When we first laid our hands on Matador’s pocket blanket, we were taken aback by its compact size. Made out of Matador’s proprietary Hyprlyte material, the 63-by-44-inch blanket folds up into a square about the size of a normal wallet. It’s light, easy to fold up and not very bulky, which makes it easy to grab and bring along. There are red lines stitched into the fabric itself that show you how it should be folded. For somebody who tends to lose the instructions for things almost immediately, this is a great help. It also has a nice, soft texture, which could be ideal for snuggling up to your honey. Given its relatively small size, though, it works better as a blanket for sitting than for snuggling. It would be nice to have one that’s a little bigger, along with some kind of wind breaking action, in case you wanted to use it as an actual blanket. It retails for $29.99, which is maybe a little high, but it’s finely constructed, so that price isn’t too bad. As it is, it’s great for setting down on a sandy beach to keep your stern clean. It also has weighted corners to keep it from moving too much in the breeze. The Matador is water- and puncture-resistant, which make it ideal for boating applications. And seriously, its compact size is its biggest asset. It fits in any pocket and makes it a great addition to any boater’s arsenal.
Product Score 91
Application 18/20
Function 48/50
Durability 9/10
Design 9/10
Price 7/10
www.matadorup.com
