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The 10 Best Wool Blankets for Camping
Long-Fiber, Military Blankets, Blends, and More
Sleep better in the wilderness with these naturally warm, durable, fire-resistant blankets
Wool blankets make an excellent choice for hiking and camping because of the naturally insulating, flame resistant, and wicking properties of the fibers. When deciding on a wool blanket, make sure the size, weight (generally heavier = warmer, and they can get too hot), and wool content are appropriate for your climate. There are also different types of wool that impact durability and softness. In general:
- “Virgin wool” has longer fibers because it hasn’t been reprocessed. Long-fiber blankets tend to last longer and be more durable, but they’re generally more expensive.
- Most military blankets use reprocessed wool; this can be less durable and also tends to be scratchier. It’s also less expensive and can be a good value, especially if you use a liner.
- Blended fiber blankets can be good but have more variation in quality because of the synthetic fiber.
Because it’s a natural fiber, maintaining your wool blanket requires some extra care to ensure it’s durability and lifespan are preserved. Maintaining your wool blanket:
- If your wool blanket is machine washable, use a detergent designed for wool – these usually contain lanolin, which is a natural oil produced by sheep. Lanolin oil can also be mixed with cedar oil and alcohol then lightly spritzed on your blanket to improve texture and waterproofing.
- Most wool blankets can be brushed to improve strength and softness. Lay the blanket flat on the ground and brush the fibers the same direction with a soft bristle brush.
- Store your blanket in a cool, dark place.
Wool Type: Virgin Merino Wool
Weight: 4 lbs
Dimensions: 66”x90” (5.5ftx7.5ft)
Care: Dry clean only; light spot cleaning by hand
Pros:
Wooly Mammoth uses a long-strand twill weave in their blankets, resulting in a soft, durable finish. They’re woven to minimize stains and dirt and can be spot treated if necessary. The Explorer Collection blankets are specifically designed for camping and have a milled finish for inter-fiber felting and a denser blanket. Wooly Mammoth also makes a “Farmhouse Blanket” designed for daily use if you need something warm and durable in the bedroom.
Cons:
These are dry-clean only and can have a very mild sheep-like smell.
EKTOS Line of Blankets
Ektos produces durable, quality wool blankets at three different blends and price points. Depending on your needs and budget, this ranges from 100% wool down to an 80% blend.
Wool Type: Virgin wool
Weight: 5.5 lbs
Dimensions: 66”x90” (5.5ftx7.5ft)
Care: Hand or machine wash
Why We Recommend This
There are a few fluffier 100% wool camping blankets out there, but for the combined quality and price, Ektos is hard to beat in value. It also has the advantage of being machine washable, which is no small thing when it’s going to be spending much of its time outdoors.
Pros:
This is a thick, durable, heavy blanket that’s designed to last and survive the elements. It’s loom-woven and finished around the edges to prevent fraying, and blanket was designed with heavy wear-and-tear in mind.
Cons:
It can come with an oily smell right out of the package. This fades after the first wash (it is machine washable).
Wool Type: Not specified
Weight: 4.4 lbs
Dimensions: 66”x90” (5.5ftx7.5ft)
Care: Hand or machine wash
Pros:
The synthetic blend makes this version less expensive while still acting as a heavy, warm blanket. It’s soft and portable, and of decent quality.
Cons:
There’s an oily smell when the package is first opened, and this blanket can shed fibers more than some of the other options.
Wool Type: Not specified
Weight: 3.7 lbs
Dimensions: 66”x90” (5.5ftx7.5ft)
Care: Hand or machine wash
Pros:
It’s inexpensive but still useful as a quality camping blanket. It’s on the lighter side (close to two pounds less than the full wool blanket), so consider using it when you’re in cool, but not fully cold weather.
Cons:
This one also has a smell before washing and does shed if not cleaned gently.
Military Blankets
Wool Type: Unspecified blend
Weight: 4 lbs
Dimensions: 66”x84” (5.5ftx7ft)
Care: Machine wash
Pros:
These are durable wool blankets that roll tightly for easy packing and travel. It’s warm and well suited to camping and other outdoor conditions. Orion also operates a donation program with its blankets.
Cons:
There’s a smell (it washes out after a few cleanings), and it’s rougher than some other blankets. It will be more comfortable as a topper over other bedding than directly on the skin.
Wool Type: Unspecified blend
Weight: 4 lbs
Dimensions: 66”x88” (5.5ftx7.25ft)
Care: Machine wash
Pros:
It’s a military-grade wool blanket that’s intended for home or emergency use. It will roll tightly to fit in small spaces for storage or hiking. It has a high fiber density for warmth and is made to be durable.
Cons:
It comes with a smell – the manufacturer recommends machine washing with a regular detergent and line-drying two to three times to soften it and reduce the odor. The side-stitching can also pull apart fairly easily.
Wool Type: Unspecified blend
Weight: 3.5-4 lbs
Dimensions: 66”x90” (5.5ftx7.5ft)
Care: Dry Clean
Pros:
It’s cheap and warm (but not too warm), which can be perfect if you just need something functional. Expect to use a liner or sleeping bag underneath, as it is not the softest wool material.
Cons:
Lots of lint and not the softest material. It’s got the wool-blend smell, but is marked as “dry clean,” which is pretty high-maintenance for an inexpensive outdoor blanket.
Premium Wool Blankets
Wool Type: Virgin
Weight: 5 lbs
Dimensions: 90”x90” (7.5ftx7.5ft)
Care: Dry Clean Only
Pros:
Pendleton makes high-quality, durable, comfortable blankets that they stand behind. If you’re looking for soft, ultra-comfortable wool that’s still tough enough for camping, these are an excellent choice. The wool in these blankets is blended with cotton to improve the texture and reduce the natural stiffness of pure wool fibers. They’re also a full queen size and suitable for bedroom or outdoor use. Pendleton makes a smaller (54 x 66) version for about half the price that comes with a lifetime warranty.
Cons:
It’s on the more expensive side, but worth it if you’re a frequent camper or want something for daily use.
Wool Type: Virgin
Weight: 4.8 lbs
Dimensions: 90”x96” (7.5ftx8ft)
Care: Machine Washable
Pros:
If you’re looking for a large, cozy, multipurpose blanket that’s comfortable and made to last, this could be perfect. Made of high-quality, sustainable virgin wool, this blanket is available in a range of rich colors to match home décor as well as camping needs. It’s also machine washable, which many high-quality wool products are not.
Cons:
The texture can run a bit rougher and stiffer than other Pendleton products, but still softer than most pure wool.
Wool Type: Virgin (half alpaca, half merino)
Weight: 5.5 lbs
Dimensions: 72”x88” (6ftx7.3ft)
Care: Machine Washable
Pros:
Extremely soft and cozy – if you want comfort, this is one of the best choices. It’s made from high-quality wool and has a double-stitched binding for durability.
Cons:
Like most pure-wool products, there’s a mild sheepy smell for the first few washes.
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