Camping during the colder months can be spectacular. Whilst these months are beautiful to camp in, you will get the most out of your trip when you are well prepared. Although a tent heater or insulated tent are great a camping wool blanket is cheap and effective.
We all know a sleeping bag will keep you warm in the colder temperatures, however, a wool blanket will give you the added coziness and sensory feel for perfect night sleep. Sitting around the fire with a soft wool blanket wrapped around you is also a must. Wool is an all-natural durable fiber and is one of the warmest fabrics.
In the past wool blankets have been given an unfair “wrap”, for being itchy against the skin. If you purchase a good quality wool blanket this is not the case, they are just soft and very warm.
Here are our Best Wool Blankets for Camping:
1
EKTOS Wool Camping Blanket
This is one heavy-duty blanket, weighing 5.5 pounds, it is heavy and probably not for the avid hiker. This blanket is 100% premium wool quality which makes it exceptionally soft and warm. It measures 66” x 90” which is a good size (a bit larger than a queen-sized bed), not too big or small. It comes in Blue only. As it is made from natural wool the product is described as being as “odor-free as possible”. This blanket is machine washable, a big plus on my list. This blanket is fire resistant. Many companies add fire retardants to their product, a bonus for sitting around a fire on your camping trip. Bare in mind wool has naturally occurring fire-resistant properties. The Ektos Blanket is mediumly priced and a good solid blanket.
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2
Woolly Mammoth
The woolly mammoth has many great qualities for camping. It is extremely soft, using merino wool, and is larger than a lot of wool blankets on the market. It comes in a choice of three colors, grey, navy blue, and olive green. The blanket comes stitched along the edges to prevent fraying. The woolly mammoth is a bit bigger than most other comparable wool blankets, suitable for 2 people, this is the perfect addition to a double sleeping bag. It is a lightweight blanket for its size, weighing 4 pounds. Other blankets of the same size weigh between 5 and 5.5 pounds.
Due to the quality merino wool used it is pricier than its competition. On saying this, the blanket does not contain any recycled wool, it is all brand new. The blanket is woven with a twill weave to hide stains and marks from spills. It also has a mill finish which makes for a thick density meaning added warmth and durability.
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3
Arcturus Military Wool Blanket
Triple washed during production for a higher level of softness and hygiene. This wool camping blanket is loom woven and hemmed on all sides making it more durable and long-lasting. The Arcturus blanket is attractive as it is machine washable. The 20% hypoallergenic synthetic fiber is worthy as it allows the blanket to be machine washable, the longer synthetic fibers help secure the weave to minimize shedding therefore extending the life of your blanket.
It is a good size - 64” x 88” and for the price, you really cannot expect any more. This is the pick for the cheaper option.
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4
Pendleton National Parks Blanket
Pendleton is a well-known wool manufacturer from the USA. The company started over 100 years ago. The blankets are made of 100% virgin wool that is combed which gives the wool blankets a thicker softer feel. Each blanket comes with its own park name depending on size. Grand Canyon blanket, Crater Lake, Yellowstone, and Yosemite are the biggest sellers.
Each blanket comes with Stripes at the end of the blanket making them quite unique. It comes in a choice 9 colors which is highly attractive to have a choice of color when choosing your wool blanket. The measurement of the blanket is 80” x 90”. The queen size measures 90” x 90” and weighs 1 pound.
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5
Smartwool 2 in 1 Blanket
The Smartwool company has been smart, very smart. Making a wool blanket for camping that is compact, a travel-size whilst being lightweight makes sense when camping. Even if you are not hiking, compact is best when camping. The size of the blanket, when bundled up, is 15” x 15”, unfolded the full size is 48” x 58”. Bundled up it acts as a great pillow. Laid out as a blanket it is perfect for around the fire or for sleeping.
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6
Faribault Pure & Simple Wool Blanket
As the name suggests Pure and Simple is what this camping blanket is. Made from 100% merino wool, a fairly lightweight fiber that is breathable and has moisture-wicking properties.
Merino wool is extremely soft and warm. Another bonus, this blanket is machine washable and dry cleanable, you can even tumble dry it. It is available in three sizes of
twin - 66” x 96”
queen - 90” x 96”
king - 108” x 96”
This blanket is available in a choice of four colors, natural, moss, grey, or black. The weight of the three sizes are as follows
Twin - 3.0 lbs
Queen - (4.0lbs
king - 4.75lbs
We highly recommend this blanket as a lightweight, soft, and warm wool camping blanket.
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7
Desert Breeze Distributing
Alpaca and Sheep wool Blanket
This blanket is tried, tested, and highly recommended if you are looking for a soft blanket on the heavier side. With a blend of 50% Alpaca and 50% Merino wool, this blend makes for an extremely soft combination. The Alpaca wool is fine, soft, and straight. The merino wool is also fine & soft, but it has a natural crimp. Blending these two make for a thick, soft, warm, and breathable blanket. It comes in a choice of 3 sizes,
Twin size- 84 x 63 inches, weight - 4.2lbs
queen/full size - 72 x 88 inches, weight - 5.5lbs
King size - 86 x 103 inches, weight - 7.2 lbs.
It has reinforced bindings on the edges to increase durability. This blanket is again perfect for camping, glamping, around the fire, or around the house, it is well priced and will last for many many years of comfort.
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8
Filson Mackinaw Wool Blanket
This is a very durable blanket that will last many years. It is dense and will keep you warm in any climate. It is water-resistant and measures 6 x 14 x 22 inches. Highly recommended if you are looking for a cold-weather heavier durable blanket.
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Why Wool for a Camping Blanket
Firstly, The military still uses wool as the fabric for their blankets, even though technology has advanced with new synthetic (man-made) fabrics being produced daily. The reasons wool is perfect for your camping blanket are as follows.
1)Wool is one of the warmest materials available, it is also a breathable material, therefore it will not make you sweat as other synthetic materials do. As it is an extremely warm fiber, you don't need to wear as many layers. Naturally reacting to your body's temperature, wool will keep you warm in winter and cool in summer.
2)Wool is not toxic. If you are using 100% pure wool, it is soft on the skin and will not irritate (even sensitive skin) as other synthetic materials do. Bacteria don’t like wool and having a bacteria-free fiber against your skin is more desirable.. Having as many “bacteria-free products” on your campsite makes sense.
3)Wool is an extremely durable medium and the life expectancy of a wool blanket is around 10 years. 20 if you care for it well and use it mostly indoors.
4)Wool is stain resistant, great for use around a campfire, or when camping in general, we all know when camping we tend to get messy and dirty.
5)Wool maintains its insulation properties even when wet, this makes it a perfect option for camping as tents produce condensation.
Durability Versus Price
Investing in a quality wool blanket is a matter of comfort as well as safety. Being out in the elements can be unpredictable and you want to be prepared. Spending money on your warmth is definitely a must.
Size Versus Weight
The size depends on whether you will be sharing the blanket or using it alone, and the weight varies according to the size. Keep in mind, if there are 2 of you when hiking or backpacking it may be easier to share the load in your pack, carrying 2 single blankets, rather than one bulky load.
Care Requirements
When considering which wool blanket is best for you, think about how much time and money you are willing to put into the laundering and care of your wool blanket. If you don’t want to spend on dry cleaning, then a machine-washable blanket is best for you. Make sure after purchasing your wool blanket, the care instructions are followed to get longevity & the life expectancy out of the blanket.
