The 8 Greatest Picnic Blankets of 2024, Examined & Reviewed

Picnicking is romantic. Meals is packed up and thoroughly stacked in a wicker basket or cooler, and then you definately sit on a cute blanket and nosh and chortle and perhaps watch clouds. And mentioned cute picnic blanket is what arguably makes a picnic a picnic—with out it, you’re simply sitting on grass and getting stains in your trousers. 

I like internet hosting an out of doors dinner or lunch soirée, so I got down to discover the perfect picnic blankets by testing 13 of them. This concerned lifting two 20-pound dumbbells, consuming ham sandwiches and sushi, warding off seagulls and ants, and naturally, having a grand outdated time within the nice outside. The end result: I discovered eight of the perfect picnic blankets you should buy, so you can also have a picturesque outside meal with out worry of a grass-stained posterior. 

The Winners, at a Look

This blanket is fairly, packs up simply, and stored me, my pals, and our lunch secure from damp grass and sand. (The seagulls had been one other story.) It’s additionally light-weight and has a built-in shoulder strap. 

I cherished this blanket for its cashmere-soft materials that stayed dry and was hefty sufficient to not flutter away with a breeze. It additionally has loops on the corners for stakes. 

Cute, cozy, and transportable, this little picnic blanket is lower than $30. It was a superb mat for each park and seaside picnicking. 

Need a luxe picnicking expertise? Get away the Yeti. It’s heavy-duty, it gained’t flap off the bottom on a windy day, and the highest materials is tremendous gentle. It’s additionally fairly spacious. 

That is one utilitarian little blanket. It packs as much as be the scale of a deck of playing cards and weighs 3.8 ounces—you might toss it in your daypack and never even understand it’s there. It additionally has built-in stakes so you possibly can pin it down securely wherever you wish to take a break out of your hike. 

If a picnic full with a wicker basket and actual china is your dream, this beautiful blanket may help you notice your imaginative and prescient. Seems to be apart, it’s additionally waterproof, gentle, and spacious, which counts for a complete lot. 

This flannel blanket is a complete lotta cozy, and it seems to be cute, too. I additionally cherished how simple it was to pack up and go: it has a built-in deal with and straightforward loop closure. 

If you wish to host a veritable picnic blowout, that is the blanket to get. It’s a large 95 by 95 inches—that’s 63 sq. ft whole. (It might match three of me mendacity down every means!) Whereas rolling up a blanket of this measurement was a problem, the built-in bag straps made it rather less awkward. 

The Checks

• Damp Grass Take a look at: I positioned every picnic blanket on dewy grass and caught a 20-pound dumbbell on prime. After 20 minutes, I checked the blanket for soaked-through moist spots on the highest and backside. I additionally sat on the blankets to see in the event that they acquired damp. Afterward, I packed the blankets up, noting how simple it was to take action. 
• Portability Take a look at: I toted every bag round, noting if it was heavy and if the carrying straps had been comfy. 
• Seaside Picnic Take a look at: I took the picnic blankets to the seashore for an actual picnic (full with potato chips and a ham sandwich at some point, and sushi and grapes one other). In between warding off hungry seagulls, I famous if the blankets had been cozy to take a seat on, in the event that they felt cramped, and if the sand shook off simply afterward. 

What We Realized

Picnic Blankets That Folded Right into a Bag Had been the Best to Pack

The post-picnic cleanup is the un-fun a part of picnicking. You’re left tucking sweaty prosciutto right into a plastic bag and deciding whether or not to complete off a piece of cheese now or deliver it residence, the place it’ll inevitably molder within the fridge. With all of this to consider, packing up the picnic blanket needs to be the least of your worries. 

As somebody who can’t fold a towel or bedsheet to save lots of my life, I cherished picnic blankets that had been simple to fold again up—even higher if it was right into a self-contained bag. The Pendleton was one such blanket: I simply refolded it the place it was creased, zipped it up, and it was able to tote away. Rolled blankets, like the Baggu, had been tougher to pack. I needed to squeeze the air out as I rolled, bringing me again to my days as a Lady Scout making an attempt to wrangle my sleeping bag again into its carrying pouch. After a number of failed makes an attempt rolling the Oniva Waterproof Stadium Blanket Picnic Blanket, I wound up scrunching it up and shoving it into the bag in defeat. Harnesses had been additionally largely a ache, since I struggled to fold blankets sufficiently small to suit them again in, and wound up simply chucking all the pieces helter-skelter into my tote bag. 

Delicate, Giant Picnic Blankets Had been the Most Comfy

It could sound trite, however I cherished gentle, cozy picnic blankets. If I’m going to be sitting on the bottom, I wish to mitigate discomfort as finest I can. Whereas some blankets just like the CG Gear Sand-Free Picnic Mat prioritized retaining sand off and others tried to be utilitarian stylish with ripstop development, they only weren’t comfy to take a seat on. The CG Gear blanket was itchy and left patterned imprints on my leg, and the Baggu ripstop materials felt crunchy and cheesy to the contact. As an alternative, I most well-liked the gentle, cashmere-like topsides of the nomadix and Yeti Lowlands blankets. I might lounge on my aspect and really feel like a Roman emperor plucking grapes on a comfortable ottoman reasonably than a bug-bitten gal warding off ants on an itchy blanket. Picnicking is an try to elevate consuming exterior to a romantic expertise, and the picnic blanket ought to match that vibe. 

Talking of consolation, many of the blankets I examined had been round 60 by 70 inches when opened and will comfortably match two to 3 individuals, plus meals. In different phrases, if you wish to have a picnic social gathering with five-plus pals, you may want two blankets. The exception was the Nemo, which is a whopping eight by eight ft—the limo of picnic blankets. 

Most Picnic Blankets Had been Considerably Waterproof

My testing included laying the blankets on dewy grass and placing 20-pound dumbbells on prime. After 20 minutes, I eliminated the dumbbells and checked the blankets for damp spots. Spoiler alert: Practically all of them remained dry. The exceptions had been the CG Gear blanket, which is porous (it’s made this manner so sand can slip by), and the Matador, which is product of skinny materials. The Baggu wasn’t damp on prime, however the underside had some seen splotches the place dew soaked into it.

The Standards: What to Search for in a Picnic Blanket

A picnic blanket needs to be comfy to take a seat on, spacious, and simply packable. I particularly appreciated blankets with built-in carrying pouches—they had been simple to re-pack and I didn’t have to fret about shedding the carrying bag or harness. picnic blanket also needs to keep dry; winding up with a moist or grass-stained backside isn’t what I need from a picnic. If it can be used on the seashore, that’s a win in my guide. 

Our Favourite Picnic Blankets

What we appreciated: This light-weight blanket simply folded right into a bag, full with a deal with and shoulder strap. It was additionally cozy to take a seat on, stayed dry on damp grass and comparatively sand-free on the seashore, and match three individuals comfortably. Oh, and it is available in a number of enjoyable colours and patterns and in all fairness priced. What extra might I ask for? It needed to be a winner. 

What we didn’t like: It’s gentle, so it’s finest to weigh it down on the corners if it’s breezy. 

Key Specs 

• Folded dimensions: 17 x 14.5 x 3.5 inches
• Unfolded dimensions: 60 x 72 inches
• Supplies: Polyester
• Weight: 1.15 kilos
• Cleansing: Machine-washable

What we appreciated: I cherished the silky, gentle floor of this picnic blanket (and the enjoyable patterns!). It has loops on the corners for stakes (which aren’t included), however it’s additionally heavy sufficient that it stays flat even on a breezy seashore. Whereas it doesn’t have a carrying case or pouch, it folds up sufficiently small to slide right into a backpack or tote. 

What we didn’t like: There isn’t a carrying case or pouch, and I couldn’t discover cleansing directions.

Key Specs 

• Folded dimensions: Folded as small as doable, it is 9.25 x 7.25 x 2.5 inches
• Unfolded dimensions: 60 x 72 inches
• Supplies: Polyester
• Weight: 2.2 kilos
• Cleansing: Not specified

What we appreciated: This light-weight blanket folds up simply right into a neat little roll with a deal with. The floor was gentle and plush and comfortable to take a seat on, even when a rock snuck into the sand beneath. My sister and I had loads of room to get pleasure from our seashore picnic lunch, too. Plus, it’s lower than $20 and is available in a number of sizes. 

What we didn’t like: This isn’t a deal-breaker as a result of it wasn’t an actual take a look at, however my cat had a grand time attacking this blanket and it did fray simply. It’s additionally fairly gentle, sufficient that I needed to get a number of rocks to carry it down on the seashore. It’s additionally on the smaller aspect. 

Key Specs 

• Folded dimensions: 12.25 x 7.5 x 8 inches
• Unfolded dimensions: 60 x 60 inches
• Supplies: Acrylic, cotton
• Weight: 1.3 kilos
• Cleansing: Machine-washable

What we appreciated: That is virtually like a quilt—it’s that gentle, comfortable, and comfortable. “I’d use it for my blanket at evening,” I wrote in my notes. I admit I used to be tempted to lie down and take a nap on it. However for the great of this overview (and my job safety), I stayed awake. Okay, again to what else was nice about it: It stayed dry in damp grass and, because it’s hefty, it didn’t transfer a lick even on a gusty seashore day. It was additionally surprisingly simple to roll up and tuck again into its bag, which sports activities a shoulder strap. 

What we didn’t like: It’s large and it’s heavy—not ultimate for a blanket you would possibly wish to tote throughout a park or seashore. To not point out it’s round $200. 

Key Specs 

• Folded dimensions: 20.25 x 10.25 x 7 inches
• Unfolded dimensions: 78 x 55 inches
• Supplies: Rayon, polyester
• Weight: 6.13 kilos
• Cleansing: Machine-washable and dryer-safe

What we appreciated: In case your thought of a picnic is consuming some backpacking food trailside on a climbing journey, that is the blanket for you. It’s tiny, weighs lower than an avocado (I really weighed an avocado to substantiate this), and has built-in stakes to maintain it taut on the bottom. It’s finest for solo picnics, although you might squeeze a good friend on it should you don’t thoughts being cozy. 

What we didn’t like: It stained simply and acquired damp spots. The wind stored ruffling it up on the seashore and the stakes don’t keep caught within the sand—in different phrases, it’s not a beach-friendly blanket. 

Key Specs 

• Folded dimensions: 4.5 x 2.7 x 1.1 inches
• Unfolded dimensions: 63 x 44 inches
• Supplies: Polyester with waterproof polyurethane coating (PFA-free), spandex-blend storage bag, metallic floor stakes
• Weight: 3.8 ounces
• Cleansing: Not specified

What we appreciated: The highest of this blanket is gentle and woven with a reasonably sample, whereas the underside is lined with waterproof materials: It’s the perfect of each worlds. I’d seize this blanket if I wished to impress my pals or partner with a dreamy picnic unfold (full with tea truffles, finger sandwiches, and chilly lemonade). The weave development appeared sturdy, too.  

What we didn’t like: I sat on this blanket whereas carrying black leggings and once I appeared down, I used to be coated in white lint. It additionally doesn’t have a built-in bag—only a harness, which takes extra effort to wrangle.

Key Specs 

• Folded dimensions: 15 x 6 x 6.5 inches
• Unfolded dimensions: 60 x 70 inches
• Supplies: Cotton, polyester
• Weight: 3.14 kilos
• Cleansing: Machine-washable

What we appreciated: The fleece-lined prime of this blanket is gentle and comfy (and screams autumnal picnic date). It’s simple to pack, light-weight, and has a built-in deal with for toting and a corded loop closure to maintain it rolled up. 

What we didn’t like: It smelled skunky the primary time I unwrapped it. However after airing it out the scent dissipated. The fleece prime collected bits of leaves and grass, and sand took some time to shake off. It’s additionally not machine-washable.

Key Specs 

• Folded dimensions: 13 x 9 x 4 inches
• Unfolded dimensions: 59 x 59 inches
• Supplies: Fleece, polyethylene vinyl acetate
• Weight: 1.8 kilos
• Cleansing: Don’t machine-wash or dry. Floor-wash with heat water and gentle cleaning soap by hand solely. Don’t dry clear. Don’t iron.

What we appreciated: That is the limousine of picnic blankets: It’s large, and it may maintain loads of meals and other people. Whereas the entire different blankets I examined had been round 60 by 70 inches, the Nemo added about 30 inches per aspect. (And there’s an excellent bigger providing, too, although I believe the XL measurement I examined is large enough.) The highest of the blanket was gentle and comfy to take a seat on, and I appreciated that it had a built-in strap system to pack it up—making an attempt to fold this factor and match it right into a bag would’ve been a Sisyphean job. The hidden zipper pouch was a pleasant contact, too—I put my keys and cellphone in it once I went for a dip within the sea. 

What we didn’t like: For those who’re like me and hate drawing consideration to your self in a public place, this blanket might trigger you stress. Once I examined it on the seashore, multiple particular person stopped to touch upon its appreciable measurement (however this additionally might have been as a result of it was solely myself sitting on it, which appeared kinda humorous). Sand caught readily to the underside, and it was arduous to shake out as a result of the blanket was so huge. Packing it again up felt like wrangling a tent, however as soon as I acquired it folded, hooking the clasps round it was simple. 

Key Specs

• Folded dimensions: 16 x 9 inches
• Unfolded dimensions: 95 x 95 inches
• Supplies: Acrylic, PU Foam, EVA
• Weight: 3.8 kilos
• Cleansing: Spot clear when vital, machine-wash on a mild cycle if wanted

The Competitors

• Rumpl Everywhere Mat: This was an excellent picnic blanket, however I discovered the feel slightly crunchy. It was additionally troublesome to stuff into the connected bag. 
• Oniva Waterproof Stadium Blanket Picnic Blanket: This was a pleasant, gentle blanket with a fleece-like prime, however the separate bag was small, making it powerful to repack. 
• CG Gear Sand-Free Picnic Mat: This blanket carried out finest on the seashore because it’s product of porous materials that lets sand fall by. Nevertheless it wasn’t the comfiest blanket I examined, and it acquired moist on a grassy garden. 
• Baggu Puffy Picnic Blanket: Cute, however the ripstop development was crunchy and acquired damp spots on the underside. It was additionally arduous to roll up due to the puffiness.
• Tiny Land Picnic Blanket: This blanket is definitely two separate items: a liner and a prime blanket. This meant extra to hold, and the harness was troublesome to slide onto the folded blankets. 

FAQs

What sort of blanket is finest for picnics?

A picnic blanket needs to be massive sufficient to accommodate at the very least two to 3 individuals (plus meals!), and it ought to have a water-resistant underside. Whilst you might simply use a towel or blanket, it would get soggy on damp grass. It also needs to be simple to fold up and carry.

What materials is sweet for a picnic blanket?

In our assessments, we discovered polyester, acrylic, or cotton (or higher but, a combo of a water-resistant materials and a gentle one) had been the perfect by way of consolation and sturdiness. Ripstop was too crunchy and scratchy, and a blanket solely product of polyethylene was too rubbery and textured.  

How large ought to a picnic blanket be?

A picnic blanket ought to ideally match two to 3 individuals, plus meals. We did discover a bigger blanket from Nemo that might simply accommodate 5 to 6 individuals if you wish to have a bigger picnic social gathering. 

Why We’re the Specialists

• Grace Kelly is a commerce editor at Critical Eats. 
• She has been testing kitchen gear for nearly 4 years. 
• Grace examined picnic blankets by weighing them down with 20-pound weights on damp grass, sitting on them, toting them round, and establishing a picnic on the seashore.