The 10 Best Camping Blankets For Your Next Adventure

There are a number of items you must always remember to pack when you go camping. A tent is a must. Ditto a sleeping bag. Obviously, a flashlight, probably some chairs, a pillow, something to cook with, maybe some good camping slippers, and you’ll definitely want a great camping blanket. The best camping blankets essentially function as your best friend while you’re camping, as they can serve all kinds of functions while you’re out in the wilderness.

A camping blanket is basically a comfy multitool for when you’re away from civilization. It can be used as a quilt to keep you warm while you’re sleeping, or as a cape to keep you toasty when you’re not. It can function as a dry and comfortable place to sit or set up camp and can be rolled up to become a makeshift pillow. In a pinch, it can offer you protection from rain and wind, and some camping blankets can even be converted into legitimate ponchos. To accomplish all of these feats, the best camping blankets should be warm, durable, packable, and resistant to the rigors of being outdoors. We’ve selected a dozen that fit the bill, so take a look below to see our picks for the best camping blankets.

What To Look For in your next camping blanket

Materials: Like any technical gear, the material of your camping blanket will determine its purpose. For instance, cotton won’t be water-resistant or lightweight, but will also be much cozier. If you’re using your blanket to cover the ground rather than bundle up, opt for less porous materials such as polyester and other synthetics. And if there’s a chance of rain or morning dew, they will likely have more weather-resistant properties such as DWR coating.

Size: It goes without saying that any blanket is only as good as the people it needs to cover up. If you’re a solo camper (or solo within a group), then you’ll only need a smaller-sized blanket. However, if you head into the wilderness with a significant other or your family, you’ll likely want something a bit larger.

Weight: When traveling light, you might want to avoid heavier blankets, especially blankets made from cotton. However, most campers looking for something to keep them warm when its chilly will see blankets as an added luxury anyway.

Poncho Conversion: Many camping blankets today will have buttons at the corners so that you can wrap them around yourself hands-free. This is great for roasting marshmallows by the campfire or nighttime hiking.

Kelty Bestie Blanket

Best Budget Blanket: You don’t necessarily have to spend a ton of money to get a great camping blanket, and the Bestie from Kelty is proof of that. This blanket is focused on coziness, with soft brushed fabric on the outside and lightweight Cloudloft synthetic insulation on the inside. The blanket even comes with its own stuff sack and is also available in several fun colors. At this price, you might as well grab a bunch of them.

Matador Pocket Blanket

Best Pocketable Blanket: The most obvious drawback to packing a blanket for camping trips is the space they take up. Blankets can be bulky and difficult to pack, but the Matador Pocket Blanket is neither. The blanket literally folds small enough to fit in your pocket, and its Easy Pack Pattern means you won’t go crazy trying to do so. Constructed of water and puncture-resistant fabric, this mighty mini blanket creates a dry and comfortable lounging spot for two to four people when fully open.

Coalatree Kachula

Most Versatile: The cult-favorite Kachula is packed to the gills with helpful features. Both sides of the blanket are treated with water-resistant DWR coating, there’s a hidden zippered pocket for your valuables, and the blanket can be converted into a pillow or a hooded rain poncho. And thanks to its unique modular design, you can connect multiple Kachulas together to create one massive blanket, because who doesn’t want the option of building a waterproof blanket-fort while camping?

Alps Mountaineering Wavelength Blanket

Best Lightweight Quilted: If you’re buying a blanket from a company called Alps Mountaineering, you can be sure that it will keep you warm while offering protection from the elements. And that’s exactly what the Wavelength does. Its nylon exterior is resistant to dirt and water, while Alps’ proprietary TechLoft Silver insulation uses multiple denier staple-length fibers with a siliconized finish to provide extraordinary quilt-like warmth without added bulk. Plus, the included stuff sack makes packing a breeze.

Nemo Puffin

Best Overall: It’s clear that Nemo put a lot of thought into the design of the Puffin. Its catenary shape offers more coverage while sleeping than a traditional rectangular blanket. Its “Foot Nook” makes sure your feet stay covered and warm. Its ultra-lofty synthetic insulation excels at trapping heat. Its 40D micro-ripstop outer has been engineered to be both super-soft, tough, and quiet. And it’s all protected by Nemo’s lifetime warranty. Really, what didn’t they think of?

Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy Blanket

Most Trendy: If there’s one blanket that is the definitive “camping blanket,” it’s the Rumpl Puffy. This legendary piece of gear is known for its superb durability, warmth, water resistance, and comfort, while also being constructed of recycled materials. This version improves upon the original puffy with its revolutionary NanoLoft synthetic insulation. Made up of tiny circular bits of high-elastic cloth, NanoLoft mimics down’s heat-trapping ability, no matter the environment.

Ghost Outdoors Army Blanket

Best Wool: Maybe you prefer a camp blanket that’s a little more old-fashioned and a little less techy. For you, there’s the Army Blanket from Australia’s Ghost Outdoors. Woven from 100 percent Australian merino wool, this blanket is naturally soft, insulating, temperature-regulating, breathable, and odor-resistant. It’s even able to shrug off fire embers and is crafted in a heavy army-spec weight. The blanket also happens to look great and is available in several attractive minimalist patterns that were inspired by the Australian wilderness.

Kammok Bobcat 45 Down Trail Quilt

Best Overall Quilted: This highly-technical lightweight quilt makes for a great alternative to a bulky sleeping bag. It’s filled with water-repellent 600-fill power duck down and will keep you warm in temps as low as 45 degrees (hence the name). The Bobcat’s exterior of Atmos X 20D fabric is basically magic, as it’s soft, lightweight, strong, and resistant to liquids and abrasions. The blanket’s various snaps and cords make it super adaptable, too, as it can be converted to a poncho, a hammock underquilt, or practically anything the situation calls for.

Pendleton National Park Blanket

Most Attractive: When it comes to American heritage brands that celebrate the USA’s purple mountain majesty and amber waves of grain, they don’t get much more iconic than Pendleton. The 158-year-old Portland-based company has been creating blankets that honor America’s National Parks since the early 1900s, and that legacy continues today. These massive, soft, and warm blankets are Woven in American mills from 100 percent pure virgin wool and are available in patterns honoring such parks as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite.

YETI Lowlands Blanket

Most Durable: There’s arguably no hotter outdoor gear brand today than YETI. The Austin-based company began as a maker of high-end coolers in 2006, and now they offer just about everything one would need for any outdoor adventure. For proof of that, look no further than the Lowlands Blanket. Like all YETI products, it’s practically indestructible, resisting liquids, dirt, burrs, and even pet hair. Its HydroBarrier keeps the wet ground from soaking through, it can be staked down, and it’s also padded, soft, and insulated. Plus, it comes with a heavy-duty zippered carrying case.

The Best Camping Slippers for Men

There’s not much sense in snuggling up all cozy if your feet are just going to be cold. Fight off creeping chills by sliding your toes into a pair of the best camping slippers.