Bottom Line
Made by the well-respected legacy brand, the Kelty Biggie blanket is a long-lasting, affordable, cozy, and versatile addition to your gear collection (albeit a bulky and heavy one). Due to its 2+ pound weight and large packed size, this blanket is best suited for glamping, car camping, hammocking, beach days, or backyard campfire sessions.
This generously-sized 2-person blanket is made of thick CloudLoft insulation, a DWR-coated outer shell, and a cozy polyester inner lining that is soft to the touch. Being wrapped in the Biggie provides utmost comfort, being much more snuggly than some of the thinner synthetic puffy blankets in our lineup. Not to mention, it is also one of the warmest styles we tested this season.
Overall, the Biggie is a highly recommended product for those who value affordability, warmth, comfort, and blanket size over packability, weight, and extra features.
To compare this blanket to other top-performers in the category, check out our full gear guide here for the most up-to-date suggestions.
How We Tested
We tested the Kelty Biggie out on the chilly and foggy Northern CA coastline to feel out its warmth, packability, and comfort. As an oversized blanket, we tested its size for use as both a one-person and a two-person blanket.
We also performed a shake test to determine debris cling, as well as a water test to determine water resistance. To standardize our warmth ratings, we heated up a hot sock to 136F and left it in the blanket for 30 minutes to determine how much heat loss occurred.
Quick Specs
Kelty Biggie Blanket
Best Oversized Blanket
CleverHiker Rating: 4.3/5.0
Price: $50
Weight: 1 lb. 15.2 oz.
Insulation: Cloudloft synthetic insulation
Dimensions: 81.89” x 79.92”
Packed Size: 8.75” x 16”
Materials: 75D polyester
Pros
- Size comfortably fits 2
- Soft outer shell with brushed liner
- Stuff sack included
- DWR on outer shell for water resistance
- Thicket and plusher than other budget blankets
Cons
- Heavy, bulky, & not very packable
- Lacks features
Durability
The Kelty Biggie passed with flying colors for the majority of our durability tests. The thick, hefty material is long-lasting and can stand up to regular outdoor use. While we did notice a few loose threads when we first pulled the blanket out of its packaging, they were easily snipped off. Otherwise, no wear and tear was noted after we took it out in the field for extensive testing. The blanket doesn’t have any specific washing instructions and requires much less care than others in our lineup, such as those made with down.
When at the beach, we tested the Biggie out as a ground blanket and, after covering it in sand, we were pleased that the material shed debris easily without catching in or clinging to the fabric. However, after getting the blanket wet, we were not impressed with the DWR coating on the outer shell.
Water temporarily beaded off the material, only to soak into the blanket much quicker than others with DWR treatments. The inner liner on the Biggie is not coated with DWR, which was noticeable due to how the fabric immediately absorbed moisture. It also stayed wet longer than desired.
Warmth
We were pleasantly surprised by how warm this blanket felt! After our hot sock test, where a hot sock was wrapped in each blanket for 30 minutes, the Kelty Biggie only experienced a drop of 4.1F. This makes it one of the warmer blankets in our lineup. Even as a budget pick, the Biggie’s CloudLoft insulation has an impressive performance and is actually warmer than some of the more expensive products that we also tested in the great outdoors.
In the field, this plush blanket proved its warmth to our gear analyst when out on a chilly morning along the Northern California coast. As an oversized blanket with generous coverage for two people, body heat is trapped effectively to cut the chill. The Biggie is also noticeably thicker than other blankets in our lineup, providing both more insulation and cushioned comfort.
Size to Packability
The Biggie is advertised as a 2-person blanket. When laid out in our 2-person tent, the Biggie filled up the tent space perfectly and provided full coverage. When lounging on the blanket at the beach, two people were able to lie down side-by-side and even in opposite directions without touching the sand.
While we found the blanket to also work comfortably as a throw around the shoulders or over the lap, its squarish shape wasn’t our favorite. We would have preferred rectangular dimensions so that one side of the blanket would be longer for more coverage around two sets of shoulders.
While the Biggie is a large blanket at 81.89” x 79.92,” it is one of the least packable options in our lineup. When stuffed into its stuff sack, it is almost the size of our day pack itself – not an ideal hiking companion. The Biggie is much better suited for car camping, beach days, or relaxing outdoors closer to the frontcountry. The blanket is so large that it takes some effort to roll it up to a size that adequately fits into its stuff sack. Not to mention, the blanket weighs over 2 pounds, making it one of the heaviest options we tested.
Comfort
With the Biggie’s thickness and large size, this blanket is snug and cozy for cold weather. When testing it out at the beach, our gear analyst noted how its plushness and DWR outer shell also make it a great option as a ground blanket, even more comfortable than other beach mats in our lineup.
However, our favorite comfort feature is the inner lining on the Biggie. It is made of a very soft polyester, much softer and more comfy than synthetic puffy blankets. Even though the Biggie weighs over 2 pounds, the extra weight offers an additional sense of comfort when wrapping it over and around yourself. It does like to cling dog hair…
Features
The Kelty Biggie blanket is one of the simplest blankets in our lineup – no cape clip, no corner loops, and no extra features. With that being said, the heavyweight blanket does not require loops for staking, and it would be a bit uncomfortable to wear hands-free, anyway.
It comes with a stuff sack for storage, and the sack includes a carrying strap to make it easier to cart around from the car to the hang spot. We also appreciate the versatility of the blanket for use on the ground or draped over the body.
Should You Buy the Kelty Biggie Camping Blanket?
The Kelty Biggie is an excellent heavy-duty and budget-friendly buy for those prioritizing comfort, warmth, size, and affordability over features, packability, and water resistance. With its soft inner lining, thick insulation, and 2-person coverage, this blanket is perfect for relaxing outdoors, lounging at the beach, or car camping – anywhere that is easily accessible and doesn’t require a trek to get there.
Outdoor enthusiasts who desire a packable go-to blanket for any and every type of adventure will be disappointed by the weight, bulk, and lack of packability the Biggie offers. It is not designed for backcountry trails, stashing in a backpack, or minimalist-style adventurers.
What Other Camping Blankets Should You Consider?
If the Kelty Biggies isn’t quite what you are looking for or if you want to compare it to other blankets before purchase, check out our full updated gear guide to the best camping blankets.
Glorsign Outdoor Puffy Camping Blanket Review: This blanket is even more budget-friendly, comes with a plethora of features, and packs down slightly smaller and quite a bit lighter than the Kelty. However, it is not quite as warm or as high quality.
Rumpl Original Puffy Review: Although more expensive, Rumpl is a classic blanket brand in the industry – high quality, plush, feature-friendly and a bit more packable than the Kelty.
REI Camp Review: Similar to the Kelty Biggie, the REI Camp is a very simple blanket. It isn’t as cozy or as large, but it is much more packable for wherever the trail takes you.
