The Austin-based brand emerged as a key player in the cooler category and has since grown immensely, putting out everything from fleeces to outdoor furniture. The Lowlands Blanket, an durable outdoor blanket, might be a piece that gets overlooked in the brand’s offering. The original came out a few years back but Yeti has added some new colors as well as improvements like the diamond-stitched pattern.
It’s waterproof, claims to repel dirt and pet hair, and comes in a host of core and seasonal colors (not to mention two different sizes). As an all-purpose, throw-kind of blanket, it’s meant to be put to use pretty much anywhere, from the back of your car or atop some cold bleachers at the soccer game to the campsite or picnic at the beach or state park. The $200 blanket proved quite capable during testing, packing down nicely and drying at speed.
There are pros and cons to the thing, and it really depends on the lifestyle you’re trying to cater to, not to mention the elements you might be operating under. While we were sitting on a regular-sized Lowlands Blanket during the summer months (quite literally), packing it to a few outdoor concerts and park picnics, we mostly waited patiently for fall. We wanted to really assess the burly, insulated build of the thing and its waterproofness.
We spent several weeks with the blanket in the back of the car, at the ready for everything from dog naps and post-paddle warmups to hangouts near the wet soccer field or full-fledged fall camping trips. Right out of the gate, this is easily one of the most comfortable outdoor blankets we’ve tested in recent history. Down blankets can offer a similar level of sensory joy but the softness of the topside of this blanket feels like something you’d get draped over the best chair in a ski lodge, right in front of the great room fire.
It’s mildly fuzzy on one side and more coarse and rugged on the other. The seasonal colors really pop and add some flavor while the two sizes of the blanket are actually quite distinct and useful in their own ways. The smaller, about 28-in. by 38-in., is about the size of a dog bed and is (surprise) best for pets—setting up a dry sitting spot for one, or thawing wipe downs after playing in the snow.
It does not come with a carrying case but rolls up plenty small and doesn’t necessitate one. The larger (the one we tested), measuring 55-in. by 78-in., is more like a bed topper, great for picnics, topping your camp bed, or just wearing around in the cold. The corner loops are a nice touch for securing the blanket in blustery conditions and can also be used for hanging or tying down valuables.
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