Warmth gear serves two scenarios: staying warm at home during a winter outage, and staying warm away from home during an evacuation. The gear overlaps but the priorities differ slightly.
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What to Look For
- Emergency mylar blankets — the foil emergency blankets that fold to pocket size reflect up to 90% of body heat. Not comfortable for sleeping but genuinely effective. Pack two per person.
- Sleeping bag — for go-bags or extended outages, a lightweight sleeping bag rated for your climate is among the most useful items you can own. Look for temperature rating, weight, and compressed size.
- Packable synthetic or down layer — a packable parka or puffy jacket adds significant warmth for minimal weight and size.
- Wool socks and base layers — wool stays warm when wet, unlike cotton. Worth the investment for emergency use.
- Sleeping pad — even a foam pad provides significant warmth by insulating from cold floors.
What to Avoid
- Emergency blankets used as sleeping bag substitutes for extended sleep — they're useful but not comfortable or practical for an entire night
- Cotton-based warmth gear — cotton kills in cold and wet conditions
- Summer sleeping bags if you live in a cold climate
Related Guides
Bug-Out Bag
72-Hour Bug-Out Bag Guide
Winter Storm