Camping has always been a family tradition of mine. My grandfather used to take his kids’ camping, and my father took my siblings and me at least once a year. Just hearing the word camping reminds me of a chilly winter night, a secluded spot in the woods, a fire burning to keep you warm, and of course, smores.
It would be a competition for who could set up their tent fastest, and the winner was awarded extra smores. Let us not forget the most significant part of the tradition: cuddling up in blankets and telling horror stories.
This one particular tale that will haunt all of my nightmares was about a phantom that would come to your campsite, blow out the fire, and take the child who woke up and looked into her pure white eyes. That night, coincidentally, our fire did go out, and I squeezed my eyes shut for as long as I could.
When I decided to revive the tradition with my children, keeping them warm was my main concern. Wool blankets are the perfect way to achieve that, and you can find a list of them compiled for your convenience.
Best Wool Blanket for Camping
Pendleton Yakima Camp Blanket
This Pendleton blanket is one of the most elite recommendations I will provide. It is made up of 82% wool and is big enough to fit two people. If you have a personality similar to mine and hate sharing blankets, that is completely fine as well. You can easily cocoon only yourself in this blanket and feel like you are receiving a warm hug.
The key to a great blanket is having stripes running down its length. I joke. While functionality-wise, that might not a feature to boast about, but it does look aesthetically pleasing. I hold the opinion that the stripes make you feel cozier.
Aesthetics aside, the actual key is having a blanket that keeps you adequately warm and prevents overheating. This camp blanket does precisely that.
Arcturus Military Wool Blanket
Do not be thrown off by the name; you do not have to join the military to gain access to this blanket; it is just the name of the color, which is ‘military gray.’ If it helps, there are two other colors also available: navy and green.
Considering this is made of 80% wool and has a satisfactory size, you can drape it over yourself and a friend while sitting next to the fire.
Do not worry; even if you are very close to the fire, this blanket is made of fire-retardant material. Short of actually stepping into the flames, you will not catch alight. The material is also hypoallergenic; that is, it will not cause any adverse reactions.
EKTOS Wool Blanket
When you think of the perfect blanket, the last thing you want is for it to be scratchy. Can you imagine the texture of a carpet for a blanket? With EKTOS, you can set your fears aside. Not only is the blanket soft, comfortable, and itch-free, but it also will not absorb any pungent odors.
These are manufactured on a loom and have an 80% wool content. The edges are sewn to avert fraying, and the blanket is durable for even harsh environments. It is the ideal weight: not to heavy that you feel weighed down, but weighty enough that you feel a substantial amount of insulation.
Do keep in mind that this blanket should only be hand-washed after it has done its job in protecting you from fire and water.
Woolly Mammoth Woolen Co. Extra Large Merino Wool Camp Blanket
You might make the mistake of not checking weather conditions before going out camping. All is not lost if it rains; this merino wool blanket will come to your rescue with its water-resistance function. Due to its large size, it can easily cover two people and keep them warm. Since wool has breathable properties as well, you will instantly be heated up.
This blanket can also last you for years. When being used outdoors, it is dense enough to survive encounters with mean plants and bushes. The edges are also double stitched to maintain shape. The blanket is made of 80% wool, and combined with polyester and nylon; its longevity increases.
Northwest Minus33 White Mountain Woolen Camp Blanket
Hearing the word ‘blanket,’ this is the picture that first pops into your mind.
You are off from school and on summer vacations, you go visit your grandparents, and they decide on an impromptu camping trip. They search the upper cabins in their closets to pull out an array of these same blankets. They are plaid, often in a variety of colors such as red, blue, and green.
Fully prepared with your gear, you set off into the woods. As night falls, these blankets are brought out. You wrap yourselves in the softness and feel at peace with a cup of hot chocolate in your hands.
These are pure nostalgia. You can even fall asleep right next to the campfire with this blanket without having to worry about the flames trying to burn you.
Eddie Bauer Ridgeline Lodge Reversible Wool Blanket
If you have children, you will relate to what I am talking about when I say they will find one way or another to make a mess. Other than wrapping the kiddos up in cling film, I have no solutions for this issue.
However, it does help to have invertible clothing. Have grass stains on one side of a jacket? No problem, fold it inwards.
The same goes for this blanket. Were your kids rolling around in the dirt? Not an issue; you can invert the blanket to a cleaner side. Since this blanket also has a higher percentage of polyester as compared to wool, you can throw this in the machine for easy washing.
Stansport 1243 Wool Blanket
If you live in colder places, or you go camping in mountainous areas where the temperature drops low, then this blanket is perfect for you. Being 4 pounds, it slightly weighty but will retain heat to keep you toasty. Even during a drizzle or light snowfall, you will remain moisture-free.
For the even colder nights, you can fold the blanket around your sleeping bag for extra heat and protection. You might need to gently wash this blanket before use to get rid of the fire-retardant chemical this has been treated with.
EverOne Wool Fire-Retardant Blanket
One great thing about this blanket is that it is oversized yet can be folded neatly to fit inside a backpack. For all the tall people who find their toes sticking out of blankets, this one is for you. You will no longer have to choose between keeping your legs or neck warm.
The blanket is made of 52% wool to allow it to resist fire and dampness. It is also pretty lightweight and will not feel like an extra load while carrying it to the campsite.
Orion Outpost Trading Co. Vestige Military Wool Blanket
This blanket was designed while keeping military conditions in mind. Not only that, it looks very sleek with the colored piping and monogrammed ‘O.’ A factor that stands out about this company is that they will donate one blanket for every one you purchase.
The blanket, made of 80% wool, will navigate through both cold and hot weather. It will keep you cool by absorbing moisture or warm by retaining heat.
Plus, along with resisting fire, it also acts as a repellant for bugs. You do not have to worry about a pest crawling into your safe space.
Ever Ready Olive Green Wool Fire-Retardant Blanket
At times you will read that a blanket is made to cover two people, and you will feel sad that you have no one to share it with. Let me tell you a hack for this. When you go on a camping trip, and the temperature drops at night, look for a person who did not bring a blanket. You offer to share yours and viola; you have a blanket buddy.
This blanket will trap body heat and keep you warm as well as dry throughout the night. It has an 80% wool content that makes the blanket gentle.
Considering it has an olive green color, it is also perfect for camouflaging yourself in the trees and scaring passersby.
Best Wool Blanket for Camping Buying Guide
I bet you are already itching to buy a blanket and head off into the wilderness. I think it is necessary to unplug yourself from life once in a while and relish in the beauty of nature. It is also a great way to reconnect with friends and family.
However, before making a purchase, there are certain factors you should keep in mind:
Size – Blankets come in a range of sizes. Usually, the measurements will be given in inches. Or, it will be mentioned whether this can cover a queen-sized or twin-sized bed. If you want a large blanket for yourself, you are free to feel as cozy as possible.
However, if you need a smaller blanket, do make sure you check the dimensions.
Patterns – Some people might not feel like this is an important consideration, so those people can buy plain green/grey/blue blankets. For those that appreciate aesthetics, you can buy a plaid pattern for nostalgic reasons, an embroidered border for the sleekness, or stripes because you can never go wrong with stripes.
They also come in a variety of colors. You can pick your favorite and feel satisfied every time you use it. There will also be a combination of colors that will brighten up your trip.
Breathability – This factor is two-pronged. A breathable blanket will keep you warm in colder temperatures as it retains heat. It will also keep you cool in warmer climates as air passes through it. You do not have to worry about overheating and getting sweaty in either case.
Hypoallergenic – If you have allergies that get easily triggered, your blanket must be hypoallergenic. This means that the fabric will not cause any adverse reactions, including skin rashes or trouble breathing.
Density – It is entirely up to your preference and the location of the campsite of whether you need a thick or a light blanket. If you want the bulk feature to be present, wool is your best option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should my blanket be made of 100% wool?
There are two contextual factors here to consider. Firstly, you are going camping. Generally, synthetic materials like nylon and polyester are mixed in so the blanket can be durable in the outside environment. If you were buying a blanket for your home, I might have suggested a 100% wool content.
But, as you will be spending most of your time with the blanket outdoors, where it is next to impossible to protect it from harshness, about 50-80% of wool content would suit your needs better.
Secondly, unless it is a very high-quality wool, higher wool content can result in itchiness. The material is mixed to prevent this. The higher quality you opt for, the more expensive it is going to be. Again, since you will most likely use it outside, the mixture of materials would work best.
Can I wash a wool blanket?
While some blankets will come with the instructions that they are machine washable, I would still suggest you wash them by hand so they can last longer. Washing itself also needs to be a very delicate process, and I recommend doing this in a tub.
Fill the tub with tepid water, and mix in a mild detergent. Place the blanket in the tub and let it soak for a few hours. You do not need to rub the blanket; it would result in fibers to unravel. Drain the tub and softly push on the blanket to get excess water out.
Fill the tub with clean water again and soak the blanket till all the detergent rinses out. Dry it using the same gentle squeezing.
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