If you plan to spend time on the beach, you really should invest in a beach blanket. There are plenty of reasons to get one, and it will be much more suited to a beach environment than a regular blanket.
For one thing, beach blankets are usually of a squarer size than normal blankets. Some are even big enough for two or more people. The purpose of these blankets is to make your stay at the beach most comfortable.
How does a beach blanket work?
A beach blanket is supposed to keep the sand off your body. To this end it is made of a special material that sand does not stick to. This is because sand is one of the most annoying things on a beach. Sure, it is great to walk on, but when you are lying down on sand, it usually causes irritation. Therefore, a beach blanket is stored in a small bag that prevents it from getting sand all over it.
The beach blanket can be made of different materials, but all of them have the same purposes. The first and most important purpose of a beach blanket is to keep sand off you. To that end blankets are usually made of a resistant material that sand rolls off. Some blankets are additionally waterproof, and at last there are models that are made of a special loose cloth. This loose cloth lets sand fall through, but does not allow it to come back up, effectively making the sand disappear.
However, the more advanced blankets are expensive and hard to find, and the variety with waterproof fabric is much more popular.
Another important purpose of said blankets is to keep the hot sand from burning you. A common problem on beaches is hot sand, especially if you live on the south, where the sun gets very hot. Then the sand overheats, and it can be painful to walk or stand on it. Laying down on such sand will be practically impossible. Therefore, you need and insulated layer between your back and the hot sand.
And many beach blankets do just that – they create a layer between you and the sand, so you stay cooler than the sand. That way you can sun yourself without being burned by the heated sand.
Why do you need one?
You need one if you intend on having an enjoyable stay on the beach. Sure, you can go without one, but it will be not as comfortable as you would want it to be.
A beach blanket also is an element of decoration – it should look stylish as well. The blankets are produced with a wide variety of colors, designs and textures, so you will have a lot of choice. Therefore, a blanket is not just for comfort, but also for looks.
What to consider when picking a blanket?
Size
First, you should decide upon the size – that depends on how many people will be sitting on the blanket. If two or more people are going to sun themselves together, then a more spacious blanket is to be bought. Some models can handle up to five people.
However, you may not want a big blanket. Perhaps you would like something compact, and then you should buy a small, compact blanket with a small area and weight. This kind of blanket will be perfect for one person.
Price
The next constraint is your budget – some blankets are cheap, while others cost a lot of money, but offer premium properties, like the interesting ability to filter out sand.
Padding
And the last choice is whether you want an insulated blanket or not. While an insulated blanket is much heavier, bigger and fluffy than a regular blanket, it has the added benefit of keeping your back cool. Blankets with padding are also softer, and they make it possible to lie comfortably even if there are rocks underneath the blanket.
Purpose
Blankets can also be used as a camping floor for a tent, and so you should additionally consider alternative uses for the blanket. Perhaps you will need it for a picnic or a hunting trip to the forest. In that case you will want the blanket to be tough and durable. A few models are even made for use by the army and will last much longer than regular blankets.
Material
You should also consider the material. While many blankets are made of nylon, other are made of microfiber. There are yet others, which are made of plastic straws. All these materials have their pros and cons, and you may want to research all of them to pick the best one for your case. Some blankets are made of a special material that allows the sand to pass through it. These are usually more expensive, but they are worth the extra money.
Pockets
Some blankets have dedicated pockets for miscellaneous things you may want to keep with you. This is another qualifier and may even make the difference. All blankets have sand pockets, though, and you may put your valuables there.
Reviews
One more important thing to consider is the number of customer reviews. Usually if a product has many good reviews and only a few bad ones, it is probably a good idea to buy it. You can rely on it to last you a long time and do its job. Products with a few or no reviews are usually not up to standards.
Brand
And the last, but not least – the brand. Some brands are well known for making quality blankets, while others have not yet had time to make a name. Usually it is best to buy blankets from well-known brands, because they cannot afford to spoil their image. Their products usually last longer and are made from better materials.
As we have discussed the reasons for purchasing one, and looked at the choices to consider, we will now see the 6 best models on the market. All of them have unique benefits and are worth their price.
1. Kahuna Large Beach Blanket – BEST LARGE BLANKET
This is an extra-large blanket, and it measures 8 by 8 feet. This is plenty enough for two people to lay on comfortably. However, the manufacturer advertises this for up to 5 people. Even more surprisingly, the blanket fits into a tiny pouch that can be easily taken to the beach and back. The entire blanket weighs only 522 grams, which is amazingly small.
The mat is large enough to be good for just about anything, and it will also work as a great picnic mat. Also, it can be used for camping as a ground cover inside a tent.
The mat has a pocket that closes with a zipper. It allows you to store various small things.
The blanket is not waterproof, but it is made of a quick-drying cloth that dries in seconds.
The fabric is also resistant to tearing and water damage.
2. Roebury Beach Blanket – BEST PADDED BLANKET
This blanket is big too, measuring 55 by 70 inches. That makes it fit for a whole family to slay on. The blanket has a waterproof underside and is padded, so it is soft and can be used on almost any surface.
The blanket is praised by its manufacturer as being totally free of any toxic contaminants, such as phthalates and BPA. It has no chemical warehouse smell and is totally ready for use the moment it is purchased.
The blanket folds into a zippered bag with a pocket and shoulder belt for easy carrying. The blanket with the pouch weighs only 2.3 pounds, which, for a padded blanket, is very small.
3. CGEAR The Original – STURDIEST MODEL
This is a sand-free blanket, which means it allows sand to fall through the fabric but does not let it get back up. The special fabric is patented, and it is truly amazing, because it literally wicks the sand away, and you do not even have to get the sand off your feet – the blanket does that for you and removes the sand.
The blanket is very tough, and the toughness is military grade. This makes the model one of the toughest on the market, as it is almost impossible to tear. Neither rocks nor water can hurt it. The fabric was designed for use by the army, and so it can be relied on to withstands most kinds of damage.
The material is also resistant to ultraviolet light.
The model is available in three sizes, ranging from the small 3-person blanket to the 14-person large mat.
4. WildHorn Outfitters Sand Escape – HUGE NYLON MODEL
This one is made of pure nylon. It is very big, and measuring 63 square feet, it is one of the largest. Nonetheless, when it is compressed into its pouch, it measures only 6 by 7 inches. The blanket has even more included pockets than before, where you can store away small useful things. There are also 4 sandbags on the corners. They can either be filled with sand, or they can hold your valuables – they tighten and hold what is inside.
The blanket sheds sand easily – none sticks to it.
The model wicks water away, but it is not fully waterproof. Nonetheless, it is a great choice for a picnic mat because of its large size.
5. BEARZ Outdoor Beach Blanket – SMAL COMPACT BLANKET
This is a small, light and durable model, which has a size of 55 by 60 inches. Nonetheless, two people will fit on it easily. Its strong point is its portability – it can be taken anywhere in the small pouch, and it weighs only 4 ounces. The blanket packs away quickly and easily.
The model can also be used as a tent floor, and to that end it has loops, where stakes are to be placed. The tarp is waterproof, and because of that it can be used also for a picnic or a tent base.
The blanket is available in many different colors, including camo patterning and a wide variety of different designs.
The pouches too are available in different colors and designs. The carabiner comes in a matching color and completes the design.
6. Stansport Tatami Straw Ground Mat – UNIQUE MATERIAL
This is a big mat; whose area is surprisingly big – 78 by 60 inches. It folds up, and turns into an easily portable package, already equipped with handles. That makes it very easy to fold up quickly and take with you.
The design is the best part of this model – it has a memorable striped design, with blue and white stripes. This goes well with any surrounding, especially well on the beach.
However, this is a great model for any purpose, where a large mattress is needed, so it will work great on a picnic or camping trip.
The material is another interesting property. It is made of plastic strips, which are almost like real straw. This kind of material is very nice to the touch and is also does not hold sand.
Conclusion
A beach blanket is a pretty necessary thing, without which a trip to the beach will not be as comfortable as it should be. Do you need one? Yes, if you are going to travel to the beach, then yes, you do. So, it is a useful thing, and will come in handy in almost any situation where you are camping. Be it on a beach or in the forest, this blanket will be useful for making a place where you can relax.
