The Backyard Bushman: Wool Blankets

By: Sergio Laboy

It’s been a while since my last installment of The Backyard Bushman, and now that the cooler months are here, the 2025 training season is nearly over and we’re gearing up for 2026. I wanted to take a moment to talk about wool blankets and the connection they have to the outdoor adventures we all enjoy so much.

Why wool blankets, you may ask? Better yet, why not wool blankets? The use of wool evokes the lore of those who traveled the wild spaces before us. The capabilities and limitations of the gear available in their time only add to the romance of wool.

Wool is an amazing natural fiber. It’s revered for its versatility outdoors thanks to its excellent temperature regulation, ability to keep you warm even when wet, and natural antimicrobial and odor-resistant properties. Wool just works. It’s suitable for various conditions—from cold-weather insulation to all-season comfort. Wool is the original super fabric.

When camping, wool can’t be beat. In cooler months, it truly shines beside the fire. Draped over your shoulders as a shawl, it serves as a great secondary insulator. And if an ember happens to jump from the fire ring, you can rest easy knowing that wool is naturally flame-resistant. At most, you might get a singe mark or a small hole, but you won’t find yourself fused to your blanket as you would with synthetic materials that melt and stick, causing serious injury.

Wool blankets have countless uses in camp. They can be configured into impromptu sleeping bags, providing warmth through the night. Sewn and stuffed with leaves, they make excellent makeshift mattresses. With just a blanket pin and a short piece of cordage, you can turn one into a cozy robe layered over your outerwear for added insulation. These are just a few of the tricks and tips you can learn from our many YouTube videos. Take some time to practice these skills in the comfort of your backyard before venturing into the bush—or join us for a class here at Coalcracker Bushcraft.

I’ve owned more wool blankets than I care to admit, and I’ve made my share of mistakes through the years as an outdoorsman. At one point, I thought wool was wool—but a few cold and painful lessons taught me that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a wool blanket:

• You get what you pay for.

• Buy the best quality you can afford.

• Avoid the cheapest options at all costs.

We’ve had students ignore our recommendations when gearing up for classes, and I can attest to their misery when asked how they slept. Thankfully, our warehouse is nearby, and many quickly decide to upgrade to quality.

Remember this: “Cheap equipment is never good, and good equipment is never cheap.”

Try to keep the wool-to-synthetic ratio no lower than 80% wool. This ensures better insulation and durability. High-quality wool blankets are easier to maintain and repair thanks to tighter weaves and longer fibers—meaning they’ll last for years of use.

Shameless plug and announcement to follow…

Here at Coalcracker, we strive to provide the best wool blankets possible. Every blanket goes through strict quality-control checks at the mill and is carefully finished by our vigilant seamstresses before shipping from our warehouse. You’d be hard pressed to find a better-quality wool blanket for the price.

We’re excited to announce that our grey plaid standard-thickness wool blanket is now available in a double-sized option. Our sewing team takes great care in producing these right here in our shop, so you don’t have to.

And just in time for Black Friday, we’re bringing back the Frontier Blankets—both the Standard and the Heavy versions—ready to ship to you or the winter adventurer in your life. Be sure to hit the “Notify Me” button on our site if you want to get in on this limited release. These blankets are in high demand—last year they sold out surprisingly fast.

So, until the next installment of The Backyard Bushman, get outside and enjoy the outdoors, my friends.