Nemo Victory Patio Blanket Review

Bottom Line

As a stylish ground blanket that comes in two different sizes, the Nemo Victory Patio Blanket is our top recommendation for an all-around durable blanket that can withstand most conditions without requiring special treatment or care. Even in the medium size, it provides ample coverage that fits two smaller people easily. 

Both the top material and waterproof bottom are fast-drying and shed moisture quickly. Debris does not cling, and sand easily shakes off both sides of the blanket. The material is not abrasive and feels comfortable for a ground blanket, though not as plush as the insulated Yeti Lowlands Blanket. It did not easily snag on abrasive elements or sharp rocky ground.

While the Victory Patio Blanket is made of high-performing material, Nemo did make it a bit thin. However, on sand or softer ground, it excels at protecting you from the elements.

Although this is a heavier blanket, it rolls up easily into its own carry bag with an attached handle, making for easy transport. When laid out as a blanket, it offers one large zippered pocket with a convenient bottle opener. Each corner also has loops for anchoring down and staking out the blanket on windy days.

To compare to other favorites, link back to our main camping blankets gear guide.

How We Tested

We tested the Nemo Victory Patio blanket during the winter months in Northern California, most notably testing its packability and performance as a ground blanket at the beach and a rock climbing site to expose it to both soft and hard ground. We got the blanket wet and dirty to compare its water resistance and ability to shed debris.

When back from the beaches and crags, we completed a standardized warmth test where we wrapped the blanket around a heated hot sock for 30 min to track the loss of heat over time and rank its insulating properties.

Durability

The Nemo Victory Patio Blanket was the most durable ground blanket that we tested for the price and performance.

Although it is a heavy blanket for a relatively thin material, it still is a top pick for lounging at the beach in the sand. When we took the blanket to a local rock climbing site, we found the blanket to be too thin to be comfortable on hard or rocky ground. However, even after being exposed to more abrasive elements, this blanket showed no signs of wear after use.

Its waterproof bottom excels at resisting moisture, keeping us dry even when lounging on wet sand or damp ground. We love how the top of the blanket is also extremely water-resistant; when we intentionally got the blanket wet, we found that water beaded off quickly and easily. When it did get wet, it still dried very fast.

During our shake test to see how much debris would cling to the material after covering it with a cup of sand, we found that there was minimal debris cling and sand didn’t get stuck in the material of the blanket. Surprisingly, the Nemo Victory Patio Blanket shed sand better than the CGear Multimats Sand-lite Sand-free Mat. In the case that the blanket does get very dirty, it is machine washable which makes cleaning simple and easy.

Warmth

Ground blankets aren’t inherently designed for warmth, so it was expected that the Nemo Victory Patio Blanket would be one of the least warm blankets in our test due to its thinness and lack of insulation. 

Aside from testing it in the field, we completed a standardized and controlled test, where we wrapped the 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 Nemo Victory Patio Blanket noticed a large difference of 26.1F, proving its lack of insulation and inability to retain heat. 

Even though it lacks direct warmth, it still helps alleviate chilly conditions by keeping us dry on wet ground with its waterproof lining.

Size to Packability

Coming in at just over 5 pounds in the medium size and just over 7 pounds in the size large, the Nemo Victory Patio Blanket is a heavy option for the size of the blanket. While it isn’t as bulky as other options, such as the Yeti Lowlands, it still isn’t a packable or convenient option to stuff into a daypack due to its weight and packed size of 6.5” x 12.5” (medium). Luckily, it rolls into its own carry bag, latches onto itself, and has a side handle.

We tested this blanket only in the medium size, which expands to a generous size of 88” x 50.” This was one of the larger blankets we reviewed, and even in just medium size, it provided ample space and ground coverage for two people to share.

Comfort

The Nemo Victory Patio Blanket is more designed for durability over comfort. However, as far as ground blankets go, it isn’t uncomfortable – just not our top pick for a cozy mat due to its lack of padding. This blanket is very thin and hard on the knees and back when lying on hard rocky ground. However, the thinness is of no concern when using it on sandy beaches or grassy meadows.

The material is smooth and not abrasive, making it comfortable against bare skin. The waterproof bottom layer is a bit sticky, helping to prevent it from sliding or moving around on slippery ground.  The mat doesn’t make any crinkly noises like some waterproof materials do.

Overall, we found the Nemo Victory Patio Blanket to be a comfortable and functional option for grassy picnics and relaxing beach days.

Features

With many different features, the Nemo Victory Patio Blanket has a big bang for your buck. As mentioned above, it rolls into its own carry case with an included handle for ease of use and transport. It is easy and simple to roll up by just one person, making it an efficient and convenient blanket for even solo adventures.

This blanket also comes in two different sizes and is designed with a waterproof bottom, making it more versatile to use in a variety of different conditions and situations.

It also has a large attached zippered mesh pocket with a bottle opener perfect for picnics. This was the only ground blanket we tested that had an included pocket in the design, which we found very handy for smaller items. 

This blanket also has corner loops perfect for anchoring down to keep the blanket flat and unaffected by wind – though with the Nemo Victory’s heavier weight, it withstood wind fairly well.

Should You Buy the Nemo Victory Patio Blanket?

The Nemo Victory is an excellent value for the durability, size and features of the blanket. Anyone who enjoys picnicking, lounging on sandy beaches, or having a mat to protect themselves from direct contact with muddy ground will appreciate the effectiveness and convenience of the Nemo Victory. It is also an excellent choice for those who expect to be using a blanket on wet, moist, or damp ground with its waterproof bottom coating. 

However, due to its heavy weight and lack of packability, it is best for shorter outings that don’t require a long trek. Those who desire more padding or insulation from a ground mat might want to keep shopping.

What Other Camping Blankets Should You Consider?

Take a peek at some comparable options below, or head to our complete guide to the best camping blankets to find your perfect match.

Yeti Lowlands Review: The Yeti Lowlands is also of the highest durability, though at a heftier price point. It is a much thicker blanket from insulation and padding. While it performs just as well as the Nemo Victory in regards to water resistance and debris cling, it comes in a bulkier size. With that being said, we do appreciate the design of the separate carry case that the Yeti comes in.

Nomadix Festival Blanket Review: Although also very thin, the Nomadix Festival Blanket is the most packable ground mat and a more budget-friendly option. Although it doesn’t come with its own carry case, it can be folded up to the size of a 32 oz Nalgene. However, it lacks the durability, features and weather resistance of the Nemo Victory Patio Blanket.

CGear Multimats Sand-lite Sand-free Mat Review: The CGear Multimats Sand-lite Sand-free Mat is a more budget-friendly ground mat option that also rolls up into its own carry case. However, its material is more abrasive than the Nemo Victory, and it lacks the same performance and versatility due to its unique mesh design.