Wool Blanket (min. 80% wool; min. 4lbs weight)

This is the number one best possible article you can bring for shelter/warmth. It is better to pack a wool blanket than separate additional articles of clothing or even a sleeping bag.

Wool is naturally water repellent due to the lanolin in the wool fiber, and even when wet, wool will continue to maintain its insulating properties. Wool is fire retardant, and is much safer around fires than synthetic blankets or other shelter materials. In particular, small flying embers and sparks will not create tiny burn holes in wool, unlike what happens frequently with synthetic pants and jackets when sitting around a campfire. Wool is much more abrasion and tear resistant than synthetic materials.

Most bug-out-bags include some sort of tarp and/or or mylar reflective space blanket recommendation, but a wool blanket has more versatility than either of these two items, which certainly compliment it. The only disadvantage of wool in this scenario is the weight and bulk it adds to the kit.

Size: Look for a blanket that is at least 60″ x 80″ or larger and is made up of at least 80% wool, with nylon or other synthetic fibers making up the remaining 20% or less. Any military surplus blanket typically meets this criteria. You want the 60″ width in order to double-up or even triple the thickness (most camping sleeping pads are 20″ in width) of the blanket to use as an underpad to improve the insulation (R-value) between you and the ground.  A 4lb to 4.5lb weight will indicate a quality wool blanket with good density of weave and thick loft.

If you do not want to carry a wool blanket, because you find it too scratchy, then the SnugPak Jungle Blanket and the is one of many excellent synthetic fabric substitutes which I’ve personally used during cold weather camping, and works quite well, while packing down very small.

Blanket Safety Pin – use a 4″ to 6″ (100mm to 150mm) safety pin with a (wool) blanket to fashion a makeshift jacket/shelter/clothing.

I’ve researched and written a Wool vs Synthetic – A Clothing Primer (PDF) article, taking an in-depth dive into wool’s fantastic properties.