Space blanket options

[bludger]

I am interested in a space blanket after my last 400 in which I just couldn't stay warm when stopped at night. Looking online most space blankets seem geared to pack up as small as possible for use in emergencies. I'd like one which is easy to re-pack after use; I don't want to be spending 15 minutes doing space blanket origami on the road side before I can crack on. Does anyone have any recommendations?

[fuaran]

Most of these space blankets are not really designed to be reusable. They will probably get ripped or start flaking to pieces after a couple of uses.

I have the Adventure Medical Kits / Survive Outdoors Longer Emergency Blanket. It is designed to be reusable, so should be a bit more durable.
I keep it in my bag just in case, but not had to to use it yet. So not sure how easy it will be to get back in the bag. Maybe worth getting a slightly bigger bag to pack it in.

https://www.surviveoutdoorslonger.com/shelters/heat-reflective-blankets/survive-outdoors-longer-emergency-blanket.html

[Ben T]

It's orange, so "rescuers" can see you. I'd want the opposite - I don't want to be seen.
"Hello there! Are you OK??!!!"
(I was, before you woke me up) 

[Gus]

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/reusable-survival-blanket-orange-id_8385089.html#
have one, you might need to repack it into another bag, so you can pack it with ease

[FifeingEejit]

The foil ones you'll generally have kicked a hole through the bottom or otherwise torn during use anyway; they're designed as single use (as bad as that may be) but you're not going to carry a full size cloth blanket in the same weight and space profile.

I have a pack of these
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bramble-Emergency-Blankets-Multi-purpose-Protection/dp/B01M19HAEB/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=space+blanket&qid=1559909274&s=gateway&sr=8-6

Reusable ones are basically the traditional plastic orange bivvy bag with foil lining like these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bramble-Pack-Emergency-Bivvy-Bag/dp/B0743HGTMD/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=foil+lined+bivvy&qid=1559909310&s=gateway&sr=8-1

They're orange for when your in it waiting for the MRT to come and get you, but reusable for when it's either a planned lightweight overnight or unplanned without need for rescue.

[Phil W]

Get a bigger stuff sack to stuff it back into when used. These emergency blankets are often vacuum packed and will not go back in the original packaging.

[Phil W]

I just generally take my lightest bivvy bag these days, only 190g.  Completely reusable and coming up for 23 years use.  Once you create a sealed environment around the body you get a micro environment and it warms up anyway. Still air is a great insulator.

[quixoticgeek]

I have a Thermartex blanket, it works very well, it's not as reflective as a mylar blanket, but it's more pleasant to use.

https://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/category-57/XA107.html

I've also used the AMK SOL space blankets. They are more durable than mylar, more compact than the Thermartex, and more reflective too. But it's harder to fold up than the Thermartex, but easier than Mylar.

J

[JBB]

I have a Thermartex blanket, it works very well, it's not as reflective as a mylar blanket, but it's more pleasant to use.

https://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/category-57/XA107.html

I've also used the AMK SOL space blankets. They are more durable than mylar, more compact than the Thermartex, and more reflective too. But it's harder to fold up than the Thermartex, but easier than Mylar.

J

I've got one of those as well, reasonably durable and does work.

[bludger]

It certainly looks like the dogs danglies. I leave to do a super big tour in October so will save up my pocket money. In the meantime I'll use a regular cheap space blanket for UK work. Cheers everyone 👍

If anyone has something suitable for sale do let me know.

[T42]

The el cheapo sliver/gold ones make great reflectors for photography.

[bludger]

Shopping around a bit I found this £17 product from Rab (of all people) which I think fits my requirements quite well.

https://rab.equipment/uk/accessories-equipment/shelters-tents-bivis/ark-bivi-double

Any strong opinions? I think it is a space blanket in its function but looks quite hardy. Also comes with a stuff sack instead of a plastic bag.

[vorsprung]

I've used the Sol Escape Lite Bivvy and it is really nice, much better than a space blanket.  Also possibly lighter than the big blanket from Rab

I know you love the cheap stuff though and it's likely to be a few quid more than that

https://audaxing.wordpress.com/2018/07/01/old-and-new-lightweight-camping-gear/

[fuaran]

Depends on what you want to do. A bivvy bag is better if you want to lie down and get some sleep. But a blanket can be useful just to wrap around yourself, ie to keep warm while you stop for food. Or if you are injured.

[Phil W]

The Rab Ark is a bivvy bag rather than blanket.  It will be warm but will not breathe. So be careful not to end up drenched in sweat. Remove layers as you warm etc,

[quixoticgeek]

I've used the Sol Escape Lite Bivvy and it is really nice, much better than a space blanket.  Also possibly lighter than the big blanket from Rab

I know you love the cheap stuff though and it's likely to be a few quid more than that

https://audaxing.wordpress.com/2018/07/01/old-and-new-lightweight-camping-gear/

I have one, review on blog (link in footer). I wasn't as impressed with it as I wanted to be. It could be so good, but it's just short of the mark.

Hence why I ended up with the Thermatex blanket.

J