Differences in Emergency/ "Space" Blanets?

Woodtroll

Woodtroll

Joined
Oct 15, 2001
Messages
193
Hello, folks!

I was wondering if anyone has ever tested the efficiency of the various mylar "space" blankets? I'm not talking about the quilted/ insulated ones versus the plain sheets. I'm more curious if the plain $1.50 Coghlan ones are as good as the plain $5-8 "official" brands? It seems to me that any of them should capture and reflect heat, but I thought that someone here might have more knowledge than me about these things.

Many thanks, y'all take care!
Regan
 
I've taken a liking to the Adventure Medical Kits "Heatsheets" brand of emergency blankets. They are more plastic like and tend to be less prone to ripping than standard mylar ones. However, they lack the tensile strength of the mylar blankets.
 
i have used a no-name emergency mylar blanket as well as an AMK emergency mylar-type blanket (silver on one side, safety orange on the other).

i noticed that the AMK brand was alot softer and quieter than the no-name, and it seemed a little bit sturdier.

in my limited experience, reflective blankets like these tend to start degrading pretty quickly. i have used both the no-name and the AMK a few times each (by repacking them and using the same one on another outing). both have the reflective coating starting to flake off in small pieces, almost unnoticeable at first. by the third use, the damage was becoming noticeable, but the blanket was still fully useable.

there was an impressive test of the AMK blanket on bushcraftuk i believe, where a guy set one up as a lean-to and left it there for 100-some-odd days, and reported frequently on how it was holding up.

EDITED to add: found it!
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34741
 
was just about to point out that same review.

i prefer the adventure medical heat sheet blankets to the mylar coghlans ones. they are sturdier, bigger and can function as a shelter in a pinch.

JC
 
I went out and got a Heet Sheet based on that review a few months ago; It ought to be much more useful than the disposable kind.
 
I prefer the AMK ones myself too....

Good product. However if your looking for one to use and use, get a regular tarp.
 
Thanks for the input, guys! I'm not looking for one to use repeatedly, only for emergency use. That review was impressive, for sure. Would it be safe to say that all of them retain/ reflect heat equally well? The AMK two-person size sure looks attractive- I may buy a couple for myself and one for each of the Boy Scouts in my son's troop.

Thanks again!
Regan
 
I bought a few AMK Heat Sheets to stow in my kits based on their marketing hype. Great to see a real world test showing the hype is accurate. I only have a GoLite poncho in one kit (two of the others have two-piece rain suits) and no tarps other than a couple 45 gallon yard bags and the Heat Sheets. As I'm a day hiker, I figured the Heat sheets would work OK in a pinch. Looks like they would last longer than a couple uses.
 
siguy said:
i have used a no-name emergency mylar blanket as well as an AMK emergency mylar-type blanket (silver on one side, safety orange on the other).

i noticed that the AMK brand was alot softer and quieter than the no-name, and it seemed a little bit sturdier.

in my limited experience, reflective blankets like these tend to start degrading pretty quickly. i have used both the no-name and the AMK a few times each (by repacking them and using the same one on another outing). both have the reflective coating starting to flake off in small pieces, almost unnoticeable at first. by the third use, the damage was becoming noticeable, but the blanket was still fully useable.

there was an impressive test of the AMK blanket on bushcraftuk i believe, where a guy set one up as a lean-to and left it there for 100-some-odd days, and reported frequently on how it was holding up.

EDITED to add: found it!
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34741
Click to expand...

Lol, I left it up for thirty seven days. And actually it was all just crammed into one post on BCUK, it was on another thread that I actualy did the recording and discussion as I went along.
 
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