just curious .. mylar space blankets / survival / emergency blankets

[Hammer67]

OK I'm missing the point obviously
To me , they are not regular use gear but to back up what you have in a bad situation . seems I have it wrong ?

I took them to be like the wire saw mini knife tiny clothes repair kit etc ... Stuff to use when its all you got left .

Seems tho its taken to be regular use item .

For me its definitely for when Im reaching into emergency gear
Each to their own tho

I don't see anyone suggesting that a space blanket should be considered "regular use gear." It's obviously a piece of emergency gear. All I see being suggested is that, particularly because it is emergency gear - you should make sure its actually going to do something for you, and be aware of its limitations.

 

[TimberWolf7.62]

I found that the cheap little rain ponchos work well while using the space blanket as a fire reflector. The space blankets don't breathe at all so you sweat and then chill from the cooling sweat. The plastic rain ponchos don't breathe either but they're not reflecting heat back at you at the same time.

 

[Myal]

OK, so the reason to test emergency gear yourself, especially something as controversial as a space blanket, is to see how effective it really is for you under conditions of prolonged cold.

In my post above, I recommended an ultralight down vest (5.1 oz, easily compresses small enough to fit in a day or fanny pack) instead of a space blanket, based on my actual real world field conditions tests of both. The down vest keeps me warm regularly on my trips, a couple of weeks ago in 40 F. The space blanket failed under those same conditions. I believe the space blanket was not noticeably warmer than wrapping up in my rain poncho would have been, especially if I had my down vest too. Here's a hooded jacket version of that vest by the way: http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/sh...s-U.L.-Down-Parka_10170797_10208_10000001_-1_ Not cheap, but not a million dollars either.

thats what threw me ,

comparing a $0.90 cent sheet of mylar to a $170+ piece of gear , my bad , I assumed the expensive stuff would have been regular use , my bad .

 

[bronyblacksmith]

I have slept in a hammock and used a space blanket in one in 40-50 degree weather without a fire, and was very cold also should be said that I did not have heavy weight clothing esp. pants. but they can save you life so I keep one in my bags and car. hope this helps the op.