Do you want to stay warm and cozy around your campfire? Or maybe you’d like an extra layer to keep you warm in your sleeping bag? Then you need a camping blanket! Camping blankets are perfect for cooler days, for evenings, and even for picnics and hiking trips. They’re an easy way to add a sense of home comfort to your trip, and we’ve found five of the best camping blankets for you!
Each of the top five camping blankets we’ve reviewed here was recommended by our expert advisor. Their top pick was the Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Blanket. Not only does it provide warmth, as all good blankets should, but it’s also lightweight, can be worn as a poncho, and can be easily packed down small, making it very portable.
While camping blankets can be bulky, there are also options that work well if you’re trying to shave weight while backpacking or primitive camping.
Our Expert’s Top 5 Camping Blankets
| Expert’s Picks | Model | Rating | Size | Weight | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Blanket | 54″ x 78″ | 1.88lbs | Nylon | |
| Best Budget | Bedsure Fleece Blanket Throw | 50″ x 60″ | 1.19lbs | Microfiber fleece | |
| Best Eco-Friendly | Benevolence LA Authentic Mexican Blanket | 50″ 75″ | 2.05lbs | Recycled Acrylic + Cotton | |
| Best Extra-Large | Arcturus Military Wool Blanket | 64″ x 88″ | 4.5lbs | 80% wool; 20% hypoallergenic synthetic fibers | |
| Best Survival Blanket | Arcturus Heavy Duty Survival Blanket | 60″ x 82″ | 1lb | Mylar and polypropylene |
*Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 5 and based on reviews, feedback, and opinions of actual customers
In This Article
Who Should Buy a Camping Blanket
- Campers who want to stay warm in the evenings – If you love sitting around the campfire once the sun goes down, a camping blanket is a great way to stay cozy and warm. Even if you plan to be inside your tent, you’ll likely be glad of your blanket while playing board games together.
- Campers with young kids – Got little ones? A camping blanket is a great way to snuggle up for some bedtime stories. It can also be a makeshift picnic blanket or beach blanket. You could even use it to make a play tent during the day.
- Car campers with extra room in the trunk – If you’ve got space in your trunk, why not pack a camping blanket? You might even want to keep an emergency camping blanket in your trunk at all times, just in case.
Who Should Not Buy a Camping Blanket
- Campers hiking in warmer weather – Even a small, lightweight blanket is going to add to the weight you’re carrying. If you’re hiking in warm weather, you probably won’t need a camping blanket. You could just take a warm sweater instead.
- Glampers who’ll have bedding supplied – If you’re on a glamping trip and your bedding is supplied for you, then you probably won’t need a camping blanket. Of course, you could still take one if you want some of the comforts of home.
- Weight-conscious backpackers – Generally, camping blankets aren’t much use when backpacking, simply because your sleeping bag will work well to keep you warm, and any extra weight is superfluous. That said, there are some lighter options, and if weight isn’t a huge concern or you’re on a short overnight backpacking trip, a camping blanket could still have a place in your kit.
Research Tips
When you’re looking for the best camping blanket, you’ll want to keep some key considerations in mind. It’s definitely worth doing your research, as you want to make sure your blanket is soft and cozy and that it’ll stand up to repeated washing.
- Check the size of the blanket – Make sure you’re getting a blanket that’s the appropriate size for what you want. If you plan to snuggle under your blanket with your partner, then get a large one. If you’re buying a blanket for a child, go with a smaller one that won’t swamp them completely.
- Look for a blanket that can do double duty – If you only camp occasionally, you might want to opt for a camping blanket that would look great in your living room. Alternatively, you could choose a camping blanket that provides enough warmth to keep you safe in an emergency situation, especially if you don’t carry a space blanket for emergencies.1
- Consider how your blanket will stand up to rain – Some camping blankets are waterproof, and wool blankets can keep you warm even when they’re wet. If you’re likely to face rainy weather when camping, make sure you’ve picked a suitable blanket.
- Check how heavy the blanket is – While weight may not matter much if you’re car camping, it’s a huge factor if you plan to hike to your campground. Always check the weight before purchasing a blanket.
How Much Do They Cost?
Between $30 and $70
Most camping blankets cost somewhere between $30 and $70, depending on their size and features. You can find cheaper blankets below this range, though they most likely aren’t specifically designed for camping.
Large blankets designed to keep you warm even on cold nights will be at the top end of the price range. Blankets that pack down small for hiking also tend to be more expensive. Some very well-known brands, like Rumpl blankets, will cost considerably more than $70. (For example, the original Rumpl Puffy blanket starts at $99 for the smaller, one-person size.)
Our Methodology: Why Trust Adventure Daily
We took a detailed look at a wide range of camping blankets to choose our top 5. We considered factors like warmth, durability, weight, and value. You want a camping blanket that will keep you warm and that will be suitable for use over and over again. We’ve kept that in mind when making our recommendations.
The Best Camping Blankets: Full Reviews
The Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Blanket is a lightweight, portable blanket that will keep you warm and toasty at your campsite. It doubles up as a poncho using integrated snaps, making it easy to walk around without needing to hold onto your blanket.
With the included stuff sack, this blanket packs down small (to 17″ by 6.5″) so it’s an easily portable option if you’re hiking. It folds out to 78″ x 54″, so it’s definitely large enough to sleep under too.
- Large, warm blanket that packs down small
- Wise Owl is a family-owned USA company
- Very lightweight (1.88lbs) – ideal for hiking
- Rated at 40°F – decently warm even for colder nights
- May be hard to compress fully for packing
The Bedsure Fleece Blanket Throw is a great option if you’re on a tight budget. While it’s not specifically designed for use as a camping blanket, you could certainly pack this in your car for your next trip.
The blanket is designed with a smooth side and a fuzzy side, so you can have it whichever way up you prefer. It’s really soft and should stay that way even after repeated washing.
- Wide range of colors and sizes available
- Would look great at home as well as camping
- Quality blanket at a great price
- Won’t pack down small, so not suitable for hiking
- May shed a lot in the dryer
The Benevolence LA Authentic Mexican Blanket is a soft and cozy handmade blanket that comes in a range of bold colorful designs. This eco-friendly blanket is made from 100% recycled materials and a percentage of profits go to charitable causes.
It’s soft and large (75″x51″) so it’s great for wrapping around yourself while sitting by the campfire. However, it’s not as thick or warm as other camping blankets, so it’s not going to keep you toasty on a cold night.
- Wide range of colorful designs available
- Budget-friendly price
- Made from 100% recycled materials
- Not warm enough for very chilly evenings
- Won’t pack down small
The Arcturus Military Wool Blanket is a perfect option for couples, at 64″ x 88″. It’s 80% wool, so it’ll keep you warm even if it gets wet. Plus, it’s machine washable and should get softer with every wash.
It’s a great choice for car camping rather than hiking, as it weighs 4lbs and needs to be folded (to around 16″ x 11″ x 4) rather than packed in a stuff sack.
- Really large blanket suitable for two people
- Folds up relatively small
- Stays warm even when wet
- Weighs 4.5 lbs so relatively heavy to carry
- Needs to be line-dried not placed in a dryer
The Arcturus Heavy Duty Survival Blanket is a great option if you want a blanket that can be used in emergencies. It’s large (102″ x 144″) and suitable for reuse, so you can use it to stay warm or even as a makeshift tent.
It could also be used as a ground cloth or a temporary shelter. It’s windproof and waterproof, with an aluminum side that can reflect heat or even create a signal for help.
- Survival blanket that’s ideal for emergencies
- Can be used to create a tent or temporary shelter
- Packs down small in a carry bag
- Not designed for sitting around the campfire
- Some reviewers reported that the seams ripped easily
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of blanket is best for camping?
Are cotton blankets good for camping?
How do you camp with a blanket (instead of a sleeping bag)?
Are Rumpl blankets worth it?
Article Sources
Adventure Daily uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- MCR Medical. How do Emergency Blankets Work to Keep Me Warm? Mcrmedical.com. Updated December 8, 2016. Accessed August 31, 2021.
- Alami A. 50 Uses for an Emergency Blanket. Seattlebackpackersmagazine.com. Published April 23, 2013. Accessed August 31, 2021.
- City of Phoenix. Flammable Fabrics. Phoenix.gov. Accessed August 31, 2021.
