10 Best Camping Blankets of 2024

The Pendleton Yakima is an Editor’s Pick, because it’s what we consider a forever blanket – the type you use for many years, then pass down as a family heirloom. The wool is the best in the industry: an extraordinarily heavy and thick blend that’s warm but highly breathable, so this blanket is always the perfect temperature whether it’s a breezy night under the stars or a cold, windy, stormy evening. We love our Yakima Blanket so much that we carry it from room to room at home, whether we’re lounging on the porch or curling up in front of the TV. We’re also huge fans of the National Parks Blankets, which are made from even finer wool. Both of these beautiful blankets are 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.

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, which is perfect for windy days at the beach or when there’s a lot of activity around your blanket. The Festival Blanket folds down small enough to easily pack in a picnic basket or tote bag, so we often keep it in the car or a go-bag for adventures. 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.

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, so it’s perfect for misty mornings and damp evenings, since it dries incredibly fast. 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).

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.

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 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.

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 long run, 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. We’re big fans of the horizontal baffling that’s effective at keeping warmth in, but allowing maximum breathability where you want it. Certainly, the Poncho style isn’t for everyone, and it’s a little less versatile than a blanket, but we love this unique Poler model: it offers wearable convenience that a typical blanket can’t touch. If you want to take the cozy factor up a notch further, check out Poler’s full-length Napsack – it’s an extra-long poncho that can be transformed into a sleeping bag.