It is important to understand the fabric that is used when picking the right camping blanket, especially if you have sensitivity or allergies to any materials. We also recommend doing a little digging, since a particular material may be reactive even when you are not aware of any allergies. Understanding the materials will help you in choosing the best blanket for your camping.
Cotton
Cotton is one of the most commonly used fabric in making blankets. It has been used for a long time and cotton-made blankets are warm and comfortable. Cotton is, however, not suitable in moist conditions as it sucks in moisture that can make the cotton-made blanket heavy and wet. Cotton also tufts together when it is wet and drying takes a significant amount of time. Cotton-made blankets are also highly flammable, which for obvious reasons, is an important factor to consider while camping.
100% Nylon
Wool is a good and completely natural material for making blankets. Blankets made of wool are among the warmest available. Wool has fibers that trap air between them making the blankets incredibly warm. Unlike cotton, wool doesn’t soak as much when they get wet, that being said, wool blankets do take a while to dry when they do absorb moisture, due to the dense wool fibers. Also unlike cotton, wool is quite resistant to fire, which help make woolen blankets a potentially more suitable option for camping. It is important to note that wool comes from sheep hair and blankets made from pure wool – with the exception of merino wool – may be rather itchy and can also cause irritation to some users.
Nylon Ripstop
Nylon Ripstop is a type of nylon fabric that is tear resistant. It is woven in a crosshatch pattern that makes it far more durable that regular nylon. Blankets made using this fabric are highly waterproof and can be a good option for camping. The fabric is also durable and easy to clean.
Nylon
Nylon is among the most popular synthetic fibers for making blankets. The fabric has durable fibers that are not only used in making blankets but also in furnishing and manufacturing clothes. Nylon is resistant to heat but melts out quite fast when exposed to direct flame, so if you are camping and using a nylon blanket, you should be careful not to expose it to the campfire as it could shrink. Nylon is also a material that’s often used to make a waterproof blanket, a good choice for camping.
Acrylic
Acrylic is made from mimic wool and synthetic fiber. It is first made into a filament before being turned into a wool-like effect. Acrylic can be made from different synthetics but is mainly made with acrylonitrile monomer. It is resistant to mildew and keeps off stains pretty well, but acrylic tends to be highly inflammable.