The Space Blanket has been much maligned in this and other forums. I'm a believer in their weight to usefulness ratio. Here's what I've come up with so far, pro and con. Feel free to add or detract as the fancy strikes you.

By the way, I'm talking about the cheap $1.99 USD ones commonly encountered everywhere, not the more expensive coated "sportsmans" brands.

1. They are lighter than the lightest poncho, yet just as waterproof.

2. They do reflect SOME body heat back to the wearer. (How much is in serious dispute, but any is better than none.)

3. They make a GREAT reflector for a fire.

4. They SHOULD make a fantastic snow-melt backdrop for drinking water. (My own pet untested theory. The idea is taken from the book "Alive" by Piers Paul Reed. The survivors of the Andean crash used aluminum fusilage parts to melt snow rapidly, and the Space Blanket should work as well. I'll test it the next sub-freezing day I encounter--probably next autumn. Comments--or better yet testing from our northern --Canadian-- neighbors are encouraged!)

5. They make a passable groundcloth. Again, their reflectivity is in dispute but NOT being directly in contact with the cold wet ground is better than lounging in the mud.

Cons:

1. They are flimsy. Enough said. If it's windy, you better stay low! And carry 2' of duct tape for accidents!

2. They are noisy. I confess this has never bothered me a bit but it might disturb somebody.


Regards, Vince