REI Co-Op Camp Wrap Review

The snap closure makes the REI Co-Op Camp Wrap standout, and the built-in hood adds an extra dimension of warmth. This model is (slightly) stain-resistant because of its DWR coating. It is also a dark color on the outside and machine washable, so it's easy to clean if it gets dirty.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

This blanket is soft and comfortable. The nylon interior liner is notably softer than the ripstop outer and is generally comfortable against the skin. We did notice that the synthetic material can feel sticky if you start to sweat. However, in practice, if it's cold enough to use this blanket, you probably aren't wearing short sleeves, so this is less of an issue for us. At 54" wide and 72" long, it provides substantial coverage for one person, but it's not so long that we were worried about it dragging on the ground. If rotated 90 degrees, though there's a little it jockeying for coverage, it can span two laps, if necessary.

If you are just using this model as a regular blanket, one thing to watch out for is the hand loop at the end. A couple of times, we went to pull off the blanket and inadvertently got the loop caught on our feet. If this happens repeatedly, our sense is that it will eventually cause the seam to tear.

Warmth

We like the moderate loft of the Camp Wrap. When using it as a regular blanket, there is plenty of material to wrap around your entire body. The synthetic polyester fill stays evenly distributed throughout the blanket, so there are never any cold spots. Depending on how you have it oriented, the hood also makes a nice impromptu hand-warming pocket. When wearing it as a cape, we also appreciate the shape that it takes around the torso and the significant coverage the corners provide across the chest. The hood again adds significant extra warmth for the head and neck and makes for an even cozier experience.

The DWR coating gives extra protection from light moisture, and the fill maintains its insulating properties, even in damp conditions. None of the blankets we tested are explicitly made for wet weather, but this one stood up better than most in humid and misty conditions.

Versatility

The blanket excels in its versatility. It's great to have on hand for cool nights in a tent and has ample length for full-body coverage when laying down. This isn't the best blanket for sleeping if you know it's going to be downright cold — it slides off and isn't designed to keep warm air in like a sleeping bag or quilt. However, it is great as a light layer for warmer summer nights in a tent when you want the weight of something covering you, but a sleeping bag is overkill. It's also a nice extra layer for unexpectedly cool evenings or as a cover in a hammock.

By far, its best quality is that it doubles as an outer layer around camp. With a snap closure at the neck, it converts into a cape that can be worn hands-free. We love it for what it adds to the wake-up routine. When the thought of having to emerge from the warmth of a tent is more than we could bear, this blanket is designed to be brought along for morning coffee and breakfast.

Packed Size

This blanket isn't the smallest of the bunch. The synthetic fill makes it more affordable but also gives it a little extra volume. It comes with a lightweight drawstring stuff sack, and the blanket itself weighs in at 1.75 pounds, making it slightly above average for the category.

Because of its size, it's not an ultralight marvel, but it is ideally suited for car camping or having on hand at home for outdoor gatherings. It could fit in a beach bag or large backpack and is also a nice option for watching a ball game on an overcast breezy day.

Features & Design

The Camp Wrap is wonderfully simple in its design, with just a few features that enable the blanket to over-perform. This model would be a rectangle if not for the hood. However, if you choose to 'wear' the blanket, it has a snap at the neck that holds it in place. With two different possible placements, you can control how snuggly it hugs your neck. The snap is the best feature of this blanket. Wearing it cape-style makes it impossible for it to slide off while still maintaining adequate front coverage. You can lay down, sit, or stand up without having to hold or carry around the blanket.

If you do want to bundle up extra tightly, there are two hand loops, one on each side, that allow you to pull in the edges for extra coverage. The hood also adds another dimension of warmth. Because of its cape design, we found that we were much more likely to use it as a wrap than a blanket. With that in mind, the main tweak that we would like to see is another snap or velcro tab at the bottom corner so the front of the 'cape' can close more securely for windy days.

Should You Buy the REI Camp Wrap?

The biggest benefit of this blanket is that it can be worn around for hands-free warmth. You don't have to worry about whether or not it will fall on the ground and the hood is a great feature that adds a sneaky layer of practicality. Its reasonable price combined with its versatility makes it a high-value option. For those who go to a lot of casual outdoor gatherings and need an extra warm layer on hand for themselves or visitors, this is a fantastic option that we would be happy to use again and again.

What other camping blankets should you consider?

If you are into wearable functionality, then we also recommend the Kammok Firebelly, which doubles as a poncho and has several other modes as well. For those who need practicality on a budget, the Snugpak Jungle, Kelty Bestie, and Kelty Biggie are a trio of very basic but even less expensive blankets that do the trick in most situations.