Horizon Hound Trek Tenting Blanket Overview

Backside Line

The Horizon Hound Trek Blanket is our prime choose for a down choice on our checklist of the most effective tenting blankets. Coming in at a really inexpensive value with a superb packability-to-size ratio, this blanket is good for adventurous hikes and escapades. When stuffed into its included stuff sack, it is just barely bigger than a conventional 32oz. Nalgene. 

With its beneficiant protection, the blanket labored effectively with its “cape-clip” characteristic. This characteristic secures the blanket across the neck to permit wearers to go hands-free. The “clip” was a easy button, making it simpler to make use of than different designs we examined.

Primarily based on the heat take a look at we accomplished, the Horizon Hound Trek ranked because the second-warmest blanket! As a result of its down filling, it was extremely insulating and reliable for heat and luxury.

Nonetheless, there are some downsides to down insulation. The Horizon Hound Trek absorbs water extra shortly than different puffy blankets we examined and is harder to wash resulting from its particular care directions. Since down shouldn’t be compressed for lengthy intervals of time, Horizon Hound recommends not storing it contained in the carry bag it got here with—but they didn’t present one for purchasers to make use of.

After in depth testing, the Horizon Hound Trek remains to be a high-quality blanket choice with unimaginable worth for the worth. We extremely suggest this blanket for these searching for downy heat, packable consolation on hikes, and a budget-friendly value.

How We Examined

Within the discipline, we examined this blanket through the winter months in Northern California, most notably testing its packability and efficiency out on the path, lounging in a hammock within the woods, and on the chilly Northern CA shoreline. We received the blanket moist and soiled to match its water resistance and talent to shed particles. When again from the sector, we accomplished a standardized heat take a look at the place we wrapped the blanket round a heated sizzling sock for half-hour to trace the lack of warmth over time and rank its insulating properties.

Sturdiness

The Horizon Hound Trek is product of high-quality down and ripstop nylon, displaying no indicators of damage after testing within the discipline. It carried out excellently throughout our shake take a look at, the place we lined the blanket in a cup of sand to find out how a lot particles would cling to the material after giving it a fast shake. It shed all dust shortly and didn’t snag simply. Nonetheless, if it will get soiled, the blanket would require particular cleansing care. Although it may be machine-washed, it requires a delicate cycle and should be refrained from open fires.

When pouring water over the blankets to check the waterproof end, we discovered that water beaded shortly off the fabric upon preliminary influence. Nonetheless, it additionally soaked in quicker than different puffy blankets we examined and stayed moist longer.

Lastly, because of the down within the blanket, Horizon Hound recommends not storing it in its compressed state within the included carry bag. They don’t present a separate storage bag, but suggest letting the down increase when not in use as long-term compression flattens the down’s loftiness over time and reduces its effectiveness at insulation.

Heat

The Horizon Hound Trek was the second warmest blanket we examined! Other than subjectively figuring out its relative heat in chilly out of doors environments, we accomplished a standardized and managed take a look at, the place we wrapped every blanket round a heated sizzling sock (136F) for half-hour in a 60F room.

We then took the ultimate temperature with an infrared thermometer and decided the quantity of warmth loss that the new sock skilled to quantify the insulating capacity of every blanket.

The Horizon Hound misplaced a small distinction of 1.8 levels, proving the capabilities of its beneficiant protection and 200g down insulation. We stayed toasty heat whereas wrapped within the Horizon Hound whereas lounging in a hammock throughout chilly days and having fun with the sundown on Northern CA seashores.

Dimension to Packability

Though the Horizon Hound Trek blanket doesn’t are available in a number of dimension choices, we discovered its full dimension at 77” x 50” to be a lot massive sufficient for one individual or two smaller individuals.

Its ample protection nonetheless packs down into one of many smallest stuff sack baggage (noticeably with the smallest circumference) in our blanket take a look at at simply barely over a pound. We discovered that this blanket has the most effective coverage-to-packability ratio in our take a look at, making it one among our prime suggestions in your hikes and in a single day adventures. 

The Horizon Hound additionally is available in its personal carry case, which makes for handy transportation, though it isn’t designed for long-term storage and preservation of the down.

The stuff sack has a good opening and bolstered thick band that folds over and clips on the prime to create a small carry deal with. We discovered it difficult to stuff the blanket with out somebody serving to to maintain the bag open. Nonetheless, it was nonetheless doable to do solo albeit with additional persistence.

Consolation

The Horizon Hound Trek feels comfortable to the contact like the opposite puffy blankets in our take a look at. The fabric is easy and quiet when shifting, not creating any crinkly noises like another artificial or waterproof materials.

Whereas it’s a comfortable blanket, we did discover that the fabric feels skinny till the down begins to loft and take form. Whereas different puffy blankets such because the Rumpl Authentic expanded instantly, it did take a while for the Horizon Hound Trek to completely decompress and supply its full capabilities of heat and insulation. 

As soon as the down absolutely lofted and, with its ample protection,  we discovered it to be excellent for snuggling on the path whereas having fun with the surroundings.

Options

The Horizon Hound Trek options an included stuff sack. It’s product of a sturdy, stretchy materials that folds over and clasps collectively to create a carrying deal with. Though it took some coordination to carry the bag open and stuff the rolled-up blanket with out letting it unravel, it received simpler with follow. Since Horizon Hound recommends a special storage technique for the down blanket, we had been a bit upset that they didn’t embrace a separate bag to make the most of.

Along with getting used as a throw blanket, the Horizon Hound affords a cape clip choice that permits you to safe the blanket round your neck and go hands-free—superb for wandering round camp or establishing your campsite. A snap button makes it a lot simpler and extra handy to make use of with chilly fingers.

Ought to You Purchase the Horizon Hound Trek Down Tenting Blanket?

The Horizon Hound Trek is our choose for a down insulated blanket. Whereas it wasn’t the most budget-friendly blanket we examined, we take into account it to be the greatest budget-friendly choose resulting from its heat, protection, and packability.

It is a superb alternative when searching for an inexpensive choice that doesn’t lack in high quality. We additionally extremely suggest this blanket for these searching for a packable product that may simply be transported in a daypack for longer adventures.

Nonetheless, in case you are searching for a blanket that’s simpler to look after, stays dry, and doesn’t require particular storage, then we advise that you simply peruse our gear information for our artificial blanket picks.

Moreover, whereas the Horizon Hound sheds particles simply, we wouldn’t recommend utilizing it as a floor blanket; in case your objective is lounging on the seaside or within the woods, we suggest that you simply additionally consult with our gear information for blankets designed particularly for floor use.

What Different Tenting Blankets Ought to You Think about?

Much like the Horizon Hound Trek, we suggest having a look at these artificial puffy blankets from our greatest tenting blankets gear information. 

Rumpl Authentic Puffy Overview: The Rumpl Authentic Puffy is costlier and has lowered packability, but it affords comparable heat, protection, and luxury to the Horizon Hound. As a result of its artificial insulation, it doesn’t take as lengthy for the blanket to totally increase after being compressed, and it dries quicker.

Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy Overview: Though a smaller-sized blanket, the Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy comes at an identical value level and even smaller packed dimension than the Horizon Hound. Nonetheless, because of the thinner materials and decrease protection, some heat shall be sacrificed.

Therm-a-Relaxation Honcho Poncho Overview: The Therm-a-Relaxation Honcho Poncho is extra versatile and barely hotter than the Horizon Hound Trek. Though much less packable and costlier, it boasts extra options and can be utilized as a pillow or a blanket and worn as a poncho. It additionally sheds water higher than the Horizon Hound, resisting moisture absorption and drying extra shortly.

REI Camp Blanket Overview: The REI Camp is available in a extra user-friendly stuff sack, but lacks a cape-clip choice and the identical stage of heat because the Horizon Hound.