NEMO Puffin Review

The Nemo Puffin is a synthetic blanket that's filled with 600 grams of Stratofiber insulation. It comes in one and two-person sizes and several colors.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

When it comes to comfort, the Puffin delivers. If you hate slipper blankets, the Puffin is right up your alley. The underside is soft nylon, which feels plush against our skin. It's puffy and thick, adding just enough weight to feel comfortable without being overly heavy. We measured the one person blanket at 54 x 78 inches, which is an ideal size for most people. From petite to tall, our testers felt comfortably swaddled in this blanket and never smothered. It's large and poofy enough to be a comfy little nest and isn't too cumbersome or restrictive.

The Puffin has three buttons along the bottom, which form a small foot box for keeping your toes covered and comfy while you relax. It also has uniquely outwardly curved edges. At first, we weren't sure what difference this would make, but it's a great little perk that helps keep you covered no matter how you're using the blanket. The only way we think Nemo could make this blanket even more comfortable would be to make the underside even softer. However, that might result in a decrease in durability or an increase in the amount of hair and dirt the underside would cling to.

Warmth

Filled with 600 grams of synthetic Stratofiber insulation, the Puffin feels quite thick. This ultralofted batting creates plenty of air pockets, which keep you nice and toasty. The softer underside also warms up almost immediately against your body. The foot box comes in handy again here, as it goes a long way toward keeping your warm air bundled inside the blanket with you, even as you shift around. Though it has no rated temperature conditions, we felt warm and protected, even outside in the snow.

During our hot water insulation testing, the Puffin performed about average compared to the others, losing just under 1°F per minute. Though this doesn't sound particularly impressive, the rest of the blanket's features help it to feel quite warm when you're under it. Though it's not rated for a specific temperature, Nemo does advertise it for field use, including protection against wind and rain. Among our wide range of testers, this one is consistently a crowd favorite and the first to get snapped up.

Versatility

With the claims of the Puffin being “technical” and made for field use, we put them to the test. Impressively, the Puffin performed well when it came both to repelling water for long periods and as protection against the wind. Even the seams didn't let any water or wind through to the other side. The DWR treated, ripstop nylon exterior material manages to be both resistant and durable, while also repelling everyday debris like pet hair, sand, and dirt.

The foot box adds some versatility to the Puffin, as it helps keep the blanket on top of you. We also appreciate that the foot box is created using buttons rather than snaps, which can eventually rip the fabric they're attached to. The stuff sack is also a good-sized square, which can easily be used as a pillowcase while camping, just by stuffing some of your extra layers inside when you head to bed. Though the Puffin may not have quite the versatility as some that convert into wearable ponchos, it's a joy to use for relaxing and staying warm both indoors and out.

Packed Size

Weighing a whopping 36 ounces, the Puffin isn't much of a backpacking contender. It can be compressed into just four liters, and might be worthwhile to stick in your checked back en route to a winter getaway. Though we like how easy it is to shove back into its spacious stuff sack, that does mean it takes up a bit more space than other blankets of similar sizes.

However, for the performance the Puffin has to offer, we think its size and weight are within reason. They certainly don't deter us from throwing it in the car to take to a friend's bonfire or on winter road trips, and we were certainly much happier having it with us.

Features & Design

We've already discussed the helpfulness of the foot box. We think it might be slightly better to use symmetrically with four buttons instead of three, but maybe that's just us. This is also the only blanket we tested that has a little zippered pocket on it. We find it handy for small items like keys and chapstick, and we've even put a rock in it to keep it from blowing away.

If you're someone who loves a good warranty, rest assured that Nemo backs the Puffin with a lifetime warranty. Helpfully, this blanket is also able to be washed at home in your front-loading washing machine. Not that you'll probably need to toss it in too much, as it does a great job of staying clean no matter what we dragged it through or set/spilled on it. It also comes in several neat color combinations, which we love.

Value

Though it's not a cheap blanket, the Puffin is far from being the most expensive option we tested. Considering it outshines the rest when it comes to performance, we think its price is fair and well worth all the use you'll get out of it, even when you aren't camping.

Conclusion

We truly love this awesome camping blanket from Nemo. It has the right combination of comfortable and useful features to keep you warm and happy in front of the tv or the campfire. It's easy to care for, pretty darn durable, and one of the coziest models we tested. If you're after a top-notch, versatile blanket and don't mind a bit of bulk, we think you'll love the Puffin.