Vintage and stylish wool blankets, from Romania no less! Romania, jewel of the Balkans, is back at it again with another certified classic. Arguably our best blankets, their sumptuous wool fiber is decorated in a suitably austere brown and white plaid. Like most pieces of Romanian gear, these are an incredible value. The design dates back to the Cold War, and it was good enough that Romania kept making it long after the regime that commissioned it was gone. The durability, quality, and comfort of these bad boys are what you'd expect from a wool blanket. Really makes you realize Ceaușescu had a good thing goin' on.

DATING NOTICE: These blankets were first produced during the Cold War, but production continued well after the fall of communism. Most will carry post-Cold War dates.

CONDITION NOTICE: These were tied into bags and kept in long-term storage, so very small holes from the twine ties are possible in the blanket body and outer edges.

The Short & Sweet:

• Authentic Romanian surplus
• 70" x 76" dimensions
• 70/30 blend: 70% wool and 30% nylon
• Manufactured for Romanian Civil Defense
• Cold War-era design; most examples dated post-1989

He really had to go and lose his damn mind:

What do Romania's former Communist leader and Andre 3000 have in common? Many things. Today we recognize both had a great thing going on, only to destroy their own success. I mean, just look at these blankets: nearly five pounds of carefully cultivated wool. It should come as no surprise. The high quality of these blankets is no different from other popular pieces of Romanian surplus, which puts them in stark contrast with stereotypes of cheap, disposable Combloc gear.

Nicolae Ceaușescu's Romania was notable in the Eastern Bloc. Not only had he managed to maintain diplomatic and economic relations with the West, he also managed to end Romania's active participation in the Warsaw Pact.

Easing censorship and opening up relations with would-be adversaries, Ceaușescu was becoming popular at home and even in the West. He was seen as a reformer, a moderate, and a man ready to challenge the Soviet Union's foreign policy. Naturally, he went to China and North Korea and decided to become a radical despot after seeing how cool cultural revolutions are.

This would ultimately end with his televised execution.

These blankets were born out of that era of Cold War civil defense planning, and the design outlived the man. Romania kept producing them for years after 1989, which is why most of the blankets you'll find today carry later dates. Just like Outkast's run of classic albums, they're a reminder of what can be achieved so long as you lay off the birdseed and the dictatorship.

What you're getting:

Deadstock-quality wool blankets. Designed for a nuclear armageddon that never came, and still produced long after the threat faded, these blankets are ideal for the back of the truck, the cabin, or the house. Wool is prized for good reason. It insulates when wet, it's naturally fire-retardant, and, as the original purpose would suggest, it's one of the most durable natural fibers out there. These are great for anyone trying to stay warm, outside or inside, and they make a fun decorative piece of history as well.