An Asparagus Salad That Captures Its Sultry Side
During spring vacation, I went on a hike with my children through the hills around my mother's house near Jerusalem. We took with us a little picnic: cucumber and pepper sticks, pomelo segments, pitas spread with the Laughing Cow cheese, which I have deliberately kept them in the dark about for years in hope that they first get hooked on more 'sophisticated' cheeses. As I feared, the cow was a hit, quickly leading their league of favorites (sorry, Parmigiano-Reggiano, feta and the most recent titleholder, Cheddar).
Despite my small disappointment, it was a moment of rare intimacy, one I wanted to treasure. So when my 9-year-old, after an hour of generously handing out superpowers, claimed to have the power to give me any device I could imagine, I asked for a machine that could take me right back to my favorite times. I imagined something like a personalized playlist or my children's cheese league — a catalog of my Top 100 moments — where I could be seamlessly transported.
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I'd say Time XL Outdoor Beach Blanket Available in several styles and colors, the Picnic Time Beach Blanket looks and feels more luxe than it seems, offering beachgoers a soft top side made of fleece and a water-resistant underside to minimize 'soggy bottoms.' There aren't many extra features, unlike the Sun Ninja option, but the included tote does come with a zippered pocket. If you prefer a cozier sunning experience, it's an ace. Little Unicorn Outdoor Family Picnic and Beach Blanket Although lifelong surfer and beach regular Colin Leaf said 'sand is soft enough that things like thickness of the material [don't] matter,' I'm still a fan of this beach blanket's lightly padded design. The water-resistant blanket mat comes in multiple sizes, including a 5-by-10-foot option that can accommodate the whole family and a 5-by-5-foot size with just enough space for two people. Though not as portable due to the padding, it's still easy to fold, pack and carry. Roebury Beach Blanket A slightly more affordable alternative to the Little Unicorn beach blanket is this one from Roebury. While its checkered pattern is reminiscent of that picture-perfect family picnic scene from the '50s, there's nothing antiquated about it, as it's resistant to not just sand and water but also stains, so the kids don't have to focus on avoiding spills and can just enjoy their beach day. It offers space for up to three people too. Scuddles 60-by-79-Inch Picnic Blanket Prefer something waterproof? Then this beach blanket is a great, affordable option, thanks to its waterproof underside. Even the top side has a waterproof lining that makes cleanup a breeze, especially when shaking off sand. It doesn't get in the way of comfort either, since it has a cotton top fabric and some inner padding. Another thing I love is that you can pack it into its portable form without a separate carrying case. G Good Gain Waterproof Picnic Blanket Those seeking a bargain-basement beach blanket will love this waterproof option from G Good Gain. Lightweight yet decently spacious at 4.5 by 6.5 feet, which is ideal for couples and small families, it's a good value for your money due to its waterproof and sand-proof underside and water-resistant top side. You won't find many other features here — understandable, due to its price — but its robust design means it'll last you for years. Slowtide Out of Office Driftweave Beach Blanket 'Slowtide also has some really nice ones,' surfer and filmmaker Lucy Green said when asked about her favorite beach blankets. That includes this beach blanket line that offers plenty of space and somewhat fast-drying capabilities. Per Green's recommendation, I tested the Out of the Office model during my two-week vacation, and it was the coziest I felt during a beach excursion — so cozy that I also used it on my flight back to Los Angeles, California. Nomadix Festival Blanket I'm a big fan of Nomadix's travel-friendly, fast-drying beach towels, so I had to try its festival blanket — and I'm glad I did. Big and spacious yet highly packable, its water- and sand-resistant base made traveling with it easy since I didn't have to worry about sand and moisture contaminating the clean clothes in my carry-on. Meanwhile, its microsuede top kept things soft and cozy, and its pole loops and included stakes kept it anchored. Slowtide Gigi Lightweight Beach Blanket Perfect for two, this beach blanket from Slowtide is a great travel beach holiday accessory. I should know; I took it with me to Palawan in the Philippines, which turned out to be a wise move. This Turkish-style model may not be as soft as the Slowtide Driftweave Beach Blanket, but it proved great for beach and boat trips, especially since it dries fairly quickly, even when it's taken quite a beating during a particularly choppy and rainy boat ride. Gruff Waterproof Camping Blanket With Sherpa Fleece Though originally designed for your camping needs, this gorgeous Gruff blanket will help you stay warm and snug at the beach, especially if you're planning on wrapping beach day with a bonfire night or an overnight stay. It's all thanks to its sherpa fleece side, which allows it to moonlight as a pillow as well. Don't worry; the underside is waterproof, so you can set that on the sand without issue. Nomadix Blanket Towel I love the Nomadix Blanket Towel's relatively packable yet incredibly spacious design, and it kept my valuables protected in tidepool spots where finding a safe area for your non-waterproofed items is questionable. It's also funk-resistant, which means it can go a while without washing. I just wish it dried faster. Nomadix says it's fast-drying, but when I tested it in the Philippines, it stayed damp for a long time. Rumpl Everywhere Mat This multiuse two-person blanket from Rumpl is ingenious. It has all the makings of a great beach blanket — namely, a lightweight and extremely packable design, a waterproof base and a water- and stain-resistant top, as well as corner sand pockets and pole loops. But what I love most is its very strategic use of its extra features. One of the corner sand pockets doubles as a zippered pocket, while the bigger valuables pocket also acts as a built-in travel case. Gravel UltraPak Everyday Blanket Both Green and Leaf may prefer beach blankets that are spacious enough to accommodate at least two people, but I thought I'd throw in a personal one for folks who are attached to their personal space. This one from Gravel is incredibly lightweight, and you can pack it down to a compact size that'll fit a medium-sized purse. It's also water-repellent and decently warm, in case you want to use it as a traditional blanket. The North Face Wawona Ground Tarp If you want a more utilitarian beach blanket, there's this ground tarp from The North Face. This massive four-to-six-person option is durable enough to survive harsh desert conditions yet versatile enough to be used as a car seat or picnic table cover. Naturally, it's great for the beach too, especially with its water-resistant base. It's not the lightest, but it packs into a fairly compact form that's small enough to fit in your beach bag. Big Blanket Big Beachy Blanket The aptly named Big Beachy Blanket is heavier than most of my other picks at 4 pounds, but that's for good reason. It's massive — like space-for-up-to-six-people massive. True to its name, it's 10 by 10 feet and the ideal blanket to share with a group of friends on beach and picnic days. It's sand-resistant, quick-drying and soft to the touch too. I just wish there were extra frills since it will set you back almost $150. Rumpl Overland Mat For a two-person beach blanket, Rumpl's Overland Mat seems a little bigger than it should be when packed; it's almost the size of a packed lightweight sleeping bag. There's a reason for that, though. It pushes slightly back on portability to make space for cozy comfort with its thicker inner padding, and I'm not complaining. That makes it an even better picnic or concert blanket. Plus, it's surprisingly lightweight and boasts a waterproof base. Serena & Lily Beach House Blanket 'I love a thick cotton beach blanket,' Green said, making this cotton blend blanket with a cotton flannel fill an ideal option. It's decently spacious, nice to the touch — albeit not super luxurious — and delightfully thick so you can also use it to keep warm if you're spending the night at the beach. Luckily, it's also reversible. It's on the heavy side, but its carrying strap should make it easier to lug around. Pang Wangle Tranquil Blanket With Insect Shield Are nasty sandflies and mosquitoes a problem in your area? Well, you need this Pang Wangle beach blanket. It's infused with a mild dose of permethrin that keeps bugs at bay. Don't worry; it's EPA-approved and safe for everyone, including pregnant women. It's also soft and has zero odor, making it comfortable enough for the ultimate beach unwinding. What's more, the Khadi material it's made of is naturally cool, perfect for the warm summer months. Yeti Lowlands Blanket I get your hesitation; who wants to spend $200 on a beach blanket when there are so many excellent, affordable options? Hear me out ... The Yeti Lowlands Blanket offers the best of both worlds. It has a soft-to-the-touch top surface for comfort yet a completely waterproof, insulated and pet hair-resistant construction, just what you need for the ultimate beach relaxation. More importantly, it's durable enough to last years, making it worth the investment. As Leaf put it, you can't just 'use a blanket from your couch or bed, or something you have an emotional attachment to … I think it is important for non-beachgoers to understand sand. Once something has been in the sand for a day, it will never not have sand in it.' When purchasing a beach blanket, therefore, it's important to choose one designed for use on sand. Sand-repellence, while not a nonnegotiable, should be a top priority since 'it doesn't matter how well you shake it out or how many times you wash it,' Leaf said. 'Sand will be everywhere.' Note that some beach blankets have a dual-fabric design, with the bottom fabric boasting sand-repellent or waterproof properties. A beach blanket doesn't necessarily have to be completely waterproof, since that usually gets in the way of comfort. However, the ability to dry quickly is handy to have since beach blankets tend to be bigger than beach towels, and you don't want something that big and wet stewing in the back of your car. Additionally, an ideal beach blanket is easy to clean and built to survive all the harsh elements at the beach, like UV rays and salty water. There are also the not-so-obvious considerations. Green said she prefers something that's 'large enough to fit two people lying down or four people sitting cross-legged (great for sharing beach snacks or playing card games).' Leaf agreed, saying that it 'should be big enough for two people to comfortably sit on.' While the type of fabric isn't as important, Green also said that 'it should be heavy enough not to blow away in the wind but light enough to [be portable]. In addition, I like a darker blanket because things get dirty at the beach, and you need something that won't [get stained quickly].' The following FAQs have been answered by avid and experienced surfers Colin Leaf and Lucy Green, and include reporting done by testing and updates writer Michelle Rae Uy. What is a beach blanket? What is a beach blanket? Not to be confused with a beach towel, a beach blanket is a large blanket designed to be used at the beach and in other outdoor settings. Beach blankets often offer sand-repelling and quick-drying properties. How do you fold a beach blanket? How do you fold a beach blanket? There's no one way to fold a beach blanket. 'Any way that fits in your bag or around your neck' should suffice, Green said, while Leaf is a 'big fan of the ball-and-toss-into-the-trunk method. [There's] really no rhyme or reason to it.' What makes a beach blanket better than a beach chair? What makes a beach blanket better than a beach chair? While most beach chairs 'lock you into basically just one position … with a beach blanket, you can be on your stomach or your back, or sitting, and share it with friends,' Green said. Plus, 'a chair is more of a pain to carry around and takes up too much space in a car, or if you are taking public transportation,' Leaf said. Colin Leaf, lifelong surfer and doctoral candidate in the USC chemistry department Lucy Green, Los Angeles-based video editor who's been surfing since she was 12 CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. Testing writer Michelle Rae Uy has years of experience covering lifestyle products and writing product reviews. She recently tested and reviewed several beach gear and summer products, writing several of our testing guides, including the best beach wagons and the best beach umbrellas. While writing this guide, she also tested beach chairs, sunscreens and several summer travel gear items.
