The $10 Outdoor Blanket I Regret Not Buying Sooner (Plus More Editor Favorites!)

Starting off strong with Baggu’s absolutely adorable picnic blanket, which our lifestyle editor, Sofia Rivera, swears by. For one, it’s made of cushioned polyester, which makes the hard ground feel way more comfortable and acts as a strong barrier for any dampness. It also rolls up compactly and can be secured with Velcro straps, so transport is a breeze.

“It’s not so big that it’ll catch in the wind like a sail when you try to lay it down, but, at 72x54 inches, it’s big enough that you and your friend can lounge comfortably on it together, along with your picnic,” Sofia says in her review.

In addition to its wool camping blankets, Costco-favorite brand Pendleton makes luxurious picnic blankets, which are so stylish that you could just as easily put them on your bed. The polyester packable throw is currently sold out, but this cotton version also rolls up for on-the-go use — just keep in mind that it’s not waterproof. But that means you can also use it as a normal blanket on chilly nights spent outdoors.

Also technically a blanket to wrap yourself in, Pretty Rugged’s warm and cozy Puffer Blanket doubles as a durable picnic blanket, according to former deputy commerce editor Alicia Kort. It’s made of special “RuggedTex” nylon, which is specially designed to block out the elements.

“​​The ground in the park had seen better days — instead of being grassy, it was essentially dirt,” she says in her review. “The blanket protected us from the worst of it, and the dirt just shook out. I wiped the puffer off with a damp paper towel once I got home, though, just to be safe.”

The Matador Pocket Blanket will take up hardly any space in your home or bag, but it still packs a punch. It features premium ripstop fabric with waterproof coating, so it works even on soggy ground. It fits two to four people comfortably, and won’t blow away in the win with the included corner stakes.

“It’s a perfect blanket for air travelers, anywhere you need to sit on the ground, and it kept us dry in the downpour at the celebrity golf tournament in Tahoe. So it’s like having an umbrella at all times,” says one review on REI’s website. “I carry it with me every day for its multiple uses.”

I’ve taken this one to the beach and the park on numerous occasions since I got it last year, and it’s still going strong. I like the classic plaid print, and the blanket folds down small so that it isn’t a pain to store in my tiny apartment. Plus, the PE waterproof membrane is anti-sand and blocks out moisture. It could be a little more weighted, but putting some of my belongings on the corners keeps it from flying away.

Alison Goldman, our special projects director, says this blanket “has survived multiple years of farmers market berries with a toddler.” If that isn’t a ringing endorsement, I don’t know what is! It comes in three different sizes, and like the majority of the others on this list, it’s easy to clean and water-resistant. It folds into a little bag with a long shoulder strap — and it has a little zippered pocket!

What better brand than Yeti to buy a heavy-duty picnic blanket from? It repels everything from water to dirt to pet hair, and you can toss it into the washing machine and dryer. The brand even claims your dog will love it, too. It’ll stay in tip-top shape when you keep it in the matching bag.

Further, over 700 five-star reviews back it up. “My family and I use it constantly,” one shopper says. “It's always in the car. Doesn't pick up grass, hair, or debris. Fairly spill-proof. We use it at concerts, fireworks, camping, picnicking. And it still looks brand new.”

Dubbed the “original puffy blanket,” this option from Rumpl is stain- and water-resistant, all while boasting an entirely recycled shell, liner, and insulation made from plastic bottles. It rolls up into a sack so you can easily tote it to the park or beach. And the gorgeous Cascade Fade print is the cherry on top; it’s inspired by the High Cascades that run through Washington and Oregon. It has a near-perfect rating from a whopping 4,000 shoppers.