Last Updated on 6 July 2023 by Colette
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I wanted to share with you the most recent addition to our kit which comes in the shape of the “Signature Thermal Patch” from Rubbastuff. These individual sit mats are without doubt one of the most useful things I’ve bought in a long time – and I only wish I’d invested sooner!
Picnic Blankets for Big Families
I actually bought a Rubbastuff XL picnic blanket towards the end of last summer on the basis that we needed replace our tired, old picnic blanket and that actually, typical picnic blankets just aren’t big enough for our family of five. I was drawn to the generous size, the fact it’s machine washable and also details like the holes for groundsheet pegs – hurrah for no more picnic blankets blowing around in the wind or moving about when the kids can’t sit still! As it is, my Rubbastuff picnic blanket has sat in the car ever since as we’ve not yet had an opportunity to use it thanks to some decidedly rubbish weather in the early autumn.
The Rubbastuff Signature Patch
Our lives basically revolve around family dog walks at the moment, and one of the ways we make this more appealing to the kids is by way of snacks and hot drinks – tending to wait till we are about half way around our planned route before finding somewhere to sit and re-fuel. Of course, at this time of year, even if you can find a bench to sit on it – it will likely be cold and wet, and the ground is certainly not inviting! This is where the Rubbastuff Patch comes into play.
The Rubbastuff PACMAT patch is, in essence, a personal picnic mat! This multi-purpose, thermal lined mat opens out to create your very own 60cm x 60cm waterproof space to sit down! We’ve used ours to cover cold, wet benches or to sit down on the grass when there isn’t a bench to sit on. (It would also be a super handy changing mat if you’ve got a little one!)
The thermal patch weighs just 100g and packs down into it’s own mesh bag which pretty much fits in the palm of your hand. Whether you stick it in your coat pocket or your rucksack, this isn’t something which is going to add bulk or weight to your kit. All three kids are happy to carry their own mats in their bags (side note – getting your children their own rucksacks for drinks and snacks on longer walks and days out is a game changer).
The soft, quick dry top layer repels water (point proven when we used them in the snow last week and could see the droplets forming on top of the mats rather than soaking into them). The warm middle Thinsualte layer isn’t going to keep your bum cosy but it’s certainly going to take the edge off sitting on a rock to take in the view! And, the waterproof, rip stop nylon base means your mat is pretty sturdy so you don’t have to worry too much about where you are putting it!
Currently the PACMAT Signature Patch comes in a range of seven bright colours (which meant we were able to get one each and there would be no arguing over whose was whose!) but also, in true Rubbastuff style, you can also get some super fancy patterns (most of these are currently sold out but keep checking back for re-stocks!). The plain colours are £17.99 and the fancy patterns are a couple of quid more. Obviously shelling out on five patches at once was a bit of an investment but considering we aren’t doing anything other than going on winter walks we decided it was worth it – and, when life is more normal again, they will be a life saver for festivals!
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