Good Quality Wool Blanket.

[KenThis]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a good quality wool blanket to be used as a make shift sleeping bag in the summer (folded over and sleep on one half with the other covering you) and as an extra layer for hammock camping in the winter.
I'm not too bothered about weight or bulk as I won't be carrying it very far, and the majority of the time it will sit in the car.
As a rule I tend to shy away from the military look and surplus equipment but after trying to find a civilian camping blanket it might be the only route.
I have no experience with buying ex-military gear and after a little research it seems there are an awful lot of knockoffs that should generally be avoided.

My budget is flexible-ish and I'm willing to save up to get the right blanket, for me quality trumps economy.
I'm 6'4" with a figure closer to Big Daddy than I would like, so I was thinking something close to 2m x 2m would be good.
Having read on the forums people like endicotts I had a look there and saw this
http://www.endicotts.co.uk/content/norwegian-patt-woollen-blanket-grey

Is this any good?

Does anyone have any better suggestions?

People with wool blankets what do you use?

Is merino wool really worth the expense?

I'm interested in any and all information anyone can give me and apologies if this has been gone over before.

Cheers Ken

 

[Nic Le Becheur]

Hi Ken,

I use a French army woollen blanket I think I paid £15 for on eBay a year or two ago. It's 200cm x 150cm, and in cold weather I layer it between a British army doss bag and liner. The whole shebang straps up inside an WW2 army officer canvas bedroll/bivi and I've been cosy down to -5c or below.

I am generally a fan of old army kit (if you hadn't guessed!) and, being also tight, can't comment on the merits of merino wool.

The Endicott blanket, if it's genuine Norwegian army, will be a good buy. Best ring or email them to check.

Hope that helps,

Nick.

 

[Man of Tanith]

If endicotts say its norweigen army then its norweigen army without a shadow of a doubt.
Kev knows his surplus

I use 2 blankets most the year. A dutch army sup (now rarer than a diamond in rocking horse poop) and a merino wool one.
Merino is lighter than army sup and almost as warm.
I usually sleep in the merino one wrapped in a diamond lay the ln have the dutch one to sleep on top of. If it gets chilly i can then get into the dutch one whilst still in the merino blanket

 

[mousey]

I asked in a local charity shop - "I've got a Witney blanket at home I was going to give in but wanted to make sure it was going to a 'good person'" said the lady behind the counter. A couple of days later I went in and a huge blanket was set aside behind the counter for me - price?, free. .

It helps to pop in to a charity shop occasionally, find one where the folks behind the counter are nice and talkative, talk nicely to them every now and then, and there's no end of bargains that come around

Anyway Witney blankets are supposed to be pretty good.

 

[ammo]

A good all wool blanket, should weigh over 4lb, depending on size.
Remember the construction of the blanket, affects the use. A loose weave will be warmer in a room than a tight weave, though the tight weave is more wind resistant, so will be warmer outdoors.
If using two, put the tightest woven one, on the outside.
Hudson Bay Company.
Whitney.
Filson.
Pendleton.
Johnathan Atkinson.
Hainsworth.
These are amongst the very best blankets you can get.
Italian Army Wool blanket on Ebay for £36.50 is very good, even the copies, (Rothco) are good.

 

[Hibrion]

If you hve a look through my past threads I did a write-up on some handmade trade blankets from Germany. They are very nice quality, warm and thick.

I'm just on my phone here otherwise I'd find the link and copy it for you.

 

[Twodogs]

These will all do the job

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/grey-army-blankets-/262599580332?hash=item3d24279aac:g:dugAAOSwY0lXRARB

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Belgian-A...027012?hash=item41b0ad61c4:g:j5IAAOSwL7VWlkrw

These are very good 100% wool ,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Military-...118843?hash=item1a175cf97b:g:hPIAAOSwARZXjeTv

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original-...411581?hash=item236b33ca3d:g:uTcAAOSwOVpXWWwK

 

[Twodogs]

An other option due to your size are these

http://www.militarymart.co.uk/blanket-super-soft-xl-mitre-brand.html

Or get your money out and go down the " Hudson bay " six point route

 

[KenThis]

Cheers for the info everyone.
I'm still undecided but I'm leaning more towards a store than ebay.
Also I think I'd prefer a grey/green/blue etc, rather than the tan military mart blanket.
Anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[Twodogs]

The problem you will find is military blankets tend to be single size so for good coverage you may need two...

Twodogs

 

[Jared]

Faribault Woolen Mill

http://www.faribaultmill.com/collec...e-wool-blanket-olive-green?variant=4292418372

No idea if anyone stocks them over here.


If decide Hudson Bay, you used to be order via email and they'd get it sent direct from the mill in England for like £15 for delivery.