The cold can kill people who are on a backpacking trip. The wilderness or outdoors is not a gentle place to be. It is important to bring as much comfort that we can. A good backpacking blanket can provide extra warmth if your sleeping bag is not warm enough. There are lots of blankets that are available in the Internet. I have listed some remarkable backpacking blankets that you should take a look at. I feel that you’re going to be delighted with one of the blankets below mainly because I know that these blankets are very good.
Best Backpacking Blankets – Quick Chart
| Backpacking Blankets | Weight | Dimensions | Waterproof | Compact |
| 1. Snugpak Jungle Blanket | 1.56 lbs | 76″ x 64″ | Water Resistant | Yes |
| 2. Cocoon CoolMax Blanket | 11.2 oz | 55″ x 70″ | No | Yes |
| 3. Genuine US Military All Weather Poncho Liner Blanket | 2 lbs | 82″ x 62″ | No | Yes |
| 4. Pratico All-Purpose Outdoor Blanket | 1.57 lbs | 48″ x 58″ | Water Resistant | Yes |
| 5. Kelty Bestie Blanket | 1.8 lbs | 75.5″ x 42.5″ x 1″ | One side water resistant | Yes |
| 6. Down Under Outdoors Premium Large Waterproof Blanket | 2.5 lbs | 82″ x 55″ | Waterproof | Yes |
| 7. Coleman Stratus Adult Fleece Sleeping Bag Liner | 1.65 lbs | 33″ x 75″ | No | |
| 8. Puredown Packable Down Throw Sport Blanket | 1.6 lbs | 50” x 70″ | No | Yes |
| 9. NEMO Puffin Camping Blanket | 2 lbs | 60″ x 86″ | No | Yes |
| 10. Therm-A-Rest Stellar Outdoor, Camping, Picnic, and Beach Blanket | 1.3 lbs | 68″ x 56″ | No | Yes |
| 11. Pendleton Roll Up Blanket | 1.75 lbs | 70″ x 60″ x 0.2″ | One side Waterproof | Yes |
| 12. Life Bivy Emergency Sleeping Bag Thermal Bivvy | 5.6 oz | 7′ long by 3′ wide | Yes | Yes |
| 13. Oceas Extra Large Waterproof Outdoor Blanket | 2.5 lbs | 79″ x 58″ | Yes | Yes |
| 14. CozyCoverz Outdoor Rainproof & Windproof Stadium Blanket | 1.4 lbs | 50″ x 60″ | Water Resistant | Yes |
| 15. Get Out Gear Down Camping Blanket | 1.1 lbs | 72” x 58” | Water Resistant | Yes |
How To Choose A Backpacking Blanket
Types Of Blankets For The Outdoors
Here are some blankets that can be used for outdoor purposes.
Warm Blanket
Warm blankets for the outdoors are often standard blankets. There is nothing special about them other than that they provide warmth. These blankets are often made out of wool but they can really be made out of anything. There are outdoor blankets that resemble my comforter at home.
Stadium Blanket
Stadium blankets are very good for backpacking and camping since they are often very warm and light in weight. They are not that compact. A stadium blanket will often have a water resistant side and the other side will be very soft. One side will protect from the weather while the other will provide comfort.
Emergency Blanket
Emergency blankets are often waterproof and made out of Mylar. They retain the body heat of the user and try to keep the user warm. These are very light in weight and compact which makes them ideal for backpacking also.
Backpacking Blanket
There are many kinds of backpacking blankets. Let us just say that these blankets are designed to keep the person warm or add additional warmth to the sleeping bag. These blankets are very light in weight and compact also. These blankets are very easy to carry and pack.
Outer Material Of The Backpacking Blanket
Microfiber
Microfiber blankets are very common. Microfiber is very soft and feels good on the skin. This material is also quick drying and easy to wash.
Wool
Wool blankets provide plenty of warmth which makes them ideal for camping. Wool is also breathable and moisture wicking. So they allow sweat to evaporate and allow air to circulate. They keep the person dry which means that the person will be comfortable underneath the blanket and not wet from sweat.
Polyester
Polyester blankets tend to last for a long time. Polyester material can be washed and dried multiple times and it will still look new. This is a very durable material and very affordable also. Polyester blankets will often have a filling to make the item warmer and this will also provide insulation to the user.
DWR Finish
DWR finish adds a water repellent coating to the blanket. Not all blankets will have this. Most of the time, the DWR finish is added to the polyester material. This is a great way to make the blanket very water repellent.
Fillings of The Backpacking Blanket
Down
Down comes from the plumage of a bird. Down is a form of a bird’s feather. Downs offer a lot of warmth and insulation. Most down feathers come from duck and geese. Down provides a lot of insulation and warmth but they are also not very good with water. Down fillings will not dry very easily when they get wet.
Synthethic
There are many types of synthetic fillings. Synthetic insulation stays warm and they handle getting wet very well. They do not clumped up like down feathers. Synthetic provides a lot of warmth and insulation as well but they may cost more than down feathers. Synthetic fillings are guaranteed to be animal cruelty free. For downs, we really do not know how they removed the feathers from the animals. If you care about animals, synthetic fillings would be more ideal for you.
General Features To Think About
Weight
The weight of the blanket is very important. If we can bring a lot of weight in our trip to the wilderness, it is highly likely we will bring a very big and comfortable comforter. Unfortunately, we only have a limited amount of weight that we can carry. Most people carry around 15 to 20 pounds. This is not a lot. We also have to carry tents, cookware, water, survival gear and so on. A good blanket should be around 1 to 2 pounds.
Pack Size
Since we only have a limited amount of backpack space, the pack size is also very important. We also have to bring lots of items so we must make sure that we have plenty of room for necessities. The best way to do that is to get items that are very compact. Luckily for us, there are plenty of outdoor blankets to choose from.
Comfort
The more comfortable the blanket, the better. In the wilderness, it can get pretty cold and pretty uncomfortable. It is best that we get a blanket that allows us to feel warm and comfortable while in the outdoors. Comfort will allow us to sleep better also. A comfortable blanket will permit our bodies to rest and relax better.
Water Resistant
A good outdoor blanket should also be water resistant. Although, if you want more warmth, you may not be able to get this feature. There are also waterproof blankets but they are often very heavy. They are not suitable for backpacking. A good water resistant, lightweight and comfortable blanket is what we are looking for. There are plenty to choose from.
Material
Some materials are just more comfortable than others. Certain materials give nice features as well like water resistant, pack size, weight, and so on. The material of the blanket should be considered. If you are shopping for a nice blanket, it is ideal that one side is water resistant and one side is very comfortable. So each side are both made out of different materials. This will ensure that you can feel comfortable with one side while protected with the other.
Best Backpacking Blankets
Here are some amazing backpacking blankets that are very warm and very easy to carry. All product links are affiliate links.
1. Snugpak Jungle Blanket
Weight: 1.56 lbs
Dimensions: 76″x64″
Waterproof: Water Resistant
Material: Polyester
Feature Summary: Soft and gentle material, Temperature rating 45 degrees, low 36 degrees, travel soft insulation
Short Review: There are many backpacking blankets that I really like however this is one of my favorites. This provides a lot of warmth and a lot of comfort. It feels good to wrap this around my body when I am about to sleep. This is very lightweight so it is easy to carry. I like that this is antibacterial and antimicrobial which makes it very clean and easy to wash. A considerable amount of effort is put into the development of this item which makes it really resilient. Offers a lot of comfort and this helps people have a good night sleep. This has high loft fiber insulation will not lose function even after compression packing and insulated for superior heat retention to keep you warm.
2. Cocoon CoolMax Blanket
Weight: 11.2 oz
Dimensions: 55″x70″
Waterproof: No
Material: 100% Polyester
Feature Summary: Compact design, small and lightweight , CoolMax knit is warm, wicks moisture away, breathable
Short Review: A good deal of people are typically astonished at how exceptional this lightweight blanket is. High quality items like this one increases their company’s reputation and trust. This is very warm and very comfortable. Feels good to snuggle with at night. The weight is very light which makes this outdoor friendly and easy to carry as well. I see this a lot with people who love to go camping because this is made out of high quality materials. This item has a wonderful design that permits it to be really effective, warm, comfortable and inexpensive. Provides lots of warmth that I feel like I can always fall asleep easily with this. This blanket is warm, breathes well, wicks moisture away effectively and feels great on your skin.
3. Genuine US Military All Weather Poncho Liner Blanket
Weight: 2 lbs
Dimensions: 82″ x 62″
Waterproof: No
Material: Nylon, Polyester
Feature Summary: This has been known to be durable, U.S Military Issue Poncho Liner , USA Made
Short Review: You will surely love and make use of this blanket on a regular basis. The first outdoor blanket that I had was this item. It is a standard issue poncho liner blanket for the US military. I highly recommend this item considering that it has the power to provide warmth and create a comfortable place to sleep. This is just what I expected and for the right selling price as well. Easy to carry because of the compact design which makes this ideal for the outdoors. Very durable and feels good on the skin. I like the camouflage design. It is a little heavy but it works well. One of the best items I have ever used for my outdoor adventures.
4. EDCAMP Large Waterproof Stadium Blanket
Weight: 1.57 lbs
Dimensions: 48 x 58 inches
Waterproof: Water Resistant
Material: Polyester, Nylon
Feature Summary: Outdoor friendly, soft 220 gsm 100% polar fleece, designed to be compact and space saving, easily rolls up or folds compactly
Short Review: I love this camping blanket a good deal and I know you will also. This is a very versatile blanket that can be used in a lot of ways. You can use it to watch a cold stadium game as well. This provides lots of warmth to keep you very comfortable. Affordability and high quality material are a couple of superb qualities of this item. This feels very comfortable and a must have if you want to sleep very well. This just makes camping a lot easier and this is very high quality as well. It is important that the item be able to provide warmth and create a comfortable place to sleep and have a low price also. I like that this is extremely durable because there are many horrible blankets that are very fragile.
5. Kelty Bestie Blanket
Weight: 1.8 lbs
Dimensions: 75.5 x 42.5 x 1 in
Waterproof: One side water resistant
Material: 75D Polyester Taffeta, 190T Poly Pungee
Feature Summary: High quality, great item for outdoor activities, insulated with Cloud loft, keep you and your besties warm
Short Review: There are a number of people that purchased this outdoor blanket mainly because this is impressive. Kelty has been one of the best and trustworthy company I have ever come across when it comes to outdoor gear. One side is fit to resist the elements and keep you dry while in use as a picnic blanket, while the reverse side provides soft brushed fabric. Compact design is very useful especially if you want to bring lots of items in the outdoors. The usefulness this brings for camping purposes is amazing and this is high quality as well. One of the best things I really like regarding this is very comfortable. The price is pretty affordable too. This is among the best mainly because its durability is amazing.
| Check Out My Other Reviews – backpacking hammocks – backpacking gloves – backpacking two person tents – backpacking utensils – backpacking winter jackets |
6. Down Under Outdoors Premium Large Waterproof Blanket
Weight: 2.5 lbs
Dimensions: 82 x 55″
Waterproof: Waterproof
Material: Polyester, 250 gsm anti-pill polar fleece
Feature Summary: Waterproof blanket, gives lots of warmth, and good rain protection. Heavy duty and durable.
Short Review: You should check out this backpacking blanket due to the fact it may well be the item that you are looking for. This lightweight blanket can save you from life’s little or big mistakes by being a moisture barrier to unwanted spills. I believe that this high quality blanket surpassed my expectations and I am certain it will surpass yours as well. A considerable amount of people give this item a great review because it is very sturdy and very warm. This is very versatile as well. This can be used as a mat for picnics or beach, camping, sports stadiums, and more. The space saving design is amazing especially if we are carrying a lot of items. Versatile item that makes the outdoors a lot more fun and this is high quality as well.
7. Coleman Stratus Adult Fleece Sleeping Bag Liner
Weight: 1.65 lbs
Dimensions: 33-” by 75-”
Waterproof: No
Material: Fleece
Feature Summary: Great way to sleep comfortably, 50 degrees Fahrenheit, ZipPlow system, 12 degrees of thermal protection
Short Review: This is a great camping blanket that I know you will like. Coleman is one of the best companies when it comes to outdoor items. This item is very good, its no wonder that this has a great deal of positive consumer reviews. This item is a great addition to your camping sleeping gear as it provides extra warmth. This item can be used in conjunction with a sleeping bag. This feels very comfortable and a must have if you want to sleep very well. This hiking item is good to have and this is very high quality as well.
8. Puredown Packable Down Throw Sport Blanket
Weight: 1.6 lbs
Dimensions: 50” x 70″
Waterproof: No
Material: Polyester, Siberia Down, Siberia Feather
Feature Summary: Made out of high quality materials, 8 oz. premium down feather, double stitched edges, prevents down fill from shifting
Short Review: There is absolutely no question that this outdoor blanket is actually pretty good. This item is not very compact but it is very comfortable. This is most likely one of the most comfortable blankets that I have ever tried. It is very lightweight too. If I am going on a car camping trip that is very short, I would just use this one. This is designed to be very comfortable and help you fall asleep. Ideal item to have for camping due to the comfort it brings but it is really made for indoor and light outdoor use.
9. NEMO Puffin Camping Blanket
Weight: 2 lbs
Dimensions: 60×86 in
Waterproof: No
Material: Nylon
Feature Summary: Provides insulation, foot nook to keep your feet warm, nice durable design.
Short Review: There are a good deal of things that I love relating to this lightweight blanket. This item has lots of positive customer reviews which should provide plenty of info to anyone considering of getting this blanket. Very comfortable but very expensive as well. It is rather big and very soft. It feels good to sleep with this one as it is very soft. This is very compact which is great because we can have more room in our backpack. Multi-purpose blanket that feels good and very comfortable. Very durable and feels good to the skin.
10. Therm-A-Rest Stellar Outdoor, Camping, Picnic, and Beach Blanket
Weight: 1.3 lbs
Dimensions: 68″ x 56″
Waterproof: No
Material: 100% Post-consumer Recycled material
Feature Summary: Material feels good on the skin, warm & eco-friendly, fast-drying technical fabrics
Short Review: I am pretty happy that I bought this given that this is a very excellent outdoor blanket. You will know that I am not the only one who likes this wonderful blanket just by looking at the positive consumer reviews. This blanket is pretty good. Comes in three colors and designs so you can choose the right design that is right for you. The material feels strong and the blanket itself feels very durable. This brings a lot of comfort especially if you want to have a good night sleep. If you love backpacking, then this is a great item to have because this makes sleeping on the ground more comfortable.
| Check Out My Other Reviews – backpacking hammocks – backpacking pants – camping kettles – hiking belts – travel wipes |
11. Pendleton Roll Up Blanket
Weight: 1.75 lbs
Dimensions: 70 x 60 x 0.2 inches
Waterproof: One Side
Compact: 100% Wool; 100% Nylon
Feature Summary: Warm and cozy, made in US, 100% pure virgin wool blanket, easy to pack
Short Review: This remarkable item helps provide warmth and create a comfortable place to sleep. This blanket is one of the most comfortable blankets I have ever come across. This is lightweight and very durable. The only drawback is that it is not very compact. However, this is a great blanket for travels, airplane, camping and so on. If you have room at the bottom of your backpack then this is a great blanket to bring on your backpacking trip. This is very comfortable and provides a great night sleep. Ideal item to have for outdoor and travel purposes. There is not much to point out other than that this feels good on the skin. This incredible company created another impressive item and I know they will keep creating more unbelievable items in the future.
12. Life Bivy Emergency Sleeping Bag Thermal Bivvy
Weight: 5.6 oz
Dimensions: 7 feet long by 3 feet wide
Waterproof: Yes
Material: 26um extra-thick mylar
Feature Summary: Allows for more room because of compact design, emergency blanket, puncture resistant
Short Review: I am loving this outstanding emergency light blanket. This is a great backpacking blanket and very useful in case of emergency. This comes with a nylon stuff sack and very warm. Not the most comfortable blanket but definitely very light and very compact. A great item to have in case of emergencies. I have used this item for some time. It is great. This is very comfortable and feels good to sleep with. It is easier and a lot more fun to have this for the outdoors because this is very useful. One of the many factors I like and recommend this item to all my website visitors is the beautiful design. This is very durable especially when compared to other emergency mylar blankets. I like it a lot.
13. Oceas Extra Large Waterproof Outdoor Blanket
Weight: 2.5 lbs
Dimensions: 79″ x 58″
Waterproof: Yes
Material: Polyester backing
Feature Summary: Very durable and made to last, amazing item for the outdoors, multipurpose, can be used for picnic, yoga, sleeping and much more
Short Review: This lightweight blanket is amazing and I know you certainly will love it. I am happy that I am able to try this mainly because this works incredibly well. The selling price is very budget friendly which is why I am recommending this. This feels good on the skin and this is very comfortable, another great item from this company. Camping is a lot more fun if you have a good item like this and this is a high quality item as well. This item works extremely well and it has a whole lot of the things that I am looking for. This has exceeded my expectations.
14. CozyCoverz Outdoor Rainproof & Windproof Stadium Blanket
Weight: 1.4 lbs
Dimensions: 50″ x 60″
Waterproof: Water Resistant
Compact: Polyester, 260 GSM 100% polar fleece
Feature Summary: Easy to clean, water resistant, will keep you warm in rainy weather. Lightweight and very compact.
Short Review: Among the best backpacking blankets is this. This item has a beautiful design that looks excellent. I must say that there were no problems making use of this at all. This feels very comfortable and able to provide a great night worth of sleep. If you love the outdoors, then this is a great item to have because this provides lots of usefulness. This remarkable company consistently create extraordinary items such as this one. This item can provide warmth and create a comfortable place to sleep plus it has an amazing design.
15. Get Out Gear Down Camping Blanket
Weight: 1.1 lbs
Dimensions: 80″ x 54″
Waterproof: Water Resistant
Material: Plush Fleece
Feature Summary: Easy to clean, water resistant and provides lots of warmth. Very easy to pack and repels water easily.
Short Review: This stadium blanket that I have listed is superb. I am exceptionally satisfied with this item so far. This is constructed out of 20D ripstop nylon shell blocks out wind and cold while 650 Fill Power down insulation keeps you cozy and warm inside. This features premium snaps convert your blanket into a poncho, freeing your hands for tailgating, chatting around the campfire. This is very comfortable and will help you get a good night’s sleep while camping. Also great for stadiums, picnics and other outdoor activities. One of the best items to have for camping and very useful too.
Good blankets,thanks.