What’s the Difference Between a Survival Bag and a Foil Blanket?
Survival Bag vs Foil Blanket: The Basics
If you’ve ever stood at the kit list before a walking weekend, wondering whether to pack a survival bag or your lightweight foil blanket, you’re not alone. Both have their place in outdoor safety kits, but they serve different purposes – and knowing which to take can make a real difference.
Here’s a clear breakdown of how they compare.
Survival Bag (like the orange one from Large Outdoors)
Material: Tough polyethylene plastic.
Shape: A bag that fully encloses your body – like a giant plastic sleeping bag.
Protection: Waterproof and windproof, giving full-body coverage.
Heat Retention: Traps body heat effectively by preventing heat loss from wind and wet conditions.
Durability: Strong enough to sit or lie in, even on rough ground.
When to Use: Ideal in remote or mountainous areas, when waiting for help or forced to stop in bad weather.
Emergency Foil Blanket (like Hygiofoil)
Material: Thin, reflective foil (Mylar).
Shape: A large sheet, usually folded small.
Protection: Reflects radiated body heat but doesn’t insulate or shield from wind/rain.
Heat Retention: Limited – works best in calm, dry conditions or as a short-term option.
Durability: Can tear easily in wind or with rough use.
When to Use: Lightweight backup for short walks or more urban locations.
Which Should You Carry?
The short answer: it depends on the walk.
On low-level, well-used paths, a foil blanket might be enough, especially in warmer weather or when help isn’t far away.
On remote walks or mountain routes, always carry a survival bag. It offers proper shelter and significantly better warmth if you’re forced to stop or assist someone else.
If you’re joining Large Outdoors on one of our fully guided experiences, you’ll see the survival bag listed on our compulsory kit list – that’s because we’re often walking in areas where conditions can change quickly, and where proper emergency shelter is essential.
Final Tip
A foil blanket is a great extra to have in your kit – but it’s not a substitute for a survival bag. If you want to save weight, don’t ditch the survival bag – cut weight elsewhere instead.
Want to check your walking kit before your next trip?
You’ll find our full kit lists and safety notes linked from each event page at:
👉 https://www.largeoutdoors.com/kit-list
