Rumpl Original Puffy Camping Blanket Review

Bottom Line

The Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket performed incredibly well everywhere we took it from the beach to the trail. With its stylish color patterns, one and two-person sizes, and plush material, it is a go-to for any chilly occasion. Although this blanket wasn’t the most packable in our test, its ample coverage, warmth, and durability make up for its bulkier stuff sack size. While the included carry bag was useful to have, it was difficult to stuff the blanket without additional help to hold the tight opening steady. 

It performed exceedingly well in our warmth test – coming out as the third warmest blanket we tested! Similar to other synthetic puffy blankets in our test, the Rumpl Original also shed moisture and debris easily. 

This blanket also comes with some “cape-clips” that allow you to secure the blanket around your neck and wear it hands-free. However,  clipping the blanket with cold hands can be a little tricky due to the tight fit of the plastic clasps.

Overall, the Rumpl Original performed in every category and stands out as an excellent value for those in search of a cozy camping blanket that can do it all. 

To compare the Rumpl Original to our other top-performing blanket picks, check out the rest of our detailed best camping blankets gear guide.

How We Tested

In the field, we tested this blanket during the winter months in Northern California, most notably testing its packability and performance out on the trail and the chilly Northern CA coastline. We sort of tried to trash the blanket, getting it dirty and wet to see how it sheds water and debris.

We then tested the warmth of the blankets in a lab setting to rank their overall insulating properties.

Durability

The Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket is a durable and high-quality option that excels at handling various environmental conditions. As a thicker and plusher option than other puffy blankets in our test, such as the Rumpl NanoLoft or REI Camp Blanket, the Rumpl Original showed no signs of wear after taking it out on the trails. 

After covering the blanket in a cup of debris for our shake test to determine the rate of debris clinging to the fabric, we found that it shed sand and dirt easily without sticking to the material. When the blanket did get dirty, it was easy to clean without staining while also being durable enough to be machine washable.

Further, after pouring water over the blanket, we noticed that the moisture beaded off easily with its DWR finish. However, with significant water exposure, moisture did start to absorb into the fabric.

Warmth

The Rumpl Original was the third warmest blanket we tested!

Aside from subjectively determining its relative warmth in cold outdoor environments, we completed a standardized and controlled test, where we wrapped each blanket in a heated hot sock (136F) for 30 minutes in a 60F room. We then took the final temperature with an infrared thermometer and determined the amount of heat loss that the hot sock experienced to quantify the insulating ability of each blanket. The Rumpl Original only lost 3.2 degrees, proving the capabilities of its generous coverage, synthetic insulation, and thicker material.

Even on chilly morning winter hikes in the shade of the forest, we felt toasty warm while wrapped in the Rumpl Original. It also performed well at blocking the coastal breeze when enjoying the sunset on the Northern CA beaches.

Size to Packability

The Rumpl Original provides generous coverage for a one-person blanket. It’s an ideal comfy layer when out in the cold. It is also offered in a two-person size, making it ideal for sharing your snuggles with your adventure partner.

However, while it offers a large size (75” x 52” for one person), it only packs down to 6” x 14” – not being our first pick for carrying in a small day pack or for long hikes. Although it is lightweight, it is not the most packable blanket we tested.

The Rumpl Original comes with its own carry case, making it convenient and easy to store. However, we found that stuffing the blanket back into the stuff sack by ourselves was a bit tricky and took more patience and time than we would have liked.

The closure of the bag is snug with a tight opening, making it difficult to keep open while also trying to stuff the rolled-up blanket without letting it unravel. Every time we lost grip on the blanket while stuffing it, we had to start over and re-roll it so it would fit easily into the stuff sack.

Comfort

The Rumpl Original is made from soft polyester, making it comfy on bare skin. Although it isn’t as soft as fleece or wool, it still feels smooth and plush to the touch. It is a slightly thicker puffy blanket(compared to its competitors, upping its warmth and comfort levels. The material was quiet when moving, not making any crinkly noises like some synthetic or waterproof fabrics.

Since it is a lightweight blanket, it doesn’t offer the same level of coziness that some heavier blankets provide. However, since it was large enough to fully wrap around our bodies, we found it to be perfect for snuggling on the trail while enjoying the scenery.

Features

The first feature we notice with the Rumpl Original is the included stuff sack that comes with the blanket. It is made of a durable and stretchy synthetic material that folds over and clasps together to create a carrying handle. As mentioned above, the carrying case is a bit difficult to stuff without help due to the tight opening of the bag. However, with a second set of hands, it is easy and efficient.

Rumpl also offers beautiful blanket colors and patterns to choose from. While we tested the blanket in solid black, we highly encourage you to view the other styles they design – from multi-color patterns to full landscape images. Rumpl offers the most diverse range of colors and styles than other blanket brands we tested.

In addition to being used as a throw blanket, the Rumpl Original comes with a cape clip which allows you to secure the blanket around your neck and be hands-free – perfect for walking or moving around camp. While we love the cape feature, we found that the clip Rumpl used in this model was a little challenging to clasp together due to the tight fitting pieces of plastic. We preferred the button snaps on the Horizon Hound and the clips that snap together on the Rumpl NanoLoft.

Lastly, Rumpl values sustainability and the Rumpl Original reflects this with its fabric made of 100% recycled materials. When choosing camping blankets (or any outdoor gear), we love to consider the environmental impact and where our money goes when making purchases in the outdoor industry.

Should You Buy the Rumpl Original Puffy Camping Blanket?

The Rumpl Original is our top pick for the best all-around camping blanket. While it doesn’t excel in one specific area, it still ranks high in all performance categories. It is an excellent value for the comfort, size, and durability it offers. For those looking for a blanket that can do it all while camping, stargazing, or around the campfire, the Rumpl Original is an excellent pick. 

However, if you are looking for a blanket to take out into the backcountry or on extended hikes, we suggest you consider other options in our gear guide that provide increased packability. While the Rumpl Original sheds debris easily, we wouldn’t suggest using it as a ground blanket; if your goal is lounging on the beach or in the woods, we recommend that you refer to our gear guide for blankets designed specifically for ground use.

What Other Camping Blankets Should You Consider?

For a complete comparison of camping blankets, see our complete guide to the best camping blankets. Here are a few alternatives to the OG Rumpl that are just as great:

Horizon Hound Trek Review: The Horizon Hound Trek offers a budget-friendly price and a more packable blanket option for similar warmth, coverage and comfort to the Rumpl Original. However, it does require more specific care and storage instructions due to its down insulation.

Therm-a-Rest Honcho Poncho Review: The Therm-a-Rest Honcho Poncho is more versatile, warmer and slightly more packable than the Rumpl Original. It boasts more features and can be used as a pillow, blanket and worn as a poncho. However, it doesn’t offer as many color options and patterns as the Rumpl and comes at a slightly higher price point.

REI Camp Blanket Review: The REI Camp Blanket is a similarly priced option to the Rumpl Original. The REI Camp comes in a more user-friendly and packable stuff sack, yet lacks a cape-clip option and the same level of warmth as the Rumpl.