The best emergency blankets are there to form a barrier between you and the elements. If you’re looking for snug comfort and a pleasing tartan pattern, you’re looking in the wrong place. They are usually made from Mylar, a brand of stretched polyester film which is waterproof, windproof and retains most of your body heat. Developed by Dupont, Mylar’s use by NASA and the fact it’s a highly reflective silver mean they are often called space blankets too.
Importantly for use in an emergency, these thin, lightweight blankets fold up very compactly and so fit into survival kits, car glove boxes and backpacks. When you need to keep someone warm after an accident or if your car breaks down, tent leaks or heating fails, an emergency blanket comes into its own. Their simple purpose of keeping you warm when you need it most, makes them an essential item to have on hand, particularly if you’re on an adventure outdoors or driving any distance. Here are the ones we’d recommend.
World's Toughest Emergency Blankets
Durable and extra-large
Emergency blankets can feel disposable. These seem indestructible. At 5’ x 7’ they are extra-large too but still roll up into small nylon stuff stacks. Made from waterproof Mylar, one side is green or camo, the other silver to reflect up to 90% of your body heat. Sold in a pack of four so you can stash them in your car, survival kit, bag and house.
Bearhard Heavy Duty Emergency Blanket
Tough and versatile
Not just a blanket, the heavy-duty fabric with aluminized Mylar this is made from means it can also be used as a groundsheet or emergency shelter. Metal-ringed grommets and four stakes help you set it up for multiple uses. It’s a weather-resistant barrier between you and wind, rain and cold, retaining up to 93% of body heat. It folds down to 11"×9"×2" and weighs just 1lb.
Grabber Outdoors The Original Space Brand Emergency Survival Blanket
Compact space blanket
This is a classic emergency blanket. Lightweight, compact and silver, it will retain 80% of body heat. Made from waterproof and windproof Mylar, it comes in a small pack but unfolds to a 56” x 84” blanket to keep you warm in an emergency or after a sporting event.
Emergency Blanket Poncho
Poncho style and extra thick
You can wear this emergency blanket. Made from thicker 24-micron Mylar, it leaves your hands free when you don’t have to hold the blanket around you. Big enough to fit over a backpack, it’s waterproof, windproof and retains 90% of body heat and includes a hood for extra protection. Sold in a pack of four so you always have one to hand when you need it.
Bottom line
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These are the blankets you want to be able to wrap someone in when there’s an emergency or when they’ve completed a gruelling sporting event outdoors. They will protect anyone inside from the elements and keep them as warm as possible. Compact enough to fit in a pocket, they are an essential item when on a hike, expedition or long car journey. We would recommend the World's Toughest Emergency Blankets for most people. Although there’s a lot to be said for disposable, single-use space blankets, these are durable enough to be used multiple times and big enough to wrap right around most people and retain their heat.
For the emergency blanket that can most easily be repurposed into a groundsheet or shelter when camping, we like the Bearhard Heavy Duty Emergency Blanket. There’s no end to the uses you can put it to when on an outdoor adventure.
