Carhartt blanket lining vs quilted lining

What is a blanket lining?

A woven wool-blend blanket fabric, usually in a plaid or a plain grey-brown, stitched into the body of the jacket with quilted nylon in the sleeves so they slide over a sweater. It is the lining in Detroit jackets and Michigan chore coats and the one most associated with vintage Carhartt.

What is a quilted flannel lining?

A layer of polyester fill quilted between a soft flannel face and the shell, giving the diamond-stitched look you see inside an Active Jac. Lighter and smoother than blanket lining, with quilted nylon in the sleeves. Later Active Jacs may use quilted nylon in the body too.

Which is warmer?

Blanket lining, marginally, at the cost of weight — wool holds heat even when damp. Quilted flannel is lighter and warmer for its weight, and the hood on an Active Jac adds real warmth that a collar cannot. For standing still in cold, blanket; for moving around, quilted.

Which wears better over time?

Both last decades. Blanket lining can develop holes at the hem and pocket openings and attracts moths if stored badly. Quilted linings can tear at the stitching lines and the fill can migrate. On a vintage piece, inspect the lining as closely as the shell.

Can a lining be repaired or replaced?

Yes. Blanket lining is patched in place with matching wool-blend fabric or replaced panel by panel. Quilted linings are patched or, if widely torn, removed to make an unlined shell for warmer markets. We describe lining condition on every listing.

How do I tell them apart in photos?

Blanket lining looks like a woven blanket — flat, often plaid, with a visible weave. Quilted lining has the diamond or channel stitch pattern. Both have shiny quilted nylon in the sleeves, so look at the body, not the arms.