You want a waterproof fleece blanket to take with you to sporting events—so what’s wrong with just grabbing that bargain-priced blanket and calling it a day? Well, everything, in fact.
The blanket you take with you to sporting events and other outdoor experiences has to offer much more than your typical, standard couch throw. It has to be an agile workhorse that can not only protect you in all kinds of conditions but also keep you comfortable and cozy.
Whether you’re sitting through another rainy weekend of youth soccer tournaments or finding your spot at an icy pro football stadium, you want to use a fleece blanket that will meet your needs and last longer than that overpriced running back who just inked a new deal with the rival team.
So this post helps you understand just what you should be looking for in an outdoor fleece blanket. With our tips, you’ll find a waterproof fleece blanket that is sized perfectly and keeps you perfectly comfortable through a range of outdoor environments.
How to Find a High-Quality Outdoor Fleece Blanket
Superior to regular fleece or throw blankets, waterproof fleece blankets made for the outdoors are designed to hold up to all kinds of weather and still keep you warm and comfortable. When looking for a high-quality fleece blanket that you can use outdoors, look for these important elements:
- Material: The best waterproof fleece blankets use fleece for the side that wraps around you. High-quality fleece provides a plush and cozy feel against the skin and is an excellent insulator, keeping you warm in chilly weather.
- Size and portability: Outdoor activities are typically more fun with some company, and the best outdoor fleece blankets come in a variety of sizes so you can share your comfort or sit solo. Regardless, the best blankets are designed to be foldable and compact, making them easy to carry to sporting events. The best blankets include a waterproof bag as well for portability.
- Waterproof: Blankets with a waterproof side are essential for outdoor events. The fleece around you becomes further insulated by the waterproof material that faces the elements, keeping you dry and warm. The waterproof portion helps protect you against sitting on a wet seat or sitting through rain and snow and acts as another barrier against wind and cold. An added benefit of waterproofing is that you’re protected from spills!
- Sturdy stitching: Quilted stitching is important for waterproof outdoor blankets because without stitching the waterproof side to the fleece one, you’ll slip and slide when it’s wrapped around you.
- Easy maintenance: Look for blankets that are easy to clean, as they might encounter spills, stains, or dirt during outdoor use. Even though they’re waterproof, you still want to keep them clean.
Whether you're cheering on your favorite team from the bleachers or enjoying an outdoor concert, a well-designed fleece blanket keeps you present and undeterred by the weather, providing you with warmth, comfort, and protection from the elements.
Outdoor Fleece Blankets vs. Regular Blankets
A waterproof fleece blanket makes the best choice for sporting events and other outdoor experiences compared to regular blankets. Here are some practical benefits a waterproof fleece blanket provides:
- Weather protection: Outdoor events are often exposed to unpredictable weather. A waterproof fleece blanket provides a barrier against rain, snow, dew, or wet seating surfaces, keeping you dry and comfortable.
- Easy cleanup: Sporting events can be lively, with food and drink spills being common. An outdoor fleece blanket that is waterproof makes cleanup a breeze, as liquids don’t seep through the fabric and stains can be easily wiped away.
- Durability: Outdoor blankets use high-quality material and quilted stitching that creates a long-lasting blanket, and the waterproof feature adds an extra layer of protection to the blanket, enhancing its durability.
- Versatility: Beyond sporting events, a waterproof fleece blanket is versatile for various outdoor activities. Whether used for picnics, camping, or beach outings, it provides a reliable barrier against moisture.
- Enhanced warmth: Wet conditions can make traditional blankets lose their insulating properties, and without a waterproof layer as an extra barrier, they don’t perform as well in cold weather. A waterproof fleece blanket maintains its ability to provide warmth, ensuring that you stay cozy even in damp environments.
On the other hand, using regular blankets that are not designed for outdoor use, especially those lacking a waterproof layer, in outdoor environments can lead to several issues:
- Absorption of moisture: When used outdoors, regular blankets can become damp and heavy if exposed to rain, dew, or even high humidity. Rather than protect against wet or dewy seating, they soak up the moisture, causing you to get damp and cold.
- Loss of insulation: When wet, both cotton and polyester blankets tend to lose their insulating properties. This can result in a significant decrease in warmth, making them less effective in cooler outdoor conditions.
- Difficulty in drying: Without a waterproof layer, regular blankets get wet and stay wet.
- Reduced longevity: Regular blankets don’t have a barrier to the weather. So repeated exposure to the sun, wind, rain, and other outdoor elements can lead to wear and tear.
- Discomfort: Without a barrier to the elements, you could be stuck in a soggy blanket that lacks any warmth, and that impacts your experience at your outdoor event.
In contrast to regular blankets, outdoor-specific blankets, particularly those with waterproof features, are designed to address these challenges. They provide better protection against moisture, maintain insulation when wet, and are more durable in outdoor settings.
The combination of fleece's warmth and the waterproof feature makes outdoor fleece blankets a practical and reliable choice for anyone attending outdoor sporting events and other outdoor experiences.
If you want a comfortable and protected experience regardless of the weather, try the waterproof fleece blankets from Dagmi Outdoors. Designed for outdoor environments, you can rely on Dagmi to provide you with a warm blanket for outdoor events that offers you the comfort and performance you need.