We have always loved Kelty products! They are outdoor enthusiasts, founded in 1952, their gear has been put to the test and passed many times over. In this post, we want to highlight the Kelty Bestie Blanket and tell you why we must have it in our pop-up camper.
Kelty is best known for its backpacks. Our first Kelty product was a hiking backpack for our littles (even though they aren’t little anymore). They have recently branched out from just backpacks and have a line of tents, shelters, footprints, sleeping bags, tactical sleep systems, CBD, and more. They build great gear that’s made to last. What more can you ask for?
We want to give you our honest opinion of the Kelty Bestie Blanket and let you know why we choose this as a permanent staple in our pop-up.
Is it Comfortable?
This blanket is comfortable. It’s the underside of it that makes it so comfy. It’s made of a super soft brushed fabric for both sides. It has a nice soft, supple feel that will feel similar to silk when you touch it.
- Liner: 190T Poly Pongee (a thick and durable polyester)
- Shell: 75D 210T Poly Taffeta (soft and smooth)
It’s meant to be a one-person blanket with a size of 75″ inches by 42″ inches. (75.59″ x 42.13″ to be exact) You aren’t going to be able to lose yourself in this blanket but if you are looking for the perfect lightweight throw, this one is for you.
This blanket would be absolutely perfect for an extra layer during your camping trip either underneath your sleeping bag or over the top of your sleeping bag. We wouldn’t suggest using the bestie as your main sleeping blanket layer because you will get cold but it would work great for the warmer months!
We just use it for lounging around because it makes me feel extra cozy by the campfire.
Is it Warm?
Being warm is very important, especially on those cool or cold camping nights. I tend to get a little chillier than my husband so I require a little something extra on our trips. The bestie isn’t my go-to when it’s super cold or even cold for warmth, but when it’s cool I love it or if I’m by the fire and need a little extra, it’s perfect.
The bestie is designed to be used as a casual camping throw. It’s a lightweight lap blanket for hanging out.
It can keep you slightly warm with its 9.5 ounces of Cloudloft fill insulation. It is quilted to keep the insulation spread out evenly as well. This is going to also keep you from having places where there is no insulation and you will feel the cold.
The Cloudloft fill is synthetic, which is typical for the price point, even if you are shopping for sleeping bags. You will find a synthetic fill in the lower price point items. But you know I love a good budget price and I can’t usually tell much difference between synthetic and actual down. (yes, I know some people can but I mostly see dollar signs, lol)
Actually, in terms of warmth, the actual down will be much warmer, but it’s going to cost you!
Does it Resist Water?
It’s made from polyester so it will repel water but it isn’t coated with any extra waterproofing materials so it won’t resist it for long. Actually, once it starts to seep in, you better grab a towel and wipe the water away quickly. The good thing about the synthetic fill material is that it will stay warm even when it’s wet and it will dry out faster too.
Will it Last?
This little economical camping blanket is from Kelty, so it is built to be durable and last a while. But you can assume its durability is for use as a lap blanket. If you try and use it as anything else, you can’t expect it to resist tears and rips.
You have to remember, you can’t expect it to act like a wool blanket at a $30 price point.
Is it Easy to Use?
This little lightweight blanket is easy to use. It only weighs 24 ounces and packs into a very convenient carrying sack with a handle. It’s small in size so it will fit into smaller spaces but it will only be useful for one person so you have to keep all of this in mind.
It’s not meant to be shared and it’s not meant to be a base layer. The bestie would be good to throw over your shoulders if you caught a chill while hiking or when you get to the top of the mountain trail and want to sit to admire the beautiful view.
When it’s packed inside of the carry sack the measurements are 6.75 x 11.5 in.
Another feature that makes the bestie easy to use is that it’s machine washable. So, if you come home from your camping trip and it smells like campfire smoke, you can just toss it in the washing machine instead of getting stuck handwashing it.
Also check out their lifetime warranty, which shows they stand behind their products, and we like that!
Final Thoughts
This is not a tactical blanket but rather a throw blanket for leisure camping. It’s very affordable and perfect for casual camping or even the sofa back at the house. At this price point, you are really getting a great deal and a great blanket.
It could be warmer, bigger, or heavier duty but if it were they would have to charge more money so the value is pretty good.
We love the bestie so much that we keep ours in the pop-up so it’s always available on camping trips.
We recently got a Rumpl Printed Original Puffy Blanket and can’t wait to review it for you! So stay tuned!
Also, if tent camping is something you want to try, head over here to see our beginner’s guide. We also have some fun camping games to play on your next trip!