Imagine a blanket that’s just as useful indoors as it is for sitting in the backyard, at the beach, around a campfire, or even on a mountaintop. You can use it as a sleeping bag replacement in warm weather or as a picnic blanket for that weekend family outing.
The product I’m describing already exists, and it’s called the Rumpl Puffy Blanket.
I’ve been using my Rumpl for more than four years, and it has stood the test of time. It’s still used regularly around the house, and comes with us on every camping trip. There are still virtually no signs of wear and tear.
Design, comfort & durability (Rating: 95%)
The Rumpl is a fairly simple product, but it doesn’t need to be any more complicated than it is.
Its synthetic down insulation is warm enough to be useful as an extra layer (while clothed) in chilly weather or even to use instead of a sleeping bag on those warm nights in the tent or hammock.
The outer layer is made from rip-stop nylon that’s treated with durable water-repellent chemicals, meaning that it’s odour, stain and water-resistant.
It comes in some really attractive designs. Mine is a solid green colour, but the stitching across the face of the blanket has been designed to mimic the curves in nature. Some of the other designs include multiple colours or even images of landscapes.
Rumpl blankets come in a range of sizes, weighing between 950 grams and 2.4 kilograms.
The Rumpl is cosy when you’re sitting around a campfire on a chilly night, as I found out when Lori and I camped by the Murray River recently. I’m already growing an emotional attachment to mine with my memories of sitting looking at the stars with the Rumpl wrapped around the two of us. There’s nothing quite like snuggling up under the stars with a loved one.
As I mentioned, I’ve had this glorious outdoor blanket for years, so it’s lived through countless nights outside, on camping trips and picnics, or in our own and other people’s backyards. It goes through stages of being used daily around the house. Yet it still looks almost as good as new.
While writing this review, I decided to have a nap on the couch with my Rumpl and when I woke, I found our cat Floyd all snuggled up in it. I swear at Floyd quite a lot on your average day, so he knew what I meant when I awoke screaming obscenities and fled the scene. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that his claws hadn’t caused any visible damage (for the thousandth time). This thing is tough.
The Rumpl comes with a stuff sack, which makes it really easy to throw in the car when you’re heading off camping, for any outdoor adventure, or just for a picnic. Unfortunately, it’s not small enough to throw in your overnight or multi-day hiking bag, though. This is really my only major complaint.
Functionality & ease of use (Rating: 95%)
I’ve already covered how useful this thing is, and the most obvious facets of how easy it is to use are kind of obvious. Because it’s a blanket.
I did have an issue with keeping it wrapped around me (or us) because the rip-stop nylon is kind of slippery. No different from trying to drape your sleeping bag around your shoulders, really, but the lack of a zip makes it much more comfortable.
As I’ve mentioned several times, the Rumpl isn’t warm enough to completely replace all sleeping bags, but for those rare occasions (especially here in Victoria) where you’re guaranteed a reasonably mild night, it’s warm enough. For an extra layer of comfort and warmth when you’re sitting outdoors, it’s perfect.
I also mentioned that it’s odour and dirt resistant, but it’s worth mentioning that when you eventually need to give it a wash, you can just chuck it in the washing machine. Now that’s important, especially since it’s something you’ll potentially use every day.
We used it as a picnic blanket on a trip to Hanging Rock, north of Melbourne, and while it probably wasn’t as practical as a regular picnic blanket – because it doesn’t sit quite flat, making it hard to stand up the tomato sauce – the best thing I noticed was that, unlike a regular picnic blanket, I could pack it up without first removing all of the leaves and sticks it had collected (and the spilled tomato sauce can just be wiped off with something damp).
It’s always nice when an outdoor product can double as something you use around the home, too, so let’s not forget that.
What I like
- Simple, attractive design and simple idea.
- It’s useful for so many differnet situations, including at home.
- Durability.
What I don’t like
- Doesn’t pack small enough to take hiking.
- Slippery outer layer can make it hard to keep wrapped around you.
Get one
The Rumpl range is available online via Rumpl.
Disclaimer: I was provided with a Rumpl to review. As usual, this has no influence on the opinions presented here.
