17 Best Blankets for Comfortable Outdoor Seating

Blankets for outdoor seating are necessary for anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors. Whether you’re picnicking on the beach, watching the big game, or snuggled up around a campfire, your outdoor blanket choice can make or break the moment. In this article, we will share the 17 best blankets for comfortable and warm outdoor seating and some frequently asked questions about outdoor blankets.

Types of Blankets for Outdoor Seating

Beach Blanket

Blankets designed for the beach are meant to keep you and your gear separate from the sand. The ideal beach blanket is sand resistant, durable, and quick-drying.

There are even blankets that are considered sandless. The top layer of these blankets is made of a comfortable fabric, while the bottom layer allows sand, dirt, and other particles to sift through and out onto the ground.

Camp Blanket

Think of a camp blanket as a comfort multi-tool while you’re in the wilderness. Use your blanket sitting around the campfire as a barrier between you and the ground or as an additional layer to keep you warm at night.

Camping blankets are ideal for outdoor seating because they’re lightweight and packable while maintaining some insulation.

Picnic Blanket

Picnic Blankets are designed to keep your bottom and food off the ground while enjoying a meal outdoors. Real picnic blankets are portable, roll up quickly, and are easy to store.

Ideally, picnic blankets have a waterproof bottom layer and a cozier, more comfortable top layer. Picnic blankets should also be easy to clean. Machine washability is ideal for convenience since the blanket will be in contact with the ground and food.

Stadium Blanket

Stadium Blankets are the mecca blankets for outdoor seating. They’re designed for sporting events and are warm, waterproof, and windproof. These blankets are a necessity for anyone who attends multiple outdoor sporting events! They’re ideal for situations where bulk and weight aren’t a concern.

Throw Blanket

Throw blankets are aesthetically pleasing and offer basic comfort. Their primary purpose is to add style to home spaces, but they can also add style to your campsite!

You won’t find features such as waterproofing, windproofing, or added insulation in a throw blanket. They are, however, a comfortable and decorative way to spruce up your camping space.

1. KAMUI Outdoor Blanket

Designed for family picnics and other outdoor activities, the KAMUI Outdoor Blanket provides comfort and ease of use. At 79”x55”, this blanket is big enough for a family of four to sit on and large enough to wrap around two people.

This machine-washable blanket has a waterproof backside and soft fleece top to keep you dry and cozy. Easily carry your KAMUI Outdoor Blanket from one adventure to the next with its carrying bag, equipped with a handle and detachable shoulder strap. When your outdoor experiences are over, machine wash your blanket for stress-free cleaning!

2. Angemay Outdoor and Picnic Mat

Generously sized and easy to pack up, the Angemay Outdoor and Picnic Mat is a budget-friendly option for families looking to get outside. Ideal for camping, picnicking, attending festivals, or spending a day at the beach, the Angemaay is an excellent blanket for outdoor seating.

This blanket features a soft polyester top and a waterproof backing on the underside. Its open size is 60” x 80”, making it more than suitable for a family of four.

3. BEARZ Outdoor Beach Blanket

This pocket blanket is the perfect companion when traveling, camping, or on a lazy day at the beach. Hook it to your bag or put it in your pocket, so you’re prepared for anything!

This picnic blanket was designed to fit two people comfortably but can seat up to four (50”x60”). It’s durable, lightweight, waterproof, and puncture-resistant, perfect for outdoor experiences. It’s also available in six different colors so you can choose the one that best suits your personality.

4. Sapsisel Waterproof Picnic Blanket

Sapsisel Picnic Blanket provides a good size that can accommodate many people comfortably. Whether you’re watching the big game, cuddled up around a campfire, or snuggling up for slumber under the stars, this blanket has you covered.

It measures around 67”x67”, featuring a plastic layer that keeps moisture from seeping through. Aside from the stylish design, the leather handle makes it easy-to-carry in any outdoor scenario.

5. Eddie Bauer Water Repellent Outdoor Blanket

A great, packable blanket for use with multiple outdoor activities. The Eddie Bauer Water Repellent Outdoor Blanket has a water repellent ground side and a printed top side. The inside of the blanket provides warmth through its polyester fibers.

At 60” x 50”, his blanket is best suited for one to two people. It rolls up with ease and has a shoulder strap for easy carrying. Additionally, this blanket is machine washable making it easy to refresh after a picnic, camping trip, or other outdoor excursions.

6. Get Out Gear Down Camping Blanket

Get out Gear has thought of everything with this impressively warm, lightweight blanket. The Get Out Gear Down Camping Blanket provides great comfort and has snaps along one edge for wearing.

At only 1.1 bs, this 80”x54” puffy blanket is lightweight and compact without sparing any comfort or warmth. The ripstop nylon shell blocks wind, while the 650 Fill power down insulation keeps you cozy. Additionally, a durable water repellent protects your blanket from spills and weather.

7. Benevolence LA Handwoven Mexican Blanket

If you’ve never had this Mexican blanket, you’re missing out — it’s known for its beautiful colors and quality. It is traditionally woven by local artisans in Mexico, using a traditional wooden loom. It holds up well to outdoor use and is strong enough to handle physical pressure. At 50″ x 70″, it is lightweight and soft — and gets softer and more comfortable with every wash.

8. Kelty Bestie Blanket

The Kelty Bestie Blanket is known for its lightweight insulation, travel-friendly size, and packability. At 75.59”x42.13” and only 1.5 lbs., it’s no wonder this is the travel blanket of choice for so many.

This is one of the best blankets for outdoor seating due to its cloud loft insulation, soft shell with cozy brushed liner, and perfect single-user size. Equipped with a stuff sack, you can keep your Kelty Bestie Blanket prepped and ready for your next outdoor adventure.

9. ZAZE Machine-Washable Picnic Blanket

ZAZE Machine-Washable Picnic Blanket has you covered if you’re looking for a comfortable, versatile, and waterproof blanket. It has a distinct sage green pattern, making it visually appealing. The material quality is excellent, easy to clean, thick enough to protect from sticks, and holds up well in the wash.

At 80” x 80”, the ZAZE Machine-Washable Picnic Blanket seats 6–8 adults or accommodates 4 adults lying down.

10. Matador Pocket Blanket

As the smallest blanket for outdoor seating on our list, the Matador Pocket Blanket might be one of the coolest. It weighs only 3.8 ounces and packs up to 4.5” x 2.7” in its convenient integrated storage pouch. The blanket is 63”x44” when unpacked and can comfortably seat 2-3 people.

The Matador Pocket Blanket is made of nylon, making it water and puncture-resistant. Additionally, the blanket has built-in tethered corner stakes with ropes to help you set your blanket in the perfect spot.

11. Bazaar Anatolia Turkish Beach Blanket

The Bazaar Anatolia Turkish Beach Blanket is likely for you if you’re looking for a minimalist blanket that takes up little space. It is made up of 100% cotton yarns and is convenient to pack and carry. It measures 71”x39” and can also be used as a scarf, shawl, travel blanket, yoga mat or a throw blanket at home. It becomes softer and more absorbent after several washes.

12. Pendleton Yakima Camp Blanket

The Pendleton Yakima Camp Blanket is famously durable and warm. Modeled after the blankets shepherds once used to brave the elements of the Pacific Northwest, these blankets are designed for the unpredictable outdoors.

The Yakima Camp Blanket comes in Twin sizes, 66” x 84” and a Queen of 90” x 90”. All blankets are made of pure wool and cotton in the United States of America. This is a blanket you would need to dry clean after several uses.

13. Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket

Perfect for hiking, camping, or lounging at home, the Rumpl Original Puffy is designed to go anywhere you do!

The Rumple Original Puffy Blanket is made with a 100% recycled ripstop polyester shell and insulation made from 100% recycled materials. Your blanket has a durable, water-resistant finish, a cape clip for hands-free use, and corner loops. It’s important to note that the Rumpl Original Puffy is machine washable and comes with a water-resistant bag.

14. Sand Cloud Turkish Beach Blanket

The luxurious, 100% Sand Cloud XL Turkish Beach Blanket is a beach-goers dream. This blanket is approximately 62″ x 76″, suitable for spreading out on the sand. It works great as a yoga mat, cozy throw, picnic blanket, scarf, hair towel, wall hanging, and so much more.

What more, it is fast-drying and sand-resistant and it rolls up to fit in your bag without hassle.

15. REDCAMP Large Warm Blanket

The REDCAMP Large Warm Blanket is an ideal camping companion for cold weather, designed to keep you warm. It’s a versatile, multipurpose blanket that also works well for outdoor sporting events. Compact and weighing just 3.7 lbs, it’s always adventure-ready.

Measuring 79″ x 79″, the REDCAMP blanket features a 150D Oxford backing and a 250gsm polyester Sherpa lining, filled with 60gsm polyester wadding — thick enough to keep you cozy all day.

16. Horizon Hound Down Camping Blanket

Combine versatility and comfort with Horizon Hound’s lightweight outdoor camping quilt blanket (77”x50”). It is a compressible sleeping system that fits any backpack and it’s suitable during cold nights or warmer weather for your next camping trip!

The Horizon Hound uses water-resistant 20D ripstop nylon to limit staining & odors. It’s filled with RDS-certified sustainable duck down for a warm poncho-style blanket and pairs well with the rest of your thermal equipment for warmth in winter.

17. YETI Lowlands Blanket

Transform your next outdoor event into your basecamp with YETI’s Lowlands Blanket. This all-terrain, ultra-comfortable blanket is one of a kind and built for two to sit or one to be wrapped up in (55”x78”)!

This outdoor blanket boasts a hydro barrier layer, making it durable and waterproof on the outside, with a supremely soft interior. Its interior material allows it to shake off pet hair quickly; if that doesn’t do the trick, it’s machine washable.

What to Consider Before Buying a Blanket for Outdoor Seating

It would help if you considered what you’d use your blanket for. Will you be watching sporting events? Are you pitching a tent under the stars and enjoying a campfire? Or are you going to spend the day at the beach? The activities you have in mind might benefit from different types of outdoor blankets.

Size

How many people are going to be using this blanket at a time? If you plan to share your blanket with a friend or family member, 60×55 inches is a good size. A family of four or five will need a covering of at least 60×80 inches. An 80×80 inch blanket is a great place to start for five people or more. For more details on picnic blanket sizes, check this out for your reference.

Size considerations can also change slightly depending on use. If you’re sitting on top of the blanket, you’ll require less fabric than if you plan to wrap yourself in it. If you’re looking to sit on your blanket and fold it over so that it covers your body, we would consider adding size to your outdoor blanket.

Waterproofing

You might be thinking, why would I need a waterproof blanket if I don’t plan on being outside in the rain? The answer is simple, just because you don’t plan on being out in the rain doesn’t mean that what you’ll be sitting on won’t be wet. The ground holds moisture and will transfer it to your blanket if it isn’t waterproof. Additionally, bleachers at a sporting event may be damp and uncomfortable to sit on without a waterproof covering.

Additionally, it’s always nice to know that you have rain protection. If you get stuck outside in the rain at a concert, sporting event, or camping trip, you can utilize your blanket’s waterproof fabric to improve your experience. Vinyl, nylon, and Gore-tex® are among the most popular waterproof materials used on outdoor blankets.

Read the full post for the complete list. Learn what you should look for in blanket durability, weight, packability, comfort, and more!

Outdoor Blanket FAQ

What kind of blanket is good for the outdoors?

Any machine-washable and weather-resistant blanket is good for the outdoors. Specific features largely depend on what you’re using your outdoor blanket for, but a blanket that’s easy to wash and can withstand the elements should do the trick!

What kind of blanket do you use for a picnic?

Ideally, you would want to use a picnic blanket or mat for a picnic. A picnic blanket and a picnic mat include a waterproof bottom and a softer, more comfortable top fabric. This will keep you dry and comfortable while enjoying a meal outdoors.

Can I use a regular blanket for a picnic?

You can use a regular fleece, cotton, or wool blanket for a picnic; however, it might not be your best option. A blanket without a durable, waterproof backing might not be comfortable to sit on if the ground is wet, hard, or cold.

What is the Warmest Blanket for the outdoors?

Blankets with down fill and wool blankets are the warmest for the outdoors.

What Can I Use Instead of a Picnic Blanket?

In emergencies, you can use various items you might find around the house for a picnic blanket. A towel, workout mat, or bedsheet can do the trick! Check out our list of 14 creative items you could use as a picnic blanket.