Outdoor Picnic Blanket

Spending time outdoors is one of the surest ways to meet friends and enjoy our current splendid summer weather, although for us it's picnic time until the first snowfall. Whether you're meeting friends in Prospect Park or heading to the beach, a smooth, waterproof surface is a must. Find the best picnic blankets, blankets and blankets for every occasion, from recreational trailers to hiking pit stops, with advice from nature lovers and professional picnic planners. After you've picked out your blanket, we've also written about the best picnic supplies and camping chairs.

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What are we looking for

Size: "Size matters," says Perfect Picnic NYC founder Wendy Weston when shopping for a picnic blanket. A blanket or rug that's only 40 x 60 inches is really only good for two people at a time. On the other hand, at most group picnics, everyone usually brings their own blanket. For homes, consider ceilings that are at least 60 inches by 70 inches. To help you plan, we've created a size chart for each featured item and which of those items are available in multiple sizes.

Fabric: Whether it's polyester, nylon or cotton, a good picnic blanket "should be durable and able to be placed on any outdoor surface," says Annie Seddington, president and coordinator of PikNYC Luxury Events. "You don't want to worry about tearing or puncturing." While the term "picnic blanket" evokes memories of heavy wool plaids of the past, today we prefer washable blankets that are more suitable for outdoor use - especially around food, children or dog.

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BEST USE: We also focus on the best performance of each blanket. "In windy areas, it's really helpful to have loops in the corners of the picnic blanket to keep it firmly attached to the ground," says Seddington. "For beach picnics, there are special picnic blankets that you can carry in your pocket and use the sand as a weight." If you're on soft grass or sand, you can use a thinner (and therefore more compact) blanket, But on most other surfaces, a heavier fabric or some type of padding is required. While all of these options are relatively easy to clean, our experts recommend staying away from bright colors if you plan to take your blanket anywhere other than the beach. "It's painful, and once the dirt gets in, you can wash it nine million times and it doesn't come out. A person's footprints never come off."

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Best Picnic Blankets

Overall the best picnic blanket

Scuddles Oversized Picnic and Outdoor Blanket

Now $27 7% off

from $25

Eight Sizes | Acrylic | Picnic in the Park

This highly durable blanket from Scuddles meets all the requirements for a comfortable and functional picnic mat recommended by our experts. It's a classic double-sided design: wipe-clean waterproof plastic on the bottom, soft acrylic on the top, and a layer of cushioning in the middle to prevent a princess and pea situation in the park. "It can conquer grass, sand, or anywhere you want to sit," says Ali Rosen, author of the cookbook "Bring It!". Singles, couples and groups come in all sizes; the blankets are also easy to roll up and have strong handles. the best? This blanket is so affordable that you can keep it in different sizes, or keep one in the car and the other in the car.

Starting at $25 at Amazon

best upholstery

Pendleton Outdoor Folding Blanket

$35

Now $42 17% off

This packable (and surprisingly affordable) Pendleton Blanket shares a similar carry design with the Scuddles Blanket, but is padded for extra comfort. It also has a waterproof polyester cover on the sides. Featuring the brand's famous prints inspired by the national park system. This blanket has two large storage pockets to store your belongings while you're hanging out. It's extremely durable, even if you have pets that chew and drool, like her Dulce Randall, an Arizona outdoor enthusiast and mother of three to her. @chaosinthedesert she thinks it's "perfect for all our adventures".

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Amazon $35

Cost $30

best blanket

Rumpl Original Puffy BlanketStrategy Test

$99

75" x 52" | Recycled Polyester | Picnics, Camping, Hiking in the Park

A plush blanket, like Rumple's sleeping bag, makes even day hikers and backpackers feel pampered. The brand sent me a review earlier this summer and I've become a big fan of it.It feels luxurious and comfortable in all aspects. The right amount of extra bulk is well worth it.It's designed to keep your camper warm on chilly nights, but it's also great for picnics if you prefer a well-cushioned surface. There are also corner loops for fixing (there is also a clip function that pushes into the cape stick and transforms it). I took my friends on a picnic. should spread. The blanket folds up very small. Jennifer Mavas, founder of Whimsical Women, used them on a recent hike with her husband, son, and dog. "It's super easy to put on and comfortable enough for a baby to climb on. Dogs can walk on the blanket without worrying about it tearing with their claws." increase.

$99

Lemp $99

best beach blanket

Giverale Sundress Beach Blanket

USD10

80" x 50" | Nylon | Beach Day, Camping

Seddington describes this big beach girlfriend blanket as "compact, waterproof, and resistant to sand and wind." There isn't enough padding to protect your hips from bumpy terrain, but the lightweight ripstop his nylon his upper is perfect for the beach elements. It comes with a sandbag and nails, packs into a small drawstring carabiner pouch, and weighs only 10 oz.

$10 at Walmart

Amazon $10

best climbing blanket

Matador pocket blanket strategy test

$30

63" x 44". Nylon | Hiking and Backpacking

This handbag-sized blanket is similar to the beach girlfriend blanket above, but it's smaller and lighter, making it perfect for hiking and backpacking. We love the small but powerful built-in corner posts that make it easy to stretch the fabric onto a tough, waterproof surface. One side seam indicates where to fold the blanket to fit in the included bag, but I tend to roll it up for storage. I like it small, but it's not as comfortable as the Rumpl. Clean the bottom of the stone and stick it on a flat surface if possible.

custom post $30

$35

best terrain coverage

Nomadix Festival BlanketStrategy Test

$70

60" x 70" | Recycled Polyester | Picnics in the park, days at the beach, festivals, camping, van life

Nomadix sent me this blanket for testing in early summer. I take it to the beach most weekends. It's comfortable thickness, but can be easily folded or rolled up for storage. It has a unique (towel-like) synthetic leather finish that lies comfortably on top and has a waterproof lining. The feel is very durable and fade resistant. I have never used it for this purpose, but I think it would be a great floor mat to decorate your campsite with.Note: This blanket has corner loops for fixing, but nails are not included.I take it with me from time to time, but the fabric is heavy enough to withstand the wind. If you're looking for a blanket for all your outdoor activities, this is it!

real $70

Nomad $70

best blanket

Great value on the DII Diamond Throw Collection Cotton Balls

USD10

50" x 60" | Cotton | Picnic in the Park

If you prefer the beauty of a cotton blanket, picnic planners recommend a plastic or canvas tarp underneath to avoid the discomfort caused by mud and damp grass. A Seddington favorite, this patterned scarf comes in eight pastel colors and features decorative fringes for affordable luxury.

Amazon $10

$28 at Walmart

best luxury blanket

Annie Selke Pilar striped throw

Annie Selke Pilar striped throw

$98

60" x 78" | Cotton | Picnics in the park, outdoor activities

If you're planning an outdoor event, Weston recommends adding a touch of color with a soft cotton scarf from Annie Selke. "They enhance every picnic," she promises. "They're simply premium natural fiber blankets that can truly blend in with any environment." Available in bold and subtle striped shades.Machine washable and ethically manufactured in India.

Ann Selke $98

The best (and cheap) blankets

IKEA Holmvi Throw

IKEA Holmvi Throw

$8

47" x 63" | Recycled Polyester | Picnic in the Park

Meanwhile, Picnic & Peonys founder Michelle Ison stocked up on these simple her IKEA blankets because they were "relatively large, soft, and a nice green color." Not to mention that she's very affordable "because she doesn't feel guilty about getting dirt or grass stains," but if that's an issue, it's machine washable.

IKEA $8

best durable blanket

walk around the carpet

walk around the carpet

$215

36" x 60". Cotton | Picnics in the Park, Beach Days

Thicker and more durable than the options above, this picnic blanket from trendy glamping brand Get Out is an investment that looks great in any setting. Recommended by Chelsea Rizzo and Allison Levy, co-founders of the women's outdoor brand and New York Hiking She's Club She's Hikerkind co-founders, this rug is a combination beach towel and picnic blanket that's great for swimming. Perfect for the creative hub next door. hole. Machine washable. In addition to picnics, the brand also recommends using it as a tent blanket.

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