Years ago, I was freezing on a flight to Paris on a budget airline. When I asked the flight attendant for a blanket, she smiled and said it would be $5. I reluctantly paid and received something that was more like a paper napkin than a blanket. Even if you fly on a mainstream carrier like Delta Air Lines, economy class in-flight blankets aren’t luxurious or warm, which is why it pays to bring your own travel blanket.
Overpackers might be intimidated by adding one more travel accessory to their packing list, but I’ve consulted experts and CNN Underscored editors to find warm, packable models. Of course, travel isn’t limited to airfare, so I’ve also included picks that are more suited to road trips and car camping.
If travel blogger Anshula Varma could recommend just one blanket, it’d be Rumpl’s Travel Puffy, a smaller version of the brand’s original insulated throw, which she said feels like a puffer jacket. “After it is rolled up, compressed and slotted into its included cinch sack (the last bit requires a little shoulder muscle), the Rumpl Travel Blanket can be shimmied into a backpack’s bottle sleeve or car door cup holder.” Plus, it’s made from recycled materials.
You’d never think to bring a towel on a flight, but travel blogger Sophie Anderson said Turkish towels are one of her go-to travel essentials “because they are soft and easy to pack, dry very quickly and work great as a blanket for trains, planes and buses (or even as a pillow!).” She’s been using this one from Etsy for the past several years.
When packed down, this lightweight blanket fits in the palm of your hand. Editorial director Chelsea Stone brings hers to the park, but because of its ultra-compact size, it’s the ideal size for stashing in a travel backpack or crossbody bag.
A mashup of a hoodie, the Snuggie and a throw, this travel blanket from MasterManner will have you feeling extra cozy on your next flight. Bobby Laurie, a travel expert and former flight attendant, is a fan because he can “tuck away into the hood and rest up,” even if other passengers have their window shades open. Pair it with a sleeping mask if you need complete darkness to sleep.
Shelbi Okumura, a travel blogger who’s ventured to more than 50 countries, recommends this travel blanket from EverSnug because it doubles as a compact pillow and fits over luggage handlebars in its packed form.
Travel blogger Shwetha Kotekar points frequent flyers to this packable blanket. Since it doubles as a pillow, she said it’s perfect for a quick in-flight nap.
Looking for something a little more elegant? Try J.Crew’s 100% cashmere wrap, which Varma said transitions seamlessly from a shawl into a travel blanket after boarding. “The wrap is warming, body-hugging and chic,” Varma said, noting that it makes a great luxe gift. Just be sure to care for the wrap properly, she added, and wash it by hand in a hotel sink rather than in a machine.
Kashwére’s plush throw is soft, cozy and packable, and Kotekar said it has all the qualities of a great travel blanket. She especially appreciates that it folds into its own pouch, which makes it easy to pack in a carry-on bag.
Best travel blankets for road trips and camping
CNN Underscored outdoors, sustainable living and pets editor Kai Burkhardt said his Rumpl Original remains one of his favorite blankets after years of use. “With a similar texture and feel to a cozy sleeping bag, it’s lightweight, warm and versatile enough to use on my couch or around the campfire,” he said. However, the blanket is large, so it’s better suited to road trips and camping than air travel.
After snagging Nomadix’s Festival Blanket last summer, CNN Underscored associate editor Jillian Tracy said it’s become an essential piece of her warm weather outdoor gear. “Unlike camping blankets or bulkier throws I’ve tried in the past, the Nomadix blanket folds neatly without hefty bulk, which makes it easy to throw in my beach bag, park tote or backpack with plenty of room left over to haul my other essentials,” she said. The thin, machine-washable blanket packs down to a 5-inch-by-10-inch rectangle but is more for lounging than warmth.
Burkhardt also likes Nomadix and said the brand’s puffer blanket is comparable to the Rumpl Puffy, offering the same warmth and packability. “It’s another of my favorites that I bring on camping trips all the time. Plus, the Nomadix has more clips along its sides than the Rumpl, so you can clip it completely closed and use it like a sleeping bag,” he said.
Want to reach peak coziness? Therm-a-Rest’s Honcho Poncho lets you wear your blanket. “With the Honcho Poncho, your torso stays completely covered without having to awkwardly balance a blanket on your shoulders, and the hood keeps your head and ears warm,” Burkhardt said, adding that it also keeps your hands free. “Packed up, it can also double as a pillow if you’re in a pinch,” he said, “making it truly one of the best travel blankets I’ve tried.”
Yeti’s Lowlands Blanket is perfect for beach days and picnics, Burkhardt said, as it comes with a waterproof bottom layer that’ll protect you from dewy, muddy grass. “The top fabric is surprisingly plush for a blanket that screams durability,” he said. “Plus, after it’s done its job protecting you from the wet ground, it’s machine-washable for easy cleanup.” That said, Burkhardt thinks it’s too heavy for an international trip.
When CNN Underscored associate testing writer Gareen Puglia tested weighted blankets, Bearaby’s knit design struck her with its breathability and soothing pressure, earning it the number one spot. The brand’s similar travel version features the same wide-knit design, except that it’s more packable and comes with a travel bag. While most will find it too heavy for air travel — it starts at 5 pounds — you can fly with it, as its weights are made from plastic and won’t set off alarms in security.
According to Laurie, as lovely as an oversized, cozy throw may be, you’ll want something compact for travel. “You don’t want to pack something too big, especially if you’re traveling in economy class, because you don’t want to be the person who impedes the personal space of the passenger next to you,” he said.
Okumura agrees. The best travel blankets won’t be bulky, she said, though she added that consumers should look for models that are at least 65 inches by 40 inches.
The best travel blanket to take on an airplane is one that’s compact and packable. Otherwise, it will “eat up valuable storage space in a carry-on,” Okumura said. “My ideal blanket is something that I can attach to the outside of my luggage as a hands-free personal item. It won’t take up any space in my luggage or my shoulder bag, and I don’t have to carry it while navigating through the airport.”
Another way to save space? Look for a blanket that serves more than one purpose, Laurie said. He loves “a blanket that self-folds and snaps into place to also form a pillow.”
As important as portability is, Laurie said that consumers should also think about warmth. For instance, if you’re a hot sleeper who wants to stay cool, “you don’t want something that will have you overheat,” he said. “Alternatively, if you get cold on planes, make sure to look for a blanket that ensures you’ll stay warm but is also easy to tuck away if you get too warm. Some aircraft cabins have varying temperatures, and you need to be able to adapt.”
The free blankets you get on airplanes (when you even get them) tend to be too thin and small, Okumura said. Bringing your own ensures it’s clean, the size you want and warm enough for your journey.
“Synthetic insulation is the most popular, as it has good warmth, packs small and is highly durable,” REI Co-op’s camp buyer Jeff Schmidt said, though he added that fleece and down also work.
“A lightweight, non-heated blanket should easily fit into a carry-on (especially if you’re using packing cubes),” Varma said, “but if you can, try to slide your blanket into a personal item so you can easily access it on a flight.” Just keep in mind that many airlines (e.g., Southwest) will count a travel blanket as a personal item, she added.
If the travel blanket doesn’t come with a case and can’t be worn (like a shawl), Varma recommends rolling the blanket “into a tight spiral” and packing it into a packing cube.
For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights:
CNN Underscored editors and writers ensure every product included in an article is thoroughly vetted and something we ourselves would feel comfortable buying and using. Our team has many decades of collective experience researching, testing and recommending products across every category — from fashion and food, to home goods and health, to electronics and everything in between — and we’re committed to using that expertise to help you make the most of your money and live a better life.
For this article, CNN Underscored associate updates writer Maxwell Shukuya tapped six travel experts to compile a list of packable travel blankets. Shukuya also asked well-traveled CNN Underscored editors for their favorite models.
