Horizon Hound Trek Tenting Blanket Evaluation

Backside Line

The Horizon Hound Trek Blanket is our prime choose for a down possibility on our checklist of the perfect tenting blankets. Coming in at a really inexpensive worth with a wonderful packability-to-size ratio, this blanket is right for adventurous hikes and escapades. When stuffed into its included stuff sack, it’s only barely bigger than a standard 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.

Based mostly on the heat check we accomplished, the Horizon Hound Trek ranked because the second-warmest blanket! Attributable to its down filling, it was extremely insulating and reliable for heat and luxury.

Nevertheless, there are some downsides to down insulation. The Horizon Hound Trek absorbs water extra rapidly than different puffy blankets we examined and is tougher to wash on account of 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 continues to be a high-quality blanket possibility with unimaginable worth for the worth. We extremely advocate this blanket for these on the lookout for downy heat, packable consolation on hikes, and a budget-friendly worth.

How We Examined

Within the area, we examined this blanket in the course of 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 bought the blanket moist and soiled to check its water resistance and skill to shed particles. When again from the sphere, we accomplished a standardized heat check 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 fabricated from high-quality down and ripstop nylon, displaying no indicators of damage after testing within the area. It carried out excellently throughout our shake check, the place we coated 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 grime rapidly and didn’t snag simply. Nevertheless, 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 evaded open fires.

When pouring water over the blankets to check the water resistant end, we discovered that water beaded rapidly off the fabric upon preliminary influence. Nevertheless, 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 advocate letting the down develop 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! Except for subjectively figuring out its relative heat in chilly outside environments, we accomplished a standardized and managed check, 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 recent sock skilled to quantify the insulating means 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.

Measurement 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 particular person or two smaller folks.

Its ample protection nonetheless packs down into one of many smallest stuff sack baggage (noticeably with the smallest circumference) in our blanket check at simply barely over a pound. We discovered that this blanket has the perfect coverage-to-packability ratio in our check, making it considered one of 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, regardless that 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. Nevertheless, it was nonetheless attainable to do solo albeit with additional endurance.

Consolation

The Horizon Hound Trek feels tender to the contact like the opposite puffy blankets in our check. The fabric is clean and quiet when transferring, not creating any crinkly noises like another artificial or waterproof materials.

Whereas it’s a cozy 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 Unique 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 fabricated from 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 bought simpler with follow. Since Horizon Hound recommends a unique storage technique for the down blanket, we have been a bit dissatisfied that they didn’t embrace a separate bag to make the most of.

Along with getting used as a throw blanket, the Horizon Hound gives a cape clip possibility that lets you safe the blanket round your neck and go hands-free—preferrred 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 finest budget-friendly choose on account of its heat, protection, and packability.

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

Nevertheless, in case you are on the lookout for a blanket that’s simpler to take care of, 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 aim is lounging on the seashore or within the woods, we advocate 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?

Just like the Horizon Hound Trek, we advocate looking at these artificial puffy blankets from our finest tenting blankets gear information. 

Rumpl Unique Puffy Evaluation: The Rumpl Unique Puffy is costlier and has decreased packability, but it gives comparable heat, protection, and luxury to the Horizon Hound. Attributable to its artificial insulation, it doesn’t take as lengthy for the blanket to totally develop after being compressed, and it dries quicker.

Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy Evaluation: Though a smaller-sized blanket, the Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy comes at the same worth level and even smaller packed dimension than the Horizon Hound. Nevertheless, because of the thinner materials and decrease protection, some heat might be sacrificed.

Therm-a-Relaxation Honcho Poncho Evaluation: 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 rapidly.

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