Sport Utility Blanket by SOL

I just bought this item and haven't had a chance to use it in the field yet. This is a 5' x 7' (1524mm x 2134mm) plastic tarp/blanket with one metalized side. There are metal grommets at each corner and in the middle of each long edge.

This competes directly with the "All-Weather Space Blanket", which is a well-proven and very useful bit of gear available at about half the price. AMK's version is the same size, but thinner, so that it packs to only about 60% of the volume of the older product. AMK claims that this blanket is more reflective and six times stronger despite its thinness.

I like the reduced bulk, and all else equal, would consider it worth the price premium for many applications. The big negative so far is that the product has an extremely unpleasant "chemical" smell. I have it airing out on my porch. If the smell dissipates, I will test the product in recreational use and revise the review according to how well it performs in the field. If not, this is a two-star product at best, to be used only in emergency.

UPDATE 09/05/2012: The odor has mostly, but not completely, dissipated with airing. Will take into the field soon.

it is an ok tarp, blanket it does what it says but boy does it reak, it smells like a chemical spill. if course it is better than being wet and freezing, but still, if you pick one up, unfold it and let it air out for 2-3 days.. or a week. other than that it is a good product, it is a little thinner than i expected. not sure if id buy again.

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