| This product is one of those hidden gems, which once found and used to uprate your sleep or travel system, you will never leave out of your kit bag ever again. Like all great products it falls into the 'simple' and 'invaluable' category. These improvements include:
As I write this on a very cold winters day with the blanket over my knees (aww bless) the reflectivity and heat retention is instantly noticeable as before. The previous material did have more of a silk like feel to it, whereas this feels slightly stiffer more akin to a rip-stop nylon as mentioned above. ------------- This is an unusual product, but one which many outdoors people or travelers will have longed for at least once in their life. How often have you been chilled at night in your sleeping bag, and just wanted another 'layer' or more 'insulation' to throw over you to retain that valuable warmth? Perhaps lying back in hammock and wondering if that sudden chill will last all night? Maybe you have been on a long overnight bus journey, or stuck in an airport in the night, getting cold with all your sleeping gear out of reach in the luggage system? Possibly you have been watching the sunset, sitting on a hill or beach, gradually becoming aware that the daytime clothes you are wearing are not going to keep you comfortable for much longer? I can think of countless occasions like the above, when I have been 'chilled' or very cold, but aware that to increase my warmth at that moment would have meant carrying another 'insulation' layer or 'clothing' in my pack on the way to wherever I camped. Something I just (a) didn't have the space for and (b) didn't want to carry the extra 'just in case' weight. Ideally the solution for any of the above would be; (a) as light as possible (of course) The solution has come from a small unknown UK manufacturer and this item has been around quietly for a while, however it was recently sent to me to test as the designer thought we would appreciate the features more than most. As it happens, quite rightly! So I tried it as exampled above and found it to be a remarkable product doing exactly what it says on the tin. I've slept out on these frosty nights in a light sleeping bag which would normally be 1 or 2 'seasons' too light and thrown the blanket over me 'silver side' out. I guess it works in simplest terms just like the NeoAir sleeping mat. By reflecting heat back towards the user. Although I am unable to measure the amount of reflected heat I can assure you that I was a darn site warmer than I would have been without it. The effect was very noticeable. It has the soft tactile fee of rip stop nylon. It is silent and extremely breathable, so there were no damp condensation patches on the bag anywhere beneath it. There was naturally some frost condensation on the shelter skin which fell onto the blanket but didn't soak through at all. So it is water resistant to an acceptable level. The only negative issue I found with it, was because it was 'so' light I could hardly feel it was there. It was also very 'slippy' and so a bit of DIY would be needed to put some velcro tabs or similar on the edges to hold it in place, however you intend to use it. If for whatever reason you wanted the material more water resistant you could possibly spray on some Nikwax TX Direct, (but ONLY onto the Green side) but for normal use it isn't necessary. It isn't classed as a 'survival blanket' (and shouldn't be used that way) but a very simple and effective way to 'up-rate' your sleep system for minimal bulk. Ideal for cold sleepers, the unexpected frost, to stuff in small spaces in a pack, hammock sleeping, traveling and well, virtually anytime you want a little comfort in your outdoor life! Try it, you will be pleasantly surprised!! Manufacturers comments The “Thermartex®” launch product is the “Bedding Blanket”. It can be used on it's own or on top of other bedding and is suitable for use in any dry environment both indoors and outdoors. Measuring approximately 1.6m x 2m and weighing only 212g the aluminized woven rip-stop nylon blanket is highly breathable and reflects up to 75% of radiated body heat. It is ideal where thermal performance, weight and packing size are important. It is primarily intended for use as a camping blanket, travel blanket, sleeping bag or normal bed cover, but has many other applications. The blanket should be kept away from fire and other sources of ignition. It should also be kept away from salt and other chemicals as these will damage the heat reflective coating. It is not suitable for use as a Emergency/Survival blanket.
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28 January 2022 | David Been using the (V3) blanket in recent weeks, with nights falling below freezing temperatures. As a layering system for a sleeping bag or quilt, i’m very pleased, no condensation and definitely a warmer sleep (cut drafts too). The material is very slippery, but when kept in place, a very good simple layering solution for my quilt. 0 of 1 people found this review helpful.
09 January 2021 | Mark I have only had a couple of opportunities to use this product but so far I am very impressed. For something so thin it can really help keep the cold at bay when used as a shawl. 1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
11 August 2018 | Chris I've tended to have this as a back up for night, and only used it a couple of times. BUT last week, on a scorching campsite, it was marvellous. It sat on top of a rigged-up basha, attached by a couple of clothes pegs, and helped make an amazing cool shady space. The sun was so hot that there was a surprising amount coming through the basha (standard Highlander job) but nothing at all got through the bit covered by the blanket. Definitely bear this in mind next heatwave we get. 2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
28 July 2018 | Jamie North Wales walking trip in the recent hot weather. MSR Elixir 2, Thermarest Evolite mat and a Snugpak 5 degree bag should of had it covered in the comfy sleeping department, but NO. Snowdonia had a 0 degree at night thing going on and I was cold. I had packed the reflective blanket and it was great. Sleeped well with it over and on the 3rd night inside my bag. Light weight, easy to pack and warm. Recommended. 3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
25 March 2018 | Giles I've got these as a lightweight (which they most certainly are!) solution to making summer bags a bit warmer as necessary. I've yet to sew them into bag sleaves, but they already work very well as insulating blankets. This review has not been appraised.
27 December 2017 | Timothy Used this over a down quilt in a hammock in just above freezing temperatures. The blanket worked well at trapping heat. It is also light and packs down very small. If used over a quilt or sleeping bag it needs to be used silver side out. 2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
14 May 2017 | Helen Easy to pack easy to use does what it says a real boon on a cold night and works quickly This review has not been appraised.
14 February 2017 | Carl Just used this in -5 on frozen grass on a mountain side in the Lake District, under a Neo Air Thermarest with a winter goose down sleeping bag inside a Rab Ridge Raider, I was toastie and snug all night long This review has not been appraised.
28 July 2016 | Philip Good blanket, Handy for ad hoc dozing in the afternoon. keeps body heat in. fits neatly inside a borrowed stuffsac. Havent used it in earnest yet, however I feel it will work well 0 of 1 people found this review helpful.
07 June 2016 | Jacqueline I have always been extremely happy with the products and service offered by Backpackinglight. The heat reflective blanket was purchased to add warmth to the sleep system for our tent. Very lightweight and very effective. This review has not been appraised.
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