How to Choose the Best Camping Blanket: What to Look For

One of the main purposes of a camping blanket is to provide extra warmth when outdoor temperatures fall.

Even after a warm day, temperatures can change considerably after sunset. Depending on where and when you camp, a blanket may be useful around your shoulders while sitting outside, as an additional layer over your sleeping bag or as extra bedding inside a tent, swag, caravan or campervan.

When comparing camping blankets, consider the conditions you're most likely to encounter. A blanket intended mainly for mild summer trips may have different requirements from one you'll regularly use on cold nights or during winter camping.

Wool is particularly well suited to changing temperatures because the fibre's natural structure traps insulating air while staying breathable. This makes a wool blanket a versatile additional layer when conditions change throughout a camping trip.

The weight and density of a camping blanket can provide useful clues about how substantial it will feel and how well suited it may be to different types of camping.

One measurement you may encounter is GSM, or grams per square metre. This measures the weight of the fabric relative to its size. Generally, a higher GSM indicates a denser and more substantial fabric, although GSM shouldn't be considered in isolation when assessing the quality or warmth of a blanket.

A more substantial camping blanket can be particularly useful when:

• Camping in cooler conditions.
• Adding an extra layer over a swag or sleeping bag.
• Travelling by car, caravan or 4WD where minimising every gram isn't essential.
• Keeping a versatile blanket in your vehicle for outdoor trips.

If you're hiking and carrying all of your equipment over long distances, weight and packed size may become more important. For car camping and road trips, however, you may prefer the additional comfort and warmth of a more substantial blanket.

Camping blankets are available in wool, fleece and a variety of synthetic materials, and each has different characteristics.

Rather than choosing based on softness alone, think about how the material will perform in the conditions where you'll actually use it. Warmth, breathability, durability, moisture management and how the fabric responds around a campsite are all relevant considerations.

Wool is a natural choice for camping because it provides insulation while remaining breathable and can continue to provide warmth even when conditions become damp.

Synthetic and fleece blankets can also offer advantages depending on your priorities, including lower weight in some designs. If you're deciding between the two, our guide to Wool vs Fleece Blankets: Which Is Better? provides a more detailed comparison.

Camping often means dealing with conditions you can't completely control. Morning dew, condensation inside a tent and unexpected changes in weather can all introduce moisture into your campsite.

Wool is particularly useful in these environments because its fibres naturally help manage moisture while continuing to provide insulation in damp conditions. The outer surface of wool fibres can also resist light moisture, making wool a practical choice when conditions aren't perfectly dry.

As with any quality camping gear, it's best to keep your blanket protected from prolonged exposure to rain. If it does become damp during your trip, allow it to dry thoroughly and follow the manufacturer's care instructions before storing it away.

A camping blanket can experience considerably more wear than a blanket that stays on the sofa or bed.

It may be repeatedly packed into the car, laid across a swag, taken between campsites, used around a campfire or kept in a caravan for extended trips. For that reason, durability should be considered alongside comfort.

Look beyond how soft a blanket feels and consider factors such as:

• The type and quality of fibre.
• The weave and density of the fabric.
• How the edges are finished.
• Whether the blanket has been designed with repeated outdoor use in mind.

A well-made camping blanket should provide warmth and comfort while being substantial enough to accompany you on many trips.

Designed specifically with outdoor adventures in mind, Waverley Mills' Tasman Tartan Camp Blankets are woven in Tasmania from 100% Australian wool.

The blankets use durable 29-micron wool in a medium-heavy twill weave, creating a substantial blanket designed for camping, road trips, caravans and nights spent around the campfire.

Features

• 100% Australian wool
• Woven in Tasmania
• 29-micron wool
• Medium-heavy twill weave
• 510 GSM
• Approximately 1.95 kg
• 172 × 225 cm
• Designed for camping and outdoor use

The generous size makes the Tasman Tartan Camp Blankets suitable for wrapping around yourself at the campsite or adding an extra layer over a swag or other camping bedding.

Worldwide shipping is available, so you can take a piece of Tasmanian craftsmanship on your next adventure, wherever you call home.

Not everyone camps the same way, so think about where your blanket is likely to spend most of its time.

Tent and Swag Camping

A camping blanket can provide an additional layer over a sleeping bag or swag when temperatures fall overnight. It can also be used outside the tent before bedtime, giving you one piece of gear that serves several purposes throughout the trip.

Caravans and Campervans

When you're not carrying your equipment on foot, a more substantial wool blanket can be a practical addition to your bedding setup. Keep one within reach for cooler nights or take it outside when relaxing at your campsite.

Road Trips and 4WD Adventures

Keeping a camping blanket in your vehicle means it's readily available during overnight stops, spontaneous outdoor adventures and evenings when the temperature drops unexpectedly.

If your travels are more focused on day trips, picnics and relaxing outdoors, Waverley Mills' Picnic & Travel Rugs offer another option designed for outdoor adventures.

Around the Campfire

A warm blanket can make sitting outside considerably more comfortable once the sun disappears and temperatures begin to fall.

However, no blanket should be placed directly against an open flame, and appropriate fire safety should always be followed around a campsite.

Camping With Pets

If your dog regularly joins your camping adventures, bringing dedicated bedding can give them a familiar place to settle while helping keep your own camping gear cleaner.

Waverley Mills' Pure Wool Pet Blankets provide a dedicated wool layer for pets that can be used at home or taken along on trips.

Camping blankets and picnic blankets can both be useful outdoors, but they're generally chosen with different priorities in mind.

A camping blanket is primarily about providing warmth and an additional layer of insulation. It may be wrapped around your body, placed over a sleeping bag or swag, or used as extra bedding in a caravan or campervan.

A picnic blanket or rug, on the other hand, is primarily used to create a comfortable surface for sitting, eating and relaxing outdoors. Size, seating space and ease of carrying may therefore play a greater role in choosing one.

If you're mainly looking for something to take to parks, beaches, wineries and outdoor lunches, read our guide to How to Choose the Best Picnic Blanket or explore our Picnic & Travel Rugs.

For overnight trips and cooler outdoor conditions, explore our Wool Camping Blankets.

The best camping blanket for you ultimately depends on where you camp, the conditions you expect and how you plan to use it.

Before choosing a camping blanket, ask yourself:

• How cold are the conditions I'm likely to encounter?
• Do I want a lighter blanket or something more substantial?
• Will I use it as additional bedding or mainly around the campsite?
• How well suited is the material to changing outdoor conditions?
• Is it durable enough for repeated camping and travel?
• Will I be carrying it on foot or primarily transporting it by vehicle?

Considering these factors will help you choose a camping blanket that isn't just comfortable at home, but genuinely useful when you're out exploring.