As an experienced, long-time, year ‘round wilderness backpacker, I could not be happier with this product. It is *precisely* what I was looking for. For traveling through the woods, up and down mountains, for days and nights on end, cut off from civilization, there are three primary considerations that go into every piece of gear: Utility, packability, and weight. This blanket is, hands down, the best solution for backpacking in spring, summer, and fall. You’re not going to find anything with a better weight-to-heat retention ratio, or that packs down as small and compact as this does.If like me, you are trying to get a sense of the size and weight of this item from the comments or from the pictures, let me describe it for you like this: While in the stuff sack it comes with, this blanket is about the size of a regular loaf of white bread, at about half the weight. But this isn’t as far as it will compact. It will compact to half this size if you need it to.Size when fluffed, lofted, and fully unfurled, the blanket is the perfect size for one full-size man. I am 6’, and this is perfect for me with no extra, excessive, unecessary material. I was worried it would come with an excessive amount of material, and for that reason I was considering going with a goose-down ‘throw’ rather than a ‘blanket’. I’m glad I didn’t. As it is, I have no trouble covering up completely with this blanket, nor is there any excess material (meaning unecessary, additional weight and space consumption in my pack).Warmth: As I said, this is the perfect alternative to a sleeping bag for spring, summer, and fall. Somebody else claimed this will only keep you warm down to 60-70 degrees? I totally disagree. I don’t even know why you would need a blanket if it’s 70 degrees. This is 650 down, you can stay comfortable with this blanket easily, as long as you have on other layers (clothes) down to at least 45-50 degrees, and probably even lower. (The idea that you stay warmer under insulation if you take off your clothes is the stupidest, yet most repeated, myth I’ve ever heard.)Another thing I would like to add is that this thing is incredibly versatile. Much more versatile than a sleeping bag or the “quilts” that REI sells. It has button snaps along two edges that allow you to wear it as a sort of jacket, or shawl - almost in the style of a hoodless poncho - while freeing your arms and allowing you to do things around camp. Even at home, this has become my go-to blanket for everything. It’s just simple, nothing complex about it, and it just gets the job done.Anyway, there’s my two cents. I wanted to make sure to review this product for the benefit of the company, My thanks for making such a killer product at such an unbelievably fair price. And also, I wanted other woodsmen and backpackers to benefit from this product. I could not be happier. My pack size and weight just went down by pounds. Not ounces, pounds.*I originally wrote this review years ago, and this blanket remains one of the simplest, most versatile and valuable items I’ve ever purchased even now in 2021. I would recommend everyone have a couple in their vehicles as a comfort/emergency item.
