Camping is a blast, unless you forget your camping blanket. Without adequate protection against the elements, you may find that the great outdoors isn’t so great.
Wrap up in a comfy, well-insulated camping blanket when it’s time to settle down, and you’re likely to have a peaceful night’s sleep. However, choosing the best camping blanket isn’t as simple as picking a blanket for your home. There are several factors to consider based on what you’re using it for, where you’re camping, and more. The following tips will help you choose a camping blanket for your upcoming adventure.
1. Know the Purpose of Your Camping Blanket
When choosing a camping blanket, your first task should be knowing its purpose. For example, will it be used for picnics, warmth, as a tarp, etc... The intended purpose is the most important thing to consider when deciding which camping blanket will be best for your trip.
Whether you’re buying a new camping blanket or trying to figure out which of your current blankets to bring, this information will help narrow your options. Additionally, you may even discover that you require more than one blanket for your excursion.
2. Pick a Camping Blanket Suited to your Destination’s Weather
The climate where you’ll be camping is another important consideration when choosing the best camping blanket for your trip. Some blankets may be suitable for several types of weather, but choosing the wrong one can turn a fun adventure into an uncomfortable one.
Warm Weather
If you’ll be camping in warm weather (60 degrees or above), you likely won’t require an insulated camping blanket. Instead, you’ll need something that keeps moisture at bay and provides sweat-wicking. Also consider that there will likely be insects, so a blanket that protects you against creepy crawlers and mosquitos is a good choice.
Cold Weather
For cold weather climates of 40°F or below, warm camping blankets that insulate from cold and trap in heat are imperative. Such blankets protect against hypothermia and wind chill. If the climate is especially cold, you may want more than one camping blanket for added warmth and comfort.
Wet Weather
Few things are more miserable than having wet bedding when camping. If you’ll be camping in a rainy or humid area, choose a lightweight, waterproof blanket. This will keep you from becoming soggy. Wet is especially problematic if temperatures are chilly, which is a case where you’d likely need multiple camping blankets. In this case, use a waterproof blanket to wrap your warm blanket and protect it from the elements.
3. Make Sure the Material of Your Camping Blanket is Warm Enough
The most common concern that pops up when choosing a camping blanket is providing enough warmth. As mentioned, climate plays a huge factor in determining the level of warmth you’ll need. The best way to determine the warmth of a blanket is to consider the material from which the camping blanket is made.
Denali Microplush Fabric
Denali’s MicroPlush® fabric is like no other blanket material on the market. In addition to being soft and warm, Denali blankets contain billions of air pockets in between the fibers. These fibers help to maintain body temperature during warm and cool conditions to keep you comfortable in all elements.
Wool
There’s a reason why the military continues to use wool blankets. They are very warm and retain body heat. Wool even protects against wet weather by wicking away moisture, which also makes them fire-resistant.
On the downside, wool can be extremely uncomfortable, especially for campers with sensitive skin. Such material is also heavy and bulky and dries out very slowly.
Plastic/Foil
Used for emergency situations, plastic or foil blankets are not for snuggling up in your tent on a cold night. Rather, these thin, lightweight, folded blankets are meant to be carried on your person in case of an emergency. Such blankets act as a wind barrier and are designed to trap heat.
Polyester
Polyester can be a good material for all-purpose camping blankets due to its wide range of benefits that make it suitable for different climates. Polyester camping blankets are made of durable synthetic fiber that is warm, lightweight, waterproof, and fire-resistant. The material is also good at sweat-wicking meaning you can pack one for almost every camping trip.
Fleece
If you want the benefits of wool without the skin discomfort, fleece is a good alternative. This camping blanket material keeps you warm and insulated. Unlike wool, fleece is lightweight and dries quickly. On the downside, fleece is highly flammable and should never be used around open flames like a campfire.
Cotton
Cotton may be a great choice in blankets at home, but it’s a poor choice for camping. The material is susceptible to damp, quickly soaking up moisture and becoming heavy. Cotton also takes a long time to dry and is flammable.
4. Determining the Weight/Size of Your Camping Blanket is Important
If you’ll be walking some distance to your campsite with your blanket or carrying it around for picnics while hiking, opt for a lightweight material so you aren’t weighed down when walking. Additionally, use some forethought as to the size of the blanket. Avoid a blanket that is too large or small for your purposes. For example, a picnic blanket can likely be compact as you’ll only need to sit on it, but the blanket you sleep with when camping should be larger so you can wrap up — especially if you’ll be sharing it.
5. Choose a Durable Camping Blanket
Since camping tends to be a roughing-it type of activity, it’s important that your camping blanket is durable. Choose a blanket that will stand up to the rigors of weather fluctuations and rough terrain, ideally for multiple camping trips.
Denali blankets are highly durable, making them perfect for camping. Made of resilient fibers, Denali blankets are hand-stitched and double thick to withstand a lifetime of use. In fact, we’re so confident that our blankets will last, that we offer a lifetime warranty to replace it if your blanket does get damaged beyond repair. Shop our wide selection of blankets perfect for camping and discover the Denali difference for yourself!
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