Snugpak Jungle Review

This model has synthetic Travelsoft resinated polyester insulation. It's soft and treated with an anti-bacterial coating to keep it fresher longer in the outdoors.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

This blanket is a little bit of a Jekyll and Hyde with a “supersoft” underside and a crinkly top. Both halves are 100% polyester, with the back fabricated for comfort and the top better suited for durability. The underside has a nice feel. Though it isn't the absolute softest in the category, it is no doubt in the top tier. We also appreciate its dimensions. At 62 x 74 inches, it is one of the largest one-person models that we tested. This extra-large size makes it functional for two people and easily wraps all the way around a single. It doesn't have nearly the same luxurious loft as its down counterparts; however, its size somewhat makes up for it.

It took us a little while to embrace the Jungle. Though we eventually grew to like it, its thinness and slightly crinkly top don't immediately scream comfort, and it isn't one that we would reach for if plushness was a top priority.

Warmth

Despite its thin construction, it is surprisingly warm. Its synthetic Travelsoft insulation is 100% polyester. Snugpak rates it to 45°F. From our experience, that could be true if nighttime temperatures just barely dipped to that level and then immediately came back up. In practice, we were more comfortable in the 50-55°F range with a ton of variability. Since much of a sleep system's effectiveness relies on its ability to retain trapped body heat, it is challenging to yield consistent results with a blanket that moves around. Having said that, if you use the Jungle during a brisk outdoor gathering, it will certainly do the trick.

An additional benefit of the softer underside is that it avoids the cold-on-contact sensation that other synthetic models have. Its exterior is also decently wind-resistant. It does not have a DWR (water-resistant) coating. Despite the MicroDiamond pattern that allegedly repels water, we found that the actual window of time you have to swoop in with a towel to absorb spilled liquid is limited to about a minute.

Versatility

This blanket is appropriate for a variety of situations, but relative to other models in the review, it doesn't have quite the same versatility. It doesn't have any built-in features that allow it to be worn hands-free. It compensates for this with its overall large dimensions, which provide ample coverage if you wrap it around your shoulders while sitting down. However, it's not a walking-around blanket. It also doesn't work especially well as protection from the wet ground since it absorbs moisture after a couple of minutes and doesn't have a way to anchor it. It is one of the few models that is treated with Paratex for antibacterial protection.

In addition, the baffle construction is peculiar. The stitching only seems to go through the back layer of the blanket, leaving it susceptible to separation between the insulating layer and the outer shell. Though this maintains the wind and water resistance of the topside, if that separation happens, it increases the probability that the fill will become unevenly distributed. Having said that, we did not have any durability issues during testing (though we did note other users who mentioned having this very issue).

Packed Size

Because of its relatively thin construction, the Jungle is very packable. It comes with its own compression sack that cinches down to the height of a Nalgene water bottle (though it is quite a bit wider). This is all the more impressive considering that it is a synthetic fill, which is inherently less packable than down. Having said that, the stuff sack is quite small to begin with, so getting the blanket into the bag takes some effort. We also don't recommend storing it in the included sack long-term.

Interestingly, this blanket weighs in at one pound, 10 ounces, making it several ounces heavier than truly lightweight options that are better suited for backcountry adventures. The difference is insignificant if you plan to just have it on hand for outdoor gatherings or keep it in the trunk of your car, but it's not the ultralight dream that other blankets are.

Features & Design

This is a simple and straightforward blanket. There are no additional clips, loops, or straps. Its greatest features are its generous dimensions and the comparatively soft underside. We also appreciate its compressibility. It comes in a natural dark green color that blends in nicely with a forest environment, and it has somewhat of a survivalist vibe to it.

We like that the Jungle is machine washable. Like any blanket or sleep bag, we strongly recommend using a front-loading machine and steering clear of any machine with an agitator. However, this caution is especially true of this model specifically because of its minimal stitching between the underside and insulation, which we suspect would separate much faster if it is washed in a top loader.

Should You Buy the Snugpak Jungle?

The Jungle is a reliable and versatile blanket. Its large dimensions are luxurious for one and large enough for two people. It's not the plushest, in fact, it's quite thin. However, it packs down super small in its compression stuff sack. This blanket is meant for outdoor adventures and is hard to beat for value. We recommend it for anyone who doesn't mind an unusual aesthetic but really prioritizes outdoor functionality and compressibility.

What Other Camping Blankets Should You Consider?

Another highly packable option is the Rumpl Down Puffy. It's much more expensive, but its down fill also has notably more loft. The Kelty Biggie is an even larger and slightly less expensive blanket. It is more comfortable but less weather resistant. For the ultimate in camping blanket tech, the Kammok Firebelly is highly versatile.