If you’re ready to set out on a winter camping trip we’re sure you’ll have the frosty temperatures top of mind. While there are any number of ways to ensure you’ll stay warm on your trip, one of our favorites is to pack a cozy, comfortable, and warm winter camping blanket.
These are the perfect addition to your sleep set-up as they add a layer of comfort and versatility that you won’t find with any sleeping bag or camping quilt.
To help you decide which of the many options out there is right for you, we’ve compiled our list of the best winter camping blankets for a variety of situations in the following guide.
Check out our top picks below and read on for more details on each blanket along with a few considerations when choosing a blanket for your next winter camping trip.
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Best Overall
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Best Budget Pick
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Best Waterproof
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Best Wool Blanket
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$178.75
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$87.00
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$200.00
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$149.00
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Best Winter Camping Blankets Overview
Best Overall: Rumpl The Down Blanket
A lightweight, warm and travel-ready bit of cozy that's ready to go anywhere you do, the Rumpl Down Puffy blanket is made from the same materials as your favorite down puffy jacket.
- Extremely warm
- Very packable
- Lightweight
- Expensive
Our top pick is the upgraded version of the popular Rumpl Puffy Blanket. Why did we choose this version over the less expensive synthetic Rumpl blanket?
Down fill.
Simply put, you’ll be much warmer using the upgraded down-fill version of the classic Rumpl camping blanket on your winter camping trip. Not only does the warmth factor increase, but the warmth-weight ratio of down is far superior to that of synthetic insulations. So you’ll get a warmer blanket in a lighter package – what’s not to love!
In addition, we love the fun colorways that Rumpl offers and the rip-stop fabric provides a durable exterior (although watchout for snagging it, as rips can happen).
While this is more expensive than some of the other blankts we recommend, if you want the warmest, most-comfortable and versatile winter camping blanket, the Rumpl The Down blanket should be at the top of your list.
Best Budget Pick: Horizon Hound Down Camping Blanket
A lightweight down blanket that won't break the bank. The Horizon Hound Down Camping Blanket offers tremendous warmth while still being lightweight and affordable.
- High level of fill
- Reasonable price
- Very packable
- Not as warm as some options
For a solid budget winter camping blanket, you can’t go wrong with the Horizon Hound Down Camping Blanket. As with our top pick, the key to this blanket is the down fill, which is well worth the investment for the extra warmth in our opinion.
The Horizon Hound is packed full, and is the fluffiest blanket included in this guide in our opinion. It also gets good marks for durability and packability. Weighing in at just over 1 lb means you’ll always have room in your pack for this blanket.
If there is an area it falls short, it would have to be warmth. Compared to some of the higher end options on our list, the Horizon Hound left a bit to be desired on the coldest of nights.
However, don’t let that dissuade you, as this is a great overall pick for the occasional winter camper who is looking for the perfect blanket to augment their sleep system.
Best Waterproof Winter Camping Blanket: YETI Lowlands Blanket
Get cozy at outdoor concerts, tailgates or backcountry post-ups with the all-terrain comfort of the YETI Lowlands Blanket. It's waterproof on the outside and soft, padded and insulated on the inside.
- Waterproof
- Extremely durable
- Machine washable
- Not as warm as other options
- Expensive
If you’re after a waterproof winter camping blanket, then the high-end YETI Lowlands Blanket is your best bet. YETI gear has a reputation as indestructible for a reason, and this blanket is no different. Constructed using a waterproof base layer this is a great blanket for winter campers in warmer climates, or for those who are looking for a groundcover to sit on snow.
You won’t find the same warmth as the Rumpl or Horizon Hound blankets, but the YETI isn’t designed for that anyways. Rather, this is a great blanket to add to your winter camping kit as it provides a great base for sitting, relaxing, or packing up on wet and snowy surfaces.
Of course, it does come at a cost with a price well above the other options presented in this guide. However, you’ll get a top-rated brand and quality that you can only expect from YETI for those wet winter camping outings.
Best Wool Winter Camping Blanket: Pendleton Yakima Wool Blanket
A standout wool camping blanket that is as stylish as it is warm. The perfect addition to your winter camping sleep set-up that will keep you warm and cozy on those cold nights.
- Classic style
- Wool is a great material for winter camping
- Looks good in your tent or house
- Not as warm as other options
Our next pick is for the crowd that cares about aesthetics AND function. The Pendleton Yakima Wool blanket is a camping classic, and works just as well during the winter season. These attractive blankets are famous for their thick wool construction and durability. Designed to last a lifetime, you’ll find the softness of the wool increases over the life of the blanket.
Now, you won’t want to rely on this as your only warm sleeping layer on any winter camping trips where the temperatures will be very cold, but it does provide a cozy layer to the inside of your tent or trailer. We think the Pendleton is the perfect supplement to a warm winter sleeping bag and makes our winter tent feel more like a cozy cabin than a tent.
If you’re budget minded, check out eBay for great deals on used Pendleton blankets as well.
Best Synthetic Fill Winter Camping Blanket: Rumpl Original Camp Blanket
Stay cozy at home, on the road or saddled up next to the campfire with the Rumpl Original Puffy blanket—a warm, packable, travel-ready throw made from 100% recycled materials.
- Synthetic insulation performs well when wet
- More affordable than down
- Versatile design
- Not as warm as down
Our final pick is for those who want a warm, insulated winter camping blanket, but don’t want the expense or downsides of down fill. The Rumpl Original Puffy blanket uses synthetic fill instead of down, making this a good budget option. In addition, synthetic insulation performs better when wet compared to down, so this is a great option if there is a risk of getting your blanket wet.
Rumpl gets two spots in our top picks for a reason – they have excellent reviews, great design, and perform well in all conditions.
Winter Camping Blanket Buying Guide
Let’s dive into some of the key factors and variables to consider when selecting a blanket for winter camping. Remember, the conditions you’ll experience during winter camping will be significantly different than the summer, so it’s worth keeping a few features in mind when selecting a blanket.
Types of Insulation
Generally speaking, you’ll want a blanket with some type of insulation for winter camping. The added warmth from the insulation is what separates most blankets suitable for winter camping from those we’d consider more of a three season option. Here is some general information on different insulation types you’ll encounter:
- Down insulation: This is the warmest, fluffiest, and most comfortable insulation type. It is also the most expensive. And while down has the best insulating properties, it doesn’t do well when wet. We recommend an insulated down blanket for most winter campers, with the exception of those camping in a situation where your blanket could get wet.
- Synthetic insulation: More affordable than down, synthetic insulation has come a long way in recent years. Although typically not as warm as down, it has superior warmth when wet, so we recommend it for situations where you winter camping blanket could become soaked.
Warmth factor
This will be a personal decision based on your own circumstances as well as the weather conditions you might encounters. Our first two picks, the Rumpl Down Blanket and Horizon Hound are the warmest of the bunch, generally appropriate for temperatures below freezing. Does your winter camping set-up include a winter tent with a stove-jack? Then you might be able to consider a blanket that isn’t rated quite as warm.
Of course, we still recommend a warm sleeping bag used in conjunction with your blanket, but if the temps are warm enough you can get away with just the camping blanket.
Weight
This is probably only a factor to be considered if you’re backpacking or carrying all of your gear to your campsite. If you’re car camping or in an RV, you can probably ignore the weight of the blanket.
Generally speaking, down blankets will be the lightest and most packable, with synthetic blankets a close second.
Our wool and waterproof picks will be heavier and are better suited for winter camping trips where you won’t have to carry your gear far.
Weather Resistance & Durability
Another consideration that will be dependant on where you plan to camp is weather resistance. While most of our top picks in this guide have some sort of weather resistance, not all are fully waterproof like the YETI Lowlands. That may or may not be important to you, depending on where you’re camping.
Also, as we previously discussed, down doesn’t do well when wet, so if you’re heading out to damp environment consider a synthetic blanket instead.
Finally, durability and the materials used to make the blanket should be a major consideration. If you’re going with an insulated option, you’ll want a durable rip-stop fabric or similar to prevent tears. Otherwise, all of the blankets in this guide come with great reputations for their long lasting durability.
Conclusion & Wrap-Up
When it comes to a good winter camping blanket, there are tons of options on the market. However, when considering the warmth, durability, and cost, we think the blankets included in this guide will provide you the best option for your next trip.
Be sure to let us know your favorites in the comments below!
