EKTOS 100% Wool Outdoors Blanket

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Apparently, Ektos no longer sells the queen size blanket

[@trevorblum3796]

They are selling the queen size again however now their materials are 100% virgin wool rather than recycled. We'll need an updated review!

[@dansklrvids7303]

I'm super glad you reviewed the Ektos. IMHO, the value of this is off the charts. Order one two months ago. When I saw a 100% wool blanket for this price and I saw the dimensions, I thought that there would be some way the product would come up short. Nope. Beautifully made and finished, ample size, highly breathable. I’ve slept under this blanket for two months and find it comfortable, large, and very breathable. So much less clammy than a fleece! Showed it to two friends and they immediately placed an order. I bought a second one as well. Thanks for letting people know about this value item.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Right on. I just learned from the company they are 50% virgin wool mixed with 50% recycled wool. making them even better. Thanks for commenting

[@blackhawkbushcraft]

I just picket up a 100% wool 66”x90” Ektos Olive Blaze striped. All I can say is wow! What an incredible product for such a reasonable price! 👍 Such an incredible find!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Sounds great. Thanks for commenting

[@robertmaxwell3220]

Been looking at wool blankets for almost a year.Have seen them all,and the Ektos brand seems to be best bang for your buck.Thanks for your allways well informed opinions!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

It is a good value for sure. Thanks for commenting

[@AlexanderMason1]

Actually recycled wool is both much rougher and itchier than new wool (as you have a bunch of different kinds of wools mixed in) while being significantly less durable as the long fibers are turned into much shorter fibers which makes much weaker yarn and fabric that is much more prone to pilling. Further more it doesn’t perform anywhere near as well as new wool (that also depends on the type of wool), it’s properties are not as evident. (performance when wet, warmth to weigh ratio etc) further more recycled wool has to be made into a much denser fabric for it to be a bit more durable and to make sure it doesn’t fall appart immediately and that makes it even less warm pound for pound. Also the lanolin that protects the wool is washed out. They DO NOT add lanolin back into it. Typically, Indian and Pakistani made wool blankets use chemicals in the process as well as add chemical flame retardants to the wool. That is what that smell is. It is not a “sheepy” smell nor is it the smell of lanolin. It is the smell of potentially carcinogenic chemicals. I hope people read this instead of taking the word of someone who got something for free and wants to make this blanket look better than it is. If you are misfortunate enough to own one and aren’t able to return it, make sure you wash it several times with plenty of detergent to wash out as many of those harmful smelly chemicals as you can. To everyone else, your health is worth more than a good price tag. The worse part is that you’ll never know what the cause of your failing health is when you end up with cancer years or even decades later.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Good to know. Thanks for commenting

[@likeadog7752]

Thanks for the explanation. Won’t buy this for sure.

[@swimpsmagbayao9513]

Yup...I bought a couple a Fer years and couldn't take the smell in a tent...look elsewhere...

[@ah4furnishings348]

Nice blanket! I have an old military blanket and it is warm Nothing beats a good blanket

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Totally agree. Thanks for commenting

[@mayamachine]

I have an Ektos wool blanket, king size, 8 pounds. absolutely love it. off grid in Maine, good blankets are a necessity.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Right on. Big and heavy but great value. Thanks for commenting

[@thedriftingspore]

I like the look of it for sure. Thanks for taking a look at it Mark, appreciate it.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Most welcome. Thanks for commenting Steve

[@ostekuste3646]

I will be considering this or the Arcturus, thank you for the review. I have several house blankets that will not see the woods, and a couple surplus ones that I camp with. I took one surplus blanket and cut it to the size of a military poncho liner and set grommets into it at the usual tie out points. I can now add it as a layer between the poncho liner or “woobie” and the poncho as a ranger roll sleep system. It gives extra loft and insulation and makes such a setup more viable in cooler weather. It still rolls up nicely and ties to my pack without much more bulk.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Great idea. I made up something similar from an old army blanket. Thanks for commenting

[@MsRotorwings]

How are the grommets holding?

[@justmyself1000]

You resemble my father soooo much; I would swear you are his twin! Even has the exact same mustache!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Your father must be a good looking man😉. Thanks for commenting

[@JohnTBlock]

It looks like what an army blanket would be...my Dad was a WW II vet, had several navy wool blankets. Much the same appearance.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, I can see that. Thanks for commenting

[@DeadCat-42]

Grew up with old green army blankets. Grandpa was an officer in WWII with six children.

[@HistoryOnTheLoose]

While certainly not for everyone, there are a great number of people ( including me ) who use wool blankets exclusively for sleeping outdoors year round. Success and comfort come from preparedness. Building an adequate underlayment of insulating leaves, pine needles, duff etc. is important. A good weather layer - canvas, rarp, etc. also needs to be considered. All of my sleeping needs, for nearly 40 years, indoors or outdoors have been met with wool blankets. Layers come into play as temperatures drop, but it's perfectly doable with the right mindset. A freezing night, wrapped in a blanket with only a small vent hole, leaning against something, with a good candle between your legs might suck, but you'll live to tell the tale. Wool will save your life.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for sharing your experiences

[@kokopelau6954]

I have 2 of the same brand of green blanket you have. mine were hand me downs, from a friend whose grandparents went through the blitz with them. The edging is frayed but they still work. I also have tw😊o navy hand-me-down blankets from World War 2.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Amazing how long a good blanket will last. Thanks for commenting

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

G'day Mark, still not cheap in AUD, but certainly much better than other new and proper queen sized 100% alternatives I've found, .... but that's the nature of wool growing, harvesting and processing I guess. Mind you I'd settle for an 80 to 90 % mix. Personally, I dont turn my nose up at Lanolin waft, (lotta worse smells out there IMO, lol), but for sure it can be quite strong and yep totally agree, machine washable is a major bonus, ..... not just for dirt. I also agree, given the size/weight, a wool blanket is gonna be car camping and/or home specific for most folks. Incidentally, speaking of wool products, I did have a wool jumper some years back, that was sold as skiing apparel, wore it so much day to day in winter, I did end up wearing it out through both elbows. Made me think though; if one doesn't travel too hot on the trail, it could be worn during the journey, then used with another sleep system in the absence of a wool blanket. Sure there is long johns and the like, but dont fancy that, ... perhaps I've never been cold enough, lol. Especially with your climate mate, I'd be interested to hear what you reckon of that strategy ? Cheers Duke.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I made a blanket-poncho but find it a bit too heavy to wear hiking. I do like wearing wool as base layers and top layers (polyester or puffy synthetic in the middle layers). That way I can put on or take off layers as I need. Thanks for commenting Duke

[@JohnTarbox]

Another great review. Good to see you are not at all sheepish about blanketing the internet with reviews. ;-)

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

LOL...John where has this humorous side of you been?

[@jimf1964]

Thanks for the review. Thrift store wool blankets, in my area anyway, have become a pretty rare commodity. So having a couple options is great. I don’t know a hell of a lot about lanolin, so I can’t disagree about the smell, but I’ve bought lanolin treatment for wool, and it doesn’t smell at all. It could be that it’s maybe a little old or something and picked up a smell, but if it has that much in it, it should be almost waterproof. I think lanolin is the bees knees for wool. It keeps the fibres healthier, and makes it water resistant. Like wool is supposed to be. I had a hard time finding the stuff, but got a bottle from Finland.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Since your last comment on lanolin I have begun doing some reading and hope to make a video on the topic. Thanks for commenting Jim

[@wyattjohnson5181]

​@@MarkYoungBushcraftis there a significant benefit of using lanolin vs beeswax mixed with boiled linseed oil?

[@terryw.milburn8565]

Great Product Review & Thoughts On This, Love The Varity, Thanks , Mark ! ATB T God Bless

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting Terry

[@neemancallender9092]

We have this on our bed Excellent blanket

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Right on. Thanks for commenting

[@jackvoss5841]

A tightly woven wool blanket is DEFINITELY an advantage over a looser weave blanket. Tighter weave will better resist wind and rain, and holding in warmth. Those are the REASONS that we buy wool blankets! Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@Flashahol]

I never found a decent queen sized wool blanket in a thrift store that didn't look like the dog had been sleeping on it, but a couple of years ago I lucked out on a few twin to double sized ones of amazing quality and one of the bigger ones is like new, Canadian made, with a silk border and..... olive green. Ironically, that's the one I use on the bed. Go figure. You may not want to sleep in a wool blanket in our winters (As a Canadian, it sounds crazy) but using one to sit on the snow definitely makes a world of a difference. Just be aware you might have to peel it from the hardened snow afterwards. Despite all that, I am still considering something like the Ektos, but I gotta get the ones I have out there and try them in blanket-friendly conditions.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I agree, a blanket by itself won't help a lot at -25c. A real big fire is needed to go with. Thanks for commenting

[@matthewburden9403]

Hello! I am impressed by your review of EKTOS 100% wool blankets and equally impressed by the price of the brand new product. Question, because these blankets are relatively cheap in price - are they made of recycled wool - and where were they woven? I personally enjoy the vintage WWII Swiss Army blankets and have a collection of about 120 of them - yes all of them are dated, certified by Swiss Canon and pre 1963. Some of the best blankets for bivouac use are the Dutch Royal Marine blankets because of their size as you can wrap in most of them for size whereas, the Swiss Army blankets were designed for use on cots bedding in mountain caves. But I actually use a vintage Hudson Bay four-point to wrap in while over a tarp or a bed of dry leaves and is large enough to completely wrap and over the head without drafts. I do have a near-vintage German camelhair queen-size blanket large enough for wrapping but I dare not want to soil it during a bivouac. Thank you for your Ektos analysis.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, it is made from recycled wool and is made in India.Thanks for commenting

[@redsorgum]

I check out their site, they have a good selection of colors.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, something for everyone. Thanks for commenting

[@sirdee9607]

Great Blanket

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting my friend

[@randy-9842]

Thanks a bunch Mark. I've been considering Ektos and you helped push me to buy a 100% wool twin and a throw. I already have a 90%/10% - 70"x90" from Coalcracker Bushcraft that is very nice (it really impressed me!) so this will provide some difference and my own comparison. You gave some very good "company" information on Ektos that helped!!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I like the look of the Coalcracker blankets and wondered about their quality. Are they virgin or recycled wool. Thanks for commenting

[@randy-9842]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft I honestly don't remember him saying nor do I remember any "paperwork" that specified that. In my defense, that didn't really matter to me until your review, I didn't know what or why that mattered, but always assumed that "virgin" would be better. I can say that his blanket's softness really surprised me (pleasantly) - no scratchiness. Coalcracker's blankets are 90/10 wool/polyester. Brand new, they seem to have *_very_* little smell (though I burned out my nose in too many chemistry classes in high school and college, so don't go by my nose! The very faint smell that they do have is not at all unpleasant to me. They are a wee bit wider than the Ektos "twin size" blankets (70x90 rather than 66x90) and, IMO, they are visually attractive. I found the video where he talks about the Coalcracker wool blanket. Do a youtube search for "Coalcracker Gear" (drop the "buschcraft" from the search). He currently has 8 videos on that specific channel; the fourth one in discusses his blankets. Thanks, again, for your videos. I'm now an old guy that tremendously enjoyed his Boy Scout days (Life Scout plus a bit, but never reached Eagle). I have never really been a bushcrafter and am definitely a long ways from being a survivalist. (Thanks to your channel, I now know the difference!) I simply enjoy being out of doors, [car] camping, mountain walking (not really "hiking" anymore) and being prepared for winter power outages and travel disruptions! Please keep the vids coming!

[@randy-9842]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft Oh, let me add that I also bought a blanket pin from him at the same time, just on a whim. I like it very much and appreciate the "natural" rugged style of it (Mom would have LOVED it while sitting in her Assisted Living Center!!). However, it's rugged style also means that the "pin" part is rather rough (straight out of the blacksmith's shop). I've sanded it down a bit, but not enough. I'm not as trusting of it "not breaking" the wool fibers as he is. Of course, his experience FAR outweighs mine, so it might be just fine. I went back to Jon Townsends website and bought their gold-colored pin to round out my order to the free shipping level. It looks almost too "pretty" or "refined" for camping (or reenacting!!), but it inserts through the wool material with ease.

[@notazip6814]

Queen SIze @ $70 ... my go-to Christmas gift . #1 bushcraft . I've got 3 . 7 lbs of beautiful wool . LOOK NO FURTHER , Amazon has them

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Right on. Thanks for commenting

[@jayf4357]

You ever feel like it’s too heavy? And that you should’ve got the twin instead tho?

[@notazip6814]

no sir - I fold then roll it into a long cylinder /tie it . then its the last thing I put on across my body@@jayf4357

[@israelhoffman8192]

Thanks for the review, yiu clearly know your blankets! Has anyone here actually slept in this outdoors?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@jedi_drifter2988]

I love EKTOS wool blankets, but If you're going to go for Pendleton pricing ... Go Alpaca wool it's better than sheep's wool and softer/warmer + hypoallergenic .

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Good point. I have been looking for a full size double or queen alpaca blanket. If you know of any. Thanks for commenting

[@jedi_drifter2988]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft Alpaca Warehouse good deals during holidays I get mine there

[@flytime5]

Hey Mark I always enjoy your videos. I was looking to see if I could direct message you, but couldn't find you. I am interested in getting two of the Ektos queen blankets, but have a question, are they itchy?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, a bit itchy next to the skin but no more so than other wool blankets. Maybe a bit less so. Thanks for commenting

[@flytime5]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft thanks for the info

[@treksntarps]

Hi Mark . That was an informative video . Watched a few of your vids now. Was wondering if you could only buy one wool blanket from arcturus or ectos which one would you go for 🤔

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Truly, they are about the same in quality. I would go for the best deal of the day. Thanks for commenting

[@treksntarps]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft Thank you . Take care 👍🏕

[@LockeOutdoors]

Great review as always!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks brother

[@AlmightyAnt300]

I don't get it people say wool is probably the warmest material to use to keep you warm in winter. But some people say it won't work well to keep you warm in cold winter temperatures

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Wool is not the warmest material. Goose down is. However, goose down has it's downsides. Thanks for commenting

[@gsoni79]

Nice review

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@daisiesndirt]

What would you use for a long term winter sleep system for humid areas?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Humid and cold (east coast like us) or humid and warm? I think wool is a reasonable option in either case as long as you match your sleep system to the temps. Thanks for commenting

[@HEAVENGLAMOUR]

Wonderful 👍

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@scottsyoutubeworld1824]

Your microphone sounds great! What is it?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I am using the RODE Wireless Go. Works great for me. Thanks for commenting

[@MichaelR58]

Good review , thanks for sharing , God bless !

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@Cetok01]

I just checked their link, and it looks like all the good ones (queen size or larger, and Olive Green) are gone. Oh well.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I am sure they will restock. Thanks for commenting

[@brianvannorman1465]

I am sensing the "Great White North" from you. Hello from San Diego California. Would it be good as a ground pad, I wonder. Thank you for the information.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Halifax, Nova Scotia on Canada's east coast. Thanks for commenting

[@brianvannorman1465]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft 👍

[@binder946]

Recycling is good for environment

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for the comment

[@ah4furnishings348]

Will you be doing any car camping videos?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, this summer and fall. Will plan videos for the trips. Thanks for commenting

[@michellemichaels3258]

Thanks 🙏 😊

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Most welcome. Thanks for commenting

[@jayf4357]

Would you recommend the twin or the the queen size?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Depends on how you use it. If you want to wrap up in it and have the most coverage then the queen is better. If you want to use it as a top cover, go with the double. Thanks for commenting

[@jackvoss5841]

My experiences with recycled wool were not as happy as yours. The shirts made with recycled wool were SCRATCHY. They were about as comfortable as steel wool, or burlap. That being said, there are obviously many different procedures for recycling wool, and these may well not be as scratchy as garments that I had. But, “once bitten - twice shy”. Just my experience; others’ will vary. Courtesy of Half Vast Flying

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Don't know if the process used to make your shirt is the same as this blanket. Thanks for commenting

[@darthkek1953]

I have a weighted blanket, lead shot sewn in. As you say, out like a light and you stay there.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Right on. Thanks for commenting

[@binder946]

❤

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for the comment

[@binder946]

Reccl8ng is good

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for the comment

[@michaelparker5030]

😎✌️

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@michaelparker5030]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft I need to get my hands on some wool pants again, I loved those pants.

[@mountaineer5596]

Using a wool blanket in the cold (below 50 degrees Fahrenheit) requires a very large, inefficient fire to actually stay warm. I don’t understand it. Even a cheep synthetic sleeping bag is lighter and warmer. A properly insulated synthetic sleeping bag is superior to wool blankets. Get a sleeping bag and skip burning down half the forest.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

What you say is true but using a wool blanket as a sleep system is only one reason for having them. Thanks for commenting

[@mountaineer5596]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft Thank you for the response.

[@AlexanderMason1]

This is not made in America. It is “designed” in America and made in India (They probably didn’t actually design anything but rather picked from the manufacturer’s different colors they offered).

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, as stated in the video. Thanks for commenting

[@Allen-eq5uf]

5:34 offshore is ok , as long as it doesn’t come from one particular far east country that has been hostile towards people wanting freedom.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

India. Thanks for commenting

[@binder946]

But see commments below about dangers of chemical added to them. Alaxandermason comments below

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for the comment

[@alexblue6991]

What do the viewers think about polyester blankets

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Personally, I believe there is a role for synthetic blankets in woods. I have a full video comparing blanket types if interested. Thanks for commenting

[@poprocksminneapolis]

As long as its not from china

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

India. Thanks for commenting

[@LabiaLicker]

Perhaps the smaller twin blanket would be more suitable for hiking and camping.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

The smaller blanket would be lighter but the larger would give more coverage if you want to wrap up in it. Thanks for commenting