Wool blanket - 70 % wool VS. 100 % wool what is the diffrence ?

H

Hawkings

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Mar 31, 2006
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I just ordered a new wool blanket (Like the one here but from a local store, Imported.) and got to thinking about how its easier to find 70% wool blankets as oppose to blankets made from 100% wool.

What is the difference in real life.
Is one of them warmer then the other, all other things being equal ?
more water resistant maybe ?

I've heard that 70 % wool will be warmer when dry.
And that its not as itchy as pure wool.

Is there a noticeable difference in the real world ?
 
I'm not positive, but I think the main reason behind the wool blend is washing. Pure wool needs to be dry cleaned, the blends can be washed all normal like.

There shouldn't be much difference in warmth between pure and blend.
 
Depends on the blend.

Some are 70% virgin wool, 30% recycled wool. Some are X% wool with some nylon and spandex -- reasons for adding those materials is they add some stretch to the fabric so they will last longer. Theoretically.
 
70% Wool and what else... that makes a big difference.

70/30 wool/various manmade fibres is a crap shoot
70/30 wool/cotton isn't bad
70/30 wool/acrylic tends to be scratchy IMO.
70/30 wool/Polyester would be nice but rarely found in blankets
70/30 wool/nylon is usually found in headgear socks and gloves

I look more for a thread count when choosing blankets. How tight is the weave? The emergency blankets that sell for $15 or less make crappy camp blankets. They are a loose weave that has bee felted... basically, disposable "disaster relief" only.

A good blanket will cost $45(army issue), up to $300(HBC, Whitney Point)

You can wash wool (in cold water) just don't dry it in a machine. and stretch it as it dries.

I buy my blankets BIG (as big as I can find) and I wash them HOT and machine dry HOT.... this shrinks the fabric and makes the weave windproof and warmer. A 68x96 blanket will end up around 60x88 after that.

Also..... do yourself a favour and treat them with 100% lanolin oil. (unless you are allergic) it will increase the life and improve watershed.

Rick
 
Does the hot washing cause all the shrinkage at once, or do they shrink in every washing after that?
 
price.

100% wool (here in my area anyways.....YMMV) a 100% wool blanket runs from about $80 (very used surplus) to around $400.

whereas the mixed blends run $10 - 100.
 
sodak said:
Does the hot washing cause all the shrinkage at once, or do they shrink in every washing after that?
Click to expand...

It can only shrink so far. A good HOT wash and dry will do it. It will only shrink once, that way. Filson and many other quality wool product makers prewash all of their wool so they won't shrink on you with normal washing.

Generations have been using wool without having to dry clean. Wool is a tough fabric if used properly.


Rick
 
Thanks for the info Rick. I have been wondering many of these things.:thumbup:
 
FWIW Harbor Freight sells 80% wool blankets for about $9, but I don't know what the 20% is. I will check at lunch. I keep one under the seat in my jeep still in the original plastic bag as an emergency blanket along with a space blanket.
 
On many the blanket itself is wool 100% but the border trim or decorative stitching may be nylon or some other man made thread. Shirts are often this way also. It may be a wool or cotton shirt but have cuffs and collars of a nylon and the hems may be nylon thread also. Its still cotton and still wool in these cases. The trick is learning which you are looking at and many times the customer service of the place selling the items can tell you exactly how its made.

STR
 
Darteres said:
FWIW Harbor Freight sells 80% wool blankets for about $9, but I don't know what the 20% is. I will check at lunch. I keep one under the seat in my jeep still in the original plastic bag as an emergency blanket along with a space blanket.
Click to expand...


Harbor Freight blankets are 80% wool 20% polyester, nylon and acrylic.
 
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100% wool still insulates when wet. I wouldn't be so sure of some of the blends, although I wouldn't hesitate if it was all I had.

The other thing to think about is fire. Whether it is a wildfire, or just sitting/sleeping too close to the campfire, the poly blend may make a surprising difference. 100% wool will smolder or burn and that is it. Some of the poly blends may melt and stick to you or anything else. Not good.

I've used the poly blends many, many times with no bad consequences. In fact the only 100% wool blanket I own is a white Hudson Bay that I don't dare take out of the house. I am aware of the differences and try to minimize the downsides.
 
So I guess the general opinion is that there is not a big difference between the blankets, which kinda makes sense once I think about it.
Good to know :)
 
100% wool still insulates when wet.
Click to expand...
+1:thumbup:

It is possible to buy 100% wool on the cheap. I've bought vintage military surplus blankets for really cheap. They are 100% wool and SCRATCHY. You can also find some really nice vintage wool blankets at thrift stores on the cheap. Watch for holes. You might even check ebay for some steals. My vote is go the 100% route. You wouldn't eat a 70% beef burger with 30% unknown or synthetic material? I know you aren't digesting it but 100% wool is great. If you're afraid of the scratchiness, I can tell you that you get used to it. It isn't so bad.
 
What is the difference in real life.
Is one of them warmer then the other, all other things being equal ?
more water resistant maybe ?

I've heard that 70 % wool will be warmer when dry.
And that its not as itchy as pure wool.

Is there a noticeable difference in the real world ?
Click to expand...

Having been a living history reenactor or historical trekker (in the spirit of experimental archeology) for decades, I have learned a few things about wool blankets over the years that has proved valuable. When we are not participating on the reasonably safe wintertime rendezvous (we use tent stoves and plenty of blankets), I (we) am often running a Colonial Longhunter wilderness style trek (single or double blanket) in sometimes below freezing temperatures. The blanket really becomes a part of your survival gear at that point, ensuring a good nights sleep with complete protection from the elements. We do not trust our comfort and health to cheap blankets because they simply don't work well enough.

All of our blankets are 100% new wool and are soft. I have many blankets made by Hudson's Bay, Early's Witney Point (founded in the 17th Century in England), and my favorite blankets are hand-woven by C.J. Wilde http://wildeweavery.com/Default.htm. These blankets can be "fulled" (another subject) for extra warmth, they can be purchased very large (I use a 5-point size), they are extremely warm (cheap blankets can't compare). My blankets made by C.J. Wilde are as soft and warm as it gets. Not inexpensive, but worth every nickel if you enjoy warmth and comfort.

The reprocessed wool blankets, mixed wool/synthetics are fine for cutting up for crafts, emergency blankets in the car, picnics, a blanket to keep the chill off, etc., but the difference between one of those blankets and a *quality* 100% new wool blanket is literally day and night. I, too, have a pile of the military style blankets (some are all wool), but I don't sleep under those things in the environment in which we live. In warmer climates they might have a use.

We don't trust our wool blankets to the dry cleaners. I don't know of any quality blanket owner who does. Our blankets are * very gently* soaked and washed in the bathtub with either Woolite, a Nikwax product, or another liquid soap product that I get from a blanket maker. The blankets are then spun in the wash machine to remove excess water, blocked to dry (to keep its shape), and then fulled or double fulled. The results are superior to any other cleaning method and present no harm to the wool (unlike dry cleaners).

Like most everything else, you get what you pay for in blankets. If your comfort and safety are important to you, purchase the very best blanket you can afford. Cutting corners to save a few dollars here always brings about a regretful experience. I have been on FAR too many outings listening to folks complain in the middle of the night about the fact that they should have invested in a better blanket or sleeping bag. :)
 
Great post, Dannyboy!

I have one good Whitney 5-point that I cherish. I wouldn't bring that one on the trail cause its too pretty.

For the trail, I have sewn together 2 German army blankets on three sides. If it gets really cold I can stuff material inbetween them. A bit bulkier than the quality blankets... but I'm not afraid to sit close to the fire (in fear of sparks pock marking my good one) If I was doing period treks where authenticity was a must, I'd definately invest in a GOOD blanket.

Rick
 
Dannyboy Leather said:
Having been a living history reenactor or historical trekker (in the spirit of experimental archeology) for decades, I have learned a few things about wool blankets over the years that has proved valuable. When we are not participating on the reasonably safe wintertime rendezvous (we use tent stoves and plenty of blankets), I (we) am often running a Colonial Longhunter wilderness style trek (single or double blanket) in sometimes below freezing temperatures. The blanket really becomes a part of your survival gear at that point, ensuring a good nights sleep with complete protection from the elements. We do not trust our comfort and health to cheap blankets because they simply don't work well enough.

All of our blankets are 100% new wool and are soft. I have many blankets made by Hudson's Bay, Early's Witney Point (founded in the 17th Century in England), and my favorite blankets are hand-woven by C.J. Wilde http://wildeweavery.com/Default.htm. These blankets can be "fulled" (another subject) for extra warmth, they can be purchased very large (I use a 5-point size), they are extremely warm (cheap blankets can't compare). My blankets made by C.J. Wilde are as soft and warm as it gets. Not inexpensive, but worth every nickel if you enjoy warmth and comfort.

The reprocessed wool blankets, mixed wool/synthetics are fine for cutting up for crafts, emergency blankets in the car, picnics, a blanket to keep the chill off, etc., but the difference between one of those blankets and a *quality* 100% new wool blanket is literally day and night. I, too, have a pile of the military style blankets (some are all wool), but I don't sleep under those things in the environment in which we live. In warmer climates they might have a use.

We don't trust our wool blankets to the dry cleaners. I don't know of any quality blanket owner who does. Our blankets are * very gently* soaked and washed in the bathtub with either Woolite, a Nikwax product, or another liquid soap product that I get from a blanket maker. The blankets are then spun in the wash machine to remove excess water, blocked to dry (to keep its shape), and then fulled or double fulled. The results are superior to any other cleaning method and present no harm to the wool (unlike dry cleaners).

Like most everything else, you get what you pay for in blankets. If your comfort and safety are important to you, purchase the very best blanket you can afford. Cutting corners to save a few dollars here always brings about a regretful experience. I have been on FAR too many outings listening to folks complain in the middle of the night about the fact that they should have invested in a better blanket or sleeping bag. :)
Click to expand...

First, Thank you for sharing your knowledge on this subject. Can you please expand on the fulling and double fulling. How does one go about fulling a wool blanket? I have several Italian military surplus blankets that I would like to turn into some outer garments and I would like to see if this process would benefit me prior to sewing. Thanks again.

Paul
 
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