Need Recomendation on Warm, Compressable Blanket (not sleeping bag) (1 Viewer)

[Miescha]

The short story: I need help finding a blanket that will be warm (northern Minnesota summer nights), compressable, and durable.

The longer story: My 8 y/o is heading off to 4 weeks of camp in northern Minnesota (Bemidji / Cass Lake area). My 20 y/o has been spending 8 weeks of every summer there for the past 12 years, so we know what to expect and I'm trying to do a better job of equipping the 8 y/o for the first summer.

Low temps average 50 degrees F but 40 degrees is never a surprise and we've been there for temps in the 30's too. The kids sleep in cabins without heat or insulation and often only screens (open porches basically). We are set for sleeping bag, but that will only be used for overnight camping trips outside the cabin and in the cabin only when it gets really cold - 40 or below. Otherwise, the sleeping bags are stored out of the way and not easily accessible for daily use.

So . . . instead of or in addition to the heavy fleece and wool blanket we sent with our older child, I'm wondering if there is any 'new technology' blanket that I could send that could be used as an every day blanket (just uncover some if it is too warm) but would be nice and cozy warm if the temps drop and the sleeping bags are not handy.

I don't have any issues with it getting wet - it will only be used in the cabin (although there was one year when all the stuff was left outside and got soaked in a sudden rain storm, but still, you get the idea).

It doesn't need to be super light b/c it won't be carried in a backpack - but I will need to be watchful of airline weight limits - I doubt this will be the item that puts us over!

It does need to compress down pretty small b/c the campers are only allowed two large duffles - but we are very familiar with compression sacks

I'm looking for super durability b/c I won't be around to make sure it doesn't get abused (I don't know how to abuse a blanket, but I'm always surprised by the condition of things when they get home).

I don't mind paying more if it will allow me to save space in the duffles, send less stuff (fewer blankets), keep the kid comfy, and last a long time - I expect it will still be going to camp 10-12 years from now.

The camp (owned by good friends of ours) says on their packing list to bring a sleeping bag (we're covered there) and three warm blankets - they suggest wool or fleece, we have several of both. But, the wool stuff isn't really any warmer than other materials that compress better (wool doesn't really compress at all). It is super durable though.

Fleece is definitely warm (especially if you get the heavy stuff rather than the light or medium fleece). It does compress OK and is pretty durable (even dries quickly if it does get wet).

I'm wondering about down though. We have 650fp down sleeping bags that compress down to bread loaf size and can be opened up like a blanket (square bottom). So I'm thinking I could just send a second one of these - but I'm already sending one so . . .

I found a blanket - sleeping bag liner actually, that is mad eby 'Sea to Summit' and it is called the Thermolite Reactor liner. It is shaped like a mummy bag with a draw string at the opening. It claims 15 degrees of added warmth, but you can see right through the thing. Cost is $50 at Cabella's and here is a link:
Sea to Summit USA - Outdoor, Travel and Backpacking Gear

So, what am I missing? I noticed that no outdoor stores in the St. Louis area carry blankets - just sleeping bags. But maybe its the wrong season to be expecting this. I've been to REI, Cabella's, Bass Pro Shops, and the Alpine Shop with no luck.

Is there anything else I should consider, or just go with the fleece and or Sea to Summit liner and call it a day?

I've also got a down comforter that we never use b/c it is just too warm for our mild St. Louis winters. It is sized for a twin bed and is seemingly perfect for this purpose (I haven't tried to compress it yet, but it seems like it would pack down pretty small). I've already paid for the thing (over $200 a few winters ago) and it isn't getting used anyway! But, the is concerned that it will get really dirty or torn up. The cover (duvet) we have for it is a bit fancy as it was purchased for one of our guest beds, but I could probably come up with something (idea?) that will protect it and still let enough air out through the zipper, buttons, whatever that it will compress down.

Sorry for the rambling of thoughts, I'm just running out of time and I'm thinking I shouldn't even bother sending the wool blanket and I'm wondering about the fleece blanket. I like the Reactor liner, but wonder if the $50 would't be better spent towards another down sleeping bag and just call it a blanket.

Thanks for the help - this is my last weekend to buy as I have no free time before the departure.

 

[sirenmoses]

Polyfill blanket, kinda like here: Orvis Microfiber Throw Blanket - 48x56", Reversible - Save 50%

 

[Miescha]

Looks like a winner - warm, packable, and cheap!

But here is where the tech throws me. The bag liner in my orig. post claims a 15 degree warmth improvement feel (whatever that equates to). The fleece you linked gives no indication of warmth, but I gotta say looks a hell of a lot warmer - but only b/c it is thicker/heavier (which probably means it will also not compress down as much).

So, does the technology really make the light, thin stuff that much better (or even as good as) the thick heavy stuff? If so, I'll go for the think and light and call it a day. If not, put me down for the warm, comfy, quilted fleece!

Thanks!

 

[sirenmoses]

Blankets aren't degree rated like sleeping bags, even when they are made of the same material.

For an 8yo I'd think that liner might not be as durable as you'd like. Looks like the material was designed as a wicking underlayer: http://www.coolmax-thermolite.com/thermolite_2.htm

Stick w/fleece and call it good. Wool is scratchy and heavy, and the liner will rip too easily.

 

[lowenbrau]

I'm not sure if this fits the durable requirement and it sure isn't cheap but in the last few years silk blankets have been coming out for China and they're untouchable for warmth. 1/4" thick and as good as a down duvet.

I think they are just cull silk cocoons that they quilt between cotton.

Silk comforter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[hj60]

About 12 years ago, after having been homeless for a couple of years, I got an apartment in the ghetto of Boston (Mission Hill).
Everything had to be cheap cos I was living on about $7/hr.
I had a futon with no frame. And I went to a fabric store and bought 2 yards of heavy polartec fleece.
I just traded the futon for a queen bed 2 years ago, but the fleece is still my only blanket.
It's durable. It compresses down to about the size of a heavy sweater.
Oh, I'm hard on things. I broke the Tonka Toys. (That's why I have a Cruiser.)

 

[tehcruiser]

Personally I believe nothing beats a poncho liner to use as a sleeping bag liner or as a lightweight blanket. It is very durable and warm. A wool blanket might be slightly better, but it's heavier and takes longer to dry if it gets wet.
I fell in love with my poncho liner in the Marine Corps, and I'm still using the same one, now 12 years later.

 

[Miescha]

Polyfill blanket, kinda like here: Orvis Microfiber Throw Blanket - 48x56", Reversible - Save 50%

This turned out to be the most popular option between the 8 y/o, the and myself. While at the Sierra Trading site, we noticed it was also available in a larger 50x100" size so I went with that for the purpose of flexibility in case I ever wanted to use it.

The camp 'requires' that we send three 'warm' blankets in addition to the sleeping bag. They don't usually get washed over the 4-week camp period, so I think the only purpose is multiple layering. As mentioned before, we were also considering sending a down duvet (comforter) with a duvet cover to protect it. However, the one we had on hand I discovered costs us $510 several years ago when purchased and that was a discount!

So the wife was against that option. However, while at the Sierra Trading site, I also found another great option by Orvis - its a down duvet designed for dog lovers who are worried there dog will jump on the bed and start scratching at the down. So its a 330 thread count that is designed to be dog-resistant AND it has a water proof shell AND it is machine washable (it must really be waterproof b/c every other down duvet I've seen is dry clean only). They offer it in a down-alternative fill, but I went with the real deal. It is normally over $400 but on sale for around $200.

I figured it was worth the price given that it will be used for the next 10-12 years at least and has the heavy dog-resistant cover and is waterproof (though we really didn't need that).

Thanks all - the only thing left on the long list of stuff to send are a couple more compression sacks for the newly ordered stuff.

Of course, I also have to label everything if I expect any of it to come home. I usually take it to be embroidered, but I think I'm out of time, so I may have to resort to permanent marker and/or the little iron-on name tags (luckily, I have those on hand) they just don't usually stay on all that well.

Cheers!

 

[sirenmoses]

Yeppers, STP is the bomb-diggity shiznitz for things outdoors, and indoors, and underwater, and....




Surprized you didn't pick up compression sacks there as well.

AND, there can often be found little trivia questions in their catalogs that score free shipping, which means you can buy even more stuff.

Disposable income not spent on cruiser stuff is usually spent at STP. Customer service rocks and the deals can be over 50% off. Can't say enuff good things about 'em. Glad to introduce them to you.

 

[Miescha]

Surprized you didn't pick up compression sacks there as well.

I would have liked to, but I didn't know exactly what I needed (I have some older North Face comp. sacks that will get used), but mostly there wasn't time for it to be shipped without paying extra for express shipping and that money is better spent on more stuff .

In fact, the blankets are getting shipped directly to the camp so I could use the cheapest possible shipping and still have it there in plenty-o-time. The compression sacks are needed here to compress all the other stuff and make it fit into the duffles for airline travel. I'll toss in an extra sack for the blankets that are shipped to the camp. I also like to get the sacks embroidered to make sure I get them back - they are nice and might end up in another campers duffle otherwise.

You're not kidding about STP - I spent a ton of time there and bought some more stuff for me that doesn't need rush shipping. I also found a smoking deal on a King size Orvis hungarian goose down duvet (same dog-proof water proof cover). The thing was originally a zillion dollars (OK, $600 or so but close to a zillion) and STP didn't have a king size in goose down (only in the alternative goose and that was about $250). I found a close out deal on the hungarian goose down for really cold weather in the king size at the Orvis site for $101.50 - I damn near bought two! I'll be sending that one up to camp for when we visit later in August (we've been spending a week or two there for the past 12 years also at the end of the normal camp period and there is also no heat in our cabin, but we do have electricity so my wife sometimes uses the old electric blanket).

I'll definitely be back to STP often - I just wish they sold cruiser gear and/or Ham radio stuff - I would love the price breaks!

Thanks again for introducing me to STP!