Best brand of space blanket?

I imagine a GI Casualty Blanket would be the best, but it takes up almost as much room as a poncho...
 
Note the difference between an emergency Space Blanket and the Sportsman's Blanket. Both have good and bad characteristics.

Space Blanket
GOOD: Very lightweight (couple ounces). Compact & easily stuffed in a pocket or corner of pack, at least while still in their original wrap-job. Due to reflective surface, I suspect it's a bit better than a trash bag for keeping you warm.
BAD: Fragile, basically a "use it once & throw it away" item. These are VERY susceptible to holes getting poked in them easily or snags tearing the material. Once an intrusion (hole or snag) is introduced, the material seems to continue tearing apart further. No edge taping or grommets.

Sportsman's Blanket
GOOD: More durable than Space Blanket due to multi-layer laminated construction, including the reinforcing scrim layer in the middle of the stack. Has sewn-on tape edging and grommets that facilitate lashing the blanket in place.
BAD: Much bulkier and heavier to carry than a space blanket. They are big enough to need a daypack-sized carrier to haul it around with the rest of your kit. If you wear a hunting vest, you could stuff it in the game pocket in back. Sportsman's Blankets also get a bit stiff in colder weather.

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In spite of their increased size & weight, the **ONLY** one of these that I recommend any more is the heavier Sportsman's Blanket. IMHO the lighter weight space blankets are just too flimsy for serious survival situations.

For bright orange Sportsman's Blankets at a good price, check out Emergency Preparedness in Seattle:
http://www.emprep.com/all weather blanket.html

Otherwise, for the red or OD ones I get 'em at Cabela's:
http://www.cabelas.com and search for "space blanket"

Blue colored ones are carried by Campmor, but they are 20% more expensive than Cabela's or EmPrep links above:
http://www.campmor.com and search for "sportsmans blanket"
 
Thanks guys- I went with the one's from Cabelas- I had points on my Cabelas visa- so they were free! :D ok- not really free I guess- but thats how it felt...
 
What you referred to as a space blanket, sounds more like a emergency blanket. I thought the space blankets were heavier, thicker than that. Around here the Space blankets usually have grommets also .
I could be wrong and I'm not a expert on these. I have been looking for a bigger Space blanket that is not in Orange.
 
www.campingsurvival.com ..I think he's a member of this forum , has a few types.
I have a few emergency blankets in my truck .Yes they are one time use but can be a life saver.
 
get some reflectorized tyvek from Ebay or maybe craiglist and make a bag with velcro seams, drawstring at the neck, velcroed on hood, with its own drawstring. You'll be much warmer and it's a little bigger than a softball, weighs 3/4 lb.
 
I do a lot of solo winter walking on the upland moors and occasionally in Scotland and Wales here in the UK. As I always walk alone in areas with poor to zero mobile reception I keep one of these in the bottom of my rucksack.

u7qFDBj.jpg


http://www.blizzardsurvival.com/

The terrain in England isn't anywhere near as tough or remote as what you guys have in North America but if I was to have an accident; without shelter I'd still be seriously hypothermic in short order. Even though we've had a warm(ish) winter I've still managed to find conditions cold enough to freeze my water bottle and water bladder. (It's mainly the wind chill). I can't possibly see how a space blanket would be of any use to me in temperatures like that.
The above is made in the US. Its about 2 inches thick. It's vacumn sealed so you only open it when you need it. The website is pretty informative.
Usual disclaimer-I've no connection to the company.
 
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