Kelty Bestie Blanket Review
There’s something alluring about the build, design, and style of outdoor gear. Companies like Kelty have been making solid outdoor gear for decades and we’ve all fallen in love with it. Trying to pick out the perfect blanket companion for those evenings around a fire or sharing a beer with friends isn’t always easy, though.
While the “outdoor blanket” space is by no means crowded, there are several choices available to enthusiasts. You’ll also have to decide where and how you want to use this blanket. In the end, it’s a warm wrap for you but it’s not an ultralight backpacking quilt.
Let’s find out exactly what the Kelty Bestie Blanket can do and where its limits are. We’re going to compare and contrast this blanket. By the end of this review, you’ll know exactly whether to buy it or leave it.
What is the Kelty Bestie Blanket?
It’s pretty simple – the Bestie blanket is an outdoor-inspired lounging blanket similar to the Montem Sneaky Snuggler Blanket. Kelty has rolled in tastes of outdoor gear with this blanket so it’s reminiscent of your outdoor jacket. In the end, however, the insulation and fabrics aren’t particularly advanced. It’s really just an embellished couch blanket.
Is it bad because of that? No, absolutely not. Think about all the blankets and bedsheets we all buy just because of how they look. Seriously, decorating the house with stuff that has an aesthetic you like is important.
That said, let’s talk about what the Kelty Bestie Blanket is not.
What the Kelty Bestie Blanket is Not
It’s tempting to see the Bestie blanket as a piece of outdoor gear. It looks like an outdoor gear and it’s sold by an outdoor maker. But it’s just not outdoor gear.
If you’re hoping to use this for a backpacking blanket it’s just not going to work for you. At a pound and a half with sewn through seams, the insulation to weight value is just terrible for trail use.
Now, if you plan to do some car camping this blanket can make a steadfast companion. It’s not a piece of technical gear, though. There’s no way it’s going to compete with a good backpacking quilt or mummy bag.
Kelty Bestie Weight
We’re not going to ding this blanket too much for the overall weight. It comes in at 1 pound 8 ounces with is exactly a pound and half.
There’s no warmth rating on the blanket because it’s not intended to keep you out overnight. It’s just a blanket. So we can’t really say whether it’s a good weight for its warmth. However, compared to advanced quilts and bags there’s no competition.
Because this blanket is most at home well, in the home, there’s no need to worry about or analyze the weight too much. After all, do you take a scale with you to weigh your next set of bed sheets? I don’t think so.
Kelty Bestie Insulation
Inside the Kelty Bestie is 9.5 ounces of Cloudloft insulation. This is a synthetic based insulation popular in many of Kelty’s gear pieces.
Of the total 24 ounces, 9.5 are taken up be insulation. The rest of the weight comes from the shell material and piping around the edges as well as stitching. That makes a total 40% of the blanket weight being insulation.
Kelty Bestie Shell Material
I honestly would have liked to see Kelty reduce the weight of the blanket shell using some thinner denier nylon or polyester. That saved weight could easily be translated into improved insulation which would make the blanket overall comfier.
As it is the shell material is relatively heavy which has its merits. Unlike lightweight materials, these heavier 75+ denier shells can stand up to more abuse. There’s a tradeoff in taking a heavier weight but since we won’t likely be carrying this blanket on our backs, the heavier material might honestly be a boon for most users.
On my review of the Rumpl Puffy Blanket, I docked that blanket for having such thin shell materials. These can be a bit fragile for daily use around the house. If you have cats or dogs, the heavier 75+ denier shells of the Kelty Bestie will stand up to abuse much better.
Kelty Bestie Blanket Size
Overall this blanket measures 6.25 feet long by 3.5 feet wide. For most that is just enough to cover comfortably. If you’re taller – around 6’ – then you may struggle to totally cover yourself with blanket goodness.
Unlike the Rumpl Puffy Blanket or the Montem Sneaky Snuggler, the Kelty Bestie is only available in one size. If you need a larger blanket for yourself or a partner you may want to consider going with the Montem Sneaky Snuggler.
Honest, y I wish they would have made the blanket a bit bigger overall. The size is just shy of being easily able to wrap around yourself. For a couch throw, it’s not bad. But if you want to wrap it around your shoulders and legs while you sit on the porch and sit coffee, it might come up short on most people.
Conclusion
When it comes down to it, blankets like the Kelty Bestie Blanket will never replace advanced outdoor tech like quilts and bags. That’s okay though because they’re really not meant to take that place. These blankets are a perfect indoor aesthetic for the outdoor lover.
For occasional evening bonfire or reading a book on the porch, the Bestie Blanket makes a solid companion choice. There’s no need to worry about how lightweight it is, or if it packs down small enough. Just enjoy the look and feel of an outdoor-inspired blanket that evokes memories of hikes long ago.
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