Best emergency blankets, bivvy bags and sleeping bags (2026)
Ready.gov lists a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person among its extra emergency supplies. For a go-bag, a reflective bivvy sack weighs almost nothing; for a cold house in a winter outage, a real sleeping bag matters. Here are both, compared.
By PreparedStates editors · Updated October 22, 2026 · 4 products, prices indicative
Our picks
SOL Emergency Bivvy
A shelter-in-a-pocket for every bag
Go Time Gear Life Bivy
Popular budget bivvy
Coleman Brazos 20°F
Real warmth for a cold house in an outage
All 4 compared
| Product | Type | Warmth | Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Emergency bivvy sack · Reflective (90% in the name) · Waterproof; whistle included A shelter-in-a-pocket for every bag | Emergency bivvy sack | Reflective (90% in the name) | Waterproof; whistle included | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A waterproof, reflective sack you climb into: far warmer than a flat foil blanket, and it packs to the size of a fist. Best for A shelter-in-a-pocket for every bag Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you need real bedding for days: get a sleeping bag. | ||||
Emergency bivvy sack · Reflective Popular budget bivvy | Emergency bivvy sack | Reflective | — | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A reflective emergency sleeping bag at a low price; a solid pick for car and go-bag kits. Best for Popular budget bivvy Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you need multi-night comfort. | ||||
Sleeping bag · Down to 20°F (maker) Real warmth for a cold house in an outage | Sleeping bag | Down to 20°F (maker) | — | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched When the heat's out in winter, a proper sleeping bag beats any foil blanket. Coleman rates this one to 20°F. Best for Real warmth for a cold house in an outage Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you need it to fit in a go-bag. | ||||
Foil (mylar) blanket · Reflective Cheap foil blankets to scatter around | Foil (mylar) blanket | Reflective | — | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched Flat foil blankets: cheap enough to keep in every car and kit. Wrap tightly; they're less warm than a bivvy sack. Best for Cheap foil blankets to scatter around Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if it's your only warmth for a night outside. | ||||
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Before you buy
For go-bags and cars, choose a bivvy sack over a flat blanket.
For a winter outage at home, a sleeping bag rated near the temperatures you'd face indoors.
Keep one per person, as Ready.gov suggests.
Foil blankets are single-use in practice; replace once opened.
We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its US price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labelled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test — and commissions never change a ranking either way. Read our full methodology →
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Common questions
Do emergency blankets really work?
They reflect body heat and cut wind, which helps, but a flat sheet loses heat at the edges. A bivvy sack works much better.
What's the difference between a bivvy and a blanket?
A bivvy is a reflective sleeping sack you get into, so warm air stays around you. A blanket is a flat sheet you wrap.
How many should I keep?
One per person in each go-bag and car, as Ready.gov suggests for blankets or sleeping bags.
Do I need a sleeping bag for a power outage?
In a winter outage, a cold-rated sleeping bag is the best way to stay warm without heat.