While many outdoor enthusiasts love to explore nature, most people are not prepared for emergencies. If you are planning to hike through the wilderness, drive along a desert highway, or climb a mountain, a survival blanket is a necessity for any outdoor adventurer. It will help you to stay warm and sheltered until help arrives.
Avoid Hypothermia with a Survival Blanket
Death from exposure is one of the biggest killers in winter, and research shows that about 1300 people in the United States die every year from this. While many of these fatalities occurred in wilderness areas, a disturbing number of deaths occurred in cities as well.
These statistics show that a survival blanket is not just for nature lovers. Accidents can happen close to home – at a local sports game or driving to work. So always keep a survival blanket available in your vehicle for emergencies.
The 10 Best Survival Blankets
- Swiss Safe Emergency Survival Blankets
- ANMEILU Emergency Survival Blanket
- Primacare HB-10 Emergency Rescue Blanket
- Arcturus Survival Blanket
- Arcturus Wool Survival Blanket
- Mambe Survival Blanket
- Go Time Gear Life Bivy Emergency Sleeping Bag
- Grizzly Gear Emergency Thermal Tent
- S.O.L Emergency Survival Blanket (Our Top Pick)
- Titan Space Survival Blanket
Our Top Pick for the Best Survival Blanket
Our top pick for the best survival blanket is the S.O.L Survival Emergency Blanket.
We highly recommend the S.O.L survival blanket for your next outdoor adventure. The key to a successful backcountry expedition or camping trip depends on how prepared you are for emergencies. Warmth and shelter should be at the top of your survival prepping list. The S.O.L emergency survival blanket provides these two life-saving necessities.
Hypothermia from cold, wet and windy weather can be fatal but not when you are protected underneath the S.O.L blanket. When you travel with this emergency blanket, you can brave the elements and survive outdoors longer.
Understanding the Signs of Hypothermia
An adult’s body temperature is usually around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, but once your body hits 95 degrees, hypothermia sets in. Hypothermia can be fatal to your body, and when it isn’t, it impacts everything from coordination to decision making. A survival blanket is designed to retain up to 90% or 95% of your body heat so it will prevent hypothermia and shock in wintry weather.
Shelter the Storm with a Survival Blanket
When you spend time in the great outdoors, there is no telling what can happen. It might be calm and sunny in the beginning, but stormy weather can bring snow and ice, torrential rain, and gale-force winds. Sheltering underneath a survival blanket provides the protection you need from the elements.
Once you travel with a survival blanket and other essential survival tools like a survival kit, camping ax, and a Swiss Army Knife, you will be prepared for just about anything.
Multifunctional Survival Blankets
A survival blanket can be used for a wide range of survival needs.
- Protective groundsheet
- Shelter or sunshade
- Poncho
- Gear or backpack cover
- Rescue or distress beacon
- Bird deterrent
- Solar oven
- Arm sling
- Tourniquet
- Trail marker
- Water or snow collector
How to Choose the Best Survival Blanket
Types of Survival Blankets
– Space Blanket
The most common type of survival blanket is a space blanket. A space blanket, like the S.O.L Survival Blanket, was initially designed by NASA for astronauts and is used by emergency personnel, the military, and survival experts.
Mylar space blankets are well known for their superior thermal insulation to prevent hypothermia and shock. Mylar looks just aluminum foil, but the silver polyethylene is highly reflective, durable, flexible and lightweight. A space survival blanket may have double-sided Mylar material or a reflective surface on one side and fleece, wool, or polyester on the other side.
Be careful when using a Mylar space blanket as the thin material may rip easily on sharp objects. It may not provide heavy-duty warmth in freezing conditions, and the foil-like material can be noisy. But remember, survival blankets are designed for temporary emergencies only. The best advice for long-term insulation is to pack a space blanket with a wool blanket or a polar fleece blanket.
– Wool Survival Blankets
Wool has an incredible ability to tray heat to keep you super warm. As well as being an excellent survival blanket for the outdoors, a wool blanket, like the Arcturus Survival Blanket, is an all-round blanket. You can sit on it while you cheer on your favorite team at the football stadium or snuggle up with a friend around the campfire. You can even throw one on your bed in the cabin for those extra frosty nights.
A wool blanket may not have reflective Mylar material, and it can be heavy to carry. The wool may shed a little, but if you look after it properly, it will last a lifetime.
– Polar Fleece
For excellent protection in extreme wintry weather, nothing beats polar fleece. Made from durable and thick polyester, a polar fleece blanket, like the Mambe Survival Blanket, may have reflective Mylar material on the other side of the blanket to protect you from hypothermia. This type of survival blanket is easy to wash and pack, but it may be heavier than a space blanket.
All-weather Resistant Design
Whatever type of survival blanket you choose, the blanket must be durable, windproof, and waterproof. If you use a survival blanket as a shelter, make sure that you secure it properly as lightweight material can rip away in high winds.
Packability
Survival blankets are always ready for your everyday packability needs. Lightweight and compact, you can pack one in your tactical backpack, car’s glove compartment, or your camping gear. The blanket may even come with its own convenient ziplock carry bag like the ANMEILU Emergency Survival Blanket.
Best Survival Blanket Reviews
1. Swiss Safe Emergency Survival Blankets
When you carry the Swiss Safe Emergency Survival Blanket, you will have an advantage in unpredictable weather elements.
Swiss Safe is a trusted leader in outdoor supplies, survival equipment, and first aid supplies so that you will be totally prepared for any emergency with their military-style survival blanket.
The advanced aluminized dual-sided Mylar foil retains up to 90% of body heat to keep you safe from hypothermia and shock. Durable, waterproof, moistureproof, and windproof, it will keep you warm and dry.
Extremely versatile, the survival blanket is an essential item for survivalists and preppers. It can be used as a tent footprint, a ground cover, shelter, shade cover, wind blocker, backpack or sleeping bag cover, rain poncho, emergency signal, solar oven, fishing lure, bird repellent, arm sling, tourniquet, trail marker, and a water or snow-melt container.
Lightweight and compact, the 52 x 82-inch survival blanket will not weigh you down as you explore the wilderness.
The survival blanket comes in a handy four-pack. Swiss Safe also includes a bonus mini gold space blanket.
You can choose from nine exclusive attractive colors to either blend in with your surroundings or attract emergency personnel.
Swiss Safe offers a 100% refund or money-back guarantee on the survival blanket.
Pros
- Superior quality
- Excellent value for money
- Very affordable price
- Advanced design
- Dual-sided military-grade 12-micron aluminized Mylar foil
- Retains up to 90% of body heat
- Ideal for all weather conditions
- Perfect for emergencies, survival, hiking, camping, running, and climbing
- Increased durability
- Improved tear resistance
- Windproof, waterproof, snow proof
- Extremely versatile for all survival needs
- Lightweight and compact
- Bonus mini gold space blanket
- Handy 4-pack
- 9 colors
- 100% refund or money-back guarantee
Cons
- Need to be kept away from heat and sharp objects
- Mylar can be noisy
2. ANMEILU Emergency Survival Blanket
Whether you love fishing, camping, or marathon running, the ANMEILU Emergency Survival Blanket provides excellent warmth and protection in all weather conditions.
The durable dual-sided blanket has advanced aluminized Mylar foil that retains up to 90% of body heat to protect against hypothermia and shock and deflect heat from the sun.
You will stay dry and comfortable as the waterproof and windproof blanket effectively blocks rain, snow, and moisture.
Ultra-lightweight and compact, the survival blanket is individually sealed in a Ziplock bag for secure storage. Stash one in your backpack, car, first aid kit, survival kit, prepper go-bag, or camping gear.
The ANMEILU survival blanket has limitless application versatility. It can be used as a tent footprint, ground cover, emergency shelter, shade cover, backpack cover, rain poncho, emergency signal, solar oven, fishing lure, bird repellent, sleeping bag liner, bivouac sack, wind blocker, arm sling, tourniquet, bivvy, trail marker, and water collector.
As the blanket is reusable and non-toxic, you can safely use it over and over again.
The survival blanket comes in a handy 6-pack.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Perfect for survival preppers, emergencies, and everyday outdoor activities
- Ideal for cold and hot climates
- Durable advanced aluminized Mylar foil
- Waterproof and windproof
- Retains up to 90% of body heat
- Deflects heat from the sun
- Individually folded sealed for easy storage and transport
- Non-toxic
- Reusable
- Limitless survival application design
- Handy 6-pack
Cons
- The material can be a bit noisy
- May not provide all-over coverage for a tall person
3. Primacare HB-10 Emergency Rescue Blanket
Whether you are organizing a marathon or hiking trip, the Primacare HB-10 Rescue Blanket provides compact emergency all-weather protection.
Made from insulating silver Mylar material, the blanket retains 90% of body heat to stop the effects of hypothermia and shock. If you are stuck out in the desert, the blanket also deflects heat from the sun.
Waterproof, windproof, and snowproof, you will stay dry in all weather conditions. As the Mylar blanket has a large 52-x 84-inch size, it provides good coverage.
Wilderness wanderers and survivalists will love this blanket as it has a multitude of uses. You can use it for a tent footprint, shelter, shade cover, sleeping bag, solar oven, bird deterrent, rain poncho, bag cover, table-cover, ground cover, wind blocker, water collector, and a canopy tarp.
Lightweight and compact, the blanket comes sealed in an easy-carry Ziplock bag.
The survival blanket comes in an extra-large 10-pack.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Excellent price
- Ideal for personal and professional use
- Must have for survivalists
- All-weather protection
- Can be used in cold and hot temperatures
- Waterproof and weatherproof
- Insulating silver Mylar reflects and deflects 90% of body heat
- 100% waterproof, windproof, and snowproof
- Very good coverage
- Has a multitude of survival uses
- Lightweight and compact
- Comes in a handy ziplock bag
- 10-pack
Cons
- Can tear easily
4. Arcturus Survival Blanket
The Arcturus All Weather Outdoor Survival Blanket is an excellent choice for any outdoor enthusiast.
With an all-weather waterproof and windproof design, this survival blanket is a must-have item for hikers, campers and boaters. Unique aluminum insulated Mylar material reflects up to 95% of body heat, creates a radiant barrier, or acts as an emergency signal for help.
The other side is made from durable double-layered polypropylene that provides essential warmth. In bitterly cold conditions, spread brush or an extra blanket over the top to further reduce heat loss.
As the blanket has reinforced grommets, you can stake the blanket to the ground or use it as a shelter.
Lightweight and compact, the reusable blanket comes with a heavy-duty carry bag.
The large 60 x 82-inch survival blanket comes in three colors. Use the camo or olive green blanket to blend in with your surroundings. Choose the bright orange blanket to be easily spotted by emergency personnel.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Affordable price
- All-weather blanket
- Ideal for hiking, camping, and boating
- Waterproof and windproof
- Silver aluminum insulated Mylar reflects body heat up to 95%
- Durable, double-sided polypropylene
- Very good coverage
- Perfect as a radiant barrier or an emergency signal for help
- Can be used as a ground tarp, shelter, tent or emergency blanket
- 4 reinforced tie-down grommets
- Can be used as a blanket, tarp or shelter
- Increase heat retention by using brush or an extra blanket
- Super lightweight and compact
- Heavy-duty carry bag
- 3 colors
Cons
- Expensive
- Grommets holes can rip in high winds
- Has a bit of a chemical smell out of the box
5. Arcturus Wool Survival Blanket
Stay snug and cozy warm underneath the Arcturus Wool Survival Blanket.
Made from 80% wool, the military-style blanket will keep you amazingly warm in wintry weather. You can use it for camping, ski trips, ice fishing, backyard BBQ’s, or as an extra blanket in your cabin.
Super durable, the loom-woven blanket has a density of 550 GSM which creates a thick and even texture. For additional durability, the blanket is hemmed with contrast lock stitching to prevent fraying.
As wool is a naturally fire-retardant material, the blanket is not treated with any additional flame-retardant chemicals, so it is safe to use. People who have sensitive skin can also use the blanket as it contains 20% hypoallergenic synthetic fibers.
The survival blanket is machine washable, and it gets softer and softer after each wash.
Its extra-large 64 X 88-inch size means you can cuddle up with a friend. Its bulk resistant design means it is quite easy to pack away in your camping gear.
As the Arcturus blanket is a military-grade blanket, it does have a slight odor.
The survival blanket comes in three stylish colors: military gray, olive green, and navy blue.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Ideal for camping, a football game, outdoor concert, ski trip, fishing or for home use
- Durable, heavy-duty military blanket
- Warm and soft 80% wool
- High-density 550 GSM
- Loom woven
- Thick and even texture
- Hemmed on all sides with contrast lock stitching
- Extra large size
- Naturally fire-retardant material
- Not treated with any additional flame-retardant chemicals
- 20% hypoallergenic synthetic fibers
- Machine washable
- 3 colors
Cons
- Expensive
- Has a chemical smell
- Needs to be washed with a wool detergent
- Hand washing is recommended to stop the wool from shedding
- No reflective material
6. Mambe Survival Blanket
When you are wrapped up in the Mambe Survival Blanket, you will stay warm and protected in the coldest conditions.
Made in the USA, the 100% waterproof and windproof blanket provides superb warmth and protection. It has heavy-duty Polartec classic 300 thermal fleece on one side and heat-reflective lining on the other side to block the loss of radiant heat. A big plus with this survival blanket is that the reflective material is not as noisy as other space blankets.
The blanket is quite lightweight and packs away in its own premium drawstring stuff sack. It is available in small and large sizes.
Looking after your survival blanket is very easy as it is machine washable.
The blanket is available in nine stylish colors.
Mambe offers a lifetime guarantee on the survival blanket.
Pros
- Great quality
- Excellent value for money
- Ideal for icy conditions
- Can be used for camping, hiking, or a sports stadium
- Made in the USA
- 100% waterproof and windproof
- Genuine Polartec Classic 300 thermal fleece
- Warm and soft
- Radiant heat-reflective lining
- Available in a small and large size
- Lightweight
- Premium drawstring stuff sack
- Machine washable
- 9 colors
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Expensive
- Fleece is not overly thick
7. Go Time Gear Life Bivy Emergency Sleeping Bag
The Go Time Gear Life Bivy Sleeping Bag is engineered to get you through the most intense situations.
Are you planning a wilderness adventure? Whether it is cold, rainy, or windy, you will be snug and warm inside the Go Time sleeping bag. You can even use the bivy as a survival blanket and a shelter. To stop hypothermia, the reflective mylar interior reflects up to 90% of your body heat. Its bright orange color maximizes your visibility to rescuers.
Waterproof and windproof, the durable sleeping bag is made from extra-thick 26um polyethylene with a tear and puncture-resistant coating. For additional weather protection, the sealed seams keep out rain, snow, and wind.
Go Time Gear also includes a patent-pending Para-Synch Technology paracord drawstring. The bonus 120-decibel survival whistle can alert rescuers to your position up to 1-mile away.
Lightweight and compact, the sleeping bag survival blanket can be folded up inside the waterproof nylon stuff sack. As the sleeping bag is 100% reusable, it is a great companion for all your adventures.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Specially engineered for emergencies
- Perfect for backpackers, survivalists, and campers
- Snug and warm sleeping bag
- Can be used as a survival blanket and an emergency shelter
- Durable extra-thick polyethylene
- Tear-resistant and puncture-resistant coated seams
- Reflective Mylar interior reflects up to 90% of body heat
- Reusable
- Bright orange color
- Waterproof nylon stuff sack
- Patent-pending Para-Synch Technology
- 120-decibel emergency whistle alerts rescuers up to 1-mile away
- Ultra-lightweight and compact
- Waterproof stuff sack
Cons
- Not designed as an everyday sleeping bag
- Nylon material on the storage sack can rip easily
- Condensation can build up on the outside of the blanket
8. Grizzly Gear Emergency Thermal Tent
Whatever type of outdoor activity you enjoy, the Grizzly Gear Emergency Thermal Tent provides emergency heat and cold protection.
Amazingly versatile, the 8 x 5-foot Grizzly Gear 2-person tent is an excellent choice for camping, hiking, and backpacking. You can also use it as a survival blanket, emergency shelter, sunshade, a sleeping bag, a signaling device, or a water collector.
Made from the same NASA-style reflective Mylar thermal material, the durable, insulated space blanket effectively retains 90% of your body heat. Waterproof, windproof, lightweight, compact, and reusable, the thermal tent keeps you warm and protected.
Setting the tent up is very easy in just minutes. You can use the paracord to attach the tent to trees with no extra tent pegs required.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Extremely affordable price
- Amazingly versatile
- Perfect for camping, hiking, backpackers, and road trips
- Thermal tent can be used as a survival blanket, shelter, sunshade, sleeping bag, signaling device, and water collector
- Designed for two adults
- All-weather resistant
- Durable insulating reflective Mylar retains 90% of body heat
- Same material as used by NASA for space exploration
- Waterproof and windproof
- Reusable
- Fast and easy to set up with no tent pegs required
- Comes with a paracord
- Lightweight and compact
Cons
- Thin material can rip easily on rough ground
- Paracord can be hard to feed through the guides
9. S.O.L Emergency Survival Blanket
Designed with certified space technology, the S.O.L Survive Outdoors Longer Emergency Blanket will help you to be prepared for the unexpected.
Made in the USA, the S.O.L blanket features an advanced design. The unique vacuum-metalized polyethylene reflective Heatsheets® material traps the heat from your body and provides up to 90% heat reflectivity.
You can depend on the survival blanket when you need it the most. Unlike other Mylar blankets that can rip and tear, the durable S.O.L blanket has stretchy material that is 30-50% thicker and is resistant to shredding or punctures. It is reusable, and small holes are straightforward to repair with duct tape. With proper basic care, the S.O.L blanket will last for as long as you need it.
Waterproof, windproof, and snowproof, you will be protected from unpredictable weather conditions. The emergency blanket also comes with durable metal grommets to rig up a secure shelter. Perfect for backpackers, the blanket is exceptionally lightweight.
One of the big drawcards with this survival blanket is its reflective material is very quiet.
An excellent all-round survival tool, the blanket can be used for a ground cover, shelter, protective cover for your camping gear, or even use it to carry firewood. Its high visibility orange exterior makes it easy for rescuers to find you.
S.O.L also provides life-saving instructions that are printed on the blanket to help you remember what to do in an emergency. Directions include how to build a fire, rig a shelter, and how to provide wilderness first aid. The instructions are printed in four languages: English, French, German, and Japanese.
S.O.L also offers a standard survival blanket and a heavy-duty emergency blanket.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Advanced design
- Unique vacuum-metalized reflective Heatsheets® polyethylene
- Reflects 90% of your body heat
- More durable than Mylar
- Resists tearing and punctures
- 100% reusable
- Waterproof, windproof and snowproof
- Durable metal grommets
- Quiet
- Good coverage
- Ultra-lightweight and compact
- Highly versatile
- Can also be used as a ground cloth, gear cover, shelter, and to carry firewood
- High visibility orange color exterior
- Life-saving instructions in four languages are printed on the blanket
- Available as a standard survival blanket and a heavy-duty emergency blanket
Cons
- Has a strong odor out of the box
- Needs to be secure in high winds
10. Titan Space Survival Blanket
The Titan Space Survival Blanket delivers a superior performance that you can count on when it matters the most. Initially designed for space exploration, the advanced two-sided survival blanket is perfect for emergencies.
It has a Woodland Camo design on one side and highly-reflective silver Mylar on the other, which retains up to 90% of body heat to prevent hypothermia and shock. It is waterproof, windproof, compact, lightweight, reusable. Highly versatile, you can also use the survival blanket as a ground cover, shelter tarp, distress or rescue beacon, and a poncho.
Titan offers the survival blankets in a 5-pack. Each blanket is packed individually in a zip-lock bag for easy storage.
The blanket comes in four colors. Woodland camo and Olive Drab can be used for camouflage purposes. The Safety-Orange color and the fluorescent pink and orange Signal Panel 17 design will alert emergency personnel to your position.
Titan offers a lifetime guarantee on the survival blanket.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very good price
- Originally designed for NASA
- Superior performance
- Perfect for warmth and all-weather protection
- Ideal for backpacks, hiking, camping, first aid kit, survival kit
- Durable advanced aluminized highly reflective Mylar
- Reflects up to 90% body heat
- Waterproof and windproof
- Highly versatile
- Can be used for both ground cover, shelter tarp, rescue or distress beacons, poncho, and shade
- Lightweight and compact
- Comes in a 5-pack
- Individually folded, wrapped, and sealed for easy storage and retrieval
- 4 colors
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- A bit small
- Mylar is a bit thin
Our Top Pick for the Best Survival Blanket
Our top pick for the best survival blanket is the S.O.L Survival Emergency Blanket.
We highly recommend the S.O.L survival blanket for your next outdoor adventure. The key to a successful backcountry expedition or camping trip depends on how prepared you are for emergencies. Warmth and shelter should be at the top of your survival prepping list. The S.O.L emergency survival blanket provides these two life-saving necessities.
Hypothermia from cold, wet and windy weather can be fatal but not when you are protected underneath the S.O.L blanket. When you travel with this emergency blanket, you can brave the elements and survive outdoors longer.
