Wool Blanket Info Please

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essgee23

Wool Blanket Info Please

Post by essgee23 »

I have been looking for a wool blanket to use for some bushcraft or 'minimal ki't camping.

Have searched here and just a few mentions, nothing really informative.

Have looked on amzon to compare and there seems to be a wide variation...

The cheapest, and the one I'd like, is 55% wool. :shock:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Military-Style- ... 066&sr=1-1

Now is this enough wool content to benefit from its great properties? Or do I need to get the more expensive ones?

I'm sure many of you have used them, can i have a little review please?

Many thanks :D
junmist
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Joined: Tue May 08, 2012 5:39 am

Re: Wool Blanket Info Please

Post by junmist »

If you can aford it I would personly go for a high wool content. But that is from choice not for any other reason though wool should help keep you dry but once wet it can take forever to dry out
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pigeonsniper

Re: Wool Blanket Info Please

Post by pigeonsniper »

I'm not sure why you'd want to use wool? great if it's dry but more often than not it gets damp at night, even in the summer, and wool acts like a sponge and takes ages to dry. It's also not the lightest thing to carry and it's pretty bulky. Personally I'd go for a sleeping bag and bivvy bag to crawl into. Even a summer season lightweight bag will keep you warm, in a bivvy bag, as you have two layers. Wool also gets pretty itchy and uncomfortable. People used wool in the past as it was the best option available, now there are much better options. Having spent many nights out in all weathers wool would be way down on my list of preferences.
jansman
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Re: Wool Blanket Info Please

Post by jansman »

Do a quick search for Endicotts Military Surplus ( sorry cannot do a linkie on this gizmo!) They stock 'em.
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essgee23

Re: Wool Blanket Info Please

Post by essgee23 »

pigeonsniper wrote:I'm not sure why you'd want to use wool? great if it's dry but more often than not it gets damp at night, even in the summer, and wool acts like a sponge and takes ages to dry. It's also not the lightest thing to carry and it's pretty bulky. Personally I'd go for a sleeping bag and bivvy bag to crawl into. Even a summer season lightweight bag will keep you warm, in a bivvy bag, as you have two layers. Wool also gets pretty itchy and uncomfortable. People used wool in the past as it was the best option available, now there are much better options. Having spent many nights out in all weathers wool would be way down on my list of preferences.
blanket would more than likely be stored in car as a back up, and used in combination with bag and bivvi, maybe as a ground insulator over a tarp or foil blanket??

it certainly wouldnt be only source of cover :)
herbal_thought

Re: Wool Blanket Info Please

Post by herbal_thought »

Will is awesome as it stays warm even when wet.

I use a British army wool blanket I got from a surplus store for a Tenn, bought three actually. That, a bivi and my thermarest make up my bedrock. Perfect!

Peace, out.

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk 2
essgee23

Re: Wool Blanket Info Please

Post by essgee23 »

herbal_thought wrote:Will is awesome as it stays warm even when wet.

I use a British army wool blanket I got from a surplus store for a Tenn, bought three actually. That, a bivi and my thermarest make up my bedrock. Perfect!

Peace, out.

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk 2

so do you think the one i linked to (army issue 55% wool) is good or not?

and how do you guys and gals dry them if they get soaked? spin cycle and the hope for warm/windy day :D
herbal_thought

Re: Wool Blanket Info Please

Post by herbal_thought »

Pretty sure the British blankets are 70% wool. Not sure about your link but try it and see dude! I never machine wash or dry mine, leave em hanging over a banister tp dry naturally n it won't strink down to a loin cloth.

Peace, out.
pigeonsniper

Re: Wool Blanket Info Please

Post by pigeonsniper »

essgee23 wrote:
pigeonsniper wrote:I'm not sure why you'd want to use wool? great if it's dry but more often than not it gets damp at night, even in the summer, and wool acts like a sponge and takes ages to dry. It's also not the lightest thing to carry and it's pretty bulky. Personally I'd go for a sleeping bag and bivvy bag to crawl into. Even a summer season lightweight bag will keep you warm, in a bivvy bag, as you have two layers. Wool also gets pretty itchy and uncomfortable. People used wool in the past as it was the best option available, now there are much better options. Having spent many nights out in all weathers wool would be way down on my list of preferences.
blanket would more than likely be stored in car as a back up, and used in combination with bag and bivvi, maybe as a ground insulator over a tarp or foil blanket??

it certainly wouldnt be only source of cover :)
Understood, I did wonder ;) . They are an itchfest though, if that doesn't bother you then the standard British Army blanket will do a job. Personally I like the blankets you get on long haul flights, they are usually high quality and do a pretty good job keeping at keeping me warm. They're also pretty small and compact, a couple of those would be a good option though I'm not sure where you'd get them from.
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C4tch
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Re: Wool Blanket Info Please

Post by C4tch »

I am quite a fan of the Italian Army Blankets. I have a couple of them and they are supposed to be 100% wool. They itch like crazy and my kids won't be in the same room as them. Keep you very warm in front of a fire. I like the multiple use aspect of them and the fact that they don't get holes in them from sparks etc like synthetic blankets. I used them when I was fooling around with 5 item bushcraft living. They are bulky and heavy and even heavier when wet!

These days they stay in the cars as emergency blankets though. The comfort of a hammock, sleeping bag and pad is so far superior I would only ever use the blankets these days for survival 'challenge' type weekends.

C
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