Now, before we go straight into the warmest blanket for camping, we should first cover which type of blanket fits your environment and needs.
Whether you plan to camp in a damp, dry, or snowy area, there are arrays of blankets out there. I will also cover how comfortable, durable, weatherproof, the pricing and heavy these blankets are.
Wool Camping Blankets
Wool blankets are amazing blankets. I personally have two different wool blankets, and they are hot – even in the coldest environments.
When I first used wool blankets, I thought it was soft, and it didn’t overheat me. I got a 100% virgin wool blanket, so it didn’t itch for me, so I would say the comfort was near perfect.
Now, wool blankets are very pretty durable blankets. I still have a wool blanket that is over ten years old. However, if you are a very frequent camper, you can expect 3-5 years of use. They can’t handle the extreme condition and can easily get cut by a sharp knife.
Wool blankets are water-resistant, so that means it can handle damp places, but not places that are extremely rainy or snowy. Wool also provides for amazing insulation, so not too much wind can come in. Wool is also fire resistant – so in an unfortunate event where your blanket catches fire, you probably won’t burn to a crisp.
Wool blankets are medium-priced $20-30 blankets that are worth the price.
Now, wool blankets are known to be heavy, most of the time weighing above four pounds. So, if you are a backpacking camper, this may not be a prime choice. However, if you are a backpacker that wants to lightest possible blanket, you would want to look at the next type of blanket – aluminum emergency blankets.
Aluminum Camping Blankets
Aluminum blankets are revolutionary. They are crazy cheap, and I own a pack of four, despite them being reusable.
Wool blankets are hot and are very common among the prepper and survival community. These blankets retain 90% of heat! Your body heat is about 91°F, so your blanket should maintain an air temperature at a cozy 82°F.
Firstly, aluminum blankets don’t make for a comfortable blanket because they are not extremely breathable and don’t have any cozy fur or cushion. If comfort is your primary concern, I recommend looking into wool, even synthetic blankets.
Most aluminum blankets are relatively durable. They can’t be easily torn like aluminum foil, but a sharp knife could easily slash right through it because of how thin and light it is.
Now, aluminum is completely waterproof and windproof. Aluminum is also known to be fire-resistant!
To add on, aluminum is extremely cheap, typically ranging from $1-4 per blanket. Aluminum blankets are also very light, weighing only a few ounces per blanket.
Synthetic Camping Blankets
Synthetic blankets are in the middle of aluminum and wool blankets, being a little cozy and retaining most of the heat. I own one of these and think they’re alright.
Synthetic fabric blankets can be warm and are one of the most commonly used for camping. They retain most of the heat, keeping you warm.
Now, synthetic blankets are more comfortable than aluminum because it has cushion and the material is less like metal. They also don’t allow you to breathe. These also aren’t as comfortable as wool, so it’s in the middle, which many people like about it.
Now, synthetic fiber is known for its durability, being several times stronger than regular fibers and requiring immense strength to break.
Synthetic blankets are waterproof and windproof. These blankets are very flammable and toxic when they burn, so it is best not to get this close to a fire.
To add on, pricing for this can range drastically, from $20-150 per blanket. Now, these blankets are typically a little over a pound, which is great for backpacker campers.
Now, let’s dive into the best blanket for each category!
you forgot the one prime reason for wool. It will keep you warm even if the blanket is wet.
Yeah. Wool is the warmest blanket for camping. Tin makes terrible bedding.