Many people try to use a regular home blanket for the beach which too often results in frustration and defeat. Having a blanket that is specifically designed for the beach works to reduce this frustration by incorporating advanced technology to suit the rugged needs of the outdoors.

No matter where you are in the world, the best beach blanket will make any beach day better. They not only keep you off the scorching hot sand but also give you a designated place to put all your gear while you’re in the water.

There are many features that you should look for when getting a beach blanket. These factors can push your day to the limit, or actually, limit what you can do during your day. This is why we’ve put together this guide to what makes the best beach blanket.

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How To Choose A Beach Blanket – Buying Guide

When looking for your ideal beach blanket, you will want one that has a couple key features. While you may think that any blanket will do, the mixture of sand, sun and water makes it important to have the best beach blanket that is high quality. When doing your research into finding the best beach blanket, be sure to pay attention to the following features.

Material

This is quite an important aspect of any beach blanket. It affects everything from your comfort to the water resistance.

One of the main, and higher end, types of materials is parachute nylon. Yes, this is the same material that people jump out of planes with. This means they are extremely strong and durable. Beach blankets made from this material will not tear or rip under nearly any circumstances. This material is also sometimes used in bulletproof clothing, which just showcases its durability.

Another top rated material is fleece. If you are looking at a blanket made out of this material you will want to make sure it has multiple layers. Fleece by itself will absorb moisture like a sponge. But when this is combined with a waterproof base it becomes one of the best beach blankets you can get.

Some even come with a third layer of foam in between the two. This will obviously increase the blankets comfort, but also it’s weight. It will also take up more space which means it could be harder to store and transport.

Size

Beach blankets can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The number of people in your family will determine the shape and size of blanket you should get. For example, if you’re a family of 5 you may not want to get a round beach blanket with a diameter of 60 inches. Instead, you should look for a square or rectangle blanket.

A standard beach blanket size is around 6 feet by 9 feet. This will be enough room for up to 2-3 people sitting down. Beach blankets can be as large as 12 feet by 12 feet. This is one of the larger sizes in terms of square feet. Blankets of this size can house upwards of 14 people and are ideal for things like family reunions or beach parties. Just be aware that the larger your blanket is the heavier it gets. This puts even more emphasis on the type of material you should get.

Thickness

The thickness of your beach blanket will determine not only the comfort of your day but also how heavy the blanket is. If you are having to hike to your beach you will want a thinner style. If you have a short walk to your perfect spot and are all about the comfort of your spot a thicker option may suit you better.

The thickness goes hand in hand with the materials used to make the blanket. A parachute nylon beach blanket will be a much thinner option than, say, a three layer fleece one. The nylon option will also offer protection from the heat of the sand but not from a rocky shore.

Absorbency

This is something you don’t want in a beach blanket. Nobody wants to be laying on a damp or wet towel. In fact, your beach towel should be the opposite of absorbent. It should wick the water from the top layer through the back of it. This will ensure that you stay dry even if you just came out of the water. Some fleece beach towels are absorbent but have this wicking feature which makes them ideal beach blankets.

Style

This aspect is completely up to you. Style can refer to everything from the color to pattern to even the shape of the beach blanket. Nearly every company offers their blankets in multiple color options. This gives you the ability to pick your favorite color.

The only thing you should consider about the color is that darker colors will absorb the heat from the rays of the sun. This can make them heat up when they are in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time. If you are looking to stay cool on hot summer days we suggest looking for lighter colored blankets.

Another thing to think about is the shape of your blanket. If you are looking for blankets that can fit the most people square and rectangles will be what you should get. If you are in the market for more aesthetically pleasing blankets a circle option may be what you want. Just keep in mind that fewer people will be able to lay or sit on them.

Cleaning

Cleaning and maintaining your beach blanket shouldn’t be a difficult task. Companies usually have developed their beach towels to be easy to clean. This can involve fabric that sand doesn’t stick to and easy ways to clean up spills. A popular way of doing this is by using martial that have built in wicking technology. This ensures that water does not pool on the blanket. Instead, it is fed through the material away from your body.

When it comes to cleaning at home is another story. It seems that if your blanket consists of more than one layer it becomes not machine washable. This is because the layers use glue to secure them together and washing the blanket in a machine will break that bond.

All single layer beach blankets are able to be at least hosed off. This makes them exceptionally versatile options for many different scenarios. This can include camping, soccer matches and even in your backyard. Most of the best beach blankets are also made from materials that sand does not stick to. This allows you to simply brush it off and you will have a clean place to sit.

Price

The price of beach blankets varies greatly based on size, quality and manufacturer. Before starting your search, it is wise to have a price point in mind that you would feel comfortable sticking in. Staying within budget is one of the best ways to narrow down your search and ensure that the blanket you choose is one that you will enjoy.

Once you have decided on a price point, be sure to explore the ranges of it. Quite typically, the price you are paying for your blanket will have a direct association with the quality of your blanket. This does not mean that having an affordable blanket is out of reach. The best way to go about choosing yours is first getting a price in mind and then making a list of the features that are of your top priority. From there, you can add in features that may be nice but are not necessary. Do this until you have narrowed your search to the ideal blanket for you.

FAQs

Q: What is a beach blanket?

A: A beach blanket is a large blanket that is intended for outdoor use. You may think that you regular home blanket will be fine to use at the beach but this style blanket features specific technologies that make it ideal for beach conditions. These include sandproof, dirt resistant technologies.

Most commonly this is due to a sophisticated material type that allows for better outdoor protection. These materials do not absorb and instead allow dirt to sit on top making it easy to shake away. More durable, these material types are built to withstand some rough usage. Incorporating strong fibers, beach blankets allow you to use and abuse your blanket while still maintaining a quality appearance.

A beach blanket has a larger size and most often can transfer to be an ideal option for multiple occasions. This includes picnics and camping. This feature is due to its often rugged build that is more durable than your typical blanket.

Best beach blankets also differ from regular blankets as they should fold into a compact size. It should also be relatively lightweight. This feature makes it easy to throw into a beach bag, pack in your luggage and generally be much easier to travel with.

Q: How to fold beach blanket?

A: There are many different ways of folding your beach blanket. Most manufacturers include a carrying tote that makes carrying the big blankets easier. Sometimes these totes have suggested ways to fold them so they fit better.

If you aren’t using a tote there are two main ways to fold your beach blankets. The first is the traditional way you fold shower towels. This is simply connecting the ends of the towel together until it’s in a manageable carrying size. The only downside to this is that it usually takes more than one person to set up as you have to unfold it when you get to your spot.

The other way is to roll it up. This can work on the smaller towels but may make bigger towels harder to carry. To roll a beach towel, simply fold it in half lengthwise and roll. You can then use string or straps to tie it up ensuring it doesn’t unroll. This will make setting up your spot as simple as setting the blanket down and unrolling it. You will be set up and in the water in no time.

Q: What do people want in a beach blanket?

A: People are looking for a few simple features that combine together to make the ideal beach blanket. First is being sand resistant. Sandy beaches have so many draws, but lying wet in a pile of sand is not one of them. Blankets that are easy to shake out and work towards being sandproof are most ideal. Many people also look for blankets that are water repellant or fast drying. These features are perfect for beach use as they make it ideal for drying before going home and will also make it so that it doesn’t your blanket does not absorb moisture.

Next, many people look for a blanket that is light in weight and can fold to be a compact size. This feature increases portability and makes it so that it is easy to bring your blanket with you. This is not only ideal for days at the beach but also increases the way you can use it. It even makes it ideal for long term travel such as on vacations.

Having a larger sized blanket is most often preferred amongst beach goers. This makes it functional for more people and allows you to stretch out and enjoy yourself. It is also ideal for reducing the amount of sand and dirt that gets into your blanket.

Q: Why choose a beach blanket?

A: Beach blankets have many advantages over regular house blankets. The main advantage is their durability. Choosing a beach blanket rather than a traditional house blanket will work to make your summer beach experience much more enjoyable.

Not only will you have a durable blanket but opting for a beach blanket will result in far less clean up. This is because most beach blankets are designed to have a variety of appealing features. These can vary from being fast drying, sand proof and water resistant. Some beach blankets even feature anchor pockets that can be filled with sand or rocks to make your blanket secure even in windy conditions.

To make these blankets on an even higher standing, they often fold to be much more compact in size. When transporting these blankets you will enjoy that they are lightweight in design and take up a small amount of room. This makes them much easier to transport to and from the beach or any other destinations. Some are even practical enough to bring traveling with you.

Their affordable price makes choosing a beach blanket a great option to transform your outdoor experiences to another level. With a smaller cost, you are able to find all the features that you are looking for in a quality beach blanket.

Globo Surf Overview

Finding the best beach blanket is important. Going prepared for your summer day on the water will make it much more enjoyable. A quality beach blanket will not only provide you fun days at the beach but will expertly transfer to use for picnics, camping and travel. Knowing what to look for when searching for the best beach blanket will save you time and money in determining what blanket is best for you.

Source

1. 1. Beach Safety, Oceanservice,noaa.gov

Do you own one of the best beach blankets that made it onto our list? Let us know how it has worked for your summer needs in the comment section below.