REI Co-op + West Elm  Outward Ground Cloth

This product seems like an interesting hybrid between a picnic blanket and a tarp. While it's packaged and presented for use in recreational parks or the beach, it's durable and water-resistant enough to use camping or in the great outdoors. PROS - Folds and rolls easily to a compact bundle, secured by the convenient carrying holster with adjustable clip - Size comfortably fits 2 people laying down or 3 people seated - Good water resistance. Haven't had any issues with damp grass seeping through the TPU-coated bottom layer, and spilled drinks seemed to bead off the top layer - Easy to wipe down clean and doesn't seem to attract or show dirt much - While we haven't needed to use the stakes much, I like that it's an option for windy days as the ground cloth is pretty lightweight CONS - It really is a thin cloth so there's no softness of material on the top side at all and you won't get any warmth from it - Stakes are very large and plastic so I have concerns about how much force they can handle since large holes would be needed to get them all the way into harder ground surfaces Overall, I'm definitely a fan of this ground cloth! It's always in my trunk as my go-to product for hanging out in the backyard, picnics in the park/forest, sitting at the beach, keeping the car clean if I have dirty camping gear/shoes in there, etc. A number of friends have complemented me on it, and I've been proud to tell them it's part of the REI x West Elm line because it makes me sound more trendy than I really am, haha!

very large ground tarp / blanket that has come with me every beach visit. i can lay it close to the shoreline without worrying about it getting damaged. it gets wet, but when one is at the beach...that is what happens. the stakes really come in handy and its much easier to carry than a beach chair. the only thing i've noticed is that when i first got it, water would bead off the cloth side. it no longer does that, so i'm not sure if i need in invest in a water repellant spray to replenish the water resistant properties it once had (i've only had it for less than 2 months).

I would describe it more as a high-end tarp than a ground cloth. I guess I was expecting something more like a waterproof picnic blanket that is a bit softer on the top-facing side. Regardless, it is sturdy and well made, kept us dry, and is easy to stake into the ground. I like that both sides are pretty waterproofed -- we used it mostly for outdoor picnics and play with my kids, and they obviously spilled food all over it and it was easy to clean off. It is pretty easy to fold up (less slippery than a traditional tarp). My only gripe about the product is that the carrying case is sort of pointless -- the cloth slips out easily and it seems like it would have been easy to just incorporate handles and clips into the cloth itself instead of having to keep track of a separate carrying piece. I would recommend it for someone looking for something pretty waterproof and resilient, but I think it's definitely heavier than I would want for backpacking. Probably best for car camping, day trips, etc.

This is a excellent ground cloth for picnics, the beach, auto/RV camping. It's too heavy for backpacking. Excellent water barrier. Too bad it doesn't come in different sizes. For picnics it large enough for two(2). I've used it with two Helinox Chair One and a Helinox Table One Hard Top (L).

This is a nice ground cloth in a cute little carrying bag. The up side is a bit rough, but is quite tough and repels spills easily. The ground-facing side is very sturdy. We used it as a picnic cloth at a local park and the dirt was easily brushed off. When we can go camping again, I will definitely use it under my REI Alcove as a good way to keep our tent and car slightly less dirty.

Quality made have used it several times already and it still looks brand new. I can tell this will last a long time.