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Dec 19, 2023

The 8 Best Picnic Blankets of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

These waterproof blankets offer compact, stylish ground protection for every adventure. Jump to a Section We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we

These waterproof blankets offer compact, stylish ground protection for every adventure.

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We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.

There are countless reasons to include a picnic blanket on the packing list for your next adventure. From romantic brie and baguette lunches in Parisian parks to beach barbecues with the kids on your next Florida vacation, blankets are essential for eating outside. You can also justify the space in your suitcase by using them for many other purposes, like making camping grounds more cozy or wearing them as insulating wraps at outdoor concerts and sports games. Compactness and durability are key features to look out for in a packable picnic blanket.

To help you find the best picnic blanket for your itinerary, we tested 30 popular options in the Travel + Leisure lab. Each one was scored for quality, comfort, ease of cleaning (both sand and spilled juice), durability, and overall value. Our favorites are listed below, with the best options for families, camping, the beach, cold weather, and more.

L.L Bean

This blanket provides just the right blend of fleecy comfort, cushioning, and waterproof durability.

It can be a little tricky to fit back into the included stuff sack.

The generously sized L.L.Bean Waterproof Outdoor Blanket is the ultimate all-rounder, whether your travels take you to the beach, the campground, or an open-air concert. We loved the softness of the polyester fleece top layer, which offered enough cushioning to make sitting on small rocks comfortable and would also provide cozy insulation in chillier climates. The polyurethane-coated nylon backing is 100 percent waterproof. We appreciated how soft it was compared with other waterproof picnic blankets that can be a little bit crackly.

During our water resistance test, we left water to pool on the backing for 15 minutes. Afterward, it wiped off easily with no trace soaking through to the fleece. We shook sand off the blanket fairly easily and were shocked by how much liquid we were able to blot out of the fleece during our spill test (so much so that there was barely any trace left behind). Mess isn’t a huge concern anyway, since this blanket is machine-washable. There wasn’t a loose thread in sight, and we loved that the vertical seam acted as a guideline for folding and rolling the blanket.

We found it easy to roll and cinch with the integrated elastic straps. Getting it back into the included stuff sack was a little trickier and required some tight rolling. This blanket is available in one practical color: bright navy.

Price at time of publish: $69

The Details: 72 x 58 inches | Polyester fleece, polyurethane-coated nylon | Case Included | Waterproof

Amazon

This blanket offers plenty of cushioning and effective water resistance at a reasonable price point.

Because it’s lightweight and doesn’t include stakes, you’ll need to anchor it when the wind picks up.

Weighing in at just over two pounds, the Oniva Picnic Blanket Tote is the perfect travel companion. It’s eminently packable, since it folds up easily into a compact tote that you can sling over your shoulder using the adjustable strap. We particularly loved the tote flap with its integrated, zippered pocket that’s large enough for essentials including your credit card and phone. The blanket boasts a soft, polyester fleece top layer with enough cushioning that we couldn’t feel small rocks through it.

And, while it’s probably too large to double as a lap blanket at a sporting event or concert, it could definitely add an extra layer of insulation to your camping setup. The water-resistant backing passed our spill tests with flying colors. We did notice one superficial imperfection in the seam alignment but otherwise felt the blanket was sturdily made. We were surprised by how quickly sand could be shaken off, and we were able to blot spilled juice easily (though it did leave a slight stain). Styles range from black tartan to blue stripe.

Price at time of publish: $50

The Details: 80 x 70 inches | 2.2 pounds | Polyester fleece, polyester | Waterproof

Amazon

This blanket is both fully waterproof and flexible enough to wrap around your shoulders.

Those that are prone to spills may want to choose a dark color since we found that our blanket stained easily.

The Oceas Outdoor Waterproof Blanket is beautifully made, with zero loose threads or imperfections. The backing is made from ripstop polyester with a fully waterproof polyurethane coating (as confirmed by our tests), while the top layer is made from cozy polar fleece. During testing, we thought the blanket felt like it was of a higher quality than many of the other options we tried, and loved that it is soft and flexible enough to wrap around the shoulders for warmth on a chilly evening.

One of our 6-feet-tall team members also appreciated that they still had plenty of space to stretch out fully. The blanket’s size does make it a little tricky for shorter people to shake out by themselves, however, and we did have to give it a good couple of shakes to get rid of sand when we tested for ease of cleaning. And, while we were able to blot out most of the grape juice, it did leave a stain. Luckily, this blanket is machine-washable and dryer friendly. It comes with an attached elastic strap and a carry pouch.

Price at time of publish: $42

The Details: 79 x 58 inches | Polar fleece, polyurethane-coated ripstop polyester | Case Included | Waterproof

Yeti

This high-quality blanket is waterproof, insulated, stain-resistant, and machine-washable.

At more than three times the cost of our overall winner, it’s more of a luxury purchase.

The obvious high quality of the Yeti Lowlands Blanket goes some way toward justifying its equally high price tag. It features a soft polyester and rayon top layer, polyester insulation, and a durable Hydrobarrier Layer that passed our waterproofing test with flying colors. The blanket repels dirt and pet hair, shakes sand off easily, and amazed us during the spill test when liquid pooled instead of absorbed and was easily blotted, leaving no stain behind. This blanket is unlikely to snag or tear, even with some pretty heavy duty use.

This sturdiness makes it the ideal camping companion. It’s cozy, blocks wind to provide warmth on frigid nights under canvas, and can even double as a ground sheet or shade canopy with six utility loops for staking it down or hanging it up. If it gets dirty? No problem: it’s machine-washable and dryer safe. It is a relatively bulky, heavy option, but comes with a high-quality zippered carrying case. We liked that the case has straps for connecting it to your backpack with a carabiner.

Price at time of publish: $200

The Details: 78 x 55 inches | 5.8 pounds | Polyester, rayon | Case Included | Waterproof

Down Under Outdoors

This blanket is made with extra-thick fleece for added warmth and includes a secret zippered pocket.

We found that sand showed up clearly on darker colors and took a good few shakes to dislodge.

If you’re looking for a blanket that will keep you warm on your travels this winter, the Down Under Outdoors Blanket stands out for its non-pilling, 350 grams-per-square-meter fleece top layer. It’s also waterproof, with two internal coatings of polyurethane to block moisture and wind. We found that after letting water sit for 15 minutes on the polyester backing, none made it through to the cozy fleece side. The blanket provides some cushioning from rocks, although we could still feel them.

Highlights include the fact that we could stretch out fully without touching the ground and the integrated, zippered pocket — perfect for stashing your phone or picnic wrappers. It took a few good shakes to dislodge all the sand during our ease of cleaning test, while juice soaked quickly into the fleece but was easy to blot out. When yours gets dirty, simply throw it in the washing machine for a clean. We particularly liked this blanket’s oversized stuff sack, which features both a carry handle and a shoulder strap.

Price at time of publish: $42

The Details: 82 x 55 inches | 3.1 pounds | Polyester fleece, polyurethane-coated polyester| Case Included | Waterproof

Amazon

This blanket folds easily into a compact package complete with a shoulder strap for easy transportation and storage.

The most compact size is too small to allow an adult to stretch out fully.

The Little Unicorn Indoor/Outdoor Blanket comes in three sizes, the smallest of which measures 60 x 60 inches. It can comfortably fit two adults sitting, but isn’t quite long enough to lie down on. Nevertheless, we love that it folds easily into a compact rectangle that’s ideally sized for slipping into the basket of your travel stroller, the trunk of your car, or your carry-on (although it does not come with a carrying case). It includes an integrated shoulder strap and zippered pocket, and could easily double as a lap blanket on a cold day.

This is a well-made blanket with a soft top layer and enough padding that we couldn’t feel small rocks underneath it. It also has a water-resistant backing layer and is easy to clean. We were able to shake most of the sand off, although a dusty residue was left behind. And spilled juice blotted right out without leaving a stain, even on the white sections of the blanket’s pattern. There are several gorgeous prints to choose from, including midnight poppy, tropical leaf, and shoreline stripe.

Price at time of publish: $50

The Details: 60 x 60 inches | 3 pounds | Polyester | Waterproof

Amazon

This blanket is a great budget option for casual beachgoers, with handy waterproofing and a vintage aesthetic.

With slick top and bottom layers, you don’t need to worry about sand, but it’s also not the comfiest or coziest option out there.

With an Oxford polyester top layer and a waterproof PVC backing, the RedCamp Waterproof Picnic Blanket repels sand on both sides — making it the ideal choice for your next beach getaway. We were able to shake sand off instantly during testing, while clearing up spilled juice was as simple as a single swipe with a damp cloth. The liquid didn’t seep through to the underside and left no stain. The blanket isn’t particularly cushioned; luckily, that’s unlikely to be an issue on a sandy beach.

After trying it out, we found it to be well-made and hard-wearing, which is particularly impressive given its budget price. We do suggest weighing it down quickly in gusty weather, however, since its lightness does make it a bit of a flight risk. The blanket is easy to fold into a compact package held together by a Velcro flap. You can carry it using the integrated handle or slip it into the included backpack-style drawstring bag.

Price at time of publish: $18

The Details: 79 x 59 inches | 3 pounds | Oxford polyester, PVC | Case Included | Waterproof

Amazon

This blanket provides plenty of space and easy cleaning at a great price point.

The cushioning is pretty average and it can be challenging to fold it so that the Velcro flap lines up.

Measuring 79 x 79 inches, the Three Donkeys Picnic Blanket is significantly larger than most other options in the same price bracket. We love how roomy it is and feel that it’s ideally suited to families with multiple kids. Despite its large size, it weighs less than many of the smaller blankets on this list and rolls up compactly to fit in your suitcase. Most importantly, it’s decently made and likely to stand up to the rough and tumble of family life.

Spilled juice posed no problem: we were able to completely clean it up with just a few swipes of a damp paper towel. Similarly, it was super easy to remove sand with a single shake — and because the blanket is pretty lightweight, it’s possible to do so single-handedly. It is made with three layers of material, including a polyester taffeta top layer, a cotton padding inner, and a durable Oxford fabric backing. Although we felt the cushioning left a little to be desired, the backing passed our waterproofing test with full marks.

Price at time of publish: $30

The Details: 79 x 79 inches | 2.6 pounds | Polyester taffeta, cotton, Oxford fabric | Waterproof

Each of the picnic blankets mentioned in this article was part of a testing process that scored 30 products on a scale from one to five for quality, comfort, ease of cleaning, durability, and value. Each blanket was tested in the same way in our lab. First, we opened the blanket and examined its materials, seams, and other components to determine overall quality. Then we folded it according to any included instructions and evaluated how easy this was, how well the blanket fit into its pouch (if relevant), how heavy and bulky it was, and how comfortable it was to carry.

Next, we tested the blanket’s cushioning by placing it on top of a small rock. We also considered its softness, and whether we could stretch out on it without hanging off. Then, we tested ease of cleaning by pouring first sand and then grape juice onto the blanket. We evaluated how easy it was to shake the sand off and whether the blanket wiped clean after letting the juice stand for 30 seconds. Blankets that claimed to be water resistant were tested by pouring water onto the underside, letting it stand for 15 minutes, and checking whether any moisture leaked through.

If you’re buying a picnic blanket especially for travel, think carefully about the activities you’re likely to use it for and how you’re likely to get there so that you can find just the right balance between durable functionality and lightweight portability. For example, if you’re heading out on a camping expedition, you’ll probably want a more insulated, heavy duty blanket than you might if you’re planning a tropical beach picnic. If you’re driving to your destination, weight will be less of an issue; if you’re flying, you’ll have to go for something lighter and more compact or choose a blanket that can serve several purposes (as a ground sheet, shade canopy, or warm wrap) to justify the space it will take up in your suitcase.

Not all picnic blankets are made equal. While we like a waterproof backing for almost every scenario (from dewy campgrounds to muddy sidelines), this is an especially important feature if you’re headed to the beach. Choose a blanket with padding for rough terrain and opt for thick fleece or an insulating inner if you’re likely to encounter chillier temperatures. Traveling with small children or just prone to spills? Look for a top layer that repels crumbs and dirt that you can easily wipe clean. Machine-washable blankets are always a good thing in our books.

While compactness is often a priority when choosing a travel picnic blanket, you still need to make sure the blanket is large enough to suit your needs. Consider how many people are likely to use it at once and whether they will be sitting or want space to lie down. Extra large blankets don’t have to be heavy: the family-sized option on our list is also one of the lightest. Weight and folded dimensions are ultimately more important than size for packing purposes. Don’t buy bigger than you need, though. It will likely cost more and, if you plan on your blanket doubling as a lap warmer at a concert or sporting event, too much material can actually be a hindrance.

The best way to clean your picnic blanket depends on its materials, so checking the care label or manufacturer’s instructions is important. Generally, most picnic blankets are designed to repel dirt, sand, and other debris so that you can remove solid particles with a few good shakes. You can usually blot spills and other stains with a paper towel and then spot-clean them with a damp cloth.

If your cleaning needs are more serious, many picnic blankets are machine-washable on a delicate setting with a mild detergent. Some are dryer safe, but unless the instructions specifically say so, we recommend line-drying to prevent damage to any waterproof coating. Make sure the blanket is completely dry before packing it away.

Unfortunately, there’s no universal rule when it comes to folding your picnic blanket. Some picnic blankets can be folded or rolled any way you like and then stuffed back into a separate carry pouch, while others have integrated carry handles and flaps that you must fold very precisely so that their corresponding Velcro tabs meet up. We recommend consulting the instructions (if there are any), looking on the manufacturer’s website for advice, or paying close attention when unfolding it for the first time so that you can reverse the steps later.

Jessica Macdonald has been writing about travel gear for more than 10 years and considers her trusty picnic blanket to be one of her personal adventure essentials (whether for family trips to the beach or as a birdwatching base on an African safari.) This article was based on hours of industry research, customer review comparisons, and the testing insights of T+L’s own travel experts.

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