The best picnic blankets

The Oniva Outdoor Picnic Blanket Tote XL has a little something for everyone. It has polyester fleece on one side and a water-resistant backing on the flipside. The blanket measures 70 x 80 inches when unfurled and it folds up to a package that's just 18 x 5 inches. Plus, it only weighs one pound, so it's easy to carry.

Up to six adults can sit on the blanket without being crowded, and two adults can lie on it comfortably (three if you don't mind cuddling). The fleece is soft and lightly padded and it comes in several different colors and patterns.

The water-resistant underside is perfect for wet grass and helps keep the blanket clean. It comes with a lifetime guarantee, too. Best of all, once you fold it up, it becomes a convenient carry bag with a zippered pocket, so you can stash your keys, phones, books, or small electronics in it and forego carrying an extra bag along with your blanket.

Pros: Large size, water-resistant back, folds into handy tote, affordable

Cons: Not well-padded, can be hard to refold

With more padding in its soft, flannel top than any other blanket in our guide, we recommend the Nemo Victory Blanket for picnics on harder ground or for families with smaller children and babies who want more comfort.

Because the bottom of the blanket is made of waterproof polyurethane, you can easily take it to the beach or even use it as the floor of your tent. Each corner has a cord loop attached so the blanket can be staked down on windy days. When you're done, just roll or fold it up and use the attached elastic bands to secure it for simple carrying. It even has storage pockets for phone, keys, and snacks.

The blanket is soft and cozy, plus, it's machine washable, so if you spill anything on it, it's easy to clean. The Nemo Victory Blanket comes in a two-person size (57 inches by 85 inches), a four-person size (95 inches by 95 inches), and an XL six-person size (120 inches by 120 inches) to suit most people's needs.

It is a bit heavier than some of the other blankets in our guide, with the six-person size weighing about five pounds, the four-person size weighing about three pounds, and the two-person size weighing about two pounds, but that's to be expected from a well-padded blanket.

Pros: Soft flannel doesn't trap dirt and dust, padded waterproof bottom, corner loops, easy to carry without a separate case

Cons: Expensive, can create static, doesn't come with stakes

The Down Under Stadium Blanket is an all-weather picnic blanket that's comfortable and weather-resistant. It has a super-soft, anti-pill polar fleece on top layer and a tough polyester backing that promises to be waterproof.

Because it's an ultrasonic quilt, the Down Under Stadium Blanket makes a convenient wrap in colder weather at the beach, the park and, of course, the big game. It measures 82 x 55 inches, so it's large enough for 2 to 4 people to sit on.

The blanket also has durable hand stitching and a safe zipper pocket for valuables. Down Under offers a lifetime warranty on the blanket, too.

It's machine washable, which is great when it comes time to clean it up, and it comes with a sack for transporting it around town. The blanket weighs 2.5 pounds, which is decent, considering the fact that it's a real fleece blanket.

Pros: Warm, weather-resistant, lifetime warranty

Cons: May not be warm enough for much colder camping conditions, hard to fit back in the carrying case

Sometimes you don't plan on having a picnic, so you end up in a park sitting on damp, scratchy grass wishing you'd had the foresight to bring a blanket with you. For those times, you need the Matador Pocket Blanket.

The Pocket Blanket folds up small enough that you can stash it in your pocket or bag — that way there's no excuse for not having a picnic blanket on you for those impromptu picnics. It folds out to 64 x 44 inches in size, which is more than enough space for two people to lay down on or four people to sit on.

Matador included stakes in the corners of the blanket, so you don't have to worry about it flying away mid picnic. Although it's not fully waterproof, the blanket is water-resistant and should hold up against dew, condensation, or other mild wet spots on the ground. The blanket's material is super thin and light, but it's still durable and tear-resistant.

Matador even has a smaller version called the Mini Pocket Blanket, which is even more compact at 44 x 28 inches. The only downside to the Mini is that it's only suitable for one person fully extended or two people sitting close together.

The blankets obviously aren't thick, waterproof blankets like some of our pricier picks, but they are extremely convenient for city-dwellers or travelers who are on the go and always want to have a small blanket on hand. — Malarie Gokey

Pros: Compact, fits in your pocket, easy to carry anywhere, affordable, lightweight, water-resistant, built-in stakes (regular blanket)

Cons: Not fully waterproof, no stakes on Mini Pocket Blanket

Sure, you could just toss your lunch into a bag or tote, or use a plastic cooler, but where's the fun in that? Whether you want traditional wicker or something a bit more modern, a good picnic basket signals that something special is on the agenda — it's not just eating outside, it's a celebration.

Whether you're heading out for a weekend camping trip, an afternoon in the park, a tailgating party, or you're grilling in the backyard, you'll need a cooler if you like cold drinks and fresh food.

Hauling a cooler around when it's full of ice and your beverage of choice is no easy task. Backpack coolers solve that problem by making the cooler much more portable. These portable ice chests simply strap onto your back and you're free to lug whatever else you brought along or just enjoy your surroundings.

Packing your own chair for a camping or backpacking trip is far more comfortable than resorting to whatever tree stump or large rock you come across on your trip. Plus, they're great to have for kids' sporting events, picnics in the park, or simply hanging out in the backyard.