After more than 13 hours of research and testing, the best emergency blanket is the S.O.L. Survive Outdoors Longer emergency blanket. It delivers a weatherproof and tear-resistant, vacuum-metalized polyethylene fabric construction, helping you retain 90% of your body heat to keep safe in the cold. It also only weighs 2.5 ounces, making it easy to stow and carry. Of course, you’ll need the best survival gear if you will be going camping or hiking.
Choosing the best emergency blankets on the market could mean the difference between hypothermic shock or a nice warm shelter in extremely cold weather conditions. Our evaluation focused on material, size (length/weight), durability (e.g. waterproofing, thickness), and design/shape. Keep reading to learn more about the S.O.L. Survive Outdoors Longer 90 Percent Heat Reflective Emergency Blanket and six others that met our strict grading criteria.
Top 7 Best Emergency Blanket
#1 S.O.L. Survive Outdoors Longer 90 Percent Heat Reflective Emergency Blanket
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This is the best cold weather blanket, great for arctic adventurers with a vacuum-metalized polyethylene fabric to retain 90% of your body heat.
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- Best on a budget
- Large (56” x 84” ) and lightweight (2.5 ounces)
- Can be worn to deflect or retain heat
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- No breathability
- Slight chemical odor after opening
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This 56” x 84” emergency blanket is made using vacuum-metalized polyethylene fabric, which is a lot more durable (wind and tear-resistant) than mylar, another popular material. Plus, it absorbs 90% of your body heat. With the silver side exposed outward, it is also effective in hot weather, helping wearers deflect heat back into the atmosphere. We have no problem calling this a military survival blanket.
This high quality emergency blanket is shaped like an extra-long gown, completely conforming to your body. At 56” x 84”, and weighing 2.5 ounces, it is more than comfortable for most averaged sized adults. You can check out other great S.O.L. emergency blankets on sites like Amazon and Go Time Gear. With this survival gear, you’ll be ready for anything on your next hike. What if you want to birdwatch as you hike? A versatile tool that you can use is the best compact binoculars.
#2 Tonyko Fiberglass Emergency Blanket
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This emergency blanket uses a 100% fiberglass fabric and adheres to EN-1869:1997 standard, making it the best choice on the list to put out fires.
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- Best for fire prevention
- Comes in five different sizes
- N-1869:1997 certified for fire resistance
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- Not the most pliable blanket
- Only one blanket in the package
- Designed for single-use
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This emergency blanket’s EN-1869:1997 certification validates its ability as a flame retardant and stopper. It comes in five sizes, ranging from 39.3” by 39.3” (smallest) to 70.9” by 70.9” (largest) making it usable for all types of applications from large campsite fires to smaller kitchen fires. Kudos for also serving as a heat shield in case you are caught in a burning home.
Thanks to this emergency blanket’s fiberglass construction, it can also put out liquid and grease fires as high as up to 1076°. Though it devours fires quickly, we recommend the use of gloves (not included) as the surface tends to get hot very quickly. Note, it is intended for single use and is ideal for smaller kids who may not be able to handle a fire extinguisher. If you’ll be hiking in California, you might also want to consider the best earthquake kit.
#3 Don’t Die in the Woods Emergency Blanket
Award: NASA DESIGNED MATERIAL
WHY WE LIKE IT: Thanks to a four-pack and doubling as an emergency shelter/sleeping bag, these emergency blankets are a great choice for campers.
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- Comes in four pack
- Comes in five different sizes
- Retains 90% of body heat
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- May tear easily from edges if not careful
- A little challenging to stuff blanket back in the pouch
- Not intended for multiple time use & not fireproof
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We like this emergency blankets durability, constructed using NASA-designed mylar which can retain up to 90% of body heat. Extra-large sizing (60” by 82”) makes it fit for most averaged sized adults and doubles as a best emergency sleeping bag by using tape and a paracord. Bonus points go for its versatility.
This emergency blanket’s design shape is very unique, tall enough to double as an emergency shelter with the included ties and paracords. It is also designed for multiple time use and lightweight and compact enough (only two ounces) to fit comfortably in a camping bag, although there is a slight learning curve in stuffing it back into an included drawstring knapsack. For more disaster equipment, take a look at the best disaster kit backpack.
#4 Medline NONDB4080 Disposable Emergency Blanket
Award: BEST QUANTITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: This is the best emergency blanket in bulk, coming in a ten-pack, making it work very useful with first aid kits to help fire evacuees or use as backup on camping trips.
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- Durable 100% needle punched polyester
- Latex-free & large size
- Reusable (despite brand page)
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- May feel too heavy and coarse for some people
- Cannot double as an emergency shelter
- May degrade with repeated washes
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This 40” by 80” emergency blanket is made using 100% needle punched polyester, which is very durable and flame resistant. It also has a lot of tensile strength and is less prone to shrinkage with repeated washes. Yes, these are machine washable. Coming in a case of 10, they can also be cut and used as disposable pet bedding, camping, and as a trunk bed liner to cushion your cargo.
We also like the fact this emergency blanket is latex-free. Latex can affect a small number of people with skin-related allergies such as edema and dermatitis. This makes it a winner in our book. To be prepared for anything, you might also want to one of the best disaster food kits along.
#5 Swiss Safe Emergency Blankets
Award: BEST FOR HIKING
WHY WE LIKE IT: These dual-sided 52″ by 82″ thermal blankets are made of durable waterproof and moisture-proof mylar, making them work well in extreme outdoor conditions.
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- Very durable and moisture resistant
- Comes in a pack of four
- 100% money-back guarantee
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- Crinkling sound of fabric may be annoying to some
- May be too thin for some people
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We love this Swiss Safe emergency mylar thermal blanket’s thermal insulation properties, retaining 90% of body heat without weighing you down heavily (only 2 ounces). It is also wind and moisture-proof, great for those massive wind gusts out on the frontier. Plus, it comes in a four-pack with an extra space blanket, making it ideal for a group of campers.
With this reusable emergency blanket’s extra large sizing and flexibility, these can be propped up as emergency shelters or as a sleeping bag liner. This allows easy adaptability to the need at hand as an item to help sleep or for a hypothermia sufferer to brave off the cold. For another waterproof and windproof option to help maintain your body temperature, check out the portable Luxrmoon Emergency Insulation Survival Blanket. In case you get injured in your next hike, go prepared with the best disaster first aid kit.
#6 Primacare HB-10 Emergency Blanket
Award: BEST FOR FIRST AID
WHY WE LIKE IT: This 52″ by 84″ emergency blanket comes with a weather-resistant, two-sided mylar construction and can be used to deflect or retain heat, making it great for staying warm or cold environments.
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- Comes in a pack of 10
- Durable Mylar fabric
- Retains and deflects body heat well
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- Can tear very easily if not careful
- May be too thin for some people
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These Mylar space blankets are very durable. Like our #1 pick S.O.L. Survive Outdoors Longer 90 Percent Heat Reflective Emergency Blanket, it uses a Mylar insert and a foil cover on the opposite side to help deflect and retain 90% of body heat. Each individually wrapped blanket weighs less than a pound, stowing nicely in a backpack.
We like using these blankets for large groups of campers or EMTs to treat patients with shock symptoms. They can even be useful to keep large batches of food trays hot in an area with chilly air. Lastly, it could double as a window cover for an insulating effect, provided you don’t care too much about hiding or replacing your actual curtains. If you’re taking these along on your next stargazing trip, make sure you don’t forget your best refracting telescope too.
#7 Arcturus Heavy Duty Survival Emergency Blanket
Award: BEST FOR CAMPING
WHY WE LIKE IT: This 60” by 82” emergency blanket has a durable Mylar/polypropylene construction with four reinforced tie-down grommets, making this a great choice as a camping tarp.
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- Great as camping tarp
- Four reinforced tie-down grommets for ground cover
- Waterproof, windproof, and strong corners
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- High cost
- Prone to tearing if exposed to sharp objects
- Could use four more grommet holes
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This emergency blanket resists wind and water very well, using reflective Mylar on one side and two layers of polypropylene on the other side. Though it warms and helps retain 90% of body heat, it may tear if not handled properly. Given the material and size, its shape is more restrictive and is not intended as a sleeping bag or liner.
We love this emergency blankets four tie-down grommets, which have reinforced corners to prevent tearing. This makes it easy to apply ground stakes and prop up as an emergency shelter. Kudos for weighing less than a pound with its own knapsack, making it easy to lug on camping and hiking trips. If you have a bit more space available, you’ll also want the best earthquake kit.
How We Decided
In determining the best emergency blanket to buy, we explored material, size (length/weight), durability (e.g. waterproofing, thickness), design/shape, and length of warranty.
As a general rule, look for emergency blankets that are at least 47” by 70”, which can be worn by or cover average-sized adults. Some emergency blankets like the Tonyko Fiberglass Fire Blanket come in five different sizes, making it great for handling everything from small kitchen stoves to liquid and grease fire in a medium-sized room.
Material is very important. For flame retardant blankets, we recommend fiberglass fabric which can withstand extreme conditions like temperatures up to 1076°F. For emergency blankets, we are big fans of tear and weatherproof vacuum-metalized polyethylene fabric construction, followed by mylar. Both do a great job of retaining 90% of body heat, a potential lifesaver out on the trails. Alongside fiberglass and mylar blankets, there are wool blankets on the market as well. Each have their pros and cons, so hopefully you can decide which would be the best survival blanket for you in emergency situations.
Most emergency blankets also weigh less than 3 ounces, making it easy to stow away in a camping backpack. Others, like our #5 pick Swiss Safe Blankets, can double as emergency shelters and sleeping bags using included paracords, working better for the outdoors.
Best Emergency Blanket Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Material
Our favorite fabric for emergency survival blankets is vacuum-metalized polyethylene fabric, followed by the less tear-resistant mylar. However, both have excellent body heat retention ability, keeping up to 90% of body heat. As for flame retardant blankets, we like fiberglass cloth which can withstand high temperatures up to up to 1076℉. For the best heat retention and flame retardants, no best wool survival blanket is included on our list. - Size (Length/Weight)
Look for emergency blankets that are at least 47” by 70”, which should comfortably fit most average-sized adults. Most of the blankets on our list weigh less than three ounces, making them easy to stow in a camping backpack or drawstring knapsack. Some use their blanket as a ground cloth for cold, damp situations or under a makeshift shelter. - Design/Shape
Design and shape is helped in large part by size. The 60” by 82” Don’t Die in the Woods Emergency Blanket can easily convert to a small sleeping tent using tape and a paracord. The Swiss Safe Emergency Blanket can also be used as a sleeping liner.
