I agree, the method you describe works well and for a wilderness or rural settings where a heated cab or ambulance may be some distance or time away, may be the method of choice. In this case, it was an urban setting with heated vehicle resources close at hand.

Pete

Yep, a man's gotta know his limitations, and also that of his gear. Waterproof fleece or a wool blanket ain't gonna do a thing for you if you are immersed in water with ice floating in it. Once you go hypothermic, it will take a dramatic effect to turn your condition around, and not even a darned good sleeping bag will be enough. You're gonna need an external heat source in order to recover.

In my experience, fleece is more durable andlong lasting. Moths have not yet learned to consume fleece, but they do nibble away at my wool garments. My subjective opinion is that fleece dries more quickly when wet, and hence is somewhat warmer, but wool does quite well in this regard.

I have two fleece sweaters that are more than thirty years old. One, aged 38, is definitely worn, while the other remains in top shape (It did spend a season on Denali, but isn't used extensively in southern California). My wool items have lasted only about fifteen years or so.

Either fabric is a good cold weather choice and both are available in different weights. Quality of design and manufacture is more significant than the choice of either fabric. Some items are garbage and some are excellent

Good grief! This thread is ten years old...

For daily use at home, on a bed, I would favour wool blankets over any synthetic material. Warm, comfortable, not flammable.
Except for young children bed blankets need to be a generous size. As a minimum a full UK single size of 70 inches wide by 90 inches long. Bigger is better.
Synthetic bed blankets are IME less warm and are also uncomfortable as they trap moisture and produce an unpleasant sweaty or clammy feeling.
The best but still reasonably affordable wool bed blankets are made from 100% NEW wool and contain no recycled material.

For camping or outdoor activities, I would also favour wool for the same reasons as above, with the inherent fire resistance being of importance near camp fires.
Rough or outdoor use increases the chance of loss or damage and I would therefore favour the cheaper military type of wool blanket, these are often a bit smaller which keeps the cost down and reduces weight and bulk.

For blankets kept in a vehicle for emergencies any type will do, Comfort is secondary for short term emergency use.
Options include the very cheap part wool blankets made from recycled materials, as distributed by charities in disaster zones. Alternatively the cheap synthetic fleece blankets that are sold everywhere at low prices.
Or second-hand wool bed blankets as may be purchased very cheaply from charity shops.

You guys know that you are responding to a 10 year old tread that has been spammed by a person who only signed up today right?

I have reported the spammer to the MOD's..

Granted the thread has a long gray beard, what qualifies it as spam?

I am sorry to say that I did not notice the date.
Still, no harm done, the points raised are still relevant.

I like fleece; cheaper and much lighter. You can also get 'windproof" which is a tighter weave.