What TOG Rating Should a Relief Blanket Have? 6 Climate Scenarios Explained

A relief blanket should usually be specified by TOG rating, not GSM alone. For warm indoor shelters, a light 1.5 TOG blanket may be enough. For cool indoor shelters, 2.5 TOG is a practical medium-thermal baseline. For unheated spaces, open-air distribution or cold-weather shelters, buyers should move toward 4 TOG and above. Freezing and severe-winter programs may need 6, 8 or even 9.5 TOG, depending on the shelter, clothing, ground insulation and sleeping system.

This guide explains the six climate scenarios used in relief blanket specifications, how TOG relates to Rct thermal resistance, and how NGO, government and distributor buyers can write a clearer RFQ without relying on fabric weight alone.

Quick Answer: What TOG Rating Should a Relief Blanket Have?

Use the deployment temperature as the starting point. A useful procurement shortcut is:

The exact tender always controls. The CRS emergency blanket specification uses these TOG levels as practical climate references, from light indoor use to very cold environments. Treat them as a selection framework, then confirm the final value through the buyer’s test method and local program needs.

What Does TOG Mean for a Relief Blanket?

TOG is a thermal resistance rating. In simple terms, a higher TOG number means the blanket resists heat loss more strongly. In institutional blanket procurement, TOG is often connected to Rct, the thermal resistance value measured in m².K/W. A common conversion used in relief specifications is:

TOG = Rct x 10

For example, an Rct value of 0.25 m².K/W corresponds to 2.5 TOG. The UNHCR synthetic medium thermal blanket specification and the IFRC/ICRC medium thermal synthetic blanket listing both use this Rct-to-TOG relationship in procurement language.

That matters because a buyer can compare warmth as a tested performance result, rather than guessing from blanket weight, catalog photos or fabric names.

Why GSM Alone Is Not Enough

GSM tells you how much a square meter of fabric weighs. It does not prove how much warmth a finished relief blanket will provide. Two blankets can share the same GSM and feel very different in cold conditions because of fiber type, loft, weave density, finishing, pile height, brushing, air permeability, size and compression recovery.

For relief programs, this distinction is important. A heavy blanket that is tightly compressed and slow to recover may not perform like a lighter but loftier blanket. A soft fleece blanket may feel warm indoors but lose comfort outdoors if wind cuts through it. A wool or wool-blend blanket may handle cold-weather use differently from polyester fleece, but it may also change the washing, odor, cost and packing conversation.

GSM is still useful for production control. It helps the buyer compare sample weight, carton loading, freight volume and cost. But if the question is “will this blanket keep people warmer in this scenario?”, TOG or Rct is the better language.

6 Climate Scenarios Explained

1. Heated Indoor Shelter: 1.5 TOG

A 1.5 TOG relief blanket is a light thermal option for warm indoor use, such as a heated evacuation center, temporary dormitory or short-term reception area. It can work when the building is reasonably warm and the main need is comfort, coverage and basic warmth.

This level is usually not enough for unheated buildings, night distribution outdoors or sleeping close to cold ground. Buyers using 1.5 TOG should be clear that the blanket is for controlled indoor conditions.

2. Cool Indoor Shelter: 2.5 TOG

A 2.5 TOG blanket is often the practical medium-thermal starting point for cool indoor shelters. It gives a stronger warmth baseline than a light blanket while still keeping packing, carton weight and budget under control.

This is a useful specification when the program expects people to sleep indoors around 15°C, with normal clothing and some protection from wind and rain. It is also the point where many buyers begin asking for a formal Rct or TOG test report rather than a simple GSM quote.

3. Unheated Indoor or Temperate Outdoor Use: 4 TOG

When a shelter is unheated, semi-open or closer to 10°C, a buyer should look toward 4 TOG or higher. This is the range where “warm blanket” starts to become a real tender requirement rather than a marketing phrase.

The IFRC/ICRC high thermal synthetic blanket listing uses a higher Rct and TOG threshold than its low and medium versions, which is a helpful way to frame cold-weather procurement language.

4. Near-Freezing Shelter: 6 TOG

At about 0°C, the blanket is no longer just a comfort item. A 6 TOG target should be discussed together with full body coverage, bedding layers, ground insulation, clothing, shelter type and wind exposure.

For a freezing-weather response, sample approval should check warmth, hand feel and recovery after compression. A blanket that looks thick on the production table may perform differently after weeks in a bale or vacuum pack.

5. Sub-Zero Winter Response: 8 TOG

At about -10°C, an 8 TOG blanket may be needed as part of a winterized relief kit. This is usually beyond the comfort role of a standard fleece throw. Buyers should consider a warmer construction, larger finished size, stronger edge finish and a packing method that does not destroy loft.

Cold-weather programs should also separate blanket performance from the total sleeping system. A high-TOG blanket helps, but ground mats, sleeping bags, insulated shelter, dry clothing and wind protection can decide whether the kit works in practice.

6. Extreme Cold Program: 9.5 TOG

A 9.5 TOG target belongs to severe-cold planning. It may be appropriate for very cold outdoor, tent or poorly heated shelter conditions, but the blanket should not be treated as the only protection layer.

For this level, buyers should require clear lab documentation, field-style sample review and honest logistics planning. The warmer the blanket, the more important carton volume, bale pressure, warehouse space and transport cost become.

Relief Blanket Thermal Classes in Tender Language

Many aid specifications use thermal classes such as low, medium and high thermal. These can be expressed through Rct and TOG:

These terms should not be used casually. If the tender says “medium thermal”, specify the Rct or TOG value, the test method and the sample condition. For example, the IFRC/ICRC catalogue pages distinguish low thermal, medium thermal and high thermal synthetic blankets with different thermal-resistance thresholds.

How to Write TOG Rating into a Relief Blanket RFQ

A strong RFQ should state the performance target and the manufacturing details that affect that target. Include:

• Thermal rating: TOG or Rct value, plus whether it is a minimum or target range.
• Test method: the required lab method, such as ISO 11092 when applicable to the tender.
• Sample condition: whether the sample is tested after compression, after conditioning or after washing.
• Finished size: adult, child, family or institutional size, measured after sewing and within tolerance.
• Composition: polyester fleece, recycled polyester, wool, wool blend or other approved fiber mix.
• GSM or finished weight: useful for cost, production control and freight planning.
• Air permeability: important when blankets are used in drafty shelters or open-air settings.
• Edge finish: overlock, hemmed, stitched binding or other tender-required finish.
• Safety and compliance: flame-retardant requirement, restricted substances, odor, skin-contact expectations and label language.
• Packing: individual bag, bale, vacuum pack, carton quantity, carton marks and pallet plan.

For a supplier conversation, send the expected climate scenario, target TOG, material direction, finished size, quantity, packing method and required test reports. HY Blanket can then translate the brief into a sample and production specification through its disaster relief blanket solutions team.

Which Material Fits Each TOG Range?

Material choice should follow the climate, tender and handling route:

• Polar fleece relief blankets: practical for light to medium warmth, soft hand feel, repeatable color, strong packing efficiency and cost control. Review polar fleece relief blanket options when the program needs a scalable general-purpose textile blanket.
• Wool or wool-blend blankets: often considered for colder programs, traditional institutional specifications and higher thermal expectations. Compare the wool emergency blanket route when the buyer prioritizes cold-weather performance and durability.
• Flame-retardant relief blankets: useful when the tender, shelter environment or institutional buyer requires a flame-resistance route. Use the flame-retardant relief blanket page for that discussion.
• Bulk emergency blankets: efficient when the main priority is fast distribution, stockpile packing and predictable carton loading. See bulk emergency blanket options for large programs.

Foil-style emergency blankets are a different product category. They are compact and useful for short-term heat reflection, but they do not replace textile relief blankets when the goal is sleep comfort, dignity, repeated use and bulk shelter distribution.

Compression and Packing Can Change the Real Result

Relief blankets are often shipped in bales, cartons or compressed packs to save warehouse and freight space. That can be efficient, but it also means the buyer should think about loft recovery. A blanket that depends on loft for warmth must recover after compression, otherwise the tested or promised warmth can disappear in real storage conditions.

For high-TOG programs, ask whether the test sample represents the packed condition. Also confirm bale pressure, compression duration, carton quantity, pallet height and how long stock may remain in storage before deployment.

For broader packing and distribution planning, the existing guide Disaster Relief Blankets in Bulk covers size, warmth, packing and field delivery, while Emergency Blankets in Bulk explains MOQ, size, color and packaging questions.

TOG Rating Does Not Replace Field Judgment

A TOG number is a useful laboratory comparison, but field comfort depends on the full environment. Buyers should consider:

• Whether people sleep indoors, in tents, in vehicles or outdoors.
• Wind, humidity and whether the blanket may get damp.
• Ground insulation, mattress, mat or cot availability.
• Clothing layers and whether the program supports adults, children or mixed households.
• Distribution duration: one night, several weeks or seasonal stockpile use.
• Cleaning route, reuse expectations and replacement planning.

If the team is still deciding between compact thermal emergency blankets and reusable textile blankets, read Emergency Blanket vs Disaster Relief Blanket before fixing the specification.

Common Buying Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ordering by GSM only. Use GSM for production and freight control, but ask for TOG or Rct when warmth matters.
2. Using one blanket for every climate. A warm indoor shelter and a freezing winter tent do not need the same product.
3. Ignoring compression. Packed relief blankets should recover enough loft to meet the intended warmth level.
4. Confusing foil emergency blankets with textile relief blankets. They solve different emergency needs.
5. Forgetting size coverage. A warmer but undersized blanket may perform poorly for adults in real shelters.
6. Skipping test-report language. If the tender depends on thermal performance, the RFQ should name the value and method.

Final Recommendation for Relief Blanket Buyers

For general indoor and temperate relief programs, start the conversation around 2.5 TOG medium thermal blankets. For unheated shelters, open-air distribution or colder nights, move toward 4 TOG and above. For freezing, sub-zero and severe-cold response, consider 6, 8 or 9.5 TOG, but treat the blanket as one part of a full winter shelter or sleeping kit.

The cleanest RFQ includes the target TOG or Rct value, test method, sample condition, material, GSM or finished weight, size, edge finish, packing, carton loading and required documents. For a program-specific recommendation, send HY Blanket the climate scenario, tender requirements and order plan through the contact page.

FAQ

What TOG rating should a relief blanket have?

A general indoor or temperate relief blanket often starts around 2.5 TOG. For unheated shelters or colder outdoor distribution, buyers should consider 4 TOG and above. Freezing or severe-cold programs may need 6, 8 or 9.5 TOG, depending on the shelter, clothing, ground insulation and wider sleeping kit.

Is 2.5 TOG enough for a relief blanket?

2.5 TOG can be enough for cool indoor shelters and many temperate aid programs. It is not the right assumption for unheated buildings, open-air sleeping, freezing weather or severe winter response. The final answer should follow the buyer tender and field scenario.

What is the difference between TOG and GSM?

TOG measures thermal resistance, so it is used to compare warmth. GSM measures fabric weight per square meter, so it helps with production, cost and freight planning. GSM alone cannot prove how warm a finished relief blanket will feel.

How is Rct related to TOG?

Rct is a thermal resistance value measured in m2.K/W. In many blanket specifications, TOG is expressed as Rct multiplied by 10. For example, Rct 0.25 corresponds to 2.5 TOG.

Should cold-weather programs use wool or fleece relief blankets?

Both can work when the tested thermal rating, size, durability, packing and budget fit the tender. Fleece is often efficient for scalable medium-warmth programs. Wool or wool-blend blankets may be considered for colder or more traditional institutional specifications. Buyers should compare tested TOG or Rct instead of choosing by fabric name alone.