freecia

Nylon is more snag resistant (that velcro, again, or zippers). It also survives a small beverage incident better than my woolen knits.

My advice as a knitter for animal fiber scarves under $150 to use as travel blanket - Look for nice tight knit instead of a woven fabric. Bonus if it is blended with bit of nylon for durability. Bargain tissue weight scarf can be a fluffy shed prone yarn in a loose woven fabric which is more snag prone and the material cost is lower than a tighter weave or knit. I suspect the Halogen scarf is such an item based on how transparent it looks. Good tight woven fabrics also exist in this price range but harder to find and online photos don't always make it easy to spot.
https://www.dutchlabelshop.com/blog/...-woven-fabric/

Example of less durable loose weave with fluffy fiber with closeup photo in gray: https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/cashmer...efault&start=2

tcl

I have several wraps, shawls and blankets, including a modified Costco throw, that I use in rotation. While I would like to bring my softest and fluffiest full-sized throw, it is usually not practical to do so. The items I have with me most often are ones that pack up small: a pashmina, a wool "pashmina", a large wool square, or a large silk square. If I am traveling to somewhere excessively hot and humid, I might use a fine cotton square that can double as a cover-up. In recent years, I have also grown quite attached to my Uniqlo ultralight down coat. I use it as an additional layering piece under another coat to add warmth or by itself. On planes and trains, I use it as a blanket.

Despite having quite a collection, I am still searching for the holy grail of silk/cashmere/wool scarves/blankets.

Hoyaheel

Absolutely, But on the other hand, I wanted something lightweight, which I got. So.....[I have other much denser scarves and wraps as well - but I run hot AND I live in the South now, so....All I brought with me from New England and Utah or inherited from my mother mostly sits in the cedar chest, unless I feel like packing it on a cold weather trip....]

The down alternative blanket on sale at Costco now will be a nice addition for relaxing on the porch - does block the wind far better than the fleece & cotton throws, is a nice size (covers shoulders to toes!) and has a stuff sack as well. For $12.99, we're happy :-) I think the size in the stuff sack is about the same size as the coolmax blanket I travel with (when I decide to travel with a blanket) though I'm not sure I'd use it on a plane - a little bulky and slippery....

KRSW

Hoyaheel How does the down alternative blanket compare to the real down blanket Costco used to sell? I've always found the down alternative stuff to not breathe as well as real down, but am always curious.

Hoyaheel

I haven't used both extensively yet, but my husband did use both over the weekend so I asked his experience:

Quote:

They both work well. I think the down is a bit lighter but the synthetic insulation seems to be more evenly distributed in the blanket. I've not had any issues with "breathing" with either blanket.

Hoyaheel

Oooh, found a new one for you! Not cheap ;-) https://shop.outlier.nyc/shop/retail...rectangle.html

I was introduced to Outlier by flyertalk a few years back - got some fabulous water resistant pants for my husband. Haven't tried any of their stuff for women. I know they're really into their fabric quality.....

freecia

I like that the item name states it is an Expensive Rectangle. Already sold out so the price isn't shown. How much was it?

Hoyaheel

Darn! It was $248 or $268 or something in the mid $200s. So, expensive, but not "Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalog" crazy ;-)

rsqrott

Expensive Rectangle! Truth in advertising...but it looks cozy.

rsqrott

An update on blanket quest:

Current on sale for 69.99. It went down to 49.99 before Christmas. Did I buy it then...no...sigh.

But, during my pre Christmas Outlet shopping I came across this (well similar to this):
https://www.cosstores.com/en_usd/men...730437003.html


I found a version of this at the COS outlet in a deep, cranberry red with slight flecks of black. While it's more scarf than blanket the cashmere is extremely thick and luscious feeling. It's smaller than the Macy's wrap measuring 68"x 20" to the Macy's 86"x30".

rsqrott

Success! I have found this:
Halogen cashmere wrap

It's cashmere, not merino but it is soft and lightweight. 48"x60", about the size of the usual airline blanket and weighs practically nothing. It works as a wrap, I can fold it lengthwise and turn it into a scarf. Currently on sale for $33.
I can curl up under it while at home for now.

TravelFred

I'm wondering why getting a travel blanket if long haul flights usually supply them. Are you also cold on short flights? It's something I had never considered...

LtKernelPanic

Because they're nasty and who knows the last time they've actually been washed.

rsqrott

Flying in the age of Covid might answer this for itself but in my specific case I do tend to get cold on short haul flights. Honestly nothing I would ever have considered either, until I started flying more.

Well yes, and this too

But there have been times, flight delays, long waits at the gate, etc where a light blanket would be nice.

Granted I haven't flown since I purchased the Halogen wrap...