Gear review: Rumpl Blankets

Rumpl is the maker of what may be considered the “best outdoor blanket ever”. Since the Original Puffy blanket, they have added technical, durable puffy blankets to suit all sorts of adventures; from the weatherproof, all-season Original Puffy to the trail-tested, more packable versions, you’re sure to find a warm, dependable blanket with your name on it for any situation, including those cold spring nights streamside!

In this Gear Review, we set out to see if that standard really holds up. We will be highlighting our experiences with the Original Puffy Blanket, the Nanoloft blanket, and the Everywhere Mat.

Initial Impressions: 

Is it a sleeping bag or is it a blanket? When you first lay eyes on a Rumpl blanket, you will immediately be reminded of this question. After seeing Rumpl on an old Shark Tank episode, I finally pulled the trigger and ordered the Original Puffy, the smaller NanoLoft Puffy, and the Everywhere mat. The first issue before the product even arrived was the vast amount of colors, designs, and artworks, these items can be crafted in. It is easy to get completely overwhelmed by all the possibilities which added to the excitement before the product even showed up. They are all packaged in a stuff sack just like a sleeping bag and honestly, upon unsheathing them, you may still not be convinced it is just a blanket. But that is what makes them so wonderful.

For one that finds themselves constantly in camping situations and curled up in a sleeping bag at night’s end, you come to appreciate the texture, the smell, and the feeling of the sleeping bag material. And that insight is exactly what drove Rumpl founders to make the first “sleeping bag blanket.” Fast forward a few years and now these blankets are constructed 100% from post-consumer recycled materials with the brand’s core values centered around a “Look to the future responsibility” mindset.

I will be honest; I, myself, was skeptical. Frankly, I’m not a blanket person at all. When I’m cold, I resort to sweatpants and a hoodie that quickly acquires the smell of a campfire. My wife, on the other hand, is a blanket addict. There are blankets for every situation; couch blankets, car blankets, outside blankets, etc.  However, after field testing these blankets, maybe I will also now have a blanket for every situation and my old ways may change. But the uses of these blankets go far beyond just staying warm as we found out in our field testing. And surprisingly they were the perfect complement to our recent springtime fishing trips.

Field Testing: 

Upon unboxing, all three items were nearly identical in the way they were packaged. In the stuff sack, the Original Puffy was around the size of a small sleeping bag, the NanoLoft slightly smaller, and the Everywhere mat even more so.

We immediately tore out the Original Puffy to get a sense of the founding product. As promised, it looked and felt just like a sleeping bag – making me feel nostalgic as I threw it over my shoulder. The material was top notch and it immediately took the chill out of the room. The most exciting feature was what Rumpl calls the “Cape Clip.” This neat little add-on allows the blanket to be worn hands-free allowing you to pick up that drink or walk around whilst wearing the blanket. My inner child also immediately came out as I jumped on the couch and let out a Dracula laugh.

In my household, all pieces of clothing attract some sort of animal fur the minute you enter. While I wore the original Puffy, my wife wore the NanoLoft, a smaller more packable version of the original Puffy, and what immediately stood out to me was the lack of fur that typically gathers on our traditional cloth blankets. Not only were the blankets warm but they seemed to stay cleaner than the traditional blanket.

The question still remained how it would hold up in the outdoors.

To field test the capabilities, I took my wife and my parents down to the river in one of my favorite fishing holes. To set the scene, it had rained the night before and geese have been grazing all over the lawn in preparation for nesting. Water and goose feces; what better way to test the durability of these blankets and mats?

We arrived at the river and immediately used the Everywhere mat as a ground cover. The first test was just sitting down. Would the mat keep everyone from getting wet pants? The mat passed that test with flying colors providing a comfortable, water-resistant sitting area.

After many laughs and seltzers of all sorts, I heard a scream come from the banks. A seltzer had toppled over and its contents were smack in the middle of the mat. The real test. With one hard shake of the mat, I watched all the seltzer easily repel from the mat. Not a stain or wet spot left. A welcome surprise from other ground covers I’ve used.

After a successful fishing outing, we checked out the underside for one final test. There was some dirt and debris on the underside, as expected, but one quick shake, and all was good. The mat was nearly dry and clean of everything.

The sun was setting and my wife was now wearing the original Puffy as a cape and my parents the NanoLoft. Both commented on how easily it kicked the chill that was now in the air. As mentioned earlier, the cape feature was a main talking point. Not too much difference was noticed between the Original and the NanoLoft in terms of warmth. The only real difference we noticed was the packability and size. As the day came to an end, we stuffed both back into the stuff sacks and we left for home quite impressed by our newfound Rumpl lineup.

If I was to comment on one negative about the Rumpl, it would have to be in price. These are certainly not your $20 Walmart blankets. The Original Puffy comes in at $125 and the more packable NanoLoft starts at $165. But they say “You get what you pay for” and I think this product exemplifies that to the finest level.

ORIGINAL PUFFY FINAL REVIEW: 

The Original Puffy does exactly what it intends to do. It provides a warm and comfortable blanket with superior durability and the feel and texture of a sleeping bag! It comes in roughly 80 different designs and colors to satisfy anyone’s taste.

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NANOLOFT FINAL REVIEW: 

The NanoLoft Puffy in terms of warmth was not all that different than the Original Puffy in our hands. The major difference comes in size and weight perfect for backpacking trips or camping when space is limited. It too comes in a variety of colors and designs. Of note, Rumpl offers two other options that are even superior when it comes to packability. Check out the Down Puffy or the Featherlite Down Blanket.

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EVERYWHERE MAT FINAL REVIEW:

When I first received the Everywhere Mat, I immediately thought that this would be perfect in my car for getting in and out of waders. These mats have a completely waterproof underside and pack up even more so than the blankets. This mat is perfect for so many different uses: picnics, the beach, outside a camper, etc. It even includes a pouch that can be used to keep valuables from getting lost in the grass – a nice touch compared to the traditional ground cover. Paracord loops are included in all the corners to be staked down if needed.

I used to carry a bulky small piece of carpet to get into my waders, but this completely replaces the need for that whilst being easier to clean and providing a larger area to move around. I think this is a must for anyone who gets in and out of waders frequently.

These too come in a fun but nauseating amount of colors and designs for anyone’s preference. Like the blankets, it comes with a stuff sack for quick and easy transporting and storage. The price for these is a much more manageable $50-$80 and comes in two different sizes. It is well worth the investment!

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In Conclusion: 

In summation: I still may not be a blanket guy but if there was ever a blanket that I would reach for, this is the one! My wife (the blanket addict) is now regularly using these all around the house over traditional cloth blankets due to the durability and fur resistance built in. The Everywhere Mat is a must for the serious wade angler looking to keep his socks and waders clean and dry. All of these products have become a staple in our daily fishing adventures and longer outdoor camping sessions.

What Rumpl has designed truly might be the best outdoor blanket on the market and is well worth the investment in my mind. You will never need to buy another blanket ever again – an added bonus to someone whose house is littered with blankets. But besides human blankets, they also make blankets for beer! This is alongside a host of other gear (towels, indoor more traditional blankets, pillowcases, and more!). Be sure to check out the full lineup at Rumpl.com. Between June 5-7th, Rumpl is giving away a free gift with a purchase of $49 or more, just in time for Father’s Day!

 

Click HERE to learn more about all the Rumpl products!

 

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