Picking out a new daypack emergency blanket (bivy)

[Macchina]

I'm looking for a new emergency bivy/blanket to put in my truck and carry while hunting and on day hikes. I have narrowed it down to these four, but feel free to add more if they are a better system.


AMK Heatsheets One Person Emergency Blanket
Level 1: Standard "space blanket" from a reputable brand. Cheap, light, probably tears just as easily as the Chinese tin foil ones. $3, 2.5oz.

AMK Heatsheets Emergency Bivvy Sack
Level 2: This looks like an upgraded "space blanket". Reviews say it's much more sturdy than the aluminum foil types, but people have problems with consation (it's 100% waterproof on the inside and out). $12, 3.5oz.


AMK Thermo-Lite 2 Emergency Bivvy Sack
Level 3: This one is an actual bivvy sack. Durable and warmer, but bigger. Is the extra weight/size worth it? $26, 6.9oz.

Space All-Weather Blanket
Reviews say they last 20+ years as a tarp, blanket, tent footprint, etc. sturdy, reusable, and simple. It's a blanket instead of a bivy, heavier but also more durable than any of the Thermo-Lite Bivvys. $12, 12oz.

 

[mdauben]

AMK Heatsheets One Person Emergency Blanket
Level 1: Standard "space blanket" from a reputable brand. Cheap, light, probably tears just as easily as the Chinese tin foil ones. $3, 2.5oz.

I actually replaced the no-name "space blankets" in my outdoor gear with these AMK Heatsheets recently and they are a bit bulkier than the no-names, but appear to be significantly sturdier. Still not bullet proof, but well worth a couple extra bucks.

Space All-Weather Blanket
Reviews say they last 20+ years as a tarp, blanket, tent footprint, etc. sturdy, reusable, and simple. It's a blanket instead of a bivy, heavier but also more durable than any of the Thermo-Lite Bivvys. $12, 12oz.

For car carry, I'd go with this one. The main advantage of the regular space blankets is that they are so light and pack so small. Since that's less of an issue in a car carry, I think the bulkier but much more durable blankets like this are the way to go.

 

[powernoodle]

Its worth recognizing also that whatever you purchase does not have to be perfect. It just needs to keep you from suffering all night, or worse. I have a 2-person AMK heatsheet on order, and have read the complaints about condensation. But the reviewers also state that dealing a little humidity beats freezing to death.

That MPI Space All Weather Blanket looks pretty good too.

:thumbup:

 

[Macchina]

Has anyone had any experience with the Level 2 vs. the Level 3 Heatsheets?
I plan on using these in 20-60 degree (F) nighttime temps during hunting season. I'm getting the all weather blanket for my truck for sure, and now I'm trying to pick something out for the daypack...

 

[LEGION 12]

Completly differant one i have had for a while that work great for me is the Thermolite 2.0 bivy sack weighs nothing and has afoot vent for when it gets to warm being so lite you can carry it anywhere and not even know its there . :thumbup:

 

[valcas1]

AMK products are all good, imo.

I have the Thermolite bivvy sack and have used it just to see if it works. It does and it would be a welcomed addition if I had to spend a night in the woods during deer season. I agree with powernoodle, these items are made and designed to get you through the night.

I will suggest what I did for your daypack. I purchased the AMK Bivvy and a AMK 2 person heatsheet. I took the Heatsheet out of the package and wrapped it around the Bivvy in the bivvy stuffsack. I figure that I can just pull the heatsheet out if I needed to coverup during rain, but if I was forced to stay the night I could use both. The bivvy to sleep in and the heatsheet as a tarp/ heat reflector for a fire. I think the cost and weight is negligible. Less than $40.00 and 11-12 oz That is a insurance policy I can afford.

Paul

 

[revolution13]

would this one: http://www.bensbackwoods.com/servlet/Detail?no=310
be the same as the space all-weather blanket being mentioned here?

 

[hikeeba]

I will suggest what I did for your daypack. I purchased the AMK Bivvy and a AMK 2 person heatsheet. I took the Heatsheet out of the package and wrapped it around the Bivvy in the bivvy stuffsack. I figure that I can just pull the heatsheet out if I needed to coverup during rain, but if I was forced to stay the night I could use both. The bivvy to sleep in and the heatsheet as a tarp/ heat reflector for a fire. I think the cost and weight is negligible. Less than $40.00 and 11-12 oz That is a insurance policy I can afford.

Paul

Paul's setup is similar to what I stow in the car for emergencies. I have the first gen AMK Thermo-Lite Double Bivvy, and I use a Hartwell Medical Isothermal blanket that I have attached grommets to: http://www.buyemp.com/product/1060608.html. The Hartwell blanket is a laminated design like the HeatSheets, but heavier. My Thermo-Lite bivvy has a vent at the foot end to help manage condensation in the bag. I'm not sure if the new Thermo-Lite 2 bivvies have that or not. Both items aren't teeny-tiny, but they really don't weigh much, and as Paul said, they're good and affordable insurance.

 

[BushcraftBrainTrust]

AMK products are all good, imo.

I will suggest what I did for your daypack. I purchased the AMK Bivvy and a AMK 2 person heatsheet. I took the Heatsheet out of the package and wrapped it around the Bivvy in the bivvy stuffsack. I figure that I can just pull the heatsheet out if I needed to coverup during rain, but if I was forced to stay the night I could use both. The bivvy to sleep in and the heatsheet as a tarp/ heat reflector for a fire. I think the cost and weight is negligible. Less than $40.00 and 11-12 oz That is a insurance policy I can afford.

Paul

I do the same thing Paul. I also add one of the Grabber Mega 12 hour Warmers to my stuff sack. In the winter, I put that in a orange dry sack with an extra set of wool gloves, socks, and fire starting kit.

 

[Fonly]

I keep a two person AMK Bivy, 2 two person AMK heat sheets, and an all weather blanket. For what its worth though, I have the chance of being out with a victim over night while I wait for the heli.

For what its worth though, we use AMK products in our SAR group. They are much better than any cheapie models, and with the amount that we use them, the price is a good thing.

 

[mcjhrobinson]

i like the thermo 2...but havent tried anything else. also im 6' and it fits me well

+1 on the mega 12hr warmers i got a pack of those.

 

[AeroNautiCal]

I have two Blizzard Survival Bags, here, and two Blizzard Survival Blankets, here, which are constructed using a material and technology known as 'Reflexcell', explained here, and which have a thermal value of 8 Togs, equal to a meduim weight sleeping bag, and are windproof, waterproof and reusable.

The Blizzard Bags are unequalled in their ability to protect, I use mine as part of my life vest survival kit for Packrafting, the Blankets are part of my medical kits. The results of tests conducted by the UK and US Military on Blizzard Survival Bags and Blankets was the deciding factor for me in which type to buy!

I also keep several heat pads in my PSK and medical kit.

 

[wildmanh]

I'm looking for a new emergency bivy/blanket to put in my truck and carry while hunting and on day hikes. I have narrowed it down to these four, but feel free to add more if they are a better system.

Space All-Weather Blanket
Reviews say they last 20+ years as a tarp, blanket, tent footprint, etc. sturdy, reusable, and simple. It's a blanket instead of a bivy, heavier but also more durable than any of the Thermo-Lite Bivvys. $12, 12oz.

I've had a few of those over the years and really like them. Gave one to my mom to keep in her car and I carry one in my large day pack/over night pack or in my backpack on longer trips. Works as a ground tarp, heat shield/reflector and as a make shift shelter. On scout trips I'd take half a shelter half and my space blanket. The space blanket would be the door at night or an awning durring the day.

Heber

 

[HikingMano]

I have all of those except for the Thermolite 2 Bivy. My thinking was that the regular bivy would get me through the night, and the size difference between the thermo-lite and regular was a bit large for me, if I recall correctly. Could be wrong though, it's been a while. The regular emergency bivies take up very little room though, they are tiny. I was very surprised the first time I saw and held one in the store. Super light too.

I think of the Thermolite as being closer to a dedicated summer sleeping bag if you combine it with a liner or something. I opted for the cheaper and smaller bivy's as emergency items because they take up less space and probably do 95% of what the thermolite can do. I figure if condensation becomes a huge issue with the regular bivy's, then I could just slap some duct tape on both sides of the blanket and cut slits into it to make vent holes of my own. But my understanding has always been, as powernoodle pointed out, that the danger comes from getting wet from condensation and then being exposed to cold; so as long as you stay in the bag until the temps warm up, it's more of an annoyance than a danger. I could be wrong though....

As for the material used in the AMK heathsheets, it's excellent. Check out this thread by Mistwalker on AMK heatsheets to get an idea: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=621425. I have bought emergency blankets from target/walmart, and these AMK heatsheets absolutely clobber them in durability. And they even have some survival info printed on them .


I carry this heavy duty space blanket in my daypack/overnight pack: http://www.rei.com/product/407106. I think it's the same thing that you are looking at. Excellent piece of gear for me. I use it all the time for the GF and I to sit on, sometimes for shade/wind block. The grommets on the corners are strong, the material is durable (survives many foldings and unfoldings, sitting on sticks/pebbles, etc) and the blanket itself takes up no space and only weighs 12 oz. Thinking about replacing it with a silponcho...but I like the reflective side on the space blanket for it's potential use as a reflector for heat and light. So far, it's been great, one of the things that I never take out of my pack.


For my own gear, the 1-person AMK heatsheets go in my PSKs, and one 2-person heatsheet + two emergency bivies live in my hiking pack. My GF sometimes hikes with me, so I usually have enough stuff for two. With all that, I figure I'm pretty well set-up to defend against exposure (in combination with fire and water).

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the AMK heatsheets, and definitely not with the heavy duty space blankets if you're willing to carry it. :thumbup:


On a side note, I have been considering a silponcho and thermolite 2 bivy combo though. I could use the silponcho as a shelter or poncho in wet conditions, and the thermolite to keep warm. And I'd still carry one or two heatsheets to use as reflectors.

 

[bentblade]

How do the heat sheet bivvy sacks compare to the 2 person blankets.
I was wondering how they hold up when getting in and out of them.
Seems like there would be less chance of ripping by rolling up in the blanket, compared to wiggling into the sack.

 

[HikingMano]

KGD did an excellent review of the heatsheets and Thermolite a while back: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609913

I don't have a thermolite, so I'm not sure if the material is thicker than the regular AMK emergency bivies I have. If I have time this weekend, I can try playing with both to see, but just by past handling, I don't think it's particularly easy to rip.

One of the biggest advantages for me with the 2 or one person heatsheets, is that you can use it easily in conjunction with a tea light candle. I don't think it's as safe to do with the bivy.