Skip Hop Central Park Blanket

Let me start by saying I'm not normally a comparison shopper. This situation just presented itself to me in a strange internet-glitch type way. When I do make a purchase, I do like to mildly compare before a purchase. So when I was shopping for an outdoor blanket, after looking through various outdoor blankets, I was convinced that the Skip Hop blanket was the one for me. However, according to Amazon, it would take several months for me to receive it because they were backordered. I ended up making an order with Babies R Us.....which was later backordered. It was close to soccer season and I needed one right away so I ordered the JJ Cole blanket because it could be delivered within a week. I've been using the JJ Cole blanket for over a month now and I couldn't be happier with it. It's very easy to roll out and when it's time to go, roll back up. The quality is excellent. Well, Monday afternoon, the Skip Hop outdoor blanket showed up on my doorstep and I took it to soccer practice to try it out. Not too impressed. The cooler bag that goes with it is teeny-tiny and you can't fit much in it. The zipper makes it more difficult to lay out and fold back up and if you have a baby in your arms, it makes it that much more difficult. The JJ Cole blanket is cheaper in price and better in quality and it's much easier to use. I highly recommend it and I get tons of compliments on it.

The blanket component of this product is excellent. The printed material is silky smooth, almost satin-like. The underside of the blanket is a tougher polyester canvas. The blanket isn't super padded, so it is more appropriate for grassy lawns or beach sand than granite. It is easy (for the most part) to fold back up into the carrying sack as well. You can carry it by hand, shoulder style, messenger style or backpack style basically, whatever way is most comfortable. Backpack style is best if you are under 5'9 (straps are a wee bit short for backpack style if you are tall), but messenger style works even with my 6'2 husband. It is highly water resistant. It is convenient for picnics, soccer games, or any activity you might spend on a lawn. Also, when folded, you can use it as a seat pad at sporting events. The cooler component of the bag seems to be something of an afterthought. It does not expand much, so you can pretty much fit only a few sippies and maybe a sandwich or two (it is not too padded, so be sure to place squishables in a plastic or metal container). There are no interior or exterior pockets on the cooler either a pocket for ice might have been nice. When objects are placed in bag, bag takes on a lumpy appearance (again, it just isn't big enough). The front and back have minimal insulation, and the sides are not insulated insulated at all. It will keep things cool for only about 1-2 hours. Really, if the cooler bag was just a bit deeper/wider and had better insulation (or an ice pocket), it might be more useable. It is probably best as a bag to store a few diapers/wipes, a coloring book, wallet and keys instead. It would also be good storage for sunscreen and maybe a few sippies full of water if you are planning a trip to the beach. But for perishables, I'd recommend a separate cooler. I do appreciate that it is PVC and BPA-free.

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This is the second easy-to-clean, waterproof blanket I tried (the J J Cole blanket was very nice, but as other reviewers commented, it smelled like petroleum/oil products, even after airing out and two washings, so I returned it for this one). This one is also BPA free. It does what it says--it's lightweight, easy to carry, and wipes up very easily. It's a little bit on the small side, but fits two adults and two babies very easily. And, because it's quilted and of stiffer material than regular cotton or wool blankets, it lies flatter on grass or uneven surfaces than regular blankets and is harder for babies to pick up with their fists and put in their mouths. I'd buy one again.

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Previously, this blanket had received great reviews. Therefore I purchased it with little hesitation. I can only speculate that the company has changed their manufacturer because I am deeply disappointed.

This is for a blanket purchased in August 2011. Now, after barely 5 times of use, the blanket cover material already starts to fall apart. I have not abused the material. I have used it in the park (ironically, Central Park), without shoes, in dry weather, just sitting there with my baby, with the black side down always. Oh, and it has not yet been in the washer, either. I have uploaded photos of the blanket so that you can judge for yourself. You can see the white filling come through. The cover material is disintegrating in several places, not just along the seams.

To add insult to injury, yesterday (my 6th time of use) one of the strap holders ripped. Was I loading this bag with unreasonable weight? I packed a small bottle of water (17 fl oz, Poland spring) and 3 oz of baby milk along with a small ice pack (the Medela one) into the front pocket of the bag.

Not worth the price.

UPDATE: I have since contacted the manufacturer to alert them of the problem and have requested an exchange. SkipHop has sent me a new blanket. I am changing my review from 1 to 3 stars because of outstanding customer service.

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Another comparison between this and JJ Cole's blanket: The folding/ carrying design here is superior, no question. SkipHop's blanket folds up neat and compact, can be carried multiple ways, and has the great zip-off cooler bag (which I thought was a great size; it will fit three 16-oz water bottles). I loved that you could leave your blanket laid out and take the little bag for your keys and water, no other bag needed!). The strap is long enough but very rough. The blanket is vibrantly colored and it looks great on the little bag, but red is the dominant color and it was way too loud and busy for a whole blanket; also, the fabric is plastic-y and not very soft. The JJ Cole blanket is much silkier. Overall, I really wanted to love this blanket, but sent it back and kept the JJ Cole (which by the way, has a hidden interior pocket that it seems no one has noticed).

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