A travel blanket comes in handy when you’re traveling, be it in a train, plane, or car. Traveling can be cold and uncomfortable, hence the need for a blanket to keep you warm and cozy. Whereas some double up as pillows for added comfort and versatile use, other travel blankets can offer you the privacy you need, especially when traveling in crowded quarters.
When on a long flight or drive, your blanket can ensure you get enough sleep to reduce the fatigue that comes with traveling. What’s more, you can substitute or complement your hotel or flight blanket with your own for hygiene or additional warmth, respectively. This explains the essence of a travel blanket. If you think your new
digital camera or
sleeping bag is the most important thing for your trip, think twice, because your blanket is just as important.
When shopping for the best travel blanket, first choose the specific type you want based on the material it’s made of. Cotton and fleece travel blankets are the most basic for warm and comfortable travels. However, if you’re only looking for blankets for privacy, you might find these too warm as they’re bulkier than other types of travel blankets.
Thin polyester or cotton travel blankets are machine-washable and comfortable. Although they can’t retain as much heat as you might need, they’re compact and lightweight for easy carry-on for use on flights. Flannel and wool blankets offer extra warmth if you tend to get cold even when the weather isn’t chilly. Despite being a bit thicker and heavier, you can still pack them for outdoor use when
backpacking for a camping adventure.
A more affordable option designed for warmth and a softer feel than flannels or wools, is velour blankets. For additional comfort and luxury travels, consider angora fleece and cashmere blankets, among other luxury materials.
The focus of this review is on polyester or fleece travel blankets for easy carry-on when traveling. This guide will help you pick the travel blanket for your unique needs.
Price
Be sure to buy a high-quality travel blanket that you can use for many years of travel. Since travel blankets come in compact designs and small sizes, expect to pay anything between $10 and $40 for a good blanket. What you pay totally depends on the type of materials, and its quality, aesthetics, and brand.
Don’t buy a cheap travel blanket you’ll barely use simply because you want to spend less money. However, buy what you can afford and choose a color that brings out your personality. Buying travel blankets in packs is also cost-effective; consider a pack of a blanket and a pillow instead of just buying either of the two. You can also use the blankets for a variety of things to save on costs.
Used cashmere blankets in good condition at reduced prices are also worth considering if you’re working on a tight budget.
Features
Travel blankets are handy when traveling over a long distance in typically uncomfortable vehicles. As simple as this item might seem, you need to buy a blanket you can use for years before it undergoes wear and tear. Therefore, look out for basic yet important features in your blanket to ensure each penny you spend is worthwhile.
Here are some important features of a travel blanket to look out for:
- Material for comfort, warmth, and durability
- Size to cover the whole of your body
- Accessories such as a carrying bag
- Color that matches your personality
With a warm, comfortable, soft, and durable travel blanket, you can travel with peace of mind knowing that you’ll be comfortable on those long flights.
Construction and Design
When shopping for a travel blanket, there are factors you need to look out for in its construction as follows:
Comfort – choose a soft and comfortable travel blanket to keep you warm while traveling. This is totally dependent on the material a blanket is made of. Fleece and cotton blankets offer decent comfort if you don’t want to spend on a more expensive material.
Material – the material a travel blanket is made of determines its warmth and comfort level. A blanket can either be made from natural or synthetic materials, or both. Choose among cotton, fleece, polyester, acrylic, wool, cashmere, etc., materials depending on what you want from your blanket. Is it warmth, comfort, or carry-on abilities?
Woolen blankets are comfortable and soft. Cotton blankets are breathable, hence ideal for use in summer as they promote regulation of your body temperature.
Durability – choose travel blankets made from both synthetic and natural materials for a mix of comfort and durability. Polyester travel blankets are the most cost-effective as they can withstand years of use, washing, and drying without fading or fraying. Acrylic blankets, on the other hand, are moth-resistant, machine-washable, and durable.
Go for thick blankets as they’re more likely to last without tearing or fraying unlike their thin counterparts.
Versatility – do you want a travel blanket that supports versatile use? Consider buying a versatile blanket that doubles up as a pillow. They usually retail at great prices.
Color – travel blankets come in all sorts of colors. Choose a color based on your personal preferences.
Size – go for a travel blanket that can cover you well without slipping off when all you want is to keep warm.
Accessories – most travel blankets come with bags for easy storage and transportation. Find one that attaches to travel bags or fits into your suitcase.
Performance and Ease of Use
Buy a travel blanket that’s comfortable, soft, and warm; choose a material that supports your need for a blanket while traveling. Your blanket of choice needs to be easy to clean, dry, and care for. Also ensure you buy a blanket made of a durable material for years and years of use. The size needs to fit your body, and the essence of it being compact and lightweight for easy carriage goes without saying.
When choosing a travel blanket, look for those that are high-quality and durable to last years and years of use. The best travel blanket is also warm, comfortable, thick, and soft yet compact and lightweight for easy transportation. Find out if one of our recommended travel blankets is what you need.
Features
Travelrest strives to deliver better travel products to the market for comfortable trips. The company’s portfolio of quality innovative travel solutions include: sleep masks, travel pillows (some inflatable), and pillow covers.
The Travelrest 4-in-1 Travel Blanket is made of plush coral fleece and polyester for maximum comfort. It’s non-slip and covers your shoulders completely, leaving your arms free to continue reading or playing games. Now, where does this 4-in-1 part come into play, we hear you ask? Well, this blanket is not only a blanket but can be folded up into a pillow that you can use for your head, neck or as lumbar support! Neat, ay? It’s also super easy to transport because it folds up into a carry case too that weighs just 13 ounces! If you’re conscious of the fashion statement you’re making to everyone on the plane, bus or outdoor event you’re going to, then you’ll be pleased to know you can get this blanket in gray or navy and it also comes in two sizes, so you can pick the size best for you. Choose from 38 by 60 inches or 40 by 72 inches!
Features
World’s Best uses high-quality and soft materials to design premium travel products geared toward comfort and warmth when traveling. The items are also built in compact designs and light weights for easy carriage.
The World’s Best Solid Travel Blanket is a microfleece blanket made with a 100% polyester knit. At 50 x 60 inches, this blanket is just large enough to wrap around your body and keep you cozy whilst travelling or at outside events. It’s lightweight, at just 1 pound, so it’s super easy to carry around. Also, if you like to have your own unique style then you’re in luck as this blanket comes in 18 different colors! Choose from black, blue, red, giraffe, mini dot turquoise, zebra and more! Last but not least, if you really love this blanket, then it’s also available in a 2 pack!
Whether you’re going for a picnic or a camping adventure, or traveling on a car, bus, train, or plane, there’s a travel blanket out there to meet your specific needs. We hope that with our review of five of the top travel blankets, you’ll be in a position to pick the right blanket. In case you need something different, check out our other blanket review.
