Anyone use wool blankets?

Shotgun

Shotgun

Joined
Feb 3, 2006
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I was wondering about giving one a try but wasn't sure what temps these are good down to. I'll be pairing it with a 1.75 Thermarest.
 
For Florida camping, I have used a German Mil Surp blanket at temps near freezing. Comfortable enough, wearing poly pro tops and bottom with socks.
 
If you are looking for a good wool blanket at a good price, check this out. I have several.
hxxp://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=406448
 
Try it out to see what your comfort zone is. Most people start getting old around 50 degrees if a fir is not used.

Geoff
 
Wool blankets are awesome. I pair mine with a cheap twin-size bedsheet underneath because mine a bit scratchy on bare skin. But warmth and packing convieniece are a big plus, especially when backpacking. Winter camping though, I take an arctic army surplus bag also.
 
I like them! Picked up a few old swiss army ones, and the german/dutch army ones currently available are nice and thick and light too - very breathy

I haven' been out in near freezing conditions, but that's because I am a softie and like my sleeping bag too much :)
 
I still have my two original issue army wool blankets and use them every time I go out except in summer of course. I use them as my liner in my sleeping bag and each one adds at least 20-30 degrees to the bag. I'm a wool guy over synthetics.
 
Barbarossa said:
I still have my two original issue army wool blankets and use them every time I go out except in summer of course. I use them as my liner in my sleeping bag and each one adds at least 20-30 degrees to the bag. I'm a wool guy over synthetics.
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When I was in basic, I put the issue wool blanket in my sleeping bag on a low 20's night and man did I sleep good until the Drill Sergeants woke us up a 0200 for a smoke session because one of the Soldiers was acting stupid! Nothing like getting smoked on a cold FTX at 0200 in the morning on a cold damp sandy Fort Benning Training Area.

RickJ
 
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I have the swedish officers blanket. Worked great down to 40 degrees a couple weeks ago. One thing. Stick with the italian or swedish and make sure it is 100 % wool if you dont. Also when you get it be prepared to leave it in the sun for up to two days depending on moth ball smells. DO NOT wash it until you do this because it can get in your washer and stay there for several loads. Not use an annoyance but the moth balls are mildly toxic. Another modification is to sew buttons/toggles onto one side every foot or so and overlap the blanket a couple inches and sew ties out of paracord or leather onto the other. This well help cut down on drafts. Also once you do this just roll the end to keep the feet warm.
Here is the best going price on the swedish wool blanket. It is 10 times nicer than the surplus italian/czech/german/us stuff. I can leave this on the foot of a bed in winter and looks just fine. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Product.aspx?baseno=2579F&cdf=TopSeller
 
I have 2 Swiss Army wool blankets that stay in my truck. They see regular use over our sleeping bags when camping here in the Pacific Northwest.
 
Wool rules. For the weight, it's hard to beat. And it insulates well when wet. That just adds value to it as far as I'm concerned.

After watching Dave Canterbury's videos on Youtube on how to make a shirt out of a wool blanket, I gave it a try. Since I wasn't sure if I would ruin it or not, I didn't get one of the heavy military issue blankets. I cheaped out and went to HF and picked up one of their gray blankets. It took forever but I'm happy to say my wool blanket shirt it awesome! At the beginning of April, my wife and I went on a primitive tent camping trip and the temperature was comfortable during the day, mid 60s. At night, it dropped. 30 the first night actually. In a tent, that's a little chilly on my terms. We slept on an air mattress with just 1 sleeping bag, and of course I had my blanket shirt. I am happy to say I was extremely comfortable.

I would recommend anyone get a wool blanket for camping or a survival kit. Wool is a great insulator and is naturally nonflammable. If you feel adventurous enough, get 2 blankets and make a sweater out of one. You won't regret it!
 
g123 said:
Try it out to see what your comfort zone is. Most people start getting old around 50 degrees if a fir is not used.

Geoff
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And here I wondered why I feel older in the winter.:D

I like the pairing of two good wool blankets properly wrapped. toss a canvas coat an the top.
 
I also used Nikwax waterproofing on both of my blankets for my winter camping and I was really impressed at how well it works.
 
Back in Scouts on summer campouts I'd bring a wool blanket along with my sleeping bag. Some nights I would sleep on the bag with just the wool blanket over me. They sure are nice. One of these days I will need to invest in my own.

Heber
 
I've started using wool blankets. They make excellent companions to my Duluth Pack bedroll.

Best thing about them is that they can be squished and kept packed indefinitely, unlike a sleeping bag, which makes them great for a bug out bag.
 
I used mine in a Duluth bedroll as well when visiting family up in Ohio and at Marty Simons course last year. Worked well, but would like to find a lighter bedroll for backpacking.
 
Thunderhorse said:
I used mine in a Duluth bedroll as well when visiting family up in Ohio and at Marty Simons course last year. Worked well, but would like to find a lighter bedroll for backpacking.
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I do believe Cabelas has a much lighter one. Much of the weight in the DP is having a pillow pocket and the entire back layer for a pad to be inserted.

Starkman1 said:
Anyone ever tried using one as a matchcoat?
Bob
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Yep, works pretty well, but I'd rather have a separate anorak like Magnusson walks around in.
 
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