Was out ice fishing last night and surprise, the coleman mantles on my lamp had fallen apart between my garage and my fishing spot. The new coleman mantles don't seem to be as bright or tough as even the ones you could get 4-5 years ago. Can anyone recommend a better alternative? It's a coleman 288 dual mantle white gas lantern. I know thorium mantles are the good stuff, but can you get those anymore?

I recall Coleman heavy-duty lantern mantles being available in the past but can't find them now. On the rare occasions when I use my Coleman/Primus gas or propane lanterns now (car or base camping) I always bring a spare set of mantles.

Flea bay has heavy duty Coleman mantels. New old stock.
Probably a lot of other places too,

There was a time you could put on a mantel and it would last 5 years of use including bumping around in the car, canoe, portage, whatever.

Got love those radioactive mantels!
Tom

I bring extra mantles with but never need them. I have plastic hard case. I toss it around when on portages and I think it will be broken when I open up the case. Most times it is good.

i love the ambience of a lantern , but with the new powerful headlamps the lantern has been retired for the most part.

shock: "i love the ambience of a lantern.... "

I forgot to recharge my Luci lights before my last winter camping outing, so I pulled out the ol' Coleman. I had some old replacement mantles so put those on and fired it up.

The lantern gave out a nice soothing light and was less noisy than I recalled. And it helped warm the tent as well.

I'll have to give it a little more use next year.

I've been pleased with the "Peerless" brand. I get them from Mike at Old Coleman Parts.