Picnicking is romantic. Meals is packed up and thoroughly stacked in a wicker basket or cooler, and you then sit on a cute blanket and nosh and chuckle 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 one of the best picnic blankets by testing 13 of them. This concerned lifting two 20-pound dumbbells, consuming ham sandwiches and sushi, keeping off seagulls and ants, and naturally, having a grand outdated time within the nice open air. The consequence: I discovered eight of one of the best picnic blankets you should purchase, 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 saved me, my associates, and our lunch protected 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 liked 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, comfortable, and moveable, 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 smooth. It’s additionally fairly spacious. 

That is one utilitarian little blanket. It packs as much as be the dimensions of a deck of playing cards and weighs 3.8 ounces—you may toss it in your daypack and never even realize it’s there. It additionally has built-in stakes so you’ll be able to 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 attractive blanket can assist you notice your imaginative and prescient. Seems apart, it’s additionally waterproof, smooth, and spacious, which counts for a complete lot. 

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

If you wish to host a veritable picnic blowout, that is the blanket to get. It’s an enormous 95 by 95 inches—that’s 63 sq. toes complete. (It may match three of me mendacity down every method!) Whereas rolling up a blanket of this dimension was a problem, the built-in bag straps made it rather less awkward. 

The Exams

• 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 received 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 snug. 
• 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 someday, and sushi and grapes one other). In between keeping off hungry seagulls, I famous if the blankets had been comfortable to take a seat on, in the event that they felt cramped, and if the sand shook off simply afterward. 

What We Discovered

Picnic Blankets That Folded Right into a Bag Have 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 bit of cheese now or deliver it residence, the place it would inevitably molder within the fridge. With all of this to consider, packing up the picnic blanket ought to be the least of your worries. 

As somebody who can’t fold a towel or bedsheet to avoid wasting my life, I liked 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 harder to pack. I needed to squeeze the air out as I rolled, bringing me again to my days as a Woman Scout attempting to wrangle my sleeping bag again into its carrying pouch. After a couple 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 every part helter-skelter into my tote bag. 

Mushy, Giant Picnic Blankets Have been the Most Snug

It could sound trite, however I liked smooth, comfortable picnic blankets. If I’m going to be sitting on the bottom, I wish to mitigate discomfort as greatest I can. Whereas some blankets just like the CG Gear Sand-Free Picnic Mat prioritized holding sand off and others tried to be utilitarian stylish with ripstop development, they only weren’t snug 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 smooth, cashmere-like topsides of the nomadix and Yeti Lowlands blankets. I may lounge on my facet and really feel like a Roman emperor plucking grapes on a comfortable ottoman relatively than a bug-bitten gal keeping off ants on an itchy blanket. Picnicking is an try to elevate consuming outdoors 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 associates, you may want two blankets. The exception was the Nemo, which is a whopping eight by eight toes—the limo of picnic blankets. 

Most Picnic Blankets Have 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: Almost 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 manufactured from 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 ought to be snug to take a seat on, spacious, and simply packable. I particularly favored blankets with built-in carrying pouches—they had been simple to re-pack and I didn’t have to fret about dropping the carrying bag or harness. An excellent 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 will also be used on the seashore, that’s a win in my ebook. 

Our Favourite Picnic Blankets

What we favored: This light-weight blanket simply folded right into a bag, full with a deal with and shoulder strap. It was additionally comfortable 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 couple of enjoyable colours and patterns and within reason priced. What extra may I ask for? It needed to be a winner. 

What we didn’t like: It’s mild, so it’s greatest 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 favored: I liked the silky, smooth 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 potential, 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 favored: This light-weight blanket folds up simply right into a neat little roll with a deal with. The floor was smooth 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 take pleasure in our seashore picnic lunch, too. Plus, it’s lower than $20 and is available in a couple 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 mild, sufficient that I needed to get a couple of rocks to carry it down on the seashore. It’s additionally on the smaller facet. 

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 favored: That is virtually like a quilt—it’s that smooth, 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 evaluate (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 favored: In case your concept of a picnic is consuming some backpacking meals trailside on a mountain climbing journey, that is the blanket for you. It’s tiny, weighs lower than an avocado (I truly weighed an avocado to verify this), and has built-in stakes to maintain it taut on the bottom. It’s greatest for solo picnics, although you may squeeze a buddy on it when you don’t thoughts being cozy. 

What we didn’t like: It stained simply and received damp spots. The wind saved 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 favored: The highest of this blanket is smooth and woven with a reasonably sample, whereas the underside is lined with waterproof materials: It’s one of the best of each worlds. I’d seize this blanket if I wished to impress my associates 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 sporting black leggings and after I appeared down, I used to be lined 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 favored: The fleece-lined prime of this blanket is smooth and cozy (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 delicate cleaning soap by hand solely. Don’t dry clear. Don’t iron.

What we favored: That is the limousine of picnic blankets: It’s large, and it might probably maintain numerous meals and other people. Whereas all the different blankets I examined had been round 60 by 70 inches, the Nemo added about 30 inches per facet. (And there’s a good bigger providing, too, although I feel the XL dimension I examined is large enough.) The highest of the blanket was smooth and cozy to take a seat on, and I favored that it had a built-in strap system to pack it up—attempting to fold this factor and match it right into a bag would’ve been a Sisyphean process. The hidden zipper pouch was a pleasant contact, too—I put my keys and cellphone in it after I went for a dip within the sea. 

What we didn’t like: Should you’re like me and hate drawing consideration to your self in a public place, this blanket may trigger you stress. After I examined it on the seashore, multiple individual stopped to touch upon its appreciable dimension (however this additionally may 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 onerous to shake out as a result of the blanket was so large. Packing it again up felt like wrangling a tent, however as soon as I received 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 obligatory, machine-wash on a delicate cycle if wanted

The Competitors

• Rumpl All over the place Mat: This was a superb picnic blanket, however I discovered the feel slightly crunchy. It was additionally tough to stuff into the hooked up bag. 
• Oniva Waterproof Stadium Blanket Picnic Blanket: This was a pleasant, smooth blanket with a fleece-like prime, however the separate bag was small, making it robust to repack. 
• CG Gear Sand-Free Picnic Mat: This blanket carried out greatest on the seashore because it’s manufactured from porous materials that lets sand fall by. However it wasn’t the comfiest blanket I examined, and it received moist on a grassy garden. 
• Baggu Puffy Picnic Blanket: Cute, however the ripstop development was crunchy and received damp spots on the underside. It was additionally onerous 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 tough to slide onto the folded blankets. 

FAQs

What sort of blanket is greatest for picnics?

A picnic blanket ought to be massive sufficient to accommodate at the least two to 3 individuals (plus meals!), and it ought to have a water-resistant underside. Whilst you may 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 nice 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 smooth one) had been one of the best when it comes to consolation and sturdiness. Ripstop was too crunchy and scratchy, and a blanket solely manufactured from 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 would simply accommodate 5 to 6 individuals if you wish to have a bigger picnic social gathering. 

Why We’re the Consultants

• 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 organising a picnic on the seashore.