Nomadix Puffer Blanket

Review by Erin Trail

Nomadix claims that their Puffer Blanket is the “most versatile and portable insulated blanket” – but is it really?  How versatile does a blanket need to be?

The Nomadix Puffer Blanket is indeed a well designed, multi-use blanket that I’ve really loved and my three-legged cat Simcoe has claimed as her own.

Features

• 74″ long x 55″ wide (almost wide enough for my queen mattress in the van)
• Weight 32 oz
• Temperature rating 50 degrees
• Sand and dirt resistant material
• Water resistant
• Anchoring corners
• Snaps along three of the four of the sides of the blanket, allowing the user to turn the blanket into a cape, poncho, or sleeping bag
• Includes a stuff sack, packing down to 14″ x 6″

I originally got the Nomadix Puffer Blanket to supplement my van supplies.  We like to go camping and ride bikes between the months of April and October.  I enjoy reading in the late afternoon and early evening, but find that I get pretty chilly.   I do a toga-burrito with a wool blanket, but it never quite did the trick.  I really liked the idea of the Puffer Blanket to use for hanging out in cooler temps but to also supplement our sleeping layers inside the van.

Home Uses

I got my Puffer Blanket in late February, far from camping season. Blanket testing immediately commenced with evening couch snuggles with my cats. I would also convert the Puffer Blanket into cape-mode pretty often.  I have a nightly stretch + mobility routine, where I sit on the floor and hold various positions.  Covering myself with a regular blanket didn’t give me the warmth coverage or freedom of movement that I wanted.  But with the Nomadix Puffer Blanket in “Cape Mode”, I could do my routine, be able to move around, and stay toasty warm. I also would use the cape feature after coming back from cold weather runs.  I get SUPER chilled once I’m home.  With the Puffer Blanket in Cape Mode, I was able to warm back up but have my hands free for cooking lunch or typing on my computer.

This blanket is VERY warm, much warmer than it’s lightness would suggest. Now that the weather is turning into spring, I’ve found that the Puffer Blanket is too warm for indoor use.

Outside Uses

The Nomadix Puffer Blanket has so many uses when you’re not in the house.  I personally like using it as a way to burrito myself at camp to read a book.  The blanket has snaps along 3 of the 4 edges, spaced about a foot apart.  This give endless flexibility in orientation. I found that the Puffer Blanket was exactly what I was wanting for reading a book when temperatures cool off.  I was able to burrito myself in the blanket up to my neck (although I could have worn it as a poncho with a hood) and could arrange the side snaps so I could hold a book while keeping my arms warm.

The blanket can also use as an impromptu changing poncho, allowing the wearer to change clothes while draping the poncho over themselves.

I also used the blanket as a traditional blanket for sleeping in my van.  I did find it to be VERY warm for desert camping; I think it will be the perfect sleeping layer when I’m in higher and cooler alpine environments.

Other Thoughts

The Nomadix Puffer Blanket packs a lot into it’s lightweight form. The Nomadix costs the same as another well known outdoor puffy blanket ($100) but due to the smart and versatile design, it bigger bang for the buck in terms of versatility and use cases.  For the money, the Nomadix Puffer Blanket is a slam dunk over other similarly priced blankets.

The stuff sack design is also more friendly than the other well known brand of puffy blanket.  The Nomadix Puffer Blanket has a more generous sized stuff sack (so it’s easier to pack).  The stuff sack is designed like a compression dry bag, where you roll the top flaps a few times and secure it closed with a buckle. The Puffer Blanket in the stuff sack fits easily into my van’s storage cabinets.

The outer layer of the Nomadix Puffer Blanket is made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester, which I personally think is fantastic.  The outer shell fabric, however is really slippery and somewhat delicate.  The only negative thing I can say about the Puffer Blanket is that I wish the outer shell fabric was a little less slippery and more durable. I have seen wear marks from my cats (i.e. claw marks) trying to hold on as they slip on the blanket.  The Puffer Blanket has anchor points and is water resistant, encouraging users to lay it on the ground as a picnic blanket.  Based on the wear from my cats light use, I’m not certain how the blanket would hold up if it was placed under pokey plants or gravel.

Closing Thoughts

The Nomadix Puffer Blanket has quickly found a way into my daily life.  In winter months, the Puffer Blanket will be on frequent rotation for relaxing on the couch or to warm up after a cold run.  In warmer months, the Puffer Blanket will live in my van for my camping adventures.  The Nomadix Puffer Blanket is smartly designed with a versatile array of uses due to the snaps on the blanket’s edge.  While priced similarly as other blankets in the outdoor blanket space, the Nomadix Puffer Blanket offers many more ways to use and enjoy it, ranging from a sleeping bag, to picnic blanket, to wearing it in Cape Mode, freeing up the wearer to use their hands while keeping warm.

Erin Trail