We’re big fans of Matador’s super-packable blanket, which allows you to keep a two-person water-resistant groundsheet in your pocket at all times. It’s very convenient to have around when you’re spending the day at parks, beaches, and other outdoor locations. In case you want something even smaller to save some of that pocket space for other things, you’ll definitely want to check out the Matador Pocket Blanket Mini.
Yes, Matador made a smaller version of their pocket-sized blanket for folks who want something even more compact than the original. And yes, it’s every bit as functional for use as a seating surface, albeit with just enough room on it for one, so you can’t invite a new friend to plop down and stretch their legs next to you. Yeah… you’re going to have to spend the day as a lone wolf with this thing.
The Matador Pocket Blanket Mini is a small groundsheet that measures 44 x 28 inches (length x width), which makes it big enough to comfortably sit one person with their legs stretched out. If you’re willing to just plop down your rear (or cross your legs), you can probably even fit two in there, although that will really be pushing it, since it’s not that big. When packed down, it collapses into a pouch measuring just 3 x 1.6 x 0.8 inches (height x width x thickness), so you can probably fit two (or more) of these in a single pants pocket. And yes, it should be easy enough to pack down correctly, as it comes with printed patterns that show you exactly what sections to fold into which position.
It’s made from a water-resistant nylon fabric, so you can lay it on damp ground and stay dry the whole time you’re sitting, allowing you to stay clean while resting your legs even during rainy days. The fabric, by the way, is puncture-resistant, as well, so you can unwittingly lay it on sharp pebbles and small rocks without immediately ruining the material. Yes, those things will probably poke you in uncomfortable ways, but the blanket itself should definitely stay fine.
The Matador Pocket Blanket Mini doesn’t have the built-in stakes found in its bigger predecessor, which, we guess, is fine, since you will likely be sitting on the blanket in its entirely the whole time anyway. Just make sure to leave something heavy on top, in case you’re getting up for any reason, so you don’t have to spend the next five minutes running after it during a particularly windy afternoon. Yeah… that’s just annoying.
While designed for stashing inside your pockets (with plenty of room to spare), the included pouch has an integrated paracord loop on top for hanging it on keychains and backpack straps, in case you’d rather free up your pockets for other EDC gear. The whole thing, by the way, weighs just 1.3 ounces, so it doesn’t add any substantial heft to your stash, no matter where you keep it.
The Matador Pocket Blanket Mini is available now, priced at $19.99.