When making a list of essential outdoor equipment, you probably think of objects like sleeping bags and inflatable pillows. Don’t forget to add a camping blanket to your line-up, too!
Whether you’re stargazing during a camping trip or just trying to make a nighttime picnic a little more comfortable, there’s a camping blanket for you.
Keep reading to learn all about the best camping blanket for every need and situation.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Kammok Firebelly 30 Trail Quilt
Best Budget
KingCamp Down Alternative Camping Blanket
Best Cold Weather
Arcturus Military Wool Blanket
Best Overall
Kammok Firebelly 30 Trail Quilt
The Kammok Firebelly 30 Trail Quilt takes the cake as the best camping blanket above all others! There are so many qualities to love about this blanket, from its versatility to its durability, that it’s hard to pick just a few to discuss.
While the Kammok Firebelly is superb at its original job of being a blanket, it’s just as good at a number of other uses that will keep you dry and warm.
Specifically, this particular camp blanket has shock cords and snaps that can turn it into a sleeping bag, poncho, or hammock underquilt. You can also use the snaps with a second blanket to create a larger blanket when one isn’t enough.
In addition, the Kammok Firebelly is an incredibly warm, high-quality blanket that’s effective both on its own and in combination with other blankets and sleeping gear.
Another characteristic that has campers of all shapes and sizes raving about the Kammok Firebelly is its length. This camp blanket is long enough that it’s good for people of all heights. In other words, you won’t find your toes cold in the middle of the night!
Finally, if you’re looking for an incredibly comfortable camp blanket, look no further! The Kammok Firebelly is extremely cozy thanks to its fluffiness. Despite its fluff, though, it’s still really lightweight and flexible and can wrap around you with no problem.
The one noticeable drawback to this blanket is its price tag. This camping blanket is an investment, but it’s so durable and long-lasting that it’ll pay off when you enjoy it for many camping trips and outdoor picnics!
Product Features
- Good in temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit
- Nylon shell and insulated with water-resistant down
- Weighs one pound, 12 ounces
- 88 x 55 inches (similar to a twin-sized comforter)
- Comes with a stuff sack that’s 7 x 14 inches
Pros
- Large
- Water-resistant
- Withstands cold temperatures
- Multi-purpose
- Easy to use
Cons
- Expensive
- Down might clump up in certain areas of the blanket if packed tightly for too long
Best Budget
KingCamp Down Alternative Camping Blanket
For those campers and nature lovers looking for the best camping blanket on a budget, look no further! The KingCamp Down Alternative Camping Blanket is the blanket for you.
This camp blanket has all the hallmarks of the more expensive options on our “best of” list. It’s warm yet lightweight and is both easy to clean and simple to pack up.
The soft and silky material that the KingCamp blanket is made of is great for people and pets! Your furry friends will snuggle into this blanket on cold nights outdoors.
Furthermore, this camping blanket is just as good a picnic blanket as a poncho! You can successfully utilize it for whatever purpose you may need.
A few features of the KingCamp blanket are important when evaluating it as a potential best camping blanket.
For one, this blanket accumulates a little moisture when it gets too warm, which is a function of the down alternative it contains.
In addition, the packing pouch that this blanket comes with is a little unwieldy, with a small zipper and a larger-than-necessary sack. However, this feature doesn’t make it impossible to travel with the KingCamp Down Alternative Camping Blanket. It’s just something to be aware of!
Product Features
- Four different options range from .97 pounds and 69 x 53 inches to 1.8 pounds and 75.2 x 55.1 inches
- Waterproof
- Nylon fabric filled with a down alternative
- Snaps allow you to securely wrap it around yourself and connect multiple blankets together
- Machine washable
Pros
- Great range of size offerings
- Inexpensive
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Carrying pouch is a little difficult to deal with
- Accumulates moisture
- Kind of a short length
Best Cold Weather
Arcturus Military Wool Blanket
The Arcturus Military Wool Blanket is hands down the best camping blanket if you’re looking for something that will withstand even the coldest temperatures.
Obviously, the crowning feature of this camp blanket is that it’s super warm. It’s also very long, so it will keep people of all different heights comfortable against the elements.
Even though the Arcturus is significantly weightier than many other options on this list, it achieves the tricky balance of providing the weight needed to keep you warm but not be impossible to carry.
This blanket is a durable piece of equipment that will hold up to years of usage but will soften and become more comfortable as you use it more.
On another note, a fun feature of this blanket is that it comes in a variety of colors, so you can easily match it to the rest of your camping gear if you want to!
One function of wool blankets, including the Arcturus Military Wool Blanket, is that it smells strongly of lanolin. If lanolin isn’t necessarily the scent for you, try hanging it outside, washing the blanket with a wool-safe detergent, or taking it to the dry cleaners to lessen the smell.
Product Features
- Wool and 20% hypoallergenic synthetic fibers
- Machine washable
- Triple-washed, so they’re softer than the classic itchy wool blanket
- Weigh over four pounds
- More than five feet by seven feet
Pros
- Good coverage length-wise
- Fairly inexpensive
- Durable
Cons
- Heavy
- Requires extra care when washing
- Strong smell
Best Lightweight
Get Out Gear Down Camping Blanket
For people who want to travel light when they’re on the go outdoors, the Get Out Gear Down Camping Blanket is certainly the best camping blanket!
In fact, this blanket is so lightweight that you can even wear it instead of packing it up. This is because it has snaps that can convert the camp blanket into a poncho!
Part of what makes this camping blanket so effective is that it doesn’t have a lot of fluff to it, which makes it ideal for compact carrying. However, this soft and cozy blanket will still thoroughly warm you up although it’s so lightweight.
In addition, this blanket is fairly durable and holds up well over use, which makes it great to bring on a hike or to a far-away campsite with you.
The only potential downside for fans of being outdoors in the winter is that this blanket doesn’t do extremely cold temperatures well. It’s best for late summer and early fall, particularly if you plan to use it while sleeping on a camping trip.
On a practical note, the Get Out Gear Down Camping Blanket will likely arrive in the mail looking very flat. However, give it a little time outside of the packaging, and it’ll puff up a bit.
Product Features
- Nylon exterior and down interior
- Water-resistant
- Weighs 1.1 pounds
- 80 x 54 inches large
Pros
- Easy to pack
- Easy to carry
- Multi-purpose
Cons
- Not good for extremely low temperatures
- Not fluffy
Best Waterproof
YETI Lowlands Blanket
If you and your camping companions are prone to spills or if you’re spending time outdoors in a rainy area, the YETI Lowlands Blanket is your perfect match.
The material that this blanket is made out of works well on a variety of surfaces and geographies, including on dirt, grass, sand, and even rocky terrain. Plus, water falls right off of it!
It’s also fantastic for use by people who have pets. Pet dander and hair are no match for this blanket, and it’s almost impervious to long nails and claws!
With an unmatched durability, the YETI Lowlands Blanket is a breeze to fold and store in addition to its ease of use. Even though it’s a bit bulky, this camping blanket will fit well with the rest of your camping gear.
For optimal use, it’s important to note that the inside of the blanket is not attached to its outer cover. This means that it may move around slightly if you walk on it.
In addition, this camp blanket is best used on its own. It doesn’t have snaps or any other connectors to attach two blankets together, so it works well as a solo product.
Product Features
- Machine washable
- Exterior is waterproof, interior is insulated
- 79 x 55 inches
- Six pounds, 1.6 ounces
- Rubber backing
- Carrying bag with strap and handles
Pros
- Easy to care for
- Good for pets
- Versatile
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Not particularly soft
Buyer’s Guide to Camping Blankets
While our round-up of the best camping blanket has the best product for every situation, you may need a little more information to make a final decision. If this is you, never fear! Our buyer’s guide will come to the rescue with some insider tips and tricks for determining which camping blanket you should buy.
Difference in Materials
There’s a lot of variation between the many different materials that camp blankets can be made out of, and it’s important to break down exactly what each of these materials entails. A camping blanket that’s too itchy or difficult to clean may make or break your outdoors experience, so pay attention to what your potential purchase is made out of!
Wool
When you think of a classic camping blanket, you probably think of one that’s made out of wool.
Wool is a tried-and-true material for camp blankets because it’s incredibly thick and warm. However, with this extreme warmth and thickness comes a set of care instructions that are a little more finicky on the whole.
For example, a wool blanket may have a distinct smell that is appealing to some people but extremely off-putting to others.
In addition, a wool blanket may shed, which could create an unexpected mess. While this isn’t a hard and fast rule, wool blankets are sometimes more likely to shed if they’re machine washed as opposed to dry cleaned.
Down
Known as a filling for luxurious comforters and pillows, down is also a great filler for camping blankets! It’s soft and fluffy while not adding a ton of heft to the overall weight of the blanket itself.
However, because down is usually a mix of animal feathers, this material is probably not the option for you if you don’t like using animal products, have allergies or wouldn’t like feathers coming out of the blanket.
Down alternative/synthetic
Down alternative or down synthetic is just what it sounds like! This material is a solid option if you want the benefits of down without the hassle or concerns that come with real animal feathers.
Nylon
Although nylon may seem like a less traditional material for camp blankets, it comes with a number of benefits that could be helpful in a camping blanket.
One of the largest benefits of blankets made with nylon is that they’re super easy to clean spills off of!
Care Instructions
Once you’ve decided on a material for the best camping blanket for you, you’ll have to figure out exactly how to care for it! It’s most important to follow the specific care instructions that come with your individual blanket, but here are a few general guidelines about the maintenance of camp blankets as a whole.
Washing and Drying
Most camping blankets will hold up well in a washing machine as opposed to having to be hand washed or dry cleaned only. Care instructions usually differ the most when it comes to drying your camp blanket.
The only relevant note when it comes to washing camping blankets is that wool blankets may require wool-specific detergent. As always, look into this when reading the fine print of your specific camping blanket.
For down camping blankets, you can usually put your blanket in the dryer on low heat to slowly dry it and to redistribute the down internally.
Lots of camping blankets, and especially those not filled with down, may have to fully air dry. This is definitely the case for wool blankets, which should not be put in a dryer.
Relatedly, if you have a wool blanket with an incredibly strong lanolin smell, getting it dry cleaned may reduce the scent a little bit.
Storage
The biggest question when it comes to the storage of a camp blanket is whether you’ll be storing it for a long period of time or for a short period of time.
In a short-term storage situation, you can feel comfortable storing your camping blanket rolled up or in a compression sack.
However, if you’re gearing up to put your camp blanket in long-term storage, you should hang it in a dry, cool space or place it into a larger bag or container where it won’t be compressed.
Different Uses for Your Camping Blanket
Camping blankets have so many uses in addition to just utilizing them as a top layer for your bedding while camping in a tent! Here are a few ideas to get your creative side thinking about how you can use your camping blanket in more ways than one:
- Insulation layer on the ground – While this is a task best fit for the more waterproof camping blankets, many camping blankets are just as good at providing insulation under you as they are at providing insulation on top of you.
- Comforter for your bed at home – Camping blankets aren’t just for outdoors! Many of them are the perfect size and shape to use as a blanket on top of your bed all year round.
- Travel blanket on trains and planes – Because camping blankets are so good at being easily storable and portable, they’re the perfect multi-purpose blanket to pack with you on transportation of all types.
- Place for a pet to sleep – If you’re on the go with a sleepy pet or just want a crash pad for your pet that’s easy to get fur off of, a camp blanket is a solid option! They’ll provide the comfort and warmth that your pet needs for a good snooze both indoors and outdoors.
- In an emergency stash in your car or at home – You never know when you might need an extra source of warmth, insulation or comfort, so camping blankets are the ideal item to throw in your go-bag or emergency box.
- Put it in its carrying case and use it as a pillow – Are you more in need of a pillow than a blanket? No problem! Camping blankets can fold down into just a fraction of their size, and because of this, they make great travel pillows.
How to Find the Best Value
The price of the best camping blanket can get up there, especially if you’re looking for a blanket that will last you a long time.
If you’re trying to find a high-quality blanket at a reasonable price, check out sales at camping outfitters like REI.
In addition, don’t get a blanket that’s any bigger or fancier than you need. The bigger the blanket, the more it will cost, so think realistically about how many people will need to use this camping blanket if you’re looking to save some money.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re interested in the camp blankets we described at the beginning of the post but still aren’t sure which one you should choose as the best camping blanket for you. Hopefully, we can answer your lingering questions here!
Are camping blankets safe for pets?
Yes! Overall, camping blankets are safe for your pets to snuggle up with.
When it comes to each particular blanket, you may want to look closely at the blanket material before you make a final purchase.
Doing this research is particularly important if your pet has longer nails that run the risk of potentially ripping a blanket open. For example, a down-filled camping blanket with a thin cover may not be ideal for people who have pets with super long or sharp nails.
Can I use a camping blanket for winter camping?
A camp blanket is a great addition to your winter camping packing list!
However, as a matter of safety, it’s super important to check the product details and see what temperatures it’s meant to withstand. Especially if you plan on camping in the winter months, you must have a blanket that accurately fits your temperature needs.
When testing out your camping blanket outdoors for the first time, it’s a good idea to use it with your sleeping bag and other regular camping gear. Having backup gear will give you a good idea of how cold it can be outdoors for your blanket to work on its own.
Are camping blankets machine-washable?
Keeping your camping blanket clean between uses is essential; convenience is a big plus for this upkeep. Therefore, you might be interested in throwing your blanket in the wash!
Many camping blankets are machine washable, although it really comes down to the material of the individual blanket itself.
However, washing multiple times a week or weekly might pose an issue to camping blankets because they’re not made out of frequently washed material like bed sheets or towels are.
Usually, the bigger issue when caring for camp blankets is drying them because some blankets contain materials that may melt, shrink or clump up when put in the dryer.
As with most features of blankets used for the outdoors, pay special attention to the usage instructions on the tag before throwing your camp blanket into the washer, and you should be good to go.
Choosing the Best Camping Blanket for You
From occasional glampers who just want to enjoy an afternoon outdoors to hardcore survivalists looking for some serious warmth, our round-up of the five best camping blankets has something for everyone! This guide should give you all the information you need to pick the camping blanket that fits your needs.
Looking for other camping equipment to complete your outdoor experience? Check out our Gear section for more reviews and recommendations.
