Topic: The Best Wool Blankets for Camping of 2023 (Read 76 times)
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Its weight and solid wool construction make the Ektos a no-brainer for campers who want warmth first and foremost from a wool camping blanket. Made of 100 percent wool, it’s densely constructed, which for heat-seekers is a real plus. Also, at only $50, it’s an affordable product, especially considering its quality.
That said, for some, it might be a bit much. I did find myself kicking it off of me in the middle of a chilly night because I got too warm, and that, of course, makes for a “hot-then-cold” night. If you’re a warm or a hot sleeper, the Ektos may be too much for you. And yes, it smells like sheep’s wool. Lanolin oil has a unique aroma; if you don’t like it, this may not be the wool camping blanket for you.
Key Features
Its lighter weight coupled with its co*fortable function as a bed topper make the Arcturus military wool blanket a great choice for campers who prefer co*fort over warmth. Bonus? It retails for $37.99. This wool camping blanket is great for a bed topper but also a blanket that can migrate to and from the campfire and the tent or the RV. There is a slight lanolin “overtone,” but it’s more subtle than other blankets I tested.
If warmth is your ultimate goal, however, you might find the Artrurus military wool blanket a bit light for you (this may be because of its hybrid construction—80 percent wool, 20 percent hypoallergenic fibers). I found it to be ideal, however, because I sleep pretty warm, and not having to kick it off and pull it back on repeatedly during the night helped me sleep uninterrupted.
I found the Woolly Mammoth rugged wool camping blanket to kind of fit into the “Goldilocks” category. Not too heavy, not too light, etc. But more than that, I found this wool camping blanket to be more functional than some of its co*petitors. Light enough to tote around camp, but heavy enough to serve as a blanket between a sheet and co*forter, it’s kind of the “jack of all trades” when it co*es to wool camping blankets. It’s a bit larger than some of its co*petitors—if it’s not warm enough, it can be folded over and doubled up.
What’s more, it’s a nice size—66 inches by 90 inches. I found it ideal for stretching over my broad shoulders co*fortably, and I still had enough blanket to share with my girlfriend around the fire. It’s likely not warm enough to serve as a full-on bed-topper, but it was great to relax within the camper after the fire died. It’s one of the best wool blankets for camping. This smells like a wool blanket—the lanolin aroma is clearly present.
This heavy wool blanket features serged edges to prevent fraying and allow for years of use. It’s clearly very durable, though a little scratchy. But wool insulates even when wet, for reliable warmth when used in damp conditions. If you imagine throwing this on the boat for a chilly evening cruise to star gaze, this blanket is big enough to share. The Mackinaw is perfect for watching rainstorms from a deck or porch. And it would thrive in the snow.
If you’re in extremely cold conditions throw this on top of your sleep system to keep in a ton of warmth. While this blanket is dry clean only, the natural antimicrobial properties of wool will help it keep a neutral scent. It’s also durable enough to lie on the ground for a picnic. —Ashley Thess
No, wool blankets are not ideal for backpackers. Wool is a heavy, durable fabric, and wool camping blankets are likely too heavy for the weight-conscious backpacker to include in even an overnight backpack.
Wool blankets for camping are best used as toppers to existing bedding. They’re not great for base layers because they can be a bit scratchy. Instead, think of them as ideal top blankets either in lieu of a heavy co*forter, or in addition to a lighter blanket.
Wool blankets can, indeed, work too well—they tend to hold in heat and fend off cold. For some, wool camping blankets can work too well.
Good merino wool camping blankets might seem like an afterthought for most campers, but that shouldn’t be the case. Before you pack your best family tent or load the camper, take the time to think about what makes you the most co*fortable when you spend a few nights in the woods. Being warm is important. But co*fort co*es into play, too. For some, one is more important than the other, but for a lot of us, a wool camping blanket that keeps us both warm (but not too warm) and co*fortable is important. Remember, quality merino wool blankets smell of lanolin oil, a natural byproduct in any wool camping blanket. Some exude the odor more than others, and if it’s a turn-off, you’ll want a more subtle blanket.
Wool is a substantial material. There’s no getting around it. And really well-made wool camping blankets are not for the backpack camper for whom weight economy is vital. But some are heavier than others, and some, despite being solid, don’t hold in the heat as well as others do. If you’re a car camper or you have room in the RV, packing a quality wool camping blanket is a good idea—especially if you or a fellow camper tend to get a bit chilly once the sun goes down.
This may not be top-of-mind, but after dragging a five-pound wool blanket between the tent and the campfire, you’re going to want to eventually wash it. And not all wool camping blankets are easily washable. In fact, some reco*mend a very gentle cold-water hand wash, others prefer a cold wash and a dry tumble with no heat. Still, others are dry-clean only. Regardless, wool will shed a bit after the first wash or two. A bonus? It also gets a bit softer.
Some wool camping blankets are more affordable than others, and while the co*mon adage, “You get what you pay for,” makes sense, I found that, during testing, it’s not always the whole truth. The good news? A really good wool blanket isn’t going to set you back hundreds of dollars. Even better news? You can get a quality wool camping blanket for less than $50.
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For a lot of campers, a wool blanket isn’t a “make or break” proposition when it co*es to most camping trips. But, once you spend a long weekend testing wool camping blankets, you’ll wonder what on earth you did without one tucked into the camping box or under the couch in the camper.
The best wool blankets for camping are good for a number of uses, from lounging around the camper to sharing around the campfire with a camping buddy. Heavier models are ideal as a bed co*forter that’s warm, but not bulky. I’d happily find a home in my camper for any of the three blankets I tested—each has its own attributes. But for general use, I probably preferred the Woolly Mammoth offering, even though it is a bit higher maintenance than the other wool camping blankets I put to the test.
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