumpl Down Puffy | NEMO Puffin | Alps Mountaineering... | Snugpak Jungle | REI Co-op Camp |
Filling Type | Down | Synthetic | Synthetic | Synthetic | Synthetic |
Measured Blanket Size | 51" x 72" | 54" x 78" | 51" x 73" | 62" x 74" | 52" x 68" |
Compressed Size | 2.8 L | 4 L | 11 L | 3.5 L | 3.3 L |
Weather Resistance | DWR treatment (water resistance) |
DWR treatment (water resistance) |
water resistant | windproof & MicroDiamond (light water resistance) |
DWR treatment (light water resistance) |
Weight | 19 oz | 36 oz | 40 oz | 26 oz | 19 oz |
Stuff Sack | Y - roll-top | Y - zippered | Y - drawstring | Y - compression | Y - drawstring |
Exterior Material | 20D ripstop nylon | 30D nylon micro-ripstop | 20D nylon | 100% polyester with Paratex antibacterial treatment | pertex (nylon) bottom ripstop, top is not |
Insulation Material | 600-fill RDS duck down (80/20 down/feathers) |
600G Stratofiber (synthetic) | TechLoft Silver (synthetic - resinated polyester fiber) | Travelsoft (synthetic - resinated polyester fiber) | Polyester fibers |
Manufacturer Temp Rating (F) | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | 45°F | Not specified |
No | Yes - 1 zippered near feet | No | No | No | |
Machine Washable | Yes - front load only | Yes - front load only | No - commercial washer only | Yes - front load only | Yes - front load only |
Available Sizes | 1-person (tested), 1-person tall, 2-person | 1-person (tested), 2-person | One size only | Regular (tested), X-Large | 1-person (tested), 2-person |
Additional Features | Can become a poncho, corner loops for stakes, sewn through boxes hold down in place | Foot Nook foot box created by three buttons and holes, outwardly curved edges, sewn through in horizontal bars, contrast-colored top edge | Sewn through in horizontal bars | None | Corner loop to hang, sewn through in horizontal bars |
Best Overall Camping Blanket
NEMO Puffin
The Nemo Puffin is a solid indoor/outdoor blanket that takes coziness to another level. The underside is soft and comfortable against skin, so it is less likely to slide off your body. Its puffiness instantly enveloped us in warmth. This blanket has some neat features — the bottom of the Puffin can button into a foot box to keep your toes nice and toasty, and there is a small hidden zippered pocket on the end that can hold items like keys. Slightly bowed outward edges make it easy to cocoon yourself comfortably around the campfire or on the couch. It is also impressively liquid-resistant and resists the usual static pull of pet hair and dirt. It can also be easily laundered in a front-loading machine.
Though it gives the impression of supreme warmth, it performed average in our insulation testing, even though it is also on the large and bulky side. Though we are more than happy to bring it to backyard bonfires and car camping excursions, it's not our top choice to bring on an early spring backpacking trip. The sizeable zippered stuff sack is easy to fit the blanket back into, but it is larger than it needs to be and lacks any sort of compression. Of course, storing your blanket uncompressed is better for maintaining its warmth in the long run, so this isn't a dealbreaker. At the end of the day, we love using this comfortable, warm, and versatile blanket during just about every indoor and outdoor activity, from winter stargazing to snuggly movie nights.
Read review: Nemo Puffin
Best for Backpacking
Rumpl Down Puffy
The Rumpl Down Puffy is an impressively lightweight down blanket that ranks high for packability. It packs extremely well into its roll-top stuff sack, so you might as well take it along just in case, whether backpacking or traveling. Clips on the side easily turn it into a poncho, giving you hands-free warmth to cook dinner in comfort or tailgate for your favorite team. The micro-ripstop material and reinforced seams add durability to this featherweight blanket and do an excellent job repelling spills, rain, dog hair, and dirt. Handy corner loops let you stake it to the ground, making it a great picnic companion if you want to keep your bum warm and dry. Those same loops just as easily allow this blanket to hang for storage. It's also machine washable; if you manage to get it dirtier than you can stand, just pop it into your machine at home.
This is one of the smallest single-person blankets we tested, although it is offered in several additional sizes. The material is quite protective, but it is also extremely slippery and easily slides off. Though we love the poncho option, the single clippable loop leaves your front quite exposed; this is great for getting things done, but you'll still need your hands to experience the warmth of a full wrap. Out of all the blankets we tested, this model is by far one of the most costly. The Rumpl is a well-rounded, durable, water-resistant blanket that's also compact, perfect for a backpacker or minimalist traveler.
Read review: Rumpl Down Puffy
Best Bang for the Buck
Snugpak Jungle
We grew to like the SnugPak Jungle quite a bit. We are impressed with how light and packable it is, especially considering it has some of the largest single-person dimensions of any model we tested. It comes with a stuff sack that doubles as a compression sack, sparing you the obligation to buy yet another accessory. It is softer than nearly all the other slick-feeling camping blankets we tested. Though it feels quite thin, it performed the best in our insulation testing. It did a great job of keeping us warm and protects from wind and light precipitation. It can also be washed at home. For the price, we are truly impressed with its performance.
While the SnugPak claims to be "weatherproof", we didn't find that to be the case. If water pools up and is left sitting for a long time, it will soak through. However, as long as you clean up your spills quickly and not stand out in a downpour, it's a solid choice. It also has no cross-stitching whatsoever, meaning the front and back of the blanket can be pulled apart from one another. Though omitting those additional stitching holes does serve to help keep you warmer, we're not sure if this was the best choice in terms of durability or longevity for the material inside. Having said that, it still has so much to offer and makes an excellent option to bring along for casual camping trips, picnics, or even as a backup for emergencies.
Read review: SnugPak Jungle
Best for Casual Comfort
Kelty Bestie
The Kelty Bestie is a great, non-technical blanket that's a perfect choice for couch lounging or enjoying a crisp summer evening. The very soft t-shirt-like underside makes it one of the most comfortable camping blankets to have against your skin and stays put on your lap. You won't be protected much from a rainstorm, but it does a decent job at holding off spills in the amount of time it takes to run to the kitchen and grab a towel. It's also machine washable. With an easy-to-use stuff sack, the Bestie compresses into a reasonably sized package with a matching weight. It won't make the cut for our backpacking weekends but is certainly worth bringing on a fall road trip. It is one of the least expensive blankets we tested, to boot.
If you are searching for a technical blanket or a winter warmer, this is not the best choice. It will eventually soak up whatever you drop on it, especially on the soft underside. The incredible feeling of the velvety backing is also a pet hair magnet, though it brushes off reasonably easily. It's enough to fend off a slight chill, but it performed at the bottom of the pack in our insulation testing. It's also one of the smallest blankets we tested and is best for laps or even children. It's an excellent blanket for every kid or adult in your house, and is just right for indoor and casual adventures outdoors, is durable enough to withstand minor mishaps, and is inexpensive enough that everyone can have their own.
Read review: Kelty Bestie
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Why You Should Trust Us
This review is headed up by Senior Review Editor, Maggie Brandenburg. An avid outdoorswoman, Maggie has guided backcountry adventures in all four seasons for over 15 years. She's spent a significant part of her life living outside on the trail, on the water, and in the true wilderness. As a global adventurer, she knows what to look for when seeking a piece of gear to bring along and isn't willing to sacrifice comfort or functionality when it comes to staying warm. Living with poor circulation while still adventuring to some of the coldest places around, like the Canadian Rockies, Midwestern plains, and snow-covered Iceland, Maggie has dedicated years of her life to chasing that warm feeling no matter where she roams. She also recruits her friends and family to gather opinions and feedback from various sizes, ages, body types, and personal preferences.
This review began by researching 40+ camping blankets; we then chose the most promising options. We purchased every model to put to the test both in the lab and in the real world. We pushed these blankets to their limits by measuring insulation prowess and wind resistance in the lab to taking each model outside in the wind and snow. We considered the comfort of their material, size, and weight and poured water on them just to see what would happen. Numerous dogs were also enlisted to test each model's warmth on cold winter days and their ability to withstand teeth and claws during playtime. We treated these blankets worse than we thought any "normal" blanket-lover would, so you don't have to guess about it before you choose your ideal cover.
Analysis and Test Results
We chose a variety of different camping blankets designed for the outdoors. These range from options that can easily pack into a backpack to those that are bulky enough to stay in the car. We score each based on five crucial metrics to assess each contender, including comfort, warmth, versatility, packed size, and features. This article compares and explores the nuances of each to help you find the best for your needs.
Value
Camping blankets range in usage from luxurious extravagance to necessary bedding, and their spread of prices shares similar breadth. While many types of gear often correlate a higher price with better performance, we found no such relationship in these camping blankets. Some of our favorite blankets are among the least expensive and most expensive options we tested, and several fall right in the middle.
The SnugPak Jungle and Kelty Bestie both scored well in our myriad of tests, without costing as much as many others, making them high-value commodities. On the other hand, the Rumpl Down Blanket performed very well and is extremely handy in specific situations that call for low weight and high compressibility, making it well worth the hefty investment — if you're in the market for the specificity it provides. The Nemo Puffin is the highest-scoring blanket we tested and is just on the upper end of the average price within our selection.
Comfort
A blanket that isn't comfortable probably isn't going to be one you'll want to use; thus, we weighted this metric more than any other. We considered fabric feel and weight, blanket dimensions, and coverage for various sized people while sitting, standing, and lying down. We tested these blankets in various conditions, gathering opinions and input while camping, tailgating, watching movies, and hanging out in the great outdoors.
Our favorite blanket for sheer comfort is the Kelty Bestie. While most camping blankets are made of slippery, swishy material to repel dirt, hair, and water, the Bestie has a soft underside that's pleasant to put right against your skin. This softer side also keeps the blanket on your lap, rather than letting it slide right off with the slightest movement, like some we tested. It's a bit smaller than most, but it has very comfortable dimensions and a good shape for casual use. It's not our top choice for a sleeping blanket or a serious chill, but for hanging out on a crisp evening or napping in a shady hammock, we love how comfortable this blanket is.
The Nemo Puffin is another standout character when it comes to comfort. Though its underbelly isn't quite as t-shirt soft as the Kelty Bestie, it is soft and much better than the slickness of most others we tested (and certainly more comfortable than scratchy wool). It's also one of the thicker blankets of the group, which lends it a very nice overall weight and feel. The optional foot box is another feature that adds to the comfort of this blanket, and it gently hugs your toes wherever you snuggle. It's a great size, as well, and much more of a full-coverage experience for when you truly want to stay toasty.
Also notable for their comfort are the Alps Mountaineering Wavelength and Zefabak Down. Both of these blankets are thick and puffy, which gives an instant feeling of warmth and comfort. Neither of them has an incredibly soft underside, but their overall size and shape help keep them on your lap or around your shoulders. If you're a blanket user on the move, you'll likely appreciate the comfort of a blanket-turned-cape/poncho. The Rumpl Down clasps around you at a single point, leaving a wide neck and free hands, while the Zefabak Down and Horizon Hound Down can be further snapped to keep you bundled even as you wander.
While a wool blanket next to these super-slick, smooth options may not seem like the most comfortable choice, you might be surprised. Their extra weight is comforting to many people, and not all of them are as scratchy as your mom's ancient wool blanket you still have nightmares about from when you were a child (Anyone else? No? Just us?). The Pendleton Yakima is notable for being a surprisingly comfy wool blanket that's not abrasive to drape across your bare arms and one we enjoyed curling up in with a good book.
Warmth
The second most important part of a blanket is how well it keeps you warm. We employed several tests to discern which models are better for your temperature than others. We started in the lab, using hot water to test the insulation capabilities of each blanket. Then we took them all out in the real world to see how they perform. We laid on snow, stood in blustery winds, cooked winter camping meals, and nestled into chairs and couches.
Though you'd expect the thickest blankets to do best, and many of them are quite warm, absolute thickness is not the only factor that lends insulation and warmth to a blanket. The SnugPak Jungle and Pendleton Yakima are both impressive insulators, especially for their thickness — or should we say thinness. The Jungle blanket has a small size and relatively insubstantial synthetic insulation but performed very well in our lab testing and in the field. The Yakima holds its heat effectively in a controlled environment, trapping heat in its wool fibers.
The Alps Mountaineering Wavelength stands out when it comes to warmth. It's filled with mega-thick, puffy synthetic insulation that does an admirable job holding in heat both indoors and out. It also has a pleasant "instantly warm" feel due to this puffiness and thick fill and because of the pleasant fabric that holds it all in place. It does a great job of keeping its loft, even when we laid on it. When it got legitimately frigid, this model became a fast favorite among our test team.
The Nemo Puffin boasts an excellent blend of thick synthetic insulation; it holds in a great deal of heat while also giving the feeling of instant warmth when you throw it across your chilly legs. Though we were skeptical of its shape at first, we quickly discovered the slightly outward bowing of the top, and bottom edges make it even easier to completely cocoon yourself in this blanket. The Zefabak Down is the thickest down blanket we tested (despite having the same, or lower, listed fill volume). It is thick and lofty and does an excellent job holding in heat when you need it most. It's not quite as nice as the others we've mentioned, as its slippery material is a bit cool against your skin — at least at first.
Versatility
As is true of many types of gear, a good camping blanket is one you can happily use in many conditions. We tested how each one performs in the wind, against rain, and in the face of dog claws and rocky grounds. We also did everything from reading books to tailgating to cooking meals (particularly the ones that can be clipped or buttoned to become a poncho) to figure out which ones can really do it all.
While no blanket performed flawlessly in this metric, some performed better than others. The Rumpl Down Puffy is the most versatile option we tested. It did not soak up any water, even after letting it sit with a puddle on top for nearly an hour. It's also one of the most wind-resistant options we tested. Its material has a fine ripstop pattern with reinforced edges and a sturdy feel. On top of that, it clips into a poncho but leaves the front a smidge open, so you can stir the potatoes or play cornhole with your friends.
The other two blankets we tested (that turn into ponchos) are the Horizon Hound Down and Zefabak Down. They snap all the way down the front; when fully buttoned up, we felt a bit penned in, which could become problematic when you'll inevitably rip the snaps open. When unsnapping the Horizon Hound, our testing model ripped during this exact situation. The Rumpl, on the other hand, features a loop and clip design that is opened by pressing the clip release, so there's no worry of ripping the blanket in your hurry to pull it off.
We also love the Nemo Puffin for its impressive versatility. It repelled every drop of water we left sitting on it, including on the seams. It's nearly as wind-resistant as the Rumpl Down, and both excel at repelling dirt, debris, and hair. Ripstop material and reinforced edges add to the Puffin's durability. Though it doesn't become a poncho, we love the option to button it up and create a foot box at the bottom. Toes are many people's first body part to get cold, and the foot box is an excellent touch to combat this. You can simply leave it unbuttoned if you're wrapping the blanket around your shoulders.
Many of the camping blankets we tested come with claims about DWR treatment to repel water, wind-blocking technologies, and the power to shed every spec of dirt and hair that come in contact with it. However, not all of them lived up to their claims or our expectations. Models that repelled all spilled water during our testing include the Nemo Puffin, Rumpl Down Puffy, and Horizon Hound Down. The REI Co-op Camp very nearly repelled all of our spillages but did take up a little bit of water at the seams.
Similarly, the Alps Mountaineering Wavelength and Zefabak Down repelled most water, but after the puddle was removed, the top layer of material was damp to the touch. Both the Kelty Bestie and the SnugPak Jungle initially resisted the water but ended up soaking the entire amount through several layers after a few minutes. Though both wool blankets, the Pendleton Yakima and Ektos Wool, obviously soaked up all the water we put on them, they both maintained a puddle for the amount of time it would take to grab a towel and clean it up. Wool also boasts the benefit of keeping its insulating powers even when wet.
Packed Size
Depending on what kind of use you're hoping to get out of your camping blanket, you might care about its packed size and portability. We weighed every model we tested. We also measured their sizes in the stuff sacks they came with and crammed each one into a compression sack to see how small we could make them. We considered the usability of each stuff sack and any features that might add to their versatility.
The apparent frontrunners in this metric are the two smallest down blankets we tested, the Rumpl Down Puffy and Horizon Hound Down. Both of these blankets weigh barely more than a pound and can be squeezed into tiny spaces, making either of them solid contenders for a winter backpacking trip. Both also come with nearly identical stuff sacks that are narrow and thin with a roll-top that lets you compress them to a reasonably small size, even without a separate compression sack. This portability is ideal for travel where space is at a premium.
The REI Camp and Kelty Bestie are also solid contenders. Both of these synthetic blankets are relatively lightweight (the REI Camp ties for the same weight as the Rumpl Down) and fit easily into small-ish stuff sacks. Though the SnugPak Jungle is heavier than we'd generally like for a portable option, it's also significantly larger than any other one-person camping blanket we tested and is the only one that comes with its own compression sack.
Features & Design
Though we assigned this metric the lowest weight, each blanket's features and design elements still impact the overall performance. We considered extra features like pockets, loops, and tie-downs, as well as those little things we noticed during testing that don't fall into any other testing area, like warranties and washability.
The Nemo Puffin is the only camping blanket we tested that includes a zippered pocket on the actual blanket. This is an excellent spot for a set of keys, a rock (for weight on a windy day), or even the stuff sack itself, to stop it from being lost. The Rumpl is the only model we tested with four corner loops for tying or staking down on a windy day or hanging up to dry. The Horizon Hound and REI Camp also have a loop for hanging your blanket. The Zefabak includes small pockets on the two corners that end up on the front of your poncho, which can be used to keep your hands warm — as long as you have relatively long arms to reach them.
When it comes to cleaning them, each blanket differs as to how you can treat it. All but three we tested can be washed at home in a front-loading washer on a delicate setting and air-dried. Down blankets can have their filling re-fluffed in your home dryer on a gentle, no-heat cycle with a few clean tennis balls. The three blankets that require special care are the Alps Mountaineering Wavelength (must be washed in a commercial machine), the Zefabak Down (hand-wash, spot treatment only), and the Pendleton Yakima (dry clean only). Probably the most alarming blanket we washed at home is the Ektos Wool blanket, which sheds lint and color like crazy for the first several washes, and we think it will probably last longer if you can avoid washing it as much as possible.
Conclusion
There are plenty of camping blankets out there that cover a wide range of comfort and warmth. Some are easier to take care of, and some require special treatment. Some are small enough to take backpacking, while others are versatile enough for cold-weather camping or lazy Sundays on the couch. No matter what you want your camping blanket for, we hope that our thorough testing has helped you find the best blankie for your needs.
— Maggie Brandenburg
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