5 best cold weather camping blankets for 2023: ensure you block out the chill this winter
Our round-up of the best cold weather camping blankets
The main thing to consider when going cold weather camping is how to stay warm. Staying warm is vital to having fun on a winter camping trip.
The best cold weather camping blankets can massively help with staying warm around a campfire or on top of your sleeping bag.
Wool is often the best material for keeping you warm as it regulates your body temperature, but there are some very good synthetic blankets that can keep you super warm and cozy.
In a hurry? Here are our top 3 picks for the best cold weather camping blankets.
Most lightweight camping blanket for cold weather
- genuine 650 Fill-power down insulation
- water-resistant
- machine washable
- size: 77″ x 50″
- weight: 1.1lbs
Arcturus Military Wool Blanket
Best budget cold weather camping blanket
- 80% wool
- machine washable
- size: 64″ x 88″
- weight: 4.5 lbs
Woolly Mammoth Woolen Co. Extra Large Blanket
Largest cold weather camping blanket
- 80% merino wool, 20% nylon/polyester
- size: 66″ x 90″
- weight: 4lbs
What is the warmest camping blanket?
The warmest camping blanket you can consider is made from wool. Not only does it keep you warm but it also regulates your body temperature to ensure you don’t get too hot.
The warmest camping blanket is the Woolly Mammoth Woolen Co. Extra Large Merino Wool Blanket.
The Woolly Mammoth blanket can keep you warm to temperatures down to around 35°F, which is about the warmest you will find in a single camping blanket.
Camping blankets instead of sleeping bags – the debate
Many people use camping blankets instead of sleeping bags, and while in the warmer months this is fine, in colder months you definitely want either a sleeping bag or more layers.
If you want to use a blanket instead of a sleeping bag in colder weather, the best way is to turn the blanket into a mummy-style sleeping bag.
5 best cold weather camping blankets
1. Arcturus Military Wool Blanket
Triple-washed, soft, and cozy camping blanket for cold weather
The Arcturus Military Wool Blanket offers the best bang for your buck if you’re looking for a camping blanket on a budget.
Its main downfall is in its weight, but that’s to be expected with most blankets that are made from natural materials such as wool.
But if you’re going to be doing lots of hiking, a synthetic, lightweight blanket might be a better option.
It uses an 80% wool mix for optimum comfort, warmth and durability.
While it’s not the largest of blankets on the list, it is a decent size that can wrap around you comfortably or cover two people when laying down in sleeping bags.
The blanket is machine washable but being predominantly wool, we would recommend dry cleaning or hand washing and air drying it to protect the fibers.
2. Get Out Gear Down Camping Blanket
A puffy, down-filled camping blanket for cold weather
The Get Out Gear Down Camping Blanket uses an 80/20 blend of responsibly sourced duck down and feathers to create a warmth and comfort like no other.
The ultra lightweight down mixed with the puffer style design makes for one of comfiest and coziest camping blankets for cold weather.
Whether you want to sit and wrap it around you, or lay it on top of your sleeping bag for extra warmth it feels like a super gentle hug.
The blanket is completely machine washable, but being down-filled, you may find the fill inside the pockets ball up.
If this happens the best way is to either cold tumble it or air dry it on a windy day.
The blanket offers fantastic warmth and can keep you warm on its own to about 45°F.
So in tandem with a good sleeping bag, is an excellent added heat source for cold weather camping.
3. Oceas Sherpa Waterproof Camping Blanket
A soft, sherpa-fleece blanket stitched to a 100% waterproof polyester backing
The Oceas Sherpa Blanket offers the perfect blend between functionality and comfort.
One side offers a warm, fluffy sherpa fleece, while the other offers a fully waterproof and windproof polyester backing to protect you and the interior of your blanket from the rain.
It is literally so waterproof you can lay it down on soaking wet grass or stand in the pouring rain with it around you and no water will seep through.
This unique design makes it the perfect companion for almost any cold weather situation, whether it be rain, wind or snow.
It’s also one of the best and easiest camping blankets to machine wash. You won’t have any problems with bunching or shedding like some of the other down or wool blankets.
4. Desert Breeze Alpaca and Sheep Wool Blanket
100% alpaca and sheep wool camping blanket for extreme cold
The Desert Breeze Alpaca and Sheep Wool Blanket is a fantastic option if you’re looking for quality, durability and 100% natural.
Its 100% wool fabrication means you’ll be completely warm in some of the coldest winter temperatures.
What makes this blanket truly stand out from the rest is its exceptional quality and workmanship.
The blankets are made from wool sourced from alpaca and sheep raised in the Andes, then spun, woven and finished by a family owned mill in Peru.
If you’re looking for a blanket that can last you a lifetime and keep you warm in cold temperatures, look no further.
5. Woolly Mammoth Woolen Co. Extra Large Merino Wool Camp Blanket
A huge merino wool camping blanket for cold weather
The Woolly Mammoth Woolen Co. Extra Large Blanket is the perfect option for couples or two people looking to wrap up under a blanket around a campfire or to sleep under in a tent.
It also offers a great balance between quality, weight, warmth and price.
Its cost is somewhere in the mid-range for a thermal camping blanket, but its quality, ability to keep you warm and size are way off the scale.
It is definitely on the heavier side if you plan to do a lot of hiking with it, but if you are staying in one place and want something super large for romantic nights around the fire or as a second blanket in your tent, it’s superb.
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