What’s a Sherpa Blanket and Should You Buy One?

folded sherpa and throw blankets
pile of knitted throw blankets and plaids on shabby gray background. warm cosy home decor

If you are asking yourself, “What’s a Sherpa blanket?” and should you buy one, then you have come to the right place. A Sherpa blanket is an extra, or throw blanket, made of wool. Originating in popularity in the early 1980s, these blankets are also called mulberry wool blankets. In the past few years, they have surpassed the popularity of traditional fleece blankets and have even been preferred over flannel sheets. If you’re considering investing in a Sherpa blanket, here are just a few things you should know about them.

Like many, you may be wondering: How is the Sherpa blanket different from the average fleece blanket? Why should I choose it over another type of blanket? Does anyone even use these blankets anymore? With so many questions to answer, it may seem like a lot. But don’t worry – we’ve got everything you need to know about Sherpa blankets.

If you’re wondering what a Sherpa blanket actually is and whether they’re worth the hefty price tag, then keep reading. We’ll explore what this unique blanket is made of and share our insights on which types are worth the big bucks.

detailed shot of a throw blanket

What’s a Sherpa Blanket?

A Sherpa blanket is a soft, fuzzy fabric on one side and a smooth fabric on the other. The fuzzy side is made from acrylic Sherpa fleece, which is soft and fluffy. The smooth side is usually polyester or cotton. These blankets are known for being warm and cozy, so they’re great for snuggling up on the couch on cold winter days.

The Sherpa blanket was initially designed to keep the Sherpa people in Nepal warm during harsh Himalayan winters. The term “Sherpa” can also refer to the people of Nepal who were initially called Sharwa by Tibetan people. Sherpas are excellent guides and porters who help others climb Mount Everest and other peaks in the Himalayas. The blankets were often made from wool or synthetic Sherpa fleece. Back then, they were primarily used as bedding by nomadic shepherds, but now they’re sold worldwide as decorative throws.

If you’re looking for a blanket that will keep you warm during cold winter months, then a Sherpa blanket is a good choice. They’re thicker than most blankets, so they’ll keep you nice and toasty while you watch TV or read a book. And since they come in lots of different sizes (from small blankets to big ones), it shouldn’t be too hard to find one that fits your bed or couch perfectly!

The best way to clean your Sherpa blanket depends on the material used to make it. If you have a cotton blanket, you should hand-wash it using cold water and mild detergent (such as Woolite). When they’re primarily made of polyester, you can wash them in the washing machine with cold water on the gentle cycle. You should use a mild detergent to protect your blanket from damage during the wash cycle. Once they’re clean, tumble dry on low heat to keep them fluffy and soft.

The fabric is often used for outerwear, like jackets and pants. Sometimes you may see certain items labeled “Sherpa,” even if they don’t include Sherpa fabric. For example, some jackets are lined with Sherpa fabric on the inside.

sherpa blankets folded sitting on a cabinet

What Are the Benefits of a Sherpa Blanket?

The Sherpa blanket design is made from a synthetic material that is durable and warm while also being extremely animal friendly. Because of this and other factors, you can get all the benefits of authentic Sherpa blankets without having to hurt any animals in the process.

These blankets are poor for maintenance, as they don’t need regular cleaning or washing like most other blankets. However, they’re designed to be highly durable, which means that you won’t have to worry about damaging them when you wash them with your other laundry.

Sherpa blankets are known for their extreme warmth and coziness. When you combine the quality of the synthetic materials used to create these blankets with their unique designs, you end up getting one of the coziest and most comfortable blankets available on the market today.

The Sherpa blanket is relatively lightweight, which means that it can be transported much more easily than a lot of conventional blankets out there on the market today. This makes it an excellent option for those who want to take it quickly when they travel or go camping.

throw blanket rolled up

What Are the Risks of a Sherpa Blanket?

Despite these blankets’ soft and cozy appeal, they have some drawbacks that may make them less than ideal for specific uses. For example, they’re often flammable and can catch on fire if not properly cared for or cleaned. This means you have to take extra care when handling these items around open flames such as candles or fireplaces because they could easily ignite themselves if not properly attended to.

If your main reason for buying a Sherpa blanket is to use it as a throw blanket, you may not like how it feels. Some people find that fur throws are too thick, so they feel heavy and suffocating. Also, the fur can quickly get dirty. The downy surface of the blanket attracts dirt, lint, and pet hair, which can be challenging to remove. The fuzzy fibers also tend to hide the dirt visible on other fabrics. The fuzziness of these blankets also makes them more prone to shedding than different types of materials. This makes them less ideal for people who suffer from asthma or allergies from dust mites and dust mite droppings.

Most people love Sherpa blankets because they are so warm, but this could also be considered a drawback for some people. A sherpa blanket can be a nuisance in warm weather or while exercising. If you tend to run hot at night or in general, Sherpa blankets may be too warm for you.

plaid throw blanket

The Difference Between a Sherpa Blanket and a Fleece Blanket

Just as the fleece blanket has become the go-to source for comfort and warmth at night, so too has the Sherpa blanket. The most significant difference between the two blankest is that Sherpa blankets are warmer, fuzzier, and softer than fleece blankets.

Fleece blankets are made with synthetic wool. They are typically made of polyester, although they can also be made from acrylic or a combination of both. This material is soft and fluffy, making it ideal to use as a blanket or throw. However, the fibers in fleece are lovely, so they tend to pill (i.e., get tiny balls of fluff on the surface) as they age.

A Sherpa fleece blanket is also known as faux Sherpa because they do not contain any wool and are made from synthetic materials like sherpa fleece or acrylics and rayon. These materials make them highly comfortable and warm, making them ideal for bedding and blankets.

Both Sherpa and fleece blankets have their pros and cons, so it comes down to personal preference when choosing between the two.

If you’re looking for a lightweight blanket that’s easy to carry around with you, Sherpa is a good choice. However, if you want something warm without the bulkiness of wool, fleece is the way to go!

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