Staying warm is essential for your survival. If you find yourself in an unfortunate disaster scenario, without a sleeping bag, then a survival blanket could be the answer to your problems.
Just like knowing how to start a fire is a crucial skill, a survival blanket is a crucial item that could save your life on freezing cold nights. Although it may seem like an everyday item that you could find anywhere, finding the best survival blanket will give you a better chance of surviving harsh conditions.
Different factors combine to make a blanket the best survival blanket. With a variety of products on the market, it can be difficult to decide which one will suit your needs. That’s why we’ve also included our handy buyer’s guide to help make your decision a more straightforward one.
Swiss Safe Emergency Thermal Blankets
The Swiss Safe Emergency Thermal Blankets include dual-sided Mylar blankets that work in all weather conditions. Each blanket is waterproof, windproof, and moisture-proof, as well as being reusable.
The advanced aluminized Mylar means that the blankets are built to retain up to 90% body heat, and they completely block out impacts from rain and snow, so it will stop you from suffering from hypothermia or shock.
They are compact and lightweight, ideal to fit inside a survival backpack. Swiss Safe have also included a bonus gold space blanket, which can fold in half easily so it can fit in your pocket.
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Pros
- 4 Pack gives you more value for money
- Can retain up to 90% body heat
- Waterproof, windproof, and moisture-proof for all weather conditions
- Gold space blanket can fit in a pocket
- Compact and lightweight
Cons
- May rip easily if you apply too much pressure
- The blankets are noisy when you move in them, which is not great if you need to hide
Go Time Gear Life Emergency Sleeping Bag
The Go Time Gear Life Emergency Sleeping Bag comes with a multitude of features that makes it stand out amongst its competitors.
Although it is a Mylar blanket, it has a tear and puncture-resistant coating, which is unique from many Mylar blankets that are known for tearing easily.
Its enhanced durability is also made possible due to the Mylar material being thicker than is expected with a standard Mylar blanket. The blanket is, therefore, tough enough to use again. It can be easily folded up and stored inside the waterproof Nylon sack that comes with the blanket, which ensures no damage is done while it’s stored away.
The reflective interior of the blanket works to trap heat and reflect 90% of it back to you, helping to protect from illnesses in extreme weather conditions.
The stuff sack is not only waterproof, but it also comes with a 550lb nylon core patent-pending Para-Synch Technology drawstring. This unique feature can be used to help build an emergency shelter, start a fire, or secure gear, making it an all-round multipurpose survival blanket.
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Pros
- Tear and puncture resistant coating
- Thick Mylar for enhanced durability
- Waterproof and windproof
- Waterproof nylon stuff sack
- Drawstring makes it more multipurpose
Cons
- Not the most comfortable for anyone over 5ft 10"
Don't Die In The Woods Emergency Blankets
With unique packaging and an attractive design, the Don’t Die In The Woods Emergency Blankets look more enticing than standard Mylar blankets.
And it isn’t just the outside that makes them stand out, too.
These blankets reflect up to 90% body heat, which can prevent hypothermia or other illnesses caused by extreme weather conditions. The NASA-designed Mylar is waterproof and dual-sided, which is a must for survival situations.
Not only are they durable against harsh conditions, but the blankets are also ultra-compact and lightweight, weighing around 2.2oz each (and only 9.5 ounces in total)! This makes them the perfect blend of durable and portable, as they’re easy to transport in any survival backpack.
A standout feature of these blankets is that they’re 23% larger than the average foil blanket on the market, measuring at 7 x 5 feet when fully deployed. Not only does this mean full body protection, but, with the help of duct tape and paracord, you can also turn these blankets into an emergency shelter or sleeping bag.
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Pros
- Durable waterproof construction
- Reflects up to 90% body heat
- Lightweight and ultra-compact
- Each blanket comes with an individual nylon stuff sack
- Larger than standard foil blanket
Cons
- It can be difficult to get the blankets back into the stuff sacks once refolded
Arcturus Survival Blanket
As it claims to be a ‘heavy duty’ survival blanket, you’d expect a blanket that can withstand all weather conditions. The Arcturus Survival Blanket does just that.
It is waterproof and weatherproof, which is perfect for when you need to adapt to the climate. You can also use the 4 reinforced tie-down grommets included in the blanket to help you deflect heat or build a waterproof barrier when necessary.
Despite being a heavy-duty blanket, it is super lightweight, weighing less than a pound. It can fit comfortably in your survival backpack, and be used again night after night, due to its aluminum and nylon construction.
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Pros
- Waterproof and weatherproof
- Lightweight and easy to carry in a backpack
- Reusable
- Mylar reflective side to reflect heat
- Layered polypropylene side can be used as a blanket or for shelter
- 4 reinforced tie-down grommets for multipurpose uses
Cons
- Some customers have found that the blanket can tear easily, particularly in the corners by the grommets
SERGEANT Emergency Sleeping Bag
Durability is a key feature of the SERGEANT Emergency Sleeping Bag.
Made from tear and puncture resistant, extra thick Mylar, the survival blanket is waterproof and windproof by design and performs well in all weather conditions.
It works to retain 90% of your body heat, keeping you safe and protected against conditions such as hypothermia. Survival is the priority, and with this emergency blanket, you can rest assured that it will keep you alive during desperate times.
It measures around 3 x 7 feet, which would comfortably fit one average-sized adult. Despite its thick Mylar construction, the blanket is lightweight, and can roll up to fit inside a backpack, survival kit, or a glove compartment.
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Pros
- Durable construction suits all weather conditions
- Tear and puncture resistant
- Retains 90% of body heat
- Lightweight and compact
Cons
- Not the largest blanket on the market, so bear this in mind if you are taller than average
Material and Reflectivity
Many survival blankets are made from Mylar. Mylar is an ultralightweight material, hence why it’s so popular with survivalists. As well as being lightweight, Mylar works well to retain body heat, and, to top it off, is a budget-friendly option.
While most survival blankets you encounter will be constructed from Mylar, there are blankets made from other materials too, such as wool. These blankets will usually be heavier and more expensive than Mylar.
However, they will typically be more comfortable, so it is worth considering your priorities when it comes to a survival blanket.
The aluminum design of Mylar is reflective. This means a Mylar blanket will reflect heat, and you can therefore reflect your own body heat back onto yourself to keep warm.
This feature also means you can divert heat away from you if you need to cool down, which can be done by placing the blanket on top of your survival shelter.
High-quality Mylar will typically reflect approximately 80% of heat back to you, but this 80% comes from radiating heat. Radiating heat only accounts for around 50% of our heat loss, and mainly from your head.
This means a Mylar blanket is not built to keep you particularly warm, so if you do opt for one, your safest bet is to have an insulating layer as well.
A reflective Mylar blanket is multipurpose, as it can also be used to attract help in disaster situations. Some blankets emphasize this feature by having ‘SOS’ written on them, so this may be an important aspect for you to consider.
Size
Length is an essential factor to consider when choosing a survival blanket. You’ll want to be comfortable and covered, without feeling restricted.
Typically, survival blankets on the market reach around 82-84 inches in length, and 52-54 inches wide. That’s enough room to cover a person of approximately 6ft and average build, or to cover more than one smaller person or child.
This sized blanket also means it’s usually large enough to double as a groundsheet. You can use a groundsheet to place your belongings on the ground during the night, or if you want to lay out and stargaze if you get the chance!
Weight
Mylar survival blankets are generally very lightweight, weighing around 2-2.5 ounces. This means they’re ideal for survival backpacks, as they can easily be compacted to fit inside.
The weight also means you can take more than one blanket with you if you wish, and you’ll then have back-ups and blankets for other people if they are without one.
Non-Mylar blankets, made from materials such as wool, can often weigh as much as 6 pounds. That may not sound particularly heavy, but when you can’t afford to lose any space in your backpack, it might feel like a huge weight.
Consider having one of these blankets at home or in the car, in case of more urban disaster situations where you won’t be on foot.
Waterproof and Windproof
A key feature of Mylar blankets is their waterproof construction. In being waterproof, Mylar blankets stop evaporation, and therefore prevent heat loss as a result of this.
You can use a Mylar blanket to build a survival shelter, or to line your survival shelter to protect the heat from escaping.
As well as being waterproof, most Mylar blankets are also windproof by design. By blocking the wind, they’re great for preventing heat loss in high altitudes, and you can wrap them around you on windy days.
A high-quality survival blanket won’t just be minimally waterproof or windproof, but should work as an effective wall against wet conditions and harsh winds, to properly help you to survive.
Price
Mylar survival blankets are generally budget-friendly and often come in multipacks. This is excellent when it comes to choosing a blanket specifically for survival, as you could purchase them in bulk and store them away for when disaster strikes.
It also means you won’t feel too terrible if they do get damaged or lost. If you have extra room in your survival backpack, you could take multiple blankets with you for extra purposes, such as lining shelters or using one as a poncho.
However, if you would prefer to have one or two blankets, it would be sensible to invest in high-quality ones that are usually thicker and made from stronger material.
Durability
As many Mylar blankets are generally thin and lightweight, you might assume that they’re not going to last very long. However, they are still relatively durable, due to their waterproof and windproof design.
Once punctured, though, a Mylar blanket loses its strength. With this in mind, it’s recommended to take some duct tape with you in case your blanket suffers any tears along the way.
For a truly durable survival blanket that can survive pretty much anything, an 80% wool blanket will be a better option for you. However, as mentioned previously, bear in mind that these are more expensive and heavier.
If you’re constantly hiking outdoors, it may be more sensible to take several lightweight Mylar blankets, rather than one heavy wool blanket.
Recap
With so many survival blankets to choose from, it’s not easy to pick a favorite. However, as survival is the main priority, my pick for the best survival blanket would be the Go Time Gear Life Bivy Emergency Sleeping Bag.
It has multipurpose features, such as the drawstring on the stuff sack, and this is crucial when it comes to survival gear. You’ll want to get the most out of as few items as possible, and our choice lets you do just that.
While the Go Time Gear Life Bivy Emergency Sleeping Bag is my choice for the best emergency survival blanket, consider what matters the most to you before deciding on this piece of gear for yourself.
We hope our review has helped you to find the best survival blanket. Please leave any feedback in the comment section below. Alternatively, if you have any suggestions for future topics, then please get in touch with us. We’d love to hear from you!
Good Luck and Happy Survival Prepping!
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