Emergency Blanket

The Arva Emergency Blanket is a waterproof, double-sided red and silver emergency blanket that reflects 90% of body heat with the silver side facing in, and insulates against heat as well as cold. Two versions: the single-use, extremely compact UL and the reusable 70 g at 210 x 130 cm.

What it covers

An emergency blanket is the item you hope never leaves the bottom of the pack. When someone in the group is hurt, cold and waiting, it goes straight round them. The Arva Emergency Blanket is built for that job: wrapped round a casualty with the silver side facing in, it reflects 90% of their body heat back towards them, while the red outer face takes in the sun's infrared rays.

It works the other way round too. When the risk is overheating rather than cold, turn it over: red side against the body so heat can escape, silver side out to bounce the sun's rays away. In the heat, Arva also says to let some air through for ventilation. Both versions are waterproof and insulate against cold and heat alike.

Single-use UL or reusable 70 g

The UL is the single-use blanket, which Arva calls extremely compact. It is 140 cm wide unfolded, 10 cm wider than the 70 g, and comes sealed in its own pack. Arva makes it to go with you on any adventure and protect you from the cold in an emergency. It is single use, so replace it once it has been opened and used.

The 70 g is the reusable one. At 70 g it weighs about the same as most single-use survival blankets, yet it is tough enough to unfold, use and pack away again and again. Unfolded it measures 210 x 130 cm. Because it lasts, it earns a second job on a backpacking trip: lay it under your tent with the silver side facing up and it keeps ground moisture at bay and reflects heat back up at you.

What is inside

One blanket per pack, in the version you choose. Arva lists the UL film as PET12 and the 70 g film as PE28. There is nothing else to assemble or learn: unfold it, pick which side faces in, and wrap.

Weight and packed size

• UL (single use): extremely compact, per Arva; 140 cm wide unfolded.
• 70 g (reusable): 70 g, 210 x 130 cm unfolded, and very compact.

When to keep it away

Do not use either blanket during a thunderstorm, and keep it well clear of anything glowing hot, such as embers. Those two rules come straight from Arva and apply to both versions.

We stock both because they answer two different questions. If you want the lighter, single-use blanket that Arva calls extremely compact, take the UL. If you want one you can use over and over, including under the tent when backpacking, take the 70 g.