The Best Wool Blankets
Wool is the only natural fiber that insulates when wet. A wet wool blanket continues to warm; a wet cotton or synthetic blanket does not. The blankets on this list are woven from actual wool by mills that have been doing it for between 50 and 350 years.
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How to Choose
Wool weight determines warmth: heavier blankets (4 to 6 pounds) are for cold-weather use and camping; lighter throws (2 to 3 pounds) are for indoor use year-round. Merino wool is softer than standard wool and appropriate for use next to skin. Standard wool is more durable and appropriate for outdoor use. Look for 100% wool rather than wool-blend -- the synthetic content reduces warmth and durability.
Pendleton National Park Throw
If you only buy one, make it this one. Read the full guide below for alternatives at every price point.
Find on Amazon arrow_forwardWhat to Look For
4-6 pounds for cold-weather and camping blankets; 2-3 pounds for lighter throws and indoor use. Weight determines warmth capacity and packability.
Merino wool is softer and appropriate for skin contact; standard wool is more durable for outdoor use. 100% wool only, no synthetics.
Pure virgin wool without any synthetic blend. Even 10% synthetic reduces warmth and durability. The label should say 100% wool.
Tight weave traps air better and resists pilling. Feel the blanket -- a good weave is firm, not loose or limp.
Finished edges with reinforced corners. Loose edges will fray and the binding may delaminate after repeated washing.
Mills with 50+ years of operation have proven wool sourcing and processing. Reputation is earned through decades of quality consistency.
Good, Better, Best
$40-80
Pendleton Throws, Faribault Camp Blankets
Reliable American-made wool. Good warmth and durability. Some will shed slightly in the first few washes.
$80-150
Pendleton National Park, Faribault Merino
Premium construction with tighter weave and superior materials. Softer wool options for sensitive skin. Will last decades.
$150-300
Hudson's Bay Point Blanket, Faribault Premium
The finest wool blankets available. Proven durability over centuries. Heir-quality blankets that pass between generations.
The Picks
Pendleton National Park Throw
Pendleton has been weaving wool in Oregon since 1863. The National Park series throws are woven from pure virgin wool in patterns that reference the landscape of specific American National Parks. They are lighter than a camp blanket but substantial enough for outdoor use. The Pendleton reputation for wool quality is the longest-standing in the American market.
American wool, from the oldest American wool mill, in a pattern that references the American landscape.
Find on Amazon arrow_forwardFaribault Woolen Mill Pure Merino Throw
Faribault Woolen Mill in Faribault, Minnesota has been in continuous operation since 1865, making it one of the oldest wool mills in America still operating. The Pure Merino throw is woven from 100% Merino wool -- softer than standard wool, with finer fibers that reduce itch. The mill is one of the few remaining American operations that processes wool from raw fiber to finished textile in a single facility.
The softest domestic wool blanket available. Merino fiber, American mill, 155 years of experience.
Find on Amazon arrow_forwardHudson's Bay Company Point Blanket
The Hudson's Bay Company has been trading in wool blankets since 1670 and the Point Blanket design -- with its distinctive stripes and woven point marks indicating weight -- has been in continuous production since 1780. These blankets are woven in England from 100% pure wool to the same specification as blankets traded for beaver pelts in the 18th century. The 4-point blanket is 90 x 90 inches and weighs 4 pounds.
The oldest continuous blanket design in North America. Three hundred years of proven utility.
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