Here are two truths: not all outdoor picnic blankets are red and white gingham fabric, and not all of them are created equal.Today’s best picnic blankets, beach blankets, and all around traveling blankets are also waterproof blankets, and they skew more towards performance gear that's water resistant, windproof, sandproof, dirtproof, with serious durability. These unassuming items can and should be able to handle the wear and tear that inevitably happens to an object meant to be laid on the ground—and sat on and spilled on—and still look great when it’s time to decamp. To put it this way: if your waterproof blanket doesn’t hold up after a stampede of golden retrievers crash your beach picnic, then you don’t have the right one (speaking from experience here).
Once that baseline is met, another qualifier is versatility—can your waterproof blanket convert into a poncho or function well on a variety of natural, uneven surfaces? These are important questions to ask when searching for the best waterproof blankets for picnics and the beach. But at the end of the day, this outdoor essential is a vehicle for having fun and making memories, so simplicity isn't something to shy away from.
To make things even simpler, we rounded up a wishlist of the best waterproof blankets for wherever your outdoor lounging takes you.
[PS - check out our top picks for the best insulated blankets]