If you’re sitting outside when there’s a chill in the air, you need a blanket to keep you warm. It could be an evening stargazing session or chatting with friends around a fire pit, on a camping trip or at a sporting event, where often a jacket isn’t enough to keep the cold at bay. A blanket is also made for two (or more) and creates instant coziness when you pull it around you and a loved one.
The best outdoor blankets will keep you warm and protected from the elements with waterproofing that also means you can put them on damp ground for picnics. They should be portable so you can carry them with your camping gear or keep in the car when you need some extra insulation when the temperature drops. Of course, they also come into their own in an emergency. When someone has an accident and you want to keep them warm or your car breaks down, for example, you’ll be glad you have one.
Oceas Outdoor Waterproof Blanket
Keep warmth in and water out
This waterproof blanket has a double-coated backing to keep the soft fleece fabric dry and cosy at all times. Measuring 79” x 58”, it offers the warmth of an indoor blanket only with protection from the elements. It folds up into a compact bag for carrying so you can take its warm, waterproof qualities wherever you go.
Mexican Blanket
The old designs are the best
Handwoven in Mexico, these blankets are made traditionally by artisan weavers on wooden looms using recycled material. As well as looking great in your pictures, they will keep you and however many friends you can fit under their 50” x 75” size nice and cosy. They come in 11 different designs and get softer with each machine wash.
Get Out Gear Down Camping Blanket
The warmth of down in a water-resistant shell
Thanks to an 80-20 blend of responsibly-sourced duck down and feathers, this blanket has a 650 Fill Power which will help keep you warm when the temperature plummets. Its ripstop nylon shell has a water-repellent finish that will also keep you (and the filling) dry. The unique qualities of down mean it’s hard to beat for warmth, weight and packability although it doesn't work well when wet. Three snap fastenings let you change it into a poncho to keep things even cosier.
DOWN UNDER OUTDOORS Large Waterproof Windproof Extra Thick Quilted Fleece Stadium Blanket
Resist wind and water in this big blanket
Stay warm and dry under this weatherproof blanket. The water and wind resistant backing and 300 gsm polar fleece will make things cosy whatever the elements throw at you. At 82” x 55”, it’s easily big enough for two. A hidden pocket is a good place for keys, phone or the oversized stuff sack you get to pack it in.
Bottom line
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The best outdoor blankets bring home comfort coziness to any activity in the fresh, cool air. While everyone understands the importance of wearing the right clothes for the conditions, having a blanket adds an extra layer of warmth that allows you to enjoy being outside whether it’s watching your kids play sport, having a picnic or sitting around the campfire. To keep the cold and wet at bay, we would recommend the Oceas Outdoor Waterproof Blanket. It’s warm, waterproof and portable, making it the ideal outdoor blanket for most people.
If you want the warmest blanket that packs up small enough for backpacking, we would go for the Get Out Gear Down Camping Blanket. The duck down filling is hard to beat for heat retention and compactness, although you need to shake it out to redistribute the filling before use.
