Best Wool Blankets for Camping “Hygge”

Overall Winner “Best Wool Blanket for Camping”

Woolrich Cavalry Blanket

The Woolrich Cavalry blanket may seem a bit unassuming at first glance, but it pairs some of the best specs that we encountered together in a way that elevates it above all but the most expensive options. That last part is important, too, as this wool camping blanket is not a costly option.

For example, this is one of the densest blankets that we encountered with 816 gsm of fabric, providing far more insulation and a more comfortable feel than most of the other options we reviewed. Not only does this camping blanket offer excellent insulation, but it also uses 85% wool and 15% nylon to maintain exceptional durability.

To further reinforce this camping blanket’s durability, it features selvedged edges and over seamed ends to prevent fibers from fraying after repeated use. On top of that, the Woolrich Cavalry blanket only weighs 3 lbs 6 oz, the second-lightest product on our list, and is one of the few options backpackers might want to consider.

Bottom Line: The Woolrich Cavalry wool blanket manages to walk the line by offering an extremely thick blanket to keep you warm at 816 gsm of fabric while still only weighing 3 lbs 6 oz.

Introduction

Many times when choosing camping gear, you often have to weigh the value of the item with its size and weight (literally if you are backpacking). Of course, sometimes you just want to be as comfortable while camping as it can be.

A great example of this is with camping blankets where many of the high-end blankets use a host of synthetic materials that perform well for particular circumstances. However, this may lead to these premium camping blankets being best suited to accommodate specific camping needs, resulting in them being less appropriate in certain situations.

That is why we put together a list of the seven best wool blankets for camping, identifying what each entry does best. We also provide a helpful buyer’s guide so that you can find the best wool blanket for your next camping trip.

Why Choose a woolen blanket?

As alluded to in the introduction, many camping gear manufacturers use different synthetic materials to drop the weight and packed size of their gear. This applies to camp blankets as well, but this can create a situation where the blanket performs its task but still leaves you wanting more.

The main reason to choose a woolen blanket over other materials comes down to simple comfort with wool, often feeling softer than other materials. On top of that, wool does not make noise when moved or rubbed against itself, unlike many high-end camping blanket materials.

As if that were not enough, wool also insulates better than many synthetic materials and does so even when wet– unlike some of its alternatives. That said, the main reason manufacturers use those materials comes down to the weight of wool, which is one of the densest fibers used for camping blankets.

Features To Look For In Woolen Camping Blankets

Size & Weight

Compared to other camping blankets, there is no getting around the fact that a wool blanket will weigh more than a comparable blanket made to cut weight. However, even camping blankets that do not use materials specifically to reduce weight will tend to be lighter than wool blankets making the latter a poor choice for backpackers.

At the other end of the spectrum, wool blankets also do not pack as well as many other camping blankets for a similar reason: wool is heavy because of how thick it is. Instead, wool blankets are best used for warmth and comfort, which is why so many of them tend to have a large spread that is equally great for lying on or under.

Materials

Fiber Blend

• Wool – This is the reason that you are here, and you should not accept a blanket with less than 80% wool content for its blend. Keep in mind, you do not necessarily need to look for the highest wool content as other materials add to the overall qualities of the blanket that wool alone cannot. This is especially true of longevity since wool fibers are incredibly short and generally require some kind of blend to stay woven over extended use.
• Cotton – Cotton can serve a couple of purposes within a wool blend, but one of the most obvious is the ability to extend the fibers. This makes it easier to weave the wool without worrying that the fibers will eventually come undone and shed while also increasing the fabric blend’s general durability. It also does not hurt that cotton is inexpensive, though a wool/cotton blend will not be as naturally water-resistant as other blends.
• Synthetic – This is the most common material used for wool blends with different synthetic fibers that can be used to accomplish different goals. For example, synthetic materials can be used to extend the length of the fibers without losing any of the natural water-resistance, especially polyester. On the other hand, synthetic fibers do not trap as much heat as other fiber blends, though they are more durable.

Type of Wool

• Mackinaw – There are many types of wool, but most of them are not ideal for camping blankets either because they are not made for durability, or they are not made for comfort. One of the few types of wool to buck this trend is Mackinaw wool, which is not only incredibly durable and more naturally water-resistant than many other types of wool, but it has been used for blankets and clothing since its creation.
• Merino – Merino is another common type of wool used for clothing or blankets, but this type of wool favors comfort more than durability. This is not to suggest that Merino wool is fragile or flimsy, but it does not impart additional durability over other materials. On the other hand, Merino is often one of the softest types of wool that does not cost as much as premium materials like Cashmere.

Cost vs. Durability

Unfortunately, there is not as much of a correlation between the cost of a wool blanket and its durability. That said, more expensive wool blankets tend to be more durable than cheap models, but this premise only holds to a point.

Once you reach the mid-tier of wool blankets, the cost may not necessarily represent the durability of the product. It may instead represent other factors like materials, extra features, or even the brand. As such, it is a poor idea to choose the most expensive camping blanket with the notion that its price means it is more durable.

Looking to make your time round the campsite cosier?

• Having a great backpacking sleeping bag is one sure fire way to ensure you wake up well-rested and ready to hike.
• For those that hate sleeping on the pads, then check out our guide to the best camping cot!
• Nothing says relax like an awesome backpacking chair – arrive, pitch, then sit back and enjoy the view!

Best Wool Blankets for Camping: The Results

Arcturus Military Wool Blanket

Most Compact Blanket for Camping

For the Arcturus Military blanket, you do not have to worry about your wallet as this is an inexpensive option that fits pretty much anyone’s budget. Even better, the Arcturus Military wool blanket packs down to 16″ x 11″ x 4″, making it one of the more all-around compact options on our list.

To keep your warm, you do not get the top-tier specs you find with premium wool blankets, but the Arcturus still offers a respectable 550 gsm of fabric. On top of that, the Arcturus Military wool blanket employs a solid construction that pairs a loom-woven body with hemmed sides to increase its durability.

Unfortunately, this is not a good blanket for backpackers as the 4 lbs 8 oz weight is the second-heaviest that we reviewed. The Arcturus Military blanket is also on the smaller side with a spread of only 88″ x 64,” and the blanket is made from 80% wool– the lowest wool ratio on our list.

Bottom Line: If you are limited on space and do not mind carrying an extra pound or so, the Arcturus Military wool blanket packs smaller than most while still offering solid specs.

Pendleton Twin Wool Camp Blanket

Premium Pick

Pendleton is noted for being a premium maker of many different fabric products, but their wool blankets rise to the top thanks to features you do not generally see. For example, the Pendleton Yakima blanket is easily the most portable option on our list thanks to its travel straps that are sewn and riveted onto the blanket.

However, Pendleton is not content to rely on a convenient carrying package alone to make their blanket the most portable and is also the lightest entry on our list at only 3 lbs. To make this blanket even more portable, the Pendleton Yakima camping blanket packs up smaller than most of the competition to only 16″ x 9″ x 9″.

Unfortunately, as a maker of high-end premium products, this camping blanket is has a higher price tag, which is probably to be expected as it only uses natural fibers and includes a wool content of 86%.

Bottom Line: For a high quality wool blanket to keep you warm in cold weather, then you shouldn’t overlook the Pendleton Twin Wool Camp Blanket.

EKTOS 90% Wool Blanket

Best Budget Option

EKTOS is interesting in that it is the only company on our list that specializes exclusively in wool camping blankets but can still manage to keep their prices low. As if that were not enough, this camping blanket is also one of the largest that we encountered with a spread of 90″ x 66″ without being too heavy.

While this camping blanket might not cost that much, EKTOS still made it a point to provide a solid construction with the inclusion of overlocked edges to improve durability. On top of that, the EKTOS wool blanket has one of the highest wool ratios on our list at an impressive 90%.

Of course, budget-friendly products always have to pay for their cost in some way, and with the EKTOS wool blanket, that cost comes in wool quality. First, this camping blanket is not as warm as its competitors, despite using 90% wool, and it tends to feel far itchier than the other models we reviewed too.

Bottom Line: The EKTOS wool blanket is a solid choice for shoppers on a budget as it provides plenty of space and uses 90% wool with overlocked edges for durability.

Filson Mackinaw Blanket

Warmest Wool Blanket for Cold Weather

Filson is another company noted for making high-end products out of a wide variety of materials but takes the cake with its dense wool camping blanket. Specifically, the Filson Mackinaw blanket has the thickest thread count we found with 1190 gsm of fabric, which is over 300 gsm more than the next closest competitor.

Putting that into perspective, a 300 gsm blanket is about as dense as a low-end wool camping blanket, which means that the Filson Mackinaw blanket is as warm as 2 blankets in 1. Of course, the premium quality does not end with the blanket’s density as the Filson also uses 100% Mackinaw wool, which is naturally extremely water-resistant.

Of course, the use of so many high-end materials has its cost, and with the Filson Mackinaw blanket, that cost is literal as this is an expensive blanket. On top of that, this option is not for backpackers as it weighs 6 lbs, though it is one of the largest camping blankets on our list with a 90″ x 72″ spread.

Bottom Line: The Filson Mackinaw is a quality wool blanket that provides an incredible 1190 gsm of 100% Mackinaw wool across a large 72″ x 90″ spread with heavy duty durable edges.

Woolly Mammoth Explorer Woolen Blanket

Best Value Option

Woolly Mammoth is another company that specializes exclusively in wool camping blankets, with the Explorer being an excellent all-around option that sits in the middle of price and quality. Of course, this blanket still offers exceptional value with a broad spread of 90″ x 60″.

Even better, this is the only blanket on our list that uses Merino wool with a blend of 80% wool, 15% nylon and polyester blend, and 5% acrylic for increased durability. The Wooly Mammoth Explorer blanket employs a twill weave with a milled finish and while double-stitching the edges to increase durability.

Unfortunately, the Woolly Mammoth Explorer blanket misses its mark with these additions as this entry tends to shed more than most– especially during and after washing it. Additionally, despite the use of Merino wool, the blanket can feel a little itchy and uncomfortable to sit on compared to the high price options.

Bottom Line: The Woolly Mammoth is a good blanket that doesn’t excel in any particular area, but provides a large spread and robust construction made of 80% Merino wool.

Woolrich Cavalry Blanket

Best Wool Blanket for Camping

Woolrich is another company that makes many products from fabrics and leather, but the company’s competitive pricing combined with great specs makes this model the best all-around blanket we found. A great example of this is the blanket’s density, which is the second-thickest on our list at 816 gsm.

What is even more surprising is that Woolrich managed to make such a sumptuous and warm blanket while still also being the second-lightest that we reviewed at only 3 lbs 6 oz. Even better, the Woolrich Cavalry blanket is made in the USA with a fiber blend of 85% wool and 15% nylon.

One thing that is a bit inconvenient is that this wool camping blanket can only be cleaned using dry cleaners, so no washing machine, and not even a hand wash with cold water. On top of that, the Woolrich Cavalry blanket is one of the smallest options that we reviewed with a spread of only 80″ x 66″.

Bottom Line: The Woolrich Cavalry blanket is reasonably priced while still providing a thick 816 gsm of 85% wool while still only tipping the scales at a low 3 lbs 6 oz.

Pendleton Eco-Wise Wool Blanket

Best Sustainable Wool Blanket for Camping

Pendleton makes another appearance on our list, but this time the company focuses less on portability and more on sustainability. To that point, the Pendleton Eco-Wise wool camping blanket is the only model that we reviewed, which tracks every step of its manufacturing process, including transportation, to meet strict eco-friendly standards.

Of course, as a Pendleton, this blanket offers plenty of high-end quality on top of that as well as one of the largest spreads that we came across of 96″ x 66″. And while the Pendleton Eco-Wise wool blanket may not meet backpacking weight standards, it still packs down to a compact 18″ x 16″ x 5 ½”.

That said, Pendleton is a premium company, and its products are priced as such, though this blanket is made out of 100% virgin wool. The only real downside with the Pendleton Eco-Wise, although it can be washed at home in a washing machine, it can shrink if you aren’t ultra-careful.

Bottom Line: If you want a sustainable blanket that still provides excellent performance, the Pendleton Eco-Wise has a larger spread, is made of 100% wool, and packs down smaller than most.

Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API