I once spent the night in the mountains with temperatures a few degrees above zero Fahrenheit and thirty mile an hour winds. I had an army half shelter, a thin sleeping pad and two wool army blankets. It was a very comfortable night. The trick is in an overlapping technique that wraps completely around the body putting two layers under and over the body in a draft free cocoon.

I have bred Merino sheep in Australia all my life and can vouch for the 'breathe-ability' of pure wool blankets. I use nothing else at home as they allow me to peel them off one at a time depending on small temperature differences (I get a headache if I get too warm in bed). And when it comes to men's suits, I never wear anything but a pure-wool suit (only Australian merino wool), because of the superior quality (they start at about $600 AUD). But what you have to be careful of is when some manufacturer labels their product "Merino", which was the brand name on a suit I once looked at, which was simply a brand name and had nothing to do with Australian merino wool. The suit was rough to the touch and I knew instantly it was not made from Australian merino wool, so I said to the salesman, "This is not made from Australian merino wool!" He assured me it was, but I kept insisting it was not, and in the end I said, "Listen Charlie, I run 6,000 Australian merinos on my property, and I know a thing or two about wool, and this is NOT merino wool. Finally I had shut him up, because he was trying to (excuse me), pull the wool over my eyes. They had simply come up with a brand name, "Merino", trying to fool people. The suit was actually made from coarse cross-bred wool, costing a fraction of the price. So be careful to ask a few questions before some fool tries to do the same to you.

I find the diagonal-wrap-burrito-style even more restrictive and hard to exit quickly from than a sleeping bag. At any rate, I'm a few days shy of 55 and have been using wool blankets on the ground and at home for over 35 of them. I've been doing pre-1840 technology primitive "camping" for all of those years and find that a loose set-up is ideal; especially when on the trail with horses and the occasional/unpredictable night time horse-eating sounds come from the darkness and startle them. A moisture barrier, such as a tarp (I use the one I roll my blankets in), as a groundcloth and blanket base and blanket cover has served me in all weather. As a rule of thumb, an equal amount under as over you is the way to start. Adjust with availability of browse, etc. With this set-up I can bring my essential gear in with me (12 ga. flintlock smoothbore [unloaded], shooting accoutrements, etc.) and keep them dry and ready to hand. For added warmth, lie down and slightly over-roll to the direction you want your side opening in. This will cause the blanket cover to fall alongside you and be trapped when you come back to your new neutral position. That entire side is now sealed. A well-done and thorough video. Good job.

Just bought 2 each wool sleeping bags, WW2 Army Surplus Wool Sleeping Bags, an awesome find!

I've used both sleeping bags of all kinds and wool blankets. When I was in the Army training and sleeping in the barracks, we had no time to make our beds but the beds had to be made. So we slept on top of our made beds with nothing but the extra wool blanket (we weren't supposed to have) to cover with and I'll tell you nothing is warmer for the bulk and weight. We also had four piece sleep systems issued when we went out in the field and those are the warmest thing I've ever slept in but they were giant even after compressing them all the way down and they were well over ten pounds. Ten pounds of wool will be even warmer in the same bivy sack but more resistant to moisture. When it's going to be near zero degrees, you add a wool blanket to the four piece system and everything is good. You're going to survive in a four piece system down to twenty degrees below zero but I don't know how much sleep you are going to get. Wool may weigh more than down or hollow fill for the same comfort level but it will work day after day in all conditions. Add a layer of gortex on the outside and you're possibly warmer than down or hollow fill sleeping bags by themselves.

Personally, i think you left out one of the most advantageous properties of (merino)wool: you hardly have to wash the stuff. Just airing, preferably in moist or freezing cold air, will make it fresh again - a miracle which none of my sleeping bags ever accomplished. Stains don't attach lightly to wool, but when they do they can mostly be easily removed with a damp cloth. If you, against all odds, do have to wash your wool, just a few drops of cheap basic hair shampoo and lots of cold to handwarm water will do what needs to be done. I could go on and on about wool. I'm a woolfanatic. I've been sleeping deliciously between furry sheepskins for over a decade and the insulation works against heat, too. All my long winter underwear (i live near the Polar Circle) is made of merino wool. This year, i even insulated the inside of my roof (a closed loft) with fresh-from-the-sheep-rough wool (no merino!), which would otherwise have ended up at the garbage lot. It works great, but i must admit i was very relieved to notice the sheepy smell only on the closed loft... ;-) But anyway. Wool is wonderful. Thanks for your connaisseur talk about a favourite subject! :-D

I find wearing wool thermals and wool hat helps to keep me snug and warm.

Interesting treatise on wool blankets. I have many as well, nothing name brand but I’ve come across a few surplus finds that would blow your mind! One of them is allegedly Italian, queen sized, 100% wool, tight weave, dense and heavy…$53. I do like them for tradition but honestly, the older I get the lighter my pack is getting. Yes modern materials melt but holy crap, don’t stand that close to the fire! 😂. I still camp every season, in winter I couldn’t lift the amount of blankets it would take to equal my 0 degree down/Gore-tex bag. That last blanket is amazing, when I win the lottery I’ll get one. Thanks!

One of the most honest assessments of cold weather camping I have ever seen. With a sleeping bag I'm too constricted. However, it my assertion that if a canvas cowboy style bedroll cover is used. A cowboy bedroll is approximately 6" x 36" rolled up, sans accoutrements (i.e. Pillow and sheet) and, is constructed from oiled canvas. Dimensions are as follows the bed has a 6 to 7 foot body length, a 3 foot width, to incorporate the thickest dimension of the torso area, 3 foot flaps on each side to encompass the body, a 2+ foot flap for the foot coverage, with the rest as a head riser and rain flap. BTW, use oiled canvas. P.S. Keep oiled canvas reconditioned at the minimum every 5 years if used annually otherwise as conditions dictate.

Thank you for this video. I love wool and ordered a throw from Faribault after watching your review. I plan to keep it in my car.

Man that's a whole lotta blanket. I just keep a milsurp wool blanket on me, it was cheap, and it's pretty light. Though I'm more about getting around on foot, not with a motor vehicle. I also can't carry a heavy load as I'm a woman, but I still carry enough to have a nice night's sleep. Perhaps the local climate makes what I carry a lot safer for me. I appreciate the talk! It's nice to know I didn't completely screw up like the time I decided it'd be smart to buy Gerber products lol.

I love the honest appraisals of gear like this. I've been a sleeping bag man for most of my outdoor life, but I'm rethinking them in favor of the "cowboy bedroll: sort of an inverted T of thick canvas sewn to a wool blanket. Wrap the arms of the T around you and flip the top over your head and you don't need a tent or even a bivvy. Haven't assembled mine yet, as I'm trying to learn the sewing machine first, but I think it will be lighter than a sleeping bag plus tent, and still offer plenty of versatility and warmth.

I agree with your comment about blankets being good down to about 40°F. I've tried heavy blankets below those temps out West, but I thought I was going to freeze to death. My coldest sleep was -35°F and that took two 6 pound sleeping bags, yikes. I'm going to check out the $375 blanket, looks like premium gear. Thanks for this great video.

Best thing I was bless with by uncle sam is my wool blankets. Still awesome 40 years later . O.m.g. kept me warm many nights down range and since.

I just have an old army blanket made from wool on my bed instead of a comforter. That thing is amazingly effective at keeping me warm every night.

Wool blankets are very nice. As for sleeping bags I use one as a top quilt in my hammock. I also use a wool blanket. For old style camping I use wool blankets. Thanks and take care.

Yes very helpful thank you, I am not a rider but a backpacker few ever discuss options.

I have embraced great kilts for much of my outdoors activities. They make for great bedding and shelter.

I never liked sleeping bags much, but good ol' blanket, that is somethink I love. Actually like to use ones made from bit rougher wool as I like the bit scratchy texture on me skin. Wool blanket is me favourite both indoors and outdoors!

I'm using 2 100% wool tight weave blankets. They work for me down to 29f fine in an ice storm. I layer them for loft. I would think mine are more lightweight side at 4lbs each.

I have 3 wools from the 40's..two are white with navy on heads in a a blue wide stripe,the other is green and nearly as thick.. Any two I can sleep well with say a tarp to 0° F.....i tent camp so thank you grandpa!!!

I managed to _”acquire”_ two Canadian military DND wool blankets. One is grey, one is red. Great quality, great extra insulation for sleeping in the field. Will never part with them.

I stumbled upon your channel and thanx for the great information!!

Great review! Thank you Sir.

i love wool blankets, i got a couple of scratchy army surplus 100% wool blankets 12 years ago (swiss? switzerland?) they are plenty warm. my wife got a Faribault pure & simple blanket and even though that particular style is not merino wool it is very comfortable. im not rich but i just ordered the Faribault frontier marino wool blanket. queen size weighs 9.88lb. if i remember i will post my thoughts here when i get it.

I'm a handweaver and process, prep and spin. Outdoor use woolen blankets were historically created with wool that was "spun in the grease", meaning the lanolin was left in the fibers which created a near waterproof fiber that was spun "worsed" (fibers aligned) from sheep that had long lustrous (smooth, not fluffy) fibers. That's the same fiber that became the waterproof outerwear of the British Isles when woven into tweed or knit into fishermans sweaters. Hot water and agitation of woolen (lofty fibers) after weaving is called "fulling" and this results in the wool fibers tightly arranging becoming a dense mat that is then "brushed" to create softness to the hand. What you get with some of the mills you highlighted. A handwoven product isn't loose weave unless you want it to be. Adding man-made fibers to wool products makes them less likely to be eaten by bugs or creatures. And merino fibers are for next to the skin products (undies and socks) and are not the ideal for outside protection. My 1960s wool sleeping bag lines my dogs kennel. The tent has been replaced by a teardrop (bears love to scratch themselves on) and we sleep better.

Another pro: your girlfriend wont steal your wool blanket in the middle of the night.

When i was hiking up in the mountains of korea, we slept in Buddhist temples sometimes, on the floor. All i packed in my backpack was an army OD wool blanket. I spread the blanket out on the floor, laid down on one edge and rolled over and rolled the blanket around me like a sleeping blanket.

I love wool and you made some good points... However, if you are big or 6 foot plus then the queen size burrito method doesn't provide enough coverage. 2 twin size blankets work much better and provide more options!

Thank you for your informative video 👍 appreciated your knowledge on wool they are my thoughts exactly 💯 😀 that wool is the best ever for warmth...Keep your videos flowing 😀 I'm interested in anything regarding camping 🏕 etc...

First time seeing this channel. Definitely Gained my subscription! I’ve got a wool blanket that costed me $200 and while it’s good, it’s definitely not for harsher weather conditions. If paying double means that I’m not only prepared for more, but I’m also able to pass it along in my later years, then im all for it!

I love my Pendleton wool blanket. I sleep better wrapped up in that on my bed than fighting with sheets and comforters all night long. Plus, there's something oddly soothing about rubbing my feet against the wool.

Thanks for your service. Happy veterans day

I'm a blanket guy. Especially when on the bike, if you are at a rally sat next to the fire your not going to wrap yourself up in a nylon nightmare.

I'm Canadian so I've used it in the cold and it still keeps me warm in British Columbia winter's

I was in boy scouts 1960s, and also hitch hiked all over USA back in the 1970s. I used both. I found that a medium sleeping bag and military poncho with a vegetation mattress will keep you warm and dry even in a down pour. Double laid blankets are not good for someone over 5'8". Feet will freeze.

We're still using my grandmother's Merino blankets, probably a good 70 years old now and still going strong. Our family took the gold medal for our South African super fine Merino wool shearing on the London wool market for years. It was always an item of pride to point to what could be made from that wool. Thanks for a useful evaluation.

I havve a Boreal shirt from Lester River Bushcraft that is made out of a wool blanket. It has a hood and is roomy enough to add layers underneath. It is my” If i had to leave home with 1 item it would be it”. Just ordered a merino wool blanket from Faribault mills. Hope it lives up to its reputation( and price).

I have an old, original Hudson's Bay blanket I've had since I was a toddler

I would use a army blanket with a sleeping bag cover for summer weather. Served me well when I was in the service.

Great video! Thanks for sharing your experience. My husband has a small collection of some of the best examples the Hudson's Bay Company made throughout the decades. I haven't seen anything else that comes close to those super thick antiques. They are really something. Hard to find in good condition after 100 years but he finds them!

Really very informative video. Thank you and Stay Safe.

Thomas Blanket story is the fabrication of a Victorian newspaperman in Bristol. Woven blankets are as old as weaving, and the word comes from a northern French term for soft grey woollen cloth. The Salish though made blankets out of dog hair (they're not alone, some breeds have fine long hair specifically for spinning and weaving). Most cultures made blankets for double duty though - you both wore them and slept under them. The term blanket may have been brought to England by Flemish weavers, but it's more likely that French speaking Anglo Normans introduced the word rather than the Dutch speaking Flemish.

I have a few fairbault mill wool blankets.; I used to live 30 minutes away from Fairbault... they will never replace my feathered friends and western mountaineering sleeping bags though!

I have two Woolrich blankets. They are 80-20 wool blankets. I have one on my bed and one in my running bag. I also have one 100% wool blanket that I purchased at Ft. Chartres in southern Illinois some years back. The manufacturers label is faded (why I don't know) but it is 100% wool. It is itchy but it sure keeps me warm on cold nights.

Just now purchased the Faribault Mill Cabin Blanket. Thank you for the guidance! They asked how we heard about it and we told them your KZfaq Channel name👍

Great information. Thanks for taking the time.

Great info!

I love merino wool too! I’ve got all my outdoor clothes In merino wool! Like merino fleeces lol etc! Merino gloves! It’s really amazing stuff and it really seems to be lasting and washing VERY WELL!! I’ve still got all my original stuff. IE crag hoppers tops and bottoms etc! I like the merino wool though it’s just kinda expensive..

Depends on what you want. For those lightweight speedy hikers - Sleeping blanket. For durable rugged camping and years of use - Wool 100%. Thank you for the video Wool information I'm updating my shopping list while researching!

I bought 2 blankets from Oxfam last month. They are big enough for a single bed, but scratchy, they're new, made from recycled wool. They definitely make a difference on cold autumn nights in the UK.

One thing I have noticed about wool blankets is that they will take longer than a sleeping bag or regular comforter to warm up, but they keep the heat better due to higher material density. I bet if you wrapped in Gore-tex on top of that burrito you could melt into a puddle and boil away at -20...

My husband and I have Italian Navy surplus blankets, new, from a military surplus store. I’m sure the Navy uses wool blankets because of the moisture on ships. These things are heavy and 1/2” thick. I know they aren’t Merino wool, but they are very warm when we are camping.

I have a queen size merino blanket I use home during the spring and fall. Is way loftier than regular blankets and seems fragile, unlike the regular military blankets. I don't think you can have it both ways. Good thing to have around the house if you need to layer up with a quilt or duvet since the merino blanket does not compress that much and you can add something on top.

I have a couple of nice sleeping bags, but I never zip them up. I use them like a blanket with a “foot box”. I also have a very nice, large wool blanket.

I saw a bloke using sheep skins made into a blanket with a zipper on the side, quite interesting sleep system.

I hike with a Merino wool sweater in the White Mts of NH. It will save you from hypothermia. What is the weight of your Faribault blanket? And would it be good for hiking the Appalachian Trail?

Right now on my bed is a red Hudson Bay wool blanket originally purchased in 1954. I think it has two black lines, so at one time it would have cost 2 beaver pelts.

I like my flannel/wool sleeping bag. Best of both worlds in my opinion. I prefer unzipped for most uses. also try camel or yak wool, depending on use.

I just bought military grade,should it be washed to get smell out n not so itchy

"Nice meal in a fluffy burrito" - epic! will keep that expression in mind when talking to sleeping bags fans.

Any suggestions on places to buy wool blankets?

Two Army blankets and a woobie (all liberated from CIF) kept me toasty warm sleeping in my Jeep at 10 degrees last fall.

So I see you do use backpacks, and so have you used haversacks as a extra baggage for bushcraft?

is there a “Scratchiness Scale” for wool blankets? If there isn’t, there oughta be.

I have a fleece blanket ( full size ) it is light and easy to carry and inch for inch pound for pound it is warmest wool is good material you can't beat mother nature

I got some wool blankets and can't get the chemical smell out of them. Any ideas? It is 90%

lol, I was raised in Klamath Falls. Not much going for it, but good camping spots nearby.

I use a vintage issue mummy bag liner made of wool with a wool blanket wrapped around me on top of my canvas oilcloth , toasty is the word.

Inherited a Norwegian wool blanket from my dad he traded with above norgin late 70s wool blanket how would I know if it was 100% wool looks it very warm bout single to double size very nice blanket warm heavy P.S. army blanket don't know if a difference or not ?

I just received 100% undyed merino fleece to spin. Was wondering what to do with it… was going to make some socks, may start a blanket too. Thanks

The only blanket i trust to sleep in temperatures below 40 degrees without a fire is the Hudson Bay 6 Point blanket. But if you have to carry two blankets to stay warm, you are better-off with a quality sleeping bag. The only reason to choose a wool blanket over a sleeping bag is weight. A blanket can double as a pack, a coat, a hammock, a stretcher etc. But if you have to carry two blankets, that advantage is gone. Honorable mention on best bushcraft blanket would be the Filson Mackinaw.

🐻 When the foraging Bear comes upon you snug-as-a-bug in your sleeping bag, it remembers...say, that last burrito kicked alot, but Uuuhhmmm...Uhm... it sure was tasty!

Since then have you handled the frontier blanket from Fairbault? I think that's their heavy one.

My Mother and her Mother where weavers of wool. So how "Tight" a blanket is woven all depends on the weaver, and the type of loom and fiber they are using. I have a cloak made from a felted wool blanket, heavy, but very very warm.

Thank you.

I ordered a Faribault Mills Frontier Blanket, Queen size, for $545. It is their heavy weight blanket, but they don't call it "Merino" wool. They call it "very fine". Same for the Cabin blanket.

Why vs ? I need both when it's under 5 Degree Fahrenheit - my Scottish blanket and a german army sleeping bag (old school version) - trust me I am speaking from experience 🤗 I am just sloppy with my inlets (gotta optimize that pretty soon)

Thank you

Glen Beck recommends wool, ;)

I'll have to take a look at Faribault. The company I'm more familiar with is Pendleton.

Awesome....

It's older than me, and used it on literally hundreds of camping trips over the decades

What about itching?

Well I enjoy a good wool blanket and have used them a lot.. However if you are the cold weather a sleeping gag rated for the trip is lighter to carry and safer.. Nothing will ever beat a bag that fits you in bad weather.. Now having said that a couple of blankets and a tarp makes a good bed.. as long I am not carrying them I am all for them. For me wool that you wear is the way to go..

I've tried both and I just find sleeping bags 10x warmer. It's my go to. The wool blanket stays in the car for emergencies, but if I want a good night's sleep I'm going for a sleeping bag.

Hudson Bay. costly? yes. worth it? Worth every penny.

l camp at least 40 night each year in all 4 season some years double that and have been doing it for 50 years. I once had to get through a 30 degree night with only a foam pad and wool blanket. It was a long night. If I had one of my 2 down sleeping bags it would have been no problem. I motorcycle camp a lot and need to be able to stuff down all my items. I would say 20 percent of my nights are 10F - 20F, 20 percent are above 45, so 60 percent of my trips are between 20F and 45F. I do need to be a I careful with down to keep It dry and almost all of my camping is in the Rocky Mountain regions where it's dry even when there is snow. Wool blankets have a place. but, they are not even in the ball park with the comfort provided by down. I. can't sleep in a zipped sleeping bag so I unzip them all the way and using them as blankets. If any of you are going out to camp and it will be down to 20F - 30F and you think a wool blanked will work, give it a try but, have your down bag with if you find that 3/4 inches of wool isn't enough.

...the "coureur des bois", canoeists for the Hudson's Bay Company, were allowed two wool blankets in their personal gear. "By 1700, point blankets (wool) accounted for 60% of the trade."...

I got a Swiss link blanket It's 80% it's pretty warm.

I was a sleeping bag guy for years from alaska to georgia. Feel like an idoit for using that tube of discomfort for so long. I had made a down comforter and nice saddle blanket (thickness wise) for under neath and a wool blanket on top with down comforter that is made with fleece outer fabric. I sleep so much better. For backpacking it is a issue but mostly due to bulk.

Give the wooly mammoth blankets a try there 100% Marino wool as well and very thick. And only 74 dollars on Amazon

Are the Merino Wool blankets lighter weight than the regular wool?

Thanks.

A wet down bag is useless..modern synthetics retain heat but still not equivalent to wool..whatever you choose a bivy sack is a must

My mom gave me a wool emergency blanket from when she was a paramedic, I take it everywhere with me. Mine is pretty thick and not as maliable as the ones you have there.

Grandma Gatewood used a wool blanket to hike the entire appalachian trail.

Love wool like alpaca even more

How do you make a wool blanket not itch you? I bought a wool blanket for survival and my mother said I shouldn't have done that I wasted my money. That I will always itch. What is your suggestion? Please help.

I do dig me some wool.