Yeti Lowlands Camping Blanket Review

Bottom Line

The Yeti Lowlands Blanket is the thickest and most comfortable ground blanket that we reviewed in our guide to the best camping blankets. It is also the only ground cloth that provides insulation from the ground. It also comes with corner and side loops to help anchor down the blanket in windy conditions.

As one of the most durable blankets we tested, it shed water and debris seamlessly – on both the soft plush top layer and the bottom waterproof lining. It is also resistant to pet hairs and fur, further adding to its durability and versatility. Additionally, the blanket dried quickly and was easy to clean after being muddied on damp ground, leaving no stains behind. Not to mention, it is also machine washable. Even after being exposed to campfire smoke, the fabric didn’t absorb or retain unwanted odors.

Although this blanket itself was bulkier and heavier than others we tested, the durable and beefy carry case made up for this, with its thick material, side handles, and optional shoulder strap. It proved to be the most functional and convenient carry bag that came with the blankets we tested. Rolling the blanket up to fit inside its case was fast and easy.

Although more expensive, the quality, durability, and large size ensure that the Yeti Lowlands Blanket will have a long lifespan, making it an excellent value for those looking for top-notch comfort when lounging at camp.

How We Tested

In the field, we tested this blanket during the winter months in Northern California, most notably testing its packability and performance as a ground blanket at the beach and around the campfire. We got the blanket wet, muddy, and dirty to compare its water resistance and ability to shed debris.

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

Durability

The Yeti Lowlands blanket is one of the most durable blankets that we tested (and it came with the most durable carry bag as well). We thoroughly put it through the wringer, and it astounded us with its resilience and consistent performance. With its insulated material, it was the thickest ground blanket we tested and showed no signs of wear after use. Mud was easy to spot-clean off the blanket, even on the top insulated plush layer – no stains were left. It is also machine-washable and dryer-friendly, making cleaning even easier.

When we poured water over the blanket, we confirmed the capability of the waterproof bottom lining to resist water and stay dry. Water beaded seamlessly off the material. When we laid the blanket on wet sand during relaxing beach days, we didn’t notice any moisture seeping through the material, and we stayed dry and comfortable. Even the top soft polyester layer shed water incredibly well, leaving it dry and unaffected.

The Yeti Lowlands shed debris just as well as it did water. When we covered the blanket with a cup of sand for our shake test, it all shed off easily with one quick shake – leaving no sand caught in the fabric. It is also designed to shed pet hair and fur.

Warmth

Ground blankets aren’t inherently designed for warmth, yet the Yeti Lowlands includes a layer of synthetic insulation to protect from the cold ground; it ranked as the warmest ground blanket we tested with a very noticeable difference compared to thinner products such as the CGear Multimats, Nomadix Festival, and Nemo Victory.

Aside from experiencing its insulating properties ourselves, 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 Yeti Lowlands lost 11.7 degrees, proving the capabilities of its synthetic insulation, generous size, and waterproof lining. Even when sitting or laying on wet, cold, and muddy ground, we didn’t feel the chill seep through and stayed comfy and dry.

Size to Packability

Although the Yeti Lowlands was one of the bulkiest and heaviest blankets we tested (6.1 pounds and 20” x 8.5” when packed), we found that its durability, comfort, and included carry bag made it worth the sacrifice in packability. That being said, when packed, the blanket would not fit well in a daypack.

Yet the included carry bag is exceptionally durable and comes with a side handle as well as a shoulder strap, making for convenient transportation. It is also very easy to roll the blanket to the correct size and fit it into the bag. We found this design to be the best of all the ones we tested in our blankets review.

When laid out to its full size at 70” x 55” x0.25,” we found it to be perfectly sized for a ground mat, fitting one and two people with ease. Although it wasn’t the largest blanket in our test, the Yeti Lowlands felt like the Goldilocks blanket size.

Comfort

The Yeti Lowlands Blanket is incredibly comfy for a ground mat and the most comfortable one that we tested. With its insulation and thick and padded build, it made it difficult to want to get up from lying on the ground.

When rolling the blanket up, we did notice that it made a crinkly sound due to the waterproof material on the bottom of the mat. However, when fully laid out and in use, there is no noise when rolling over or changing positions. 

When we took this blanket out for a campfire, we noticed that the material excelled at resisting odors. Unlike some of the other blankets we tested, such as the Pendleton Yakima Camp, the Yeti Lowlands did not retain any campfire smoke smells or other unwanted odors.

Features

Aside from its added insulation and waterproof lining, the feature that first caught our eye was the design of the carry bag, with its thick and durable material, ease of use, and multiple straps for carrying – with the option to choose from two different side handles or a shoulder strap. This bag was the most durable and easiest to use of all the ones that came with blankets in our test.

Yeti also uses a “pet protected design,” opting for material that sheds pet hair easily and doesn’t cling to the fabric. This makes the Yeti Lowlands an ideal blanket to share with your furry companion.

Lastly, this blanket has not only corner utility loops, but also side loops around the blanket so that it can be anchored down. This is a convenient feature for a ground mat; though with the Yeti Lowlands heavier weight, it withstood wind fairly well.

Should You Buy the Yeti Lowlands Camping Blanket?

Although on the pricier side, the Yeti Lowland Blanket is well worth the investment and an incredible value with its durability, insulation, water-resistance, thickness and included carry bag. Anyone who enjoys beach excursions, campfire nights, relaxing days lounging in the forest or has any need for a ground mat will benefit from the Yeti Lowland. With its thicker design, it is an excellent option for those desiring more cushion and protection from the ground.

However, if you are looking for a more packable blanket that you can throw into your tote bag or your day pack, we suggest you review the other ground blankets in our gear guide. If you only occasionally use ground mats, then you may consider more budget-friendly options to justify the cost.

What Other Camping Blankets Should You Consider?

You won’t be mad if you go with the Yeti Lowlands Blanket. Still, we also encourage you to look at other ground blankets in our camping blankets gear guide as you determine the best product for your needs. Here are some quality contenders:

Nemo Victory Patio Blanket Review: The Nemo Victory Patio Blanket is of the highest durability, yet comes in at half the price of the Yeti Lowlands in size medium. While it is a thinner blanket (though still one of the heavier options) and not insulated, it is more packable than the Yeti and rolls up into its own carry case.

Nomadix Festival Blanket Review: Although also very thin, the Nomadix Festival Blanket is the most packable ground mat. 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 cushion, durability and weather resistance of the Yeti Lowlands.

Oceas Sherpa Fleece Review: Lastly, the Oceas Sherpa Fleece is our most budget-friendly option and offers both a fleece lining and waterproof bottom. It can be used as both a throw and ground blanket, making it more versatile. However, it is noticeably lower quality and made of a louder material than the Yeti Lowlands.