Best Wool Blankets for Camping 2020: Top Products Reviewed & Listed

Types of Wool Blankets: When you start planning to buy a wool blanket, the first thing you need to decide is what type of wool you want it to be made of. The level of insulation depends hugely on the type of wool. 

So, selecting the right type of wool is a critical factor you should focus on while buying a blanket. Since the main functionality of the blanket is reliant on the type of wool, it naturally affects other allied factors – the price and quality.

Getting a basic idea of the different types of wool blankets will help you make the right choice. Follow the details below to select a blanket that fits best for your purposes:

• Sheep Wool Blankets – It is a very commonly used material in the making of blankets all over the world. There are various types of sheep around the planet; accordingly the properties and qualities of the blankets do vary.
• Virgin wool or Lamb’s wool Blankets – A kind of wool very rarely available, lambs’ wool is the product of a lamb’s first sheering. This is why it is also referred to as “virgin wool“. It is a special category of wool, as it is only occasionally available, once in every lamb’s lifetime.
• Cashmere Wool Blankets – Obtained from the Cashmere goat, this sort of wool is exceptionally soft. It is very popularly used in making a variety of blankets.
• Merino Wool Blankets – Lighter and softer than the Cashmere wool is the Merino wool blanket. Merino is one of the finest wools in the world and its history is rooted in ancient times. It was popular as gifts amongst royal families. This wool is exported from Australia and New Zealand, famous for their indigenous Merino sheep. A specialty in fine wool, Merino wool is limited in supply across the world.
• Alpaca Wool Blankets – Alpaca wool is a fancy and plush material used for constructing soft, silky and heavy duty blankets that can last for numerous winters.

Portability: Planning to buy a wool blanket that you can carry along easily on your hiking trips? The key feature to look for is its packaging space. Portability plays a crucial factor for high altitude hikers and backpackers compared to those who go camping by cars.

To ensure greater portability, you need to take note of the packing dimensions of the product. The more easily foldable it is, the better it suits for your backpacking trips.

Remember, if it doesn’t fit in your luggage with other camping kits, it will be a futile purchase for your trip. To avoid such disappointment, it is imperative that you check the packing dimensions beforehand. 

Nowadays, the best wool hiking blankets for camping come with a convenient stuff sack to enable a quick and easy packing. A blanket that occupies minimal packaging volume inside your rucksack will be the best thing you can carry to a nippy campsite.

Size: From single-person rectangular design to square family blankets, wool blankets are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. So, when you start shopping, you first need to set your intentions of use. 

Depending on your purposes of use, you can fix on a particular shape and size.

Suppose you know that for covering you up, a single-person rectangular one will suffice. But, it won’t leave you with any excess cloth at the ends to make a complete wraparound blanket. In that case, you can take a bigger one to buy yourself some extra coziness.

On the other hand, you can choose a big, multi-person square blanket to nestle with your spouse or children. But picking a bigger one might not always work as a better option. 

Especially if you go camping alone and put up at a single person tent, a large wool blanket will be a misfit for the occasion. You are likely to find it engulfing most of the space around you, ending up being more inconvenient than comfortable.

So once you decide on how much blanket coverage you want, you can pick a suitable size for your needs.   

Weight: Much like the size and portability, weight works as another key factor while choosing an outdoor wool blanket. If you are a hiker, you would obviously want a lightweight blanket that is easy to carry on the go. 

Having said this, it is not always wise to make ‘light weight’ your highest priority. Different factors like material, density and size determine the weight of a blanket. Hence, for some products, weight can also indicate the insulation quality of the fabric.

The best part is, top trending manufacturers are leveraging the latest technology to meet your camping needs. They are constantly evolving with new materials and techniques to deliver products that are lighter, warmer and durable. So, you no longer need to sacrifice warmth for portability and vice versa.

Pricing: You will find all sorts of wool blankets for camping at varying prices. From the dear, deluxe to the effective, economy ones; there’s a treat for every budget. 

That leaves you with a free hand to settle on a price as per your budget. Depending on how much you’re willing to spend on a blanket, you can sort or filter the price limit. Doing this will help you shortlist your options before you start shopping.

However, we advise you to definitely go by your budget plans, but, without compromising on your comfort. Always keep in mind that a good quality wool blanket is like an asset that is worth investing in. 

It is absolutely fine if you intend to get a cheaper one that would serve a particular camping trip. But, if you would like to own a heavy-duty blanket providing maximum warmth, be ready to pay for the quality.

Percentage of Wool: Wool is the best natural insulator material. So, when you choose to buy a wool blanket, you happen to choose the best blanket for winter camping. 

However, as a matter of fact, most wool blankets these days are not 100% wool. The crafting materials are mostly an exotic blend of wool and synthetic or polyester fabric.

The combination of wool with different types of fabric results in different features of the blankets. So, whatever fabric you choose for the blend, you must be sure on one point about your camping blanket. 

The material must be moisture-wicking and water-repellant.  The last thing you will desire on your camping trips is to deal with a damp and sodden blanket. So, you cannot compromise on these two features while investing in an outdoor wool blanket.

Washing and Maintenance: It goes without saying that the blanket you carry on a camping trip will collect a layer of dirt on itself. To wash off all those mud, muck, sweat and dust, a machine wash is always convenient. 

Not all wool blankets can endure machine wash. Some are only fit for dry cleaning. However, it’s not worth the hassle when machine washable blankets offer a way easier alternative. Just put it into the washer with a mild liquid soap after your trip is over for easy cleansing!

So, pick a machine washable blanket to opt for the most convenient mode of cleaning and maintenance. Machine washing is also a cost-effective alternative to dry cleaning a wool blanket. 

However, bleaching effects can be damaging for your wool blanket. Do not use bleach or enzyme.

Itching Factor: Many of us foster this notion that woolen materials are often itchy on the skin. You too might have so far refrained from buying woolen blankets considering the itching factor. 

If it is so, you’ll be delighted to know that it’s not essentially true.  It all depends on the type and quality of fabric. If you look for quality and invest in a proper wool blanket, it’ll be far from being itchy. Quality wool blankets are soft and snug, providing you with a perfect thermal layer.