Whether you’re heading out camping, planning a picnic, or attending an outdoor concert, folks are buzzing about the waterproof Lowlands blanket from YETI. But is it really worth it? I tested it out and have come to a verdict that may surprise you.
Let’s gear up for another installment of, “Is It Worth It…Let Me Work It” where we look at one particular product that’s getting some buzz, we buy it, try it, and let you know if we think it’s actually worth it. Not everything is going to be worth it!
Fresh off my review of the YETI Slim Colster, I decided to give their waterproof blanket a go – mainly because I don’t think most people think of YETI as a brand that would have picnic blankets but, alas, they do and with a pretty hefty price of $200, I wanted to know if it really was worth the money and what all the hype was really about.
Known for their colorful beach coolers, YETI has really begun to expand into so many areas in the outdoor space. From chairs and blankets to ice packs and dog bowls their growth is pretty impressive.
Outside of me purchasing this for myself last summer, I had also read a bunch of review from reputable sites like The Wirecutter – where they called the blanket “the softest toughest blanket” they tested, but even the camping experts at Tent World called it “the best picnic blanket ever made.” So it seems like it would be decent, but honestly the price kind of freaked me out.
In regards to the selling points of the Lowland blanket, the folks at YETI promote the following:
- It’s waterproof.
- It’s soft, yet durable.
- It actually repels dirt and even dog hair.
- It’s padded and insulated on the inside.
- Easily machine washable and dryer-friendly.
- The waterproof layer is immune to wet ground of any kind.
In terms of my actual testing criteria I want to be transparent on how I tested it, where, and for how long. Hopefully you find this helpful so you knew what I was up against.
- I purchased this myself and was not given this product in exchange for a review.
- The testing timeframe was three months (July – September).
- It was used the following outdoor places: My backyard, two backyards of my neighbors houses, the beach.
- In total it was probably used between 10 – 12 times.
- I washed it 4 times during this time.
- I did not take it camping.
Ok, so now that we squared that away. The one I personally purchased was the blue one (smoke blue). They only currently have it available in one other color; fireside red. This slowly became a go-to in my backyard over the summer and early fall when I had people over to sit around the fire pit and have some drinks at night.
I found it extremely comfy, actually using it as a blanket to help stay a bit warm at night and it was surprisingly soft. It was almost a little heavy, but in a comforting way. After a few beer spills (and a couple of wine spills), it did kind of bead up and fall off the blanket, but I still washed it anyway, which was key.
I also brought it to the beach a few times and what I thought was really helpful was the four utility holes in the corners that you can use to add stakes or pegs to help keep it down in the sand so it doesn’t blow all over the place. It was a bit warm for the beach – to be honest – but it definitely was comfortable and because it was waterproof it’s also basically sweat-proof too.
Here are some pro’s and cons of my overall experience.
• Really soft and comfortable and can kind of take a beating.
• Easy to clean in the washing machine and dry in the dryer.
• The waterproof layer really comes in handy especially when you don’t know if the ground is already wet.
• My friends with dogs said their pets were all cozy laying on it – and there wasn’t pet hair all over it.
Let’s not forget about the cons:
• Of course it’s expensive. At $200, it’s so tough to justify.
• YETI is known for having pretty vibrant colors, but I was slightly disappointed there were only two to choose from.
• It’s not a weighted blanket, but is a bit on the heavier side. That could be a problem for some.
Ok, so this is it. When all is said and done, is YETI’s Lowland blanket really worth it?
Let’s get to it. On a personal level, yes, I definitely think the YETI blanket is worth the price and worth it overall.
Here’s the thing. Yes, it’s expensive. 100%. But if you’re really an outdoor person you can’t argue with the quality and comfort. There’s nothing worse than being outside, sitting on a blanket, and having the ground seep through making your butt all wet. Plus, it’s comfy so you can’t beat that.
Honestly, since I don’t typically go camping I don’t even think I’m the right demo for this, but using this at the beach and in the backyard I ended up using it a ton of times and didn’t have to worry about water, spills, pet hair, etc. Plus, when it got a bit cooler at night (especially towards the fall) it kept me warm. I definitely got my money’s worth and great use out of it. I think if you’re a camper you would use it even more than me!
If you’re intrigued, you may want to give this a go. If so, here’s where you can get it.
The YETI Blanket
Overall the price is really the price and, as we know, there really aren’t a lot of sales on YETI products. However, each of the above retailers typically does offer you additional ways to save. For example, YETI does have their military and first responder discount code for 20% off while even Dick’s Sporting Goods has some coupons from time to time too. And, of course, Amazon offers free 2-day shipping if you have Prime. Hey, any little bit helps!
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