Wool Blankets

G

g123

Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Messages
329
Hey Guys,

What has been your experience with military surplus wool blankets?

What one is the best in your opinion and where can I buy one?

Thanks,

Geoff
 
My personal favorite has to be the italian wool. I think it is fairly soft in comparsion to its counter parts, it is also the largest and it comes in a cool OD with a whitish stripe. I bought two of them. They live in my car. I also take them out on my bushcraft outings when I want to sleep right next to the fire. They can be had for around 20 dollars a piece from cheaperthandirt.com Other sites sell them too but they had the best deal at the time.

NOTE: They are going to REEEEEEK of moth-balls. They need to be washed multiple times. I suggest you bring them to a laurdry self-serve. If you wash them in your own washer and dryer you will be smelling them for days. Not exactly pleasent. It took me about 3 washings each. Then let them air out in the backyard for about a week making sure to turn them once/day. It's a pain in the a** but worth it. I love having them.
 
I love them, always have one with me when camping.

My mother keeps one in the living room to keep her warm too :)
 
:thumbup::thumbup:On the Italian army surplus ones. They are a little more expensive than the American ones but are bigger and heavier.--KV
 
Dont put your wool blankets in a dryer !! ( R U crazy ?? )

havent tried the Italian blankets , but the german army ones marked bundes eigentum (federal property ?) are really great!
Search for bundes eigentum blanket

mine is marked as follows

wolldecke 200 X 210 cm
all mine are from the 60's and unissued
 
Why would you use one? The military poncho liner is far better; lighter, dries faster, larger, softer, and warmer.
 
s500yards said:
My personal favorite has to be the italian wool. I think it is fairly soft in comparsion to its counter parts, it is also the largest and it comes in a cool OD with a whitish stripe. I bought two of them. They live in my car. I also take them out on my bushcraft outings when I want to sleep right next to the fire. They can be had for around 20 dollars a piece from cheaperthandirt.com Other sites sell them too but they had the best deal at the time.

NOTE: They are going to REEEEEEK of moth-balls. They need to be washed multiple times. I suggest you bring them to a laurdry self-serve. If you wash them in your own washer and dryer you will be smelling them for days. Not exactly pleasent. It took me about 3 washings each. Then let them air out in the backyard for about a week making sure to turn them once/day. It's a pain in the a** but worth it. I love having them.
Click to expand...

I've got one of those as well - great blanket. I use it hunting in the winter all the time. Sitting around a campfire, getting them smoky helps with the new blankey smell. As to the poncho liner thing... the (Italian) wool is quite a bit warmer and infinitely quieter.
 
I got the Italian ones from sportsmans guide and they are really nice. Just like someone said, they will smell bad of mothballs. I just washed them twice at the laundrymat with simple green cleaner and hung them out to dry outside and it took that smell away. They are really nice and warm and they are a great deal.
 
I have the Italian and the German wool blankets. The German one are definitely heavier and larger, but you can buy 4 new Italian blankets for around $60 total vs $35 each for the German. My wife thought I was crazy, but now one of the German ones stays on our queen size bed.
 
I have an OD French milsurp one that I used when I was the Chaplain for my younger son's Boy Scout Troop. It is nice and thick, and incredibly warm. We have used it for years for everything from taking shelter from inclement weather at football games & track meets, to camping, and even use it as a comforter on our bed.

I also have an old J.C. Penney 4-point wool blanket that is every bit as good. I found them both on that evil, anti-gun auction site that is based out of CA
 
eisman said:
Why would you use one? The military poncho liner is far better; lighter, dries faster, larger, softer, and warmer.
Click to expand...

the 4oz. poncho liner is a nice item, but is apples to oranges when comparing to a wool blanket.
 
You can hunch up close to a fire in a wool blanket try doing that in a poncho liner , if there is any sparks they will melt holes.
 
I have two of the german ones which are some of the best blanket I've ever seen.

I picked up two of the Italian blankets. Washed em both HOT an d then dryed em on HOT as well. This shrinks em a bit tightening the weave. This was intentional for I use em to make garments out of.

The whitish British wool hospital blankets are excellent as well, but make sure to check them for stains before buying them if you can.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top