Ditch the Sleeping Bags: Our Go-To Camp Blanket for Two

When it comes to car camping, we’re not out here trying to prove anything. We’re looking for comfort, space to stretch out, and gear that makes nights outside feel more like home. That’s why we swapped out our sleeping bags for the NEMO Puffin 2-Person Blanket and honestly, we’re not looking back.

Whether it’s early spring or a cool summer night, this blanket has been a game-changer for how we sleep in a tent. No more sliding off sleeping pads, no more fighting with zippers, and no more sweaty, zipped-up cocoons.

This blanket is cozy, warm, and still breathable. Plus, it packs down easily into its own storage sack (sewn on, so you won’t lose it). We bought it for weekend car camping trips, and it’s quickly become a staple in our gear bin.

Technical Specs

Spec Detail
Dimensions 85” x 86” (216 x 218 cm)
Packed Size 15” x 15” x 8” (38 x 38 x 20 cm)
Weight 3 lb 3 oz (1.45 kg)
Insulation Stratofiber™ synthetic fill
Shell Fabric 40D Nylon Ripstop with DWR finish

Standout Features

  • Stratofiber™ Insulation keeps warmth in on chilly nights without turning the tent into a sauna.
    We never really looked into what this insulation was before buying it, but here is what we learned afterwards:
    Stratofiber™ is a polyester-based synthetic fill engineered to mimic some of the insulating properties of down while remaining warm when wet, easy to clean, and affordable. It’s layered in a way that traps air for insulation while allowing some breathability to prevent overheating.

  • Nylon shell feels buttery soft and luxurious - not your usual crinkly camping material.

  • “Foot Nook” design lets you tuck the bottom around your feet - no drafts, no cold toes.

  • Integrated stuff sack means it packs up fast and the sack won’t go missing.

  • Machine washable let’s be real, dirt happens.

Integrated stuff sack

The Puffin’s integrated stuff sack at the bottom of the blanket.

Zipper to hide the bag when the blanket is in use

There is a small pocket that you zip the outer bag into and it is connected by a string. No missing bags here!

Durability & Use

We’ve used this blanket between June and September in Ontario and Quebec for many years. It has kept us warm in these seasons and we’ve been very satisfied. The shell fabric is tough enough to handle a bit of grit but still soft to the touch. After our years of use, it still looks and feels brand new.

It’s not something we’d take backpacking (it’s bulky for that), but for car camping, it’s perfect.

Puffin Blanket opened in the tent

The Puffin blanket in our Eureka tent and on the Exped Mega Mat.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • So much room to move!
  • Actually warm, even in shoulder season
  • Packs into itself
  • Easy to wash

Cons:

  • Not ideal for cold-weather camping below ~5°C without extra layers
Carry handle on the Nemo Puffin
Flap that protects top of bag

Additional features about this blanket that are small touches, but we greatly appreciate. There is a large handy carrying handle on the bottom of the bag, big enough to throw around your arm! Secondly, I appreciate the flap at the top of the bag that tucks in when you’re tying up the bag - another handy feature to keep dirt out!

Final Thoughts: Who’s This For?

The NEMO Puffin 2-Person Blanket is ideal for couples or solo campers who like some breathing room at night and don’t want to deal with the constraints of sleeping bags. If you car camp regularly and value comfort just as much as function, this blanket is worth it.

It’s cozy, well-built, and has made our nights in the tent way more enjoyable. We’re not trying to go ultralight with this—just trying to sleep well and wake up warm (but not sweaty). This blanket nails it.