This is a review of the Kelty Bestie Blanket.
I’ve been out camping in every kind of weather, from flawless sunny days, to -15 below on a Minnesonta winter night. One thing I always like having with me is a good camping blanket.
I used to bring along heavy wool blankets, but over the years (as I’ve gotten older), I’ve appreciated lighter and smaller gear (like the Kelty Bestie Blanket), not to mention that space is always at a premium.
Kelty Bestie Blanket Quick Summary
I started checking out synthetic camping blankets over the last few years and have been plesently surprised. I’ve gone camping with the Snugpak Jungle Blanket, Nemo Puffin, Rumpl Puffy Blanket, and the REI Camp Blanket, all of which are similar to the Kelty Bestie Blanket (though more expensive).
With blankets like the Kelty Bestie Blanket, you get a comfy blanket at a light weight, small packing size, and a great price.
The Kelty Bestie Blanket is smaller than most other camping blankets on the market. It is designed for one person and to be easy to use around the campfire or to add on top of a sleeping bag.
One main selling point above other blankets is the Bestie Blanket is extremely comfortable. It isn’t slippery like many other synthetic camping blankets.
Read on to learn more about the Ketly Bestie Blanket and exactly why I think it is a great general purpose camping blanket.
Kelty Bestie Blanket Review Index
- Product Overview
- My Experience With The Bestie Blanket
- Kelty Bestie Blanket Features
- FAQ
- Alternative Products
- Conclusion
- Where To Buy
Product Overview
The Kelty Bestie Blanket is a synthetic camping blanket deisnged for one person. It gives basic water resistance and adds a surprising amount of warmth when lounging outside or when added on top of a sleeping bag.
With it’s low price, it really is a the perfect general purpose camping blanket. Throw it under yourself as a bottom quit in a hammock, sit on it around a campfire to keep your butt clean and dry, use it to cozy up in the morning or evenings, and keep it around in case the nights get a bit cooler than expected.
My Experience With The Kelty Bestie Blanket
I’ve enjoyed using the Kelty Bestie Blanket so much that it has actually become a common blanket around my house.
I have 7 kids and my wife is a self confessed blanket-aholic, she can never have enough comfortable blankets.
Most of our camping blankets are built solely for the purpose of camping. To make the more waterproof, the exterior shells are typically made from a polyester resembling ripstop. Kelty decided to make one side of their blanket a soft, comfortable polyester and it pays off huge in the comfort category.
Features Of The Kelty Bestie Blanket
Comfort
As I mentioned above, the Kelty Bestie Blanket is extrememly comfortable. It is made from a polyester outer shell, polyester filling and a soft polyester backing.
The insulation is made from Cloudsoft Synthetic Insulation, a soft polyester insulation made by Kelty that holds it’s loft even after being compressed for long periods.
The real comfort of this blanket comes from the rear shell, the side you would wrap up in. It is still made from polyester, but it feels more like a real cozy blanket. Most camping blankets are slippery and tend to slide off you. This soft rear shell stays in place and feels like a blanket you would use at home on your couch. The comfort is fantastic.
Warmth
I don’t have any super scientific ways of testing the warmth of this blanket, not sure if biggest sites do, but I can tell you from my own personal experience.
Camping blankets like this one (and most of its competitors) are not something you would use to keep yourself warm in extreme or life threatening situations.
The way I use my camping blankets is that I make sure that my tent, sleeping bag, and clothing layers match the weather I plan on being in. The blanket is just a bonus. I actually only bring a blanket if I can fit it comfortably in my pack, otherwise it is one of the first things to go.
I use them to keep my butt dry and warm sitting around the campsite. Or I wrap up in it around the campfire at night or when waking up in the morning. I also like keeping it next to me at night if I get a bit colder than expected, throwing a blanket over my sleeping bag helps a lot!
I would say that the Kelty Bestie Blanket is similar in warmth to any similarly sized camping blanket I’ve tested.
Weight & Pack Size
The Bestie Blanket weighs in at 1 lb 8 oz and stuffs down to a size of 11.8″ x 6.7″.
If you are backpacking or canoe camping, this puts the blanket in the luxury area. If you can afford the extra weight and space, it’s really nice to have. If you are already full, an extra 1.8 lbs, is too much.
If you are car camping or RV camping, this is nothing. An extra 1.8 pounds is no big deal at all and the extra comfort of having a nice blanket is completely worth it.
Versatility
This is an odd category for a blanket, but I thought I would include it anyway.
A camping blanket can be extremely versatile. I’ve mentioned a few times how I use mine, but there really are more ways to use a product like this.
When we rent a cabin as a family, we all bring camping blankets to take out on the boats (it can get chilly on the lake in the spring or fall).
Other ways I use my camping blanket:
- Place it under my sleeping bag for extra comfort and warmth.
- Use it as an extra blanket over my sleeping bag for cool nights.
- Use it around the campfire.
- To site on at the campsite.
- If I don’t need it for warmth, I will stuff it and use it as a pillow at night.
Durability / Quality
I have had absolutely zero quality / durability issues with my Kelty Bestie Blanket so far. It seems to be very well made and I would expect it to last through a lot of camping seasons.
Some other camping blankets such as the Snugpak Jungle Blanket have their outer shells constructed from ripstop fabric, a fabric that has diamond shaped reinforcements weaved into it to stop tears from spreading.
So a blanket like the Jungle Blanket would likely win in the durability category, but that doesn’t mean that the Bestie Blanket isn’t durable or well made.
Value
The Kelty Bestie Blanket offers a lot of value for the price. In the blankets I have used, only the Jungle Blanket comes close to the value offered for the price point.
The Bestie Blanket isn’t the best camping blanket, nor my favorite, but it less than half the price of the REI, Rumpl, and Nemo blankets, making it a great value for your money.
Questions and Answers
How do you wash the Kelty Bestie Blanket?
This blanket can be washed in a front load washer set to a gentle cycle. Also make sure to dry on low heat and fluff the blanket when it comes out of the dryer.
Personally, I hand wash all my camping gear in the bathtub to be extra gentle and I typically only wash gear when absolutely necessary.
How Warm Is The Bestie Blanket
The Bestie Blanket is warmer than a bedsheet, but not as warm as a typical comforter. (hope that helps!).
Does Kelty Have a Lifetime Warranty
Kelty does offer a reasonable lifetime warranty on tents and sleeping bags, but on accessories such as the Bestie Blanket, it only offers a 1 year manufacturer warranty with proof of purchase (receipt). Read their warrant info here.
What Type of Insulation Is In The Kelty Bestie Blanket
The Kelty Bestie Blanket is filled with a polyester insulation made by Kelty called Cloud Soft Insulation.
Similar Alternatives To The Bestie Blanket
Snugpak Jungle Blanket
The Snugpak Jungle Blanket is my absolute favorite camping blanket. It is affordable at $44.95, is incredibly durable. It’s large while being light weight and packs down to a small pack size.
Read my full review of the Snugpak Jungle Blanket here.
Rumpl Puffy Blanket
The Rumpl Puffy Blanket is a wonderful blanket and one of the most popular camping blankets on the market. However, it is also the most expensive. If you can afford it, they are amazing blankets and have really cool printed patterns that make them quite fun. Purchase the Rumpl Puffy Blanket here.
Nemo Puffin Blanket
Nemo is one of my aboslute favorite outdoor brands, they make the Nemo Bugout (review) which is my personal favorite piece of gear. The Puffin is an incredibly soft, wonderful camping blanket that is perfect for RV and car camping. Purchase the Nemo Puffin Here.
REI Camp Blanket
REI continues to do what they do with their camp blanket. Its similar and every bit as good as the Nemo or Puffin blanket, while being just a bit cheaper. Another blanket I absolutely love. Purchase at REI.
Outro
The Kelty Bestie Blanket is a great, affordable, and comfy camping blanket that I would recommend to anyone for any type of camping or outdoor use.
Wrap yourself up around the fire and enjoy the outdoors in comfort and warmth.