Best Survival Blankets for Emergencies
A survival blanket satisfies a pretty big survival requirement: shelter. Most of the time, we consider shelter to be our home or a tent in the woods. Shelter, as related to survival, actually includes tarps, blankets, and clothes. This may come as a surprise, but the word shelter literally means a “refuge, haven, or other cover or protection from something.” In the case of survival, this can mean anything from a downed tree trunk or cave to a raincoat and everything in between. There are several options to consider when it comes to survival blankets: brands, materials, etc.
This is where we come in. We’ve researched the best survival blankets, tested each of them, and now the results are in: the overall best, the best mylar option, and the best wool option. If you need an insulating blanket that will keep you warm in a survival situation, one of our picks will keep you covered.
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In this latest update of the best survival blankets, more pictures and testing data have been added. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Disclosure»
Best Survival Blanket
Arcturus Survival Blanket
Tough, Warm, and Versatile
This blanket combines the toughness of a tarp with the thermal retention of mylar to give us the best overall solution.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
A tarp doesn’t have great thermal properties unless you use it as a shell to stuff insulating material. The folks over at Arcturus can save you all of that trouble with their survival blanket. Adding a reflective layer as a third layer makes this the most versatile solution we tested, and gives it great functionality as a thermal blanket.
Specifications
- Color Options: 8
- Size: 5′ x 7′ (verified with a tape measure)
- Material: 3 layers of 100% polypropylene for durability
- Attachments: 4 grommets for tie down
- Weight: 15.8 ounces
- Manufactured: China
By laminating the bottom of a tarp with heat-reflective mylar, this survival blanket overcomes typical emergency blanket durability issues while bringing the versatility of a survival tarp. The grommeted and reinforced corners make it a formidable polytarp on its own.
It does take up more space than both of our other options, significantly more than a regular mylar blanket. Tarps are typically considered essential for bug out bags and survival kits, so this blanket is versatile enough to cover both bases. In my own kit, I carry a lightweight rain-fly style tarp for element protection, and this very blanket to use as a thermal ground tarp or blanket. I made up for adding weight and size here by reducing the tarp (or tent) weight.
The blanket also comes with a zippered bag, but I could take it or leave it inside a survival kit. The blanket holds its shape well and conforms to other gear without having much to snag on, so it doesn’t need a protective bag.
Grab an Arcturus Survival Blanket for your kit for a big versatility boost in a small package. You’ll see this blanket pop up on our gift guides as well- count us as fans.
Best Mylar Blanket
Everlit Mylar Blanket
Light, Small, and Warm
Space-age technology in a tiny preparedness packet that you’ll want to stash in every survival kit.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Space blankets, mylar blankets, emergency blankets- whatever you choose to call them, one of the main considerations here is cost. Depending on how many you are buying, you really shouldn’t be spending more than $2 each for these. If you are buying in 10+ bulk, it is pretty easy to find them for less than $0.50 each.
Specifications
- Size: 52″ x 82″ (verified with a tape measure)
- Material: 12-micron mylar (verified with a micrometer)
- Weight: 0.5 ounces (each)
- Manufactured: China
There are a few quality considerations, but it’s pretty easy to avoid poor quality options just by sticking to established brands. That’s why Everlit is a great choice, and provides consistent quality mylar blankets in the bulk packs we tested. To check the thickness with the calipers, we had to fold them several times to get them within tolerance.
Everlit is also a veteran-owned company. That may or may not matter to you, but we appreciate our fellow vets.
Stash an Everlit Mylar Blanket in all of your kits for a fast, cheap shelter solution.
Best Wool Survival Blanket
Ever-Ready Wool Blanket
Comfortable, Warm, and Proven
The survival blanket people have used for a millennium has been darn near perfected.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
Wool has been great for as long as we’ve been stealing it off sheep, and it’ll continue to be a great option. 100% wool is tough to find, and mixing a small blend of synthetics can actually help it hold its shape and improve other properties as well.
Specifications
- Size: 66″ x 90″ (we verified with a tape measure)
- Material: 80% wool
- Weight: 3.5 pounds
- Manufactured: India
80% wool is pretty much the sweet spot and where you’ll find most military blankets. Be wary of anything below this wool content. The overlock stitch around the edge is crucial because wool and wool blends can easily stretch. It also helps prevent the blanket from fraying.
The blanket does shed in the wash, but it has no chemical smell like other wool blankets have. Use wool detergent rather than your regular detergent for best results, and only wash it if it is very dirty- otherwise, you can spot clean. Washers with center agitators can tear the blanket up. My washer is a top loader, and I didn’t have any issues other than some light shedding, which is expected for this much wool. Hang or line dry- don’t use your dryer or fabric softener.
If you are looking for a substantial blanket that can retain heat even when it is soaking wet, pick up an Ever-Ready Wool Blanket.
Comparison Table
| Survival Blanket | Recommendation | Price* | Quantity | Material | Size | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcturus Survival | Best Overall | $23 | 1 | Polypropylene | 60″ x 84″ | 15.8 oz |
| Everlit | Best Mylar for Emergencies | $7 | 4 | Mylar | 52″ x 82″ | 2 oz |
| Ever-Ready Wool | Best for Comfort/Reuse | $26 | 1 | 80% Wool | 66″ x 90″ | 56 oz |
| Mart Cobra Thermal | $7 | 4 | Mylar | 52″ x 82″ | 2 oz | |
| Swiss Safe | $8 | 4 | Mylar | 52″ x 82″ | 2 oz | |
| SOL Emergency XL | $19 | 1 | Mylar | 58″ x 98″ | 3.2 oz | |
| UST Survival 2.0 | $25 | 1 | Polyethylene | 60″ x 83″ | 14 oz | |
| Stansport Wool | $27 | 1 | 55% Wool | 60″ x 80″ | 55 oz | |
| Arcturus Wool | $40 | 1 | 80% Wool | 64″ x 88″ | 72 oz |
How I Tested
Our research narrowed the field down to several blankets that we tested: Arcturus, Everlit, Swiss Safe, SOL, Primacare, Grabber, and more.
You can see our full list of review criteria below in the What to Look For section, with an explanation for each.
We focused on blankets and excluded conventional and backpacking tarps. Those have their own review roundup, and are great for serving similar purposes:
I tested the various survival blankets with practical use and measurements. I measured their dimensions with a measuring board, measuring tape, and micrometer for thickness.
To check how well a blanket works thermally, I relied on the FLIR thermal camera. I used these cameras as an engineer for similar purposes, so it was interesting to see how well the various blankets insulated body heat.
Why Trust TruePrepper
Emergency blankets are an essential part of your shelter supplies, keeping you warm and covered from the elements in a variety of situations. They range from small, lightweight, single-use blankets to heavy-duty and more comfortable blankets.
I’m Sean Gold, the founder of TruePrepper, with a degree in Emergency Management. I also developed emergency plans in my time in the Air Force and designed deployment go-bags as a Unit Deployment Manager.
I’ve been testing survival blankets for eight years now. Mylar blankets are the most common and affordable, but I’m familiar with the military-style wool blankets from my time in the Air Force. I’ve also been testing the laminated tarp blankets since Grabber first introduced them- now there are plenty of competitors with different material constructions.
What to Look For
The best survival blankets have several important features to look for:
- Value
- Material
- Thermal Properties
- Durability
- Versatility
When you get the right blend of these, you can find a reliable blanket that will keep you warm in any condition. Below, we break down what each of these features means for blankets that set themselves apart.
Value: Cost vs. Benefit
The amount of money you spend on something like a blanket shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. Please don’t go overboard or overdo it. Budget according to your risk and your needs, rather than just spending lavishly.
On the flip side, you don’t want to go too cheap or just plain get the wrong thing. If the blanket is paper-thin and falls apart with light use, it’s not going to last more than a few days, much less an entire season in a survival situation.
You never want to spend too much money on one resource, especially something like a blanket. It’s better to diversify your preparedness gear to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios. There is a sweet spot where you get high value with not too high a price, which is where our top pick sits.
Material
Blanket materials can vary widely, and many of them have unique pros and cons. This is why we suggest three different types of survival blankets- insulated polypropylene, mylar, and wool blend.
- Mylar emergency blankets: These blankets are made of a thin, reflective material that can help retain body heat. They are lightweight and compact, making them easy to carry and store.
- Wool blankets: Wool is a natural fiber that is known for its warmth and durability. Wool blankets are heavier and bulkier than Mylar blankets, but they can provide better warmth and protection in cold weather.
- Synthetic blankets: Synthetic materials, such as polyester and fleece, are lightweight, quick-drying, and easy to care for. Synthetic blankets are a good option for people who want a blanket that is easy to pack and maintain.
- Tarpaulin blankets: Polypropylene tarps repurposed as blankets with integrated thermal barriers are relatively new, but offer superior versatility compared to other options.
Ultimately, the best survival blanket material is the one that meets your specific needs and preferences.
Thermal Properties
The thermal functionality of a survival blanket is the most important consideration when picking the one you will rely on. The main use for a survival blanket is pretty straightforward: to insulate your body and provide warmth. Each of the options we list provides warmth but at varying degrees of effectiveness. Most of the blankets are still able to be used when wet, but may not provide as much warmth. Some are better at lower temperatures than others.
The coverage area can also affect how well a blanket performs. The wool blanket performs exceptionally well as far as traditional functionality, although it is larger, bulkier, and heavier than the others. This brings us to a big point on versatility.
Versatility
If a blanket does more than just keep you warm, you are using a versatile blanket. Our list is no exception, with each blanket having more than just the single use of keeping you warm. Balancing how a blanket performs versus how much room it takes in a bug out bag is a versatility consideration. Getting the best functionality out of the smallest package is an important factor where size and weight matter. The Mylar blanket and All Weather blanket pick up high marks in this category since they are very small and light, and have a few more uses than the other blankets. The Mylar blanket is easily adaptable to most situations where you need warmth.
You can cut it to any size and line clothes with it. Technically, you could do this with any of the blankets, but the Mylar cost is so low, and it is so lightweight and small that you could store multiple in your kit. You can even use the Mylar blankets to seal things airtight with an iron. It is truly the Swiss army knife of survival blankets.
The All-Weather blanket has built-in grommets and can block wind, sun, and rain when set up as a tarp shelter. This lets you accomplish other tasks without being encumbered by a bulky blanket. It is also hefty enough to be used as a sling to carry other resources, such as firewood. The wool blanket has some versatility, but not by design. The Mylar blanket, All Weather blanket, and pocket blanket have an advantage here because they were engineered to be versatile.
Mylar blankets are also extremely lightweight, adding some versatility in that they can go into any survival kit or bug out bag with minimal weight (or budget) impact.
Durability
Having a blanket that doesn’t go the distance with you can be problematic. Even the worry that your blanket could tear or be compromised can stay in your mind when you need to be focused. This is where the pocket blanket and especially the Mylar blanket get lower scores. You can make up for this using redundancy. Redundancy is just carrying multiple types of blankets, but when it comes down to it, you just don’t want your equipment failing in the field. The wool blanket can suffer from stretching and snagging, which puts the Arcturus blanket ahead in the category of durability.
In this video, Shawn Kelly comes to the same conclusion we did, comparing Arcturus and our previous top pick: Grabber:
How to Use a Survival Blanket
To use a survival blanket, follow these steps:
- Take the blanket out of its packaging and unfold it.
- Lie down on the ground and cover yourself with the blanket, making sure that your entire body is covered.
- Use the corners of the blanket to secure it in place, either by tucking them under your body or by using them to hold the blanket in place.
- If the weather is particularly cold, you can use additional layers of clothing or blankets to help keep yourself warm.
- Stay covered and try to conserve body heat by staying as still as possible.
It’s important to remember that a survival blanket is not a substitute for proper shelter and warmth in extreme weather conditions. It should only be used in an emergency situation as a temporary measure until a more suitable shelter can be found.
Who Needs a Survival Blanket?
A blanket is one of the necessary pieces of equipment in several kits. A good survival blanket can come in handy in almost any survival situation. It is more versatile than a tent and can provide much-needed shelter just the same.
We consider survival blankets essential for your:
A mylar blanket is specifically essential for your:
There are a ton of uses, so it is very unlikely that you will regret adding one to your kit.
How We Review Products: We research thoroughly before selecting the best products to review. We have vast prepping and survival experience and bring in outside experts when needed. Hours on end are spent testing gear in stressful conditions and using specialized testing gear to verify claims. We assign performance criteria and impartially rate each tested item. Learn more about how we test.
Sources & References
All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best survival blankets is useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical survival experience:
Beeghly, A., et al. (2010). A Comparison of Survival Blankets in Cool Ambient Temperature. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine. Volume 21. Issue 4. Pages 373. (Source)
Isser, M., et al. (2020). High Tensile Strength Increases Multifunctional Use of Survival Blankets in Wilderness Emergencies. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine. Volume 31. Issue 2. Pages 215 – 219. (Source)
Kranebitter, H., et al. (2020). Rescue Blankets-Transmission and Reflectivity of Electromagnetic Radiation. Coatings. Volume 10. Issue 4. Page 375. (Source)
Conclusion
Heat retention can save your life in extremely cold environments. Wherever you are packing your survival blanket, be sure to have enough to go around. Being over-prepared is always better than being under-prepared, especially when it comes to survival.
Our readers have also found these articles helpful:
- The Survival Rule of 3 | Air, Shelter, Water, & Food
- The Best Ferro Rod for Survival Fire Starting
- Bug Out Bag List | 44 Essentials
See more of our expert-written guides, resources, and reviews in your search results – add TruePrepper as a preferred source.
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what do you think about lining an all-weather with a wool blanket? would it double the effectiveness or would it lessen the effectiveness of the mylar?
It would lessen the effect of the mylar to a degree- it wouldn’t be twice as effective. You want to keep the mylar surface close to your body, so the opposite (line a wool blanket with an all-weather) would work a little bit better. Mylar is designed to reflect heat and needs to be close to the heat source (body).
Can I wash the emergency blankets?