Travel
Ahem, You Need One of These 14 Travel Blankets for Your Next Trip
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If you’re like me, you run cold and you also travel quite a bit, which isn’t always…the best combination. Personally, I’m getting tired of wearing my bulkiest clothes to the airport, peeling them off at security, and then sweating through the layers for my inevitable run through the terminal. Just me? Didn’t think so. Since we’re still on the same page, might I suggest something that quite literally changed my life? Enter: the travel blanket.
Okay, when you first hear “travel blanket” you probably think of those flimsy, paper-thin, scratchy airline “blankets” that should hardly be considered such, IMHO. To put it directly: this ain’t that. We’re talking warm, cozy, and even luxe blankets that will be easy to pack and haul around. Even if you’re the type of packer who’s ruthlessly efficient, it’s no fun to be shivering away on a plane (or train or bus, or automobile!) and a travel blanket could be exactly what you need. Whether you’re all about the aesthetic, prioritize practicality, or want a nice balance of both, we’ve got you covered. Have a quick peek for yourself to see what I mean:
Some of these are so nice you may keep them in your rotation all year long, not just stashed away with the rest of your travel gear. From cashmere, to outdoor options, to even wearable shawl/blanket combo, there’s something here for every type of traveler. So if you’re looking bring your own blanket on your next journey, we’ve rounded up a bunch of great options for you below.
Striped Travel Blanket
Besides being extremely soft, the striped pouch is such a chic choice! Would score you majorrr points if you gift it to a world traveler in your life!
THE REVIEWS: “This blanket has traveled with me across the US and to at least 8 countries. You’d never know, though. I’m in love. Washing it only makes it better-perfect for anything post airplane!! Besides just a travel blanket, I have found so many more uses when traveling. Sometimes it’s just over my hotel pillow so I’m laying on my own something:) 10/10”
Travel Blanket Pillow in Mini Soft Case
This is for all of you who haven’t got an inch to spare in your carry-on or personal item. This clever cutie can sit on your suitcase handle or clip to a backpack, and the best part: when you’re not using it as a blanket, it can be used as a travel pillow.
THE REVIEWS: “I love love love this blanket! I used it to travel out of the US and it was very cozy on the airplane and covered all the way to my feet. I also like the strap that holds it on to my suitcase and the optional clip that I can clip it onto my backpack. My friend that was traveling with me happened to buy the exact same one and we didn’t even know it and we were both so happy with our purchase.”
Soft Feather Down Throw
If you get REALLY cold and a knit just isn’t gonna cut it, it’s time to consider a down blanket. This one is filled with down and feather fiber, so it means business, but still is easy on the eyes! Perfect road trip companion if I do say so myself.
THE REVIEWS: “I purchased this for travel because of the down fill and fabric. It compacts easily and is super light weight, so great for travel and not heavy on your body. The fabric and filling is natural, so no sweating. It’s been washed and dried several times and it still looks great, perhaps a very slight fade in color but all stitching is still fully in tact and still looks great. The size is perfect and fully covers my body. I would definitely buy again.”
Travel Blanket and Eye Mask
When you’re not snuggled up against your window seat with this E Marie blanket, you can wrap it around your neck as a cozy scarf. And with a matching sleep mask, that mouth-wide-open sleep you fall into will look juuust a bit chicer lol. It’s also one of Oprah’s Favorite Things, and who are we to argue with Oprah?
THE REVIEWS: One reviewer says, “This is by far the comfiest, softest blanket/scarf I’ve ever bought. It’s literally the perfect size and it’s become my go-to. I bring it everywhere!”
Ultimate Travel Set
Can’t get enough of your beloved Barefoot Dreams blanket, but literally cringe at the thought of bringing your house blanket into the wild (same)? Fret not: now you can take one to the tarmac with this blanket, eye mask, and sock combo.
4-Piece Cashmere Travel Set
If you’re all about luxury travel, this set is for you (also, please lmk if you have a guest pass to the airport lounge?). You can also feel good snuggling up with this plush set knowing that this brand says its committed to sustainability, traceability, and fair trade!
THE REVIEWS: “This set is SO soft and so cute…Perfect for traveling and flights. I got the gray color and it looks so cute with my duffel bag I travel with. The socks are so warm and keep my feet from freezing on flights and the eye mask came in handy!!”
NanoLoft Puffy Travel Blanket
Another one for the nature lovers among us! This camping blanket rolls up to the size of a big water bottle and comes with a water repellent sack you can stuff it in. When it’s unrolled, the blanket also has a clip so you can “wear it like a cape for easy hands-free wear.” Genius!
THE REVIEWS: “This has been a travel addition I did not realize I was missing. It fits perfectly in my backpack side pocket and goes with me everywhere. Has been a lifesaver on planes whether as a blanket or rolled up as a pillow. It has come in handy on roadtrips or on the golf course in colder or rainy weather in the golf cart.”
European Flax Linen Travel Sheet Set
If you run hot, but still want some sort of homey barrier between you and the possibly germy plane/train/bus/car seat, fear not! This set is for you. The sheet is in the shape of a sleeping bag, aka closed at the bottom, so you can create a perfect little linen cocoon while you’re en route.
Lil’ Marsh Traveler Blanket
Is it too much to say the Unhide Marshmallow and Lil’ Marsh blankets have a cult following? I don’t think so, given the literal thousands of fans online. Now you can have that same goodness in a travel version, but you may want to keep it out on your couch between trips, too (after washing, ofc).
THE REVIEWS: “We are in love with these blankets. They are a nice size, well-made, machine washable, and lightweight, but they still keep you cozy. Reasonably priced and great gifts!”
Layover Travel Blanket
This blanket is like your friend who is prepared for literally every single thing on a trip (it’s me, I’m that friend). She’s thought of it all: There’s a neck snap to keep it in place, a pouch to keep your feet warm, pockets for your hands, a zippered pouch for flight necessities like your headphones and passport…or snacks. It’s anti-static to boot!
THE REVIEWS: “I LOVE LOVE LOVE this blanket. I travel a lot and literally use it on planes, trains, and automobiles. It squishes into its bag so it takes up barely any room, it’s warm and cozy and has pockets and it’s the best. And if I don’t need it as a blanket, it makes a great pillow. It is also excellent for curling up and keeping warm with a good book at home.”
Fortem Pocket Blanket
Hear me out: she isn’t the most aesthetic choice, but this blanket is so compact you can literally put her in your pocket!! This is probably a best for the nature girlies—this water-repellent and tear-resistant blanket would be perfect for outdoor travel adventures, like camping, picnicking, or throwing in your backpack during a hike.
THE REVIEWS: “This little pocket blanket is fab, lightweight, easy to unfurl and very easy to fold and pack back up. I’m very pleased.”
Travel Napper
I know, I know, a weighted travel blanket sounds like a paradox. But if weighted blankets are your jam, this one isn’t that heavy, clocking in at 10 pounds. Plus, it comes with its own cute little tote and we love that!
THE REVIEWS: “This is my second Bearaby blanket – I sleep nightly with the 20 lb napper and do not know how I lived without it before I bought it last year. Going away for a week gave me a bit of anxiety thinking about being without my blanket, so I splurged and bought the travel version. It is essentially the same as the napper… Soft, light weight and COOL/Breathable. It fits well in the bag, and can be used as a carry on with a little side pocket and minimal room for essentials.”
The Dreamsoft Travel Scarf
If you don’t have room or patience for another travel gadget, this big, comfy scarf-blanket combo is cute AND practical. It’s cotton, making it more affordable and better for sensitive skin than a cashmere wrap and will undoubtedly give you those coastal grandmother vibes in the sky.
THE REVIEW: “My friend is traveling multiple areas, multiple countries and climates. This color block washable scarf has turned out to be soft and work not only on the planes but are easy enough to style for changing up wardrobe effects. She’s a smart traveler and a scarf person.”
Packable Travel Blanket
A more simple option, this blanket still folds into a nice pouch, which you can clip to your backpack or slide over your suitcase handle. Plus, we love the checkered texture!
THE REVIEWS: “I bought this for an over-seas trip and I use it for every trip now, whether I’m flying or driving. It’s so cozy but lightweight. I love that it has a pouch you can fold it up into. The pouch also has a strap that slides over your luggage handle so it literally takes no space to carry it. Glad I purchased this.”
Is a travel blanket really necessary?
Okay, is it one more thing to shlep around? Yes, but a travel blanket could go a long ways in making you feel more comfortable. If you’re deciding on adding one of these bad boys into your traveling arsenal, keep reading.
Consider how you travel
No matter how you like to spend your PTO, the best travel blanket is the one that will get you the most mileage (hehe) for your lifestyle. If you’re a long-haul flier, something super packable with plane-friendly features (neck snap, foot pouch, sleep mask, etc) is for you. If you’re more of a road tripper, you could get away with something a bit bulkier. If you are constantly running out of space, a clip-on or slide-on-your-suitcase-handles one is a great option.
And how often
I’m a big fan of thinking about the cost per wear of an item, so if you only go on a couple trips a year, maybe one of the lower budget blankets is the way to go. If you’re constantly on the road or in the sky, maybe it’s worth splurging on a cashmere blanket or something a little more luxe and better quality.
How big should a travel blanket be?
Generally for flying, the blanket should be able to fit in (or on, if it’s clippable!) your carry-on bag. Or you know, basically you just want it small enough to where you can hold it and the gate agents won’t have something to say! A lot of blankets on our list are super compact and fold up into pillows or storage cases, so that shouldn’t be a problem. FWIW, this should also help your case when going through security too.
Why trust Cosmo?
Cosmo’s lifestyle team knows how to spot the good stuff. We scour the internet, test products, and read reviews so we can bring you the type of high-quality products we’d want for ourselves (and our standards are preeeetty darn high, TBH). It’s also really important to us that each of our shopping articles adheres to the 15 Percent Pledge, and we try to make sure the products we feature are good for both you and our planet. If we wouldn’t buy something for ourselves, we sure as heck won’t recommend it to you—and we’re always gonna keep it really, really real. Pinky swear.
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