An emergency blanket is something everyone should carry when going on an adventure. You can use this survival item for a variety of purposes. Best emergency blankets will prevent hypothermia and provide shelter from the elements. They will help you cook a meal or catch a fish. On a good day, the right emergency blanket will increase your comfort. On a bad one, it may save your life.
How To Choose The Best Emergency Blankets
There are many types of emergency blankets available on the market. It makes choosing the right one a challenge. We all hope the crisis never comes. But we also want to be well-prepared to deal with it. So, what is the best emergency blanket, and what should you consider in choosing it?
Weatherproofing
You should always include a good emergency blanket in your must-have camping gear. It’s essential to know that not all brands will protect you from the outside impact on the same level. Most will reflect 90 percent of your body heat towards you. They may not shield you from rain or wind, though. It can turn out into a severe issue if you’re on a day hike and suddenly have to spend the night outdoor. Thus, always make sure you bought a waterproof certified product.
Thickness
Thick vs. thin is also an essential factor. Thicker emergency blankets provide better protection against the weather. But you cannot cut them into strips as easily as thinner items. Smaller pieces of an emergency blanket may work as a sling for a broken arm, a rope, or a fishing lure. It’s easier to carry the thinner sheets, too.
Fortunately, even the highest quality emergency blankets aren’t that expensive. For this reason, consider getting both types. Then, you can keep the thicker layer in your car and put the lighter in the backpack.
Size And Color
Emergency blankets vary in size and color. Make sure to buy a sheet that is large enough for you. For an average adult, a coverage with dimensions above 52 x 54 inches is a good starting point. In terms of color, most sheets are silver, but gold is easier to spot for search parties. Oh, and don’t forget to check if your blanket has grommets at each corner. They will make building a shelter much easier.
Material And Durability
Those days, most emergency blankets are made of mylar. This excellent material is light, cheap, and retains body heat well. Other materials are usually heavier and pricier. But they also provide more comfort, since mylar doesn’t generate heat. It will retain your body heat, but it won’t increase your body temperature. It also isn’t very durable. An 80 percent wool blanket is likely to stay with you for years. Mylar is pretty much a disposable product. So make sure you always have at least two such sheets with you.
Premium Life Emergency Mylar Blanket
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Premium Life is one of the best emergency mylar products on the market. It reflects body heat to you when used as a blanket and deflects heat when made into a shelter from the sun. Each sheet has dimensions of 52 x 84 inches. At 2.1 inches, they are also thin, light, and easy to fold.
What We Love
You can easily carry several of those blankets in your backpack. They are so compact that they will hardly add any load.
Pros:
- Very light and doesn’t take much space
- Affordable
- Comes in packages of 12
- Each blanket is individually packed
Cons:
Because of how thin they are, Premium Life blankets are very short-lived. Treat them as single-use products rather than something that will last you for life.
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Science Purchase Emergency Mylar Thermal Blanket
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Science Purchase blanket is another clients’ favorite. This mylar blanket retains 90% of your body heat. With dimensions of 54 x 84 inches, it’s large enough to cover and adult person. Still, it weighs only 1.44 ounces. Despite its thinness, the Science Purchase product is comparatively durable, so you might be able to use it repeatedly. We hope you won’t have to, though.
What We Love
Thin, yet durable.
Pros:
- Doesn’t take much space and easy to carry
- Durable for mylar blanket
- Comes in packages of 20
- Each piece is individually packed
Cons:
As all mylar blankets, it provides very little comfort.
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Swiss Safe Emergency Mylar Thermal Blankets
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Swiss Safe emergency blankets are a dual-sided survival product that comes in a variety of colors. Silver allows you to keep your body heat. Army green provides camouflage. Red, pink, and orange all act reflectively, and you can use them to signal an emergency. All Blankets are water- and windproof. At 52 x 82 inches, they are also large enough to cover an adult person.
What We Love
The array of colors allows you to add a bit of fashion to practicality. You can choose the shade you like the most and still retain the survival attributes of the product.
Pros:
- At 2 ounces, this is one of the lightest products on the market
- It comes in a package of 4, and you get a bonus gold blanket
- It’s waterproof and windproof
- Both sides have practical heat retaining or reflecting attributes
Cons:
As all mylar blankets, this one too is prone to tears. Don’t expect it to last a lifetime.
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Don’t Die In The Woods World’s Toughest Emergency Blanket
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World’s Toughest Emergency Blanket will keep you safe in the most extreme circumstances. The coverage comprises dual-sided mylar that comes in silver and army green. It’s also on a larger side. With the measurements of 60 x 84 inches, the blanket is 23 percent bigger than standard products. Thanks to that, you can make a larger shelter or wrap yourself from head to toes. Make sure not to cover your face, though. Mylar is not breathable! The condensation you create by breathing inside will make your body temperature drop fast. Every time you exhale, you will also increase the amount of CO2. It may cause you to pass out.
What We Love
Don’t Die in The Woods donate a percentage of profits to nature conservation organizations around the world. If you buy their emergency blanket, you will become a contributor too.
Pros:
- Comes in a convenient, chic sack
- You get a pack of 4 blankets
- It’s larger than most emergency blankets
- Is waterproof and windproof
- retains 90 percent of your body heat
Cons:
Expect it to get damaged quickly.
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Primacare HB-10 Emergency Foil Mylar Thermal Blanket
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The silver, dual-sided Primacere Mylar Blanket has a standard size of 52 x 84 inches. It’s waterproof and weatherproof. As always, with mylar, the blanket is extraordinarily light and easy to carry around.
The simplicity is what makes Primacere blanket appealing to the buyer. You won’t wonder about different colors or sizes. The choice is uncomplicated, and you will still end up with a high-quality product.
What We Love
It’s a simple, high-quality product.
Pros:
- You get 10 individually wrapped blankets in one package
- Each sheet is waterproof and windproof
- Very light and easy to put in your backpack
Cons:
It’s mylar. Keep it away from sharp objects and don’t expect to get cozy.
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Mylar Men’s Emergency Thermal Blanket
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Mylar Men’s Emergency Thermal Blanket is yet another great product that will keep you safe. It comes in silver color and has dual mylar sides. The sheet retains 90 percent of your body heat. It’s also waterproof and windproof. At 54 x 84 inches, it’s large enough to allow you to wrap yourself in it. You can also line with it one of the fantastic sleeping bags from our list.
What We Love
Again, the simplicity is the king. Plus the blanket won’t crack or mildew.
Pros:
- You will get 10 individually wrapped blankets in one package
- Each sheet is waterproof and windproof
- The product is very easy to pack and carry around
Cons:
The blanket isn’t the most durable one. And we must yet wait for the Women’s Emergency Thermal Blanket.
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Arcturus Heavy Duty Survival Blanket
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Arcturus Survival Blanket is a perfect solution for road trips and camping. At 60 x 82 inches, it’s larger than standard options. The sheet features a layer of thermal reflective mylar. It’s windproof and waterproof. Four grommets help to attach the material to the ground.
Only one side of the Arcturus blanket is made of heat reflective mylar side. The other one consists of a double-layered waterproof polypropylene. It makes it the sheet a bit more durable than full mylar blankets.
What We Love
More durable than most full mylar blankets.
Pros:
- Reinforced grommets allow you to attach the blanket to the ground
- It’s larger than regular options
- Comes in a handy, chic pouch bag
- Comparatively durable
- You can buy the product in different colors
Cons:
At almost 16 ounces, this blanket may be too heavy for hikers to carry around.
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Dukal Heat Reflective Emergency Blanket
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With Dukal Heat Reflective Emergency Blanket, we are back to the basics. This simple dual-sided mylar sheet will provide you with all you need to survive. At 52 x 84 inches, it will cover an average adult person. And since it weighs only an ounce, it won’t add much extra load to your bag.
It’s a simple dual-sided mylar product that won’t give you any hard time figuring it out. But considering how easily mylar tears up, you might be better off buying a bigger pack. A single mylar blanket is just not enough. And you often get a better deal when purchasing more than one.
What We Love
It’s a simple dual-sided mylar product.
Pros:
- Simple and reusable
- Light and compact; will fit easily in your backpack
- Affordable
Cons:
One layer alone may not be enough.
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Mambe Extreme Weather Outdoor Blanket
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Mambe Outdoor Blanket provides a higher level of comfort. Contrary to the regular emergency mylar products, this particular coverage is made of fleece. It features synthetic insulation and has a heat-reflecting outer layer. The blanket is also waterproof. Mambe is softer than mylar blankest and feels cozier wrapped around you. It’s also less prone to tears and with proper care will last a while.
What We Love
Softer and cozier than most mylar blankets.
Pros:
- Offers more comfort than standard emergency blankets
- At 58 x 84 inches, the blanket is larger than regular emergency covers
- Comes in several colors
- Waterproof and weatherproof
Cons:
The product is comparatively more expensive than mylar emergency blankets. At 5.4 pounds, it’s much heavier, too. You may find it difficult to carry around.
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Arcturus Military Wool Blanket
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The large, cozy Arcturus Military Blanket blends comfort and survival. The product contains 80 percent wool and 20 percent hypoallergenic synthetic fibers. Such a mix of materials ensures that the coverage is durable and stays warm even when wet.
At 64 x 88 inches, the Arcturus blanket is large enough to shield for two people. Depending on the situation you can wrap it several times around yourself or share it with a friend.
What We Love
Large enough to shield for two people!
Pros:
- Wool ensures comfort and durability
- Retains temperature even when wet
- Large enough to protect more than one person
- Comes in three different colors
- You can wash it in a washing machine
Cons:
Although very comfortable, Arcturus Military Blanket will add 4 pounds to your backpack. It also will be taking significantly more space than a regular mylar sheet. And since it lacks heat-reflective attributes, you may not be able to use it to signal an emergency or attract the attention of a searching party.
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Snugpak Jungle Blanket
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This warm, comfy blanket will keep you warm up to 36 Fahrenheit degrees. Thanks to being made of polyester, it’s light, water-resistant, and completely windproof. Not to mention that it comes in a lovely olive color. Snugpak Jungle Blanket goes through an antimicrobial treatment to block the growth of odor-causing bacteria. No more smelly blankets when coming back home from camping!
What We Love
Not only provides warmth, it comes with antimicrobial feature!
Pros:
- Fabric provides water repellant layer
- Comes with handy compression sack
- Weighs only 25 ounces
- You will find it breathable and water wicking
- Pleasant to touch
Cons:
While indeed cozy, Snugpak Jungle Blanket isn’t made of mylar and doesn’t have its heat retention features. Stitching also appears to be problematic at times.
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S.O.L. Reflective Emergency Blanket
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S.O.L. Emergency Blanket is one of the most advanced emergency covers on the market. It’s made of vacuum-metalized polyethylene Heatsheets. The material reflects 90% of body heat like mylar and is similarly light. But it’s durable and not as prone to tears. The blanket has the standard dimensions of 56 x 84 inches and weighs 0.2 ounces. An outside layer is orange to increase visibility. It’s also waterproof and windproof.
What We Love
It’s great to have a product that has all the good qualities of mylar but isn’t so prone to damage. It makes setting up shelters so much easier.
Pros:
- Higher durability
- Very light and easy to carry in your backpack
- Reflects 90 percent of body heat
- Comes in well-visible orange color
- Waterproof and windproof
Cons:
As in the case of mylar covers, the S.O.L. blanket will keep you alive but won’t increase your body temperature or make you feel cozy.
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Grabber Outdoors Original Space Brand All Weather Blanket
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Grabber All Weather Blanket is a laminate of fiber scrim and aluminized plastic. The product keeps up to 80 percent of body heat. It’s less than mylar, but the coverage is much more comfortable and durable. Besides, its heat retention level is still much higher than wool. At 60 x 84 inches, it is large enough to build a shelter. Grommets at each corner help to stake the material to the ground.
What We Love
If you are looking for an emergency blanket that would have most of the mylar’s attributes but provided comfort similar to wool, this product is what you need.
Pros:
- Higher than mylar durability
- Grommets in each corner
- Reflects 80 percent of body heat, while providing a comparatively high level of comfort
- Moisture resistant
Cons:
The blanket weighs 12 ounces and may turn out to be too heavy for you to carry it around.
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