It folds up into a small rectangle, though we wish it included some sort of carrying case. The Yeti Lowlands is heavier than we’d generally like for a portable option. It’s also significantly larger than any other one-person camping blanket we tested. It comes with a handy carrying case and shoulder strap, but it isn’t nearly ozark trail canopy small enough to fit in a backpack. Our favorite blankets for sheer comfort are the Therm-a-Rest Stellar, Kelty Biggie, and Kelty Bestie. While most camping blankets are made of slippery, swishy material to repel dirt, hair, and water, the Kelty models have a soft underside that’s pleasant to put right against your skin.
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All you have to do is connect the metal poles to the frame, and insert the seating cloth onto the frame. Simply adjust the height of the pillow with the velcro patch on the back. “This chair gets it right. Great details and quality!” – George T. Please go back to your cart to review and delete any out of stock items. Changing your order type may impact availability of items already in your cart.
For each adventure, we trucked along our cadre of camping blankets to test side-by-side. In addition to assessing how each performed on cold nights, we measured insulative properties and packed size. The 4-pound, steel-framed REI chair has an attached carry strap, rather than a carry bag (which the other chairs have). After a couple of camping trips, we concluded that a strap is more convenient than a bag—it’s quicker and easier for a kid to grab the chair and go, without parental help. It is made with sturdy materials and designed to withstand heavy weight.
These include the Zaze Extra Large, Scuddles Extra Large Picnic, Yeti Lowlands, and Nomadix Festival. The inexpensive Zaze and Scuggles blankets are really only good for picnics. In a really tight pinch, they might work as traditional blankets, but they won’t keep you very warm. The Yeti Lowlands and Nomadix Festival are quite a bit more versatile. Both make excellent ground pads, with utility hoops that can be used to stake down the blankets. Neither are our top choice for getting cozy by the fireplace as they have polyester undersides, but they are both reasonable options to wrap up in.
When it comes to cleaning them, each blanket differs in how you can treat it. Most models we tested can be washed at home in a front-loading washer on a delicate setting and air-dried. Down blankets can have their filling re-fluffed in your home dryer on a gentle, no-heat cycle with a few clean tennis balls.
When it comes to the market, it’s important to shop around and compare prices from different retailers. You may be able to find a better deal online than in a physical store. Additionally, keep an eye out for sales and discounts, especially during the off-season when retailers may be trying to clear out their inventory.
Kalee Thompson is the senior editor heading up Wirecutter’s kid coverage. When she wrote the first version of this guide, Kalee lived in Southern California, where she tested chairs on three group camping trips. Camping chairs are not just for sitting around the campfire for a few minutes. You may be spending hours in your chair, so comfort is important. Some chairs even come with cushions that can be added or removed to adjust the level of comfort.
Ben is an avid backpacker who has hiked several of America’s iconic long trails, snuggling up under a variety of bags and quilts over thousands of trail miles. Having spent almost two decades in northern New England, he knows a thing or two about staying warm in the ozark trail chair cold. No other chair in our testing pool—except perhaps the extremely pricey Yeti Trailhead—came close to matching the King Kong’s build quality. Our testers consistently said the King Kong chair was the most heavy-duty-feeling model of all the chairs we tested.
This time-tested classic is reasonably priced, roomy, and dependable enough to last for years. It’s not our lightest, most comfortable, or toughest pick, but it’s close enough, and it’s reasonably priced. If you’re looking for highly specialized or ultra-lightweight chairs for backpacking, our recommendations are probably not for you.