Camping & Hiking

Best Waterproof Outdoor Blankets to Keep You Warm and Dry

Our goal with this waterproof outdoor blanket review is to help you understand the difference between the many outdoor blankets available. And give you the opportunity to purchase the one that works best for you. It goes without saying that choosing the right blanket for your outdoor adventure is essential, as you can never tell what the weather will be like throughout the day.

Outdoor blanket options are always changing – so you have plenty of choices. Since we created this outdoor blanket review guide we’ve seen brands come and go. For example, Freddie and Sebbie seem to no longer exist. The Tuffo blanket is always in limited stock. The Nemo Victory blanket never really took off as we expected, and brands like Oceas, Down Under Outdoors, Kachula, Zomake, Brawntide, NaturalRays, Redcamp, Ocoopa, JJ Cole, Yodo, Muyos and Teehome (and many many others) seem to show up like grains of sand in your swim trunks.

The standby has always been the Mambe Extreme blanket. If you are looking for a simple picnic blanket many of them will be fine. But in our experience, you just can’t beat the Mambe for warmth and waterproofness (yes we made that word up).

Mambe Extreme Nemo Victory Blanket Tuffo Blanket
Mambe Extreme Waterproof Blanket Nemo Victory Blanket for outdoor picnics Tuffo Outdoor Blanket
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Table of Contents

There are many ways you can use these waterproof blankets:

  • Camping trips with friends and family.
  • Watching your kid’s sports while sitting on cold stadium seats.
  • Huddled up under a big stadium blanket supporting your favorite pro team.
  • A lovely, hopefully, ant-free, picnic.
  • Enjoying a day at the dog park.
  • A romantic day at the beach.
  • Watching fireworks on the boat under a starry sky

Whatever your intended use for an outdoor blanket you want one that will keep you warm and dry.

To help you out, we’ve collected, in our opinion, the best outdoor blankets online and pitted them head to head.

Best Waterproof Outdoor Blanket Comparison

Mambe Extreme Weather Blanket

Red Mambe Extreme waterproof blanket

What is the warmest outdoor blanket?

Let’s start off with a look at the Mambe blanket. With a price tag that’s much higher compared to your mid-end Victory and Nemo blankets, one can be forgiven for expecting a lot out of this camping blanket, and the good news is it doesn’t disappoint. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll get.watching the game in a mambe extreme blanket

  • The blanket is 100% windproof and waterproof. A lot of blankets say that, but the Mambe does it better than most, and it’s good enough not just for camping but for cold-weather stadiums as well.
  • The blanket is made from genuine Polartec Classic 300 fleece, so it’s warm, soft, and thick, just what you need during those nights when you’re out camping and the wind or rain decides to keep you company.
  • It’s not every day that you’ll come across a plush camping blanket made of high-end fleece as it’s expensive, but this is definitely worth it and the reason the Mambe is one of the best blankets for winter.
  • The Mambe also has a radiant heat reflective lining that helps retain body heat, keeping you warm even during those cold nights. The Mambe also comes with a convenient storage bag so you can transport the blanket.

Nemo Victory Blanket

Nemo Victory Blanket

When it comes to features, many outdoor blankets are not that far apart. They basically have the same function and that is to make sure you are comfortable when you spend time outside.

The Nemo Victory blanket, for instance, is ideal not just for camping but also for going out to the beach, having a small picnic, or having fun in your own backyard.

With three size options, there is definitely a Nemo that will fit your needs nicely. The 2-person and 4-person options are fully compatible with Nemo’s 2 and 4-person tents respectively (or any equivalent tent). If you need to get cozy with the whole family the XL has got you covered.

The Nemo Victory blanket has a waterproof backing that keeps dirt and sand away. Even if it rains while you’re camping out, the Victory will keep you dry. With a bit of padding to the cozy flannel top, your ‘ol bum will thank you too. Granted if you are sitting on a pile of sticks or rocks you won’t notice the padding that much.

A few features we really like are the velcro storage pocket that folds underneath the blanket for a sneaky place to store small items (phone, keys, a secret stash of beef-jerky, etc..). Corner loops you can use to stake the blanket down on blustery days and built-in straps that make rolling up the Victory nice and neat for easy carry.

While there aren’t many reviews for the Victory, Nemo was established in 2002 but doesn’t have a huge presence on Amazon, they do back all their products with a lifetime guarantee.

Specs:
Size:
2P 57” x 85”
4P 95” x 95”
XL (6P) 120” x 120”

Weight:
2P 1 lb 14 oz
4P 3 lbs 13 oz
XL 5 lbs 3 oz

Packed:
2P 14” x 6.5”
4P 17.5” x 9”
XL 20.5” x 10.5”

Pros
Padded & Waterproof
Easy Roll-up straps with handle
Corner loops
Velcro storage pocket
Lifetime guarantee

Cons
Not machine washable
Low review count – no long-term testimonial data

Oceas Outdoors Waterproof Blanket

Oceas Outdoor waterproof blanket

If you’ve experienced a camping trip or two I’m sure you’ve discovered that getting wet can really put a damper on your fun. I remember one of our first camping trips in a free tent we won in a raffle. Right there should have been our first warning sign (the dark clouds moving in a strong second).

As you can imagine, a cheap tent with no seem sealer mixed with a pretty ferocious thunderstorm is not a good combination.

We sure could have used a nice warm waterproof blanket. A better tent would have been handier but since this is a waterproof blanket review you can understand why I mention the blanket instead of the more obvious need for a better tent.

The Oceas Outdoor Waterproof Blanket (or oceans outdoor waterproof blanket if you let auto-correct take over) is one of the essentials for any camping trip. It doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned pro or a beginner camper you’ll quickly appreciate the warm fleece inside and the polyurethane coated 100% waterproof, windproof, sand-proof backing. (you see the proof isn’t in the pudding it’s in the backing)

As with any good blanket customers of the Oceas blanket find many uses for this cozy cover. From cold rainy/snowy soccer games, to warm sunny (but sandy) beach picnics, and even I suppose a camping trip. One customer even used it to protect his bed from a cat with potty training issues – not gonna judge, whatever works I suppose.

Whatever your needs, this blanket comes well-reviewed. The overall consensus is that it is really waterproof and really warm. Of course, there are a few people you can’t please who say otherwise but overall we give it a thumbs up.

Specs:
Size: 79″ x 58”
Weight: 2.3 pounds
Compressed Size: 7” x 15”

Pros
100% Waterproof
Machine washable
Carry bag with handle
Oceas customer service is very good

Cons
Some mention the backing sound is quite loud (but after washing the sound does improve)
The fleece and backing layers are only sewed along the outside edges which can cause some sagging

Snugpak Jungle Blanket

Black Snugpak Jungle Blanket with compression bag

Since 1977 Snugpak has been outfitting gear geeks and governmental defense agencies around the globe. It’s not some fly-by-night company that is here one day and gone the next.

If you are looking for a replacement for your trusty woobie, and not some foo-foo so-called waterproof picnic blanket the Sugpack Jungle Blanket will feel right at home.

Similar to your military poncho liner and field jacket liner with a “slicker” feel, the Sugpack is built to handle all sorts of miserable weather conditions. To be fair this is more of a 3-season blanket but should be good down to 45-50 degrees stand-alone or lower with extra layers. (The Snugpak Jungle Blanket temperature rating is stated to be 36-45 degrees)

Coated with Antibacterial, Anti-microbial treatment the Jungle Blanket is resistant to mold and mildew if it needs to be stashed quickly in the rain. Of course, airing that baby out and letting her dry properly is a must long-term.

At 1.6 pounds the Jungle Blanket makes a nice lightweight addition to your backpack, camping pack, bug-out bag or as an emergency blanket for your car trunk.

With the handy compression bag which claims to cinch down to 6” x 6,” the blanket is small enough for easy travel. Realistically you are looking at maybe 6 x 9 at best, but still nice and compact for a 76-inch by 64-inch blanket.

No top-notch gear should be without fancy-sounding features. The Jungle blanket does not disappoint. With Micro Diamond water-repellent fabric, Paratex anti-microbial coating, and Travelsoft Ultra Lightweight High Loft Insulation you’ve got your tech terms covered.

Simply put this is a handy indoor/outdoor, water-repellent, windproof blanket useful for whatever conditions you want to throw at it.

Tuffo Water-Resistant Outdoor Blanket

Tuffo picnic blanketHere’s a quick look at what the Tuffo blanket has to offer:

  • The Tuffo is made up of 80% polyester and 20% cotton, so this is a blanket that’s going to keep you comfortable. The Victory is actually more comfortable, but even though the Tuffo is 12 dollars cheaper, it holds up well and should satisfy most campers.
  • The blanket also comes with a specially designed water-resistant nylon backing as well as polyester batting for extra cushioning. In addition, the pocket blanket comes with a sling that you can easily carry.
  • The sling has shoulder straps and pockets, plus the blanket can be cleaned safely in a washing machine. One of the problems with expensive blankets is the high maintenance required, so this is a plus.

freddie and sebbie blanket set out for a picnicFinally, we have the Freddie and Sebbie outdoor blanket, and for a while now it’s been one of the top-rated picnic blankets online, and there are good reasons for it.

While this is marketed as a blanket for picnics, you can do a lot more with it, as the blanket is suitable as a beach blanket, for camping, travel, in sports stadiums, in your garden, the nursery, with your baby, and more.

Aside from being versatile, the blanket is durable and handmade, something you don’t often come across these days. Furthermore, the blanket is easy to fold so you can carry it with you anywhere you go. Unlike other waterproof outdoor blankets that wear out and discolor after just a few uses, this one is built to last.

Comparing These Outdoor Blankets

After going through the features of each blanket, it’s obvious that the Mambe is the top dog when it comes to features and comfort owing to the fact that it’s made of fleece and completely wind and waterproof. That doesn’t mean the other waterproof blankets aren’t any good; far from it as they’ll fit most campers, but if you’re looking for the most comfort, the Mambe is a clear choice.

But if you’re not willing to spend that much on a blanket, the Victory or the Tuffo will do nicely and will keep you company during those long camp nights.

From the choices above the best pick for the budget-conscious camper is the Oceas, but if you’re after the best blanket quality-wise, the Mambe is your best option.

The Verdict

What this waterproof outdoor blanket review has shown is there are many options available for different campers and outdoor enthusiasts. If money isn’t a problem and you want the best out there, we recommend the Mambe, but if you want something cozy and affordable, the Tuffo will do nicely, and for something in-between, Freddie and Sebbie or the Nemo. Regardless of which you choose, you won’t be left out in the cold.

FAQ

What is the best way to care for my waterproof outdoor blanket?

It is important to wash your waterproof outdoor blankets regularly, especially because they tend to get dirty. Be sure to use cold water and a mild detergent when washing, and avoid using bleach or fabric softener. You can also tumble-dry your blanket on low heat, but be sure to remove it before it becomes completely dry to prevent any shrinkage. It’s always best to follow any care instructions on the label to make sure you do not damage a blanket made from delicate materials.

How do I choose the right outdoor blanket?

There are a few things you should consider when choosing an outdoor blanket. First, decide what type of activity you will be using it for. If you will be using it for camping or picnicking, you will need a waterproof and weather-resistant blanket. If you will be using it for sitting around the campfire, a soft and cozy blanket may be a better choice. You should also consider the size of the blanket, as well as the color and design.

Can I use my outdoor blanket indoors?

Yes, you can use your outdoor blanket indoors, but it is important to keep in mind that it may not be as soft or cozy as a traditional indoor blanket. If you plan to use your outdoor blanket inside, choose one that is specifically designed for indoor use, or has a reversible design where one side is waterproof and the other is soft and cozy.

What are some other uses for an outdoor blanket?

An outdoor blanket can also be used as a picnic rug, a beach towel, or folded up and used as a stadium seat cushion. It can also be used as a cover for a baby or pet carrier. Really the uses are limitless and up to your imagination.

What are the benefits of using waterproof outdoor blankets?

Waterproof outdoor blankets offer a variety of benefits, including protection from the weather, insulation from the cold ground, and portability. They are also generally lightweight and easy to store, making them perfect for travel. Additionally, many outdoor blankets come with built-in pockets or pouches that can be used to store snacks, drinks, or other essentials.

An outdoor blanket is a great piece of gear to have in your camping and hiking arsenal. They are perfect for keeping you warm and dry when the weather takes a turn for the worse, or when you need a little extra insulation from the cold ground. Outdoor blankets are also lightweight and easy to pack or travel with.

What are Stadium Blankets Used For?

By strict definition, a stadium blanket is used when you are watching outdoor sporting events in a stadium. However, they are simply very warm blankets that can be used in any outdoor environment. Concerts, picnics, boating, camping. If you need to keep warm a heavy cozy stadium blanket will do that for you.

waterproof outdoor blankets reviewed and rated

3 thoughts on “Best Waterproof Outdoor Blankets to Keep You Warm and Dry

  • Very nice report on waterproof outdoor blankets. These are so useful when we are going somewhere outdoors especially this time of year! I didn’t know there were so many to chose from.

    Reply
  • These are so useful when we are going somewhere outdoors especially this time of year

    Reply
  • Great read these are all pretty cool especially the Mambe but the price is quite steep for a blanket that is waterproof and windproof.

    Reply

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