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Three Things To Know:
- Pocket-Sized and Ultralight – 100 grams and folds down to roughly the size of a bar of soap
- Weather Ready Design – Made from 20D PU–coated ripstop nylon with an eco–friendly PFC–free DWR finish
- Anchoring Made Easy – Includes metal corner stakes, sand pockets, and weighted edges
Our rating:
Design and Portability
Functionality
Durability and Materials
Check availability at Alpine Trek and Amazon.
Come rain or shine, whether I’m walking in the woods or sitting on the beach after a swim, or soaking up the sun in the park, a useful thing to sit on is a very good thing.
Towels and blankets can be bulky and get damp, so something like the Matador Pocket Blanket is a great alternative, offering a clean and dry place to sit, wherever you choose.
Design and Portability
The standard Matador Pocket Blanket weighs in at just 108 grams, and folds down to about 4.5 × 2.7 × 1.1, about the size of the palm of my hand, and seats 2 to 4. There’s also a mini version which weighs just 37 grams and folds down to 3 × 1.6 × 0.8 in, seating 1 to 2 people. Incredibly portable and storable, the Matador Pocket Blanket slipped into any pocket in my backpack or shorts, and it’s light enough to clip onto a key ring.
Functionality
The Matador Pocket Blanket comes neatly packed in its own integrated pouch, which is brilliant–at least the first time you take it out. Folding it back in, however, is where things get a little tricky. It’s not impossible, but it does require a bit of patience and precision. The Easy–Pack Pattern does help, but if like me, you’re a bit instruction averse, after a long day outdoors, carefully aligning corners isn’t always what you want to be doing. While this doesn’t ruin the experience, it does slightly undercut the product’s overall ease of use.
It comes with integrated tethered corner pegs which come in handy in windy climates, or if a few people are using it and moving around, as the lightweight material does tend to slide around a bit, however, these don’t work on all surfaces. The corners are also weighted, helping the blanket stay where it is, and have integrated sand pockets for softer surfaces, which are a nice touch in such a lightweight item.
Equally useful is the fact that the tiny storage pouch is attached to the blanket, as that’s the sort of thing I immediately lose.
Durability and Materials
The blanket is extremely lightweight and made from up–cycled polyester with 20 denier recycled ripstop with a Polyurethane (PU) waterproof coating that makes the fabric water–resistant to wet grass or sand.
It also has a durable waterproof finish free of harmful perfluorocarbons (PFCs), chemicals that are good at repelling water, oil and dirt, but are toxic to people and wildlife.
While the blanket feels flimsy, it’s incredibly strong and I used it on rugged terrain without any tearing or breakage. It’s not insulated or cushioned, so it’s not warm or soft, but great and practical for lightweight travel.
Value for money
At roughly £30.00 I think this is a great piece of durable lightweight kit you can keep in your backpack, handbag or glove compartment for impromptu picnics, walks, or festivals and trips to the beach when you want to sit on the ground and take in your surroundings.
The mini version is £17.45 and folds down to the size of a calculator.
Sustainability
While Matador doesn't have a sustainability program, the blanket is made from 20 denier recycled ripstop nylon and treated with a PFC–free durable water repellent finish, meaning it avoids the use of harmful perfluorinated chemicals that can linger in the environment.
Should You Buy It?
If you're a regular hiker, beach goer, or general outdoorsy person that wants a lightweight, waterproof place to sit during breaks then yes.
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