Space blanket Vs. HD trash bag

Space blanket does reflect the body heat. Trash bag is durable. Don't like either so, I sewed a space blanket to a tarp to allow some heat to reflect during cold nights and also to use a signal devise when needed.
 
I haven't actually used a trash bag as a shelter, but did bivy a very wet, rather cold night under a space blanket during an adventure race. I shivered most of the time under the blanket and probably would've become hypothermic had we not been in a paddling portion wearing a neoprene 3mm shorty and my PFD. Better than nothing, but still not great. That said, I'd still opt for the blanket based on its' pre-packaged size. And I did find it to be rather durable.
 
Those space blankets are really durable too. Mylar is tough stuff. I'd rather have the space blanket or, better yet, two of them. . . one to wrap up in and one to rig as a tarp or a reflector for your fire.
 
Salamander,
Mylar IS NOT tough. If you get any tears in it it will tear into 2 pieces right away.
Blankets made of Polyethlene are more resilliant than those made of polyester (mylar) try a sidede by side test.
 
billym said:
Salamander,
Mylar IS NOT tough. If you get any tears in it it will tear into 2 pieces right away.
Blankets made of Polyethlene are more resilliant than those made of polyester (mylar) try a sidede by side test.
Click to expand...

But it's takes a good bit of force to tear. . . Granted, if it gets punctured then it will tear out from that spot very easily, but I wasn't really thinking of that when I made the original statement. For stringing up as a tarp I would think that the trash bag would stretch and deform pretty badly at the attachment point, but I don't really know as I've never tried it with a trash bag. I have tried it with the space blanket with no problems. Neither option seems likely to last very long if you're stuck somewhere and using it for more than a few days.
 
I have stashed a HD industrial grade 55 gal drum liner and sometimes 2, in most coats, packs and bags. They are more versatile than the mylar blanket, but it has it's good points as well. Keep both in your gear, along with duct tape to reinforce tie down points (grommets) on the bag and have some cordage with you.
 
I've never liked the "space blanket". I must be getting the ones that quality control misses, but I've ripped a quarter of the ones I've used. It is a good wind break and vapor barrier if you can wrap it around you, but on the ground, I've found them to not be entirely useless as insulation, but no better a garbage bag that has been slit. And a LOT noisier. Where I do like them is in shelter building, becuase they reflect light and a little bit of warmth from a fire if they are behind you. But I wouldn't try to use one as a signal device- from a mile away, looking down on them from a hill, they look too much like water to me.

I usually carry a couple of contractor bags becuase they are quiet and are much stronger. It isn't much of an insulator to be sure, no better than the mylar, when it is under you, but at least you have a moisture and bug barrier between you and the ground. But in terms of versatility, it beats the space blanket like a drum.

Personally, I like the heatsheet. It is warmer than either the thin mylar or the contractor bag, can be used as a signaling device, and holds up as well as the contractor bag. I carry heatsheet bivy in my ditch kit (along with a couple of contractor bags- redundancy, it's what makes me perky).

Now, if by "space blanket", you mean one of the tarps with mylar blasted onto one side, while the other side is green or blue, that is totally different kettle of fish. Those don't suck. I've also heard interesting things about using a tyvek bivy, but I haven't had a chance to try one yet.
 
I take garbage bags with me but also take one of those tarp like space blankets as well. If I had to choose between the mylar and the garbage bag, I'd go garbage because it has more uses.
 
The "space" (AKA "survival") blankets of course come in sturdier (heavier/bulkier :o) versions.

A large plastic bag can be made into a poncho-like deal and the extra space around your torso stuffed with dry grass/leaves for insulation. I have more trouble pulling this off with a "space" blanket.

There are also the "space" bags - even the (heavier/bulkier) "bivies."l
 
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