REASONS TO BUY
Doubles as pillow
Footbox cinch
Soft
REASONS TO AVOID
Permanently attached stuff sack
Snaps not well aligned
Therm-a-Rest Stellar Review
A versatile blanket that stores itself as a pillow great for camping and travel
Credit: Therm-a-Rest
RELATED: Best Camping Blanket of 2023
Our Verdict
The Therm-a-Rest Stellar is a well-rounded blanket that performs admirably in all metrics. It has a comfortable, soft exterior, and its dimensions are large enough to completely wrap around your body if you are wearing it as an extra layer at an outdoor gathering. Its water-resistant coating makes it a solid option for car camping or a quick overnighter, but we especially love it for other types of travel especially because it doubles as a pillow when stuffed in its attached sack. Though it isn't the warmest of the bunch, it is one of the more affordable options, and it is a reliable all-purpose blanket.
Editor's Note: We added this new blanket to our line up on August 18, 2022.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Therm-a-Rest Stellar | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | |||
| Price | $74.89 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $100 List $99.95 at REI | $49.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $55 List $49.95 at Amazon | $22.46 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Doubles as pillow, footbox cinch, soft | Versatile, weather-resistant, less costly than similar performers | Large dimensions, soft underside, inexpensive | Compact, inexpensive, large dimensions | Inexpensive, soft underside, packable |
| Cons | Permanently attached stuff sack, snaps not well aligned | A little bulky, nylon underside gets sweaty | Heavy, bulky, not many features | Not weather-resistant, no cross-stitching | Not water-resistant, thin material, narrow |
| Bottom Line | A versatile blanket that stores itself as a pillow great for camping and travel | A functional blanket with a hood and snap closure great for bundling up in a variety of settings | This comfortable extra-large blanket is big enough for two and luxurious for one | A super compressible but warm blanket with a unique look and feel | An inexpensive and comfortable blanket great for children and outdoor social occasions |
| Rating Categories | Therm-a-Rest Stellar | REI Co-Op Camp Wrap | Kelty Biggie | Snugpak Jungle | Kelty Bestie |
| Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Warmth (25%) | |||||
| Versatility (20%) | |||||
| Packed Size (15%) | |||||
| Features & Design (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Therm-a-Rest Stellar | REI Co-Op Camp Wrap | Kelty Biggie | Snugpak Jungle | Kelty Bestie |
| Filling Type | Synthetic | Synthetic | Synthetic | Synthetic | Synthetic |
| Measured Blanket Size | 56" x 75" | 54" x 72" | 80" x 82" | 64" x 76" | 42" x 76" |
| Compressed Size | 3.4 L | 5 L | 15 L | 2.1 L | 3.5 L |
| Weather Resistance | Water resistant | DWR treatment | None | MicroDiamond | None |
| Weight | 22 oz | 28 oz | 47 oz | 25 oz | 25 oz |
| Stuff Sack | Yes, stuffs in pocket | Yes, drawstring | Yes, drawstring | Yes, compression | Yes, drawstring |
| Exterior Material | 30D polyester | 100% Ripstop Nylon | 75D polyester | 100% polyester with Paratex antibacterial treatment | 75D polyester |
| Insulation Material | eraLoft Polyester Hollow Fiber | Polyester fibers | Cloudloft | Travelsoft (synthetic - resinated polyester fiber) | Cloudloft |
| Manufacturer Temp Rating (F) | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | 45°F | Not specified |
| Yes | No | No | No | No | |
| Machine Washable | Yes, front load only | Yes | Yes, front load only | Yes | Yes, front load only |
| Available Sizes | One size only | One size only | One size only | Regular (tested), X-Large | One size only |
| Additional Features | Fast drying, draw cord cinches blanket around feet, snap loops for compatibility | Snaps, armloops, built-in hood | Soft-brushed fabric, comfortably fits 2 people | Antibacterial treated fabric | Lightweight |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Therm-a-Rest Stellar is different because of its versatility as a camping blanket and travel pillow. It's water-resistant and machine washable, ready to provide a lifetime of warmth.
Performance Comparison
The Thermarest Stellar is an adaptable camping blanket outdoors or in front of the wood stove.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Comfort
With a soft exterior, this blanket is an excellent comfort performer. The 30D polyester is produced in such a way that it doesn't feel as synthetic as other blankets do. Even if you start to sweat, it won't stick to bare skin, which really increases its attractiveness as a summertime hangout option.
If you already have a sleeping bag or quilt, this blanket doubles as a pillow for added camping comfort.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
At 56 x 75 inches, it's just about average for the category, which means it has totally sufficient coverage and can wrap all the way around most adults.
Warmth
The eraLoft polyester hollow fiber has greater loft than other synthetic fills. Though the Stellar is still on the thinner side, we found that it has a higher degree of pliability that allows it to drape more completely around your body, reducing gaps that would otherwise lead to more rapid heat loss. Based on their placement, it doesn't seem like included snaps are necessarily designed to be for a cape mode, but they can certainly adapt to that if you choose to wear this blanket on the move.
The zig-zag baffles on this blanket are wide but the fill is synthetic so it doesn't bunch up like down does.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
In addition, an elastic cord at the end can be cinched up to create a cozy footbox. What seemed gimmicky at first actually turned out to be one of our favorite qualities of this model. It's no substitute for a sleeping bag in most situations, but it is a suitable option on a cool summer night. Its water resistance is another plus.
Versatility
The Stellar has more versatility than it initially appears. It performs well as a regular blanket. The snaps along both edges also facilitate connecting multiple blankets together if you want to make a jumbo for two or more people.
An elastic cord makes it easy to create a footbox for added comfort and warmth.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Another sneaky feature of this model is that it doubles as a pillow. If you already have another insulating layer but just need additional head and neck support, the Stellar's attached stuff sack makes it possible to use this blanket for just that. Though any blanket technically could be used as a pillow in its bag, this one is rectangular and is made from the same softer polyester as the rest of the blanket, which makes it significantly more comfortable than most.
Packed Size
This blanket is also an admirable performer for its packability. Despite its synthetic fill, it's not as still as other similar models. It's not the most compressible overall but is the best-performing synthetic fill blanket.
The Stellar fits in its built-in pillow sack that's as tall as a Nalgene and a few times as wide.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
At one pound, six ounces, it is also surprisingly lightweight. One drawback is that the stuff sack is attached to the blanket, meaning that you can't leave it behind if you wanted to.
Features & Design
The Stellar seems simple at first glance but actually has quite a few thoughtful design elements. The footbox cord is one of our favorites, and its versatility as a pillow, when stuffed into the attached sack, makes it a pleasantly versatile item.
Snaps along the sides make it possible to attach multiple blankets together or wrap one around and connect it to itself.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Its combination of light weight and adaptability makes it a great option for long-haul travel and road trips. It is also machine washable, so it's easy to get it ready for round two after you return home.
Should You Buy the Therm-a-Rest Stellar?
This is a great blanket for most people. Its breezy summer-warmth weight is functional across a variety of applications, including outdoor gatherings on cool evenings, snuggling up in a hammock or tent with a book, or going on a long road trip or airplane ride. It punches above its weight given the price point, and we recommend it for anyone looking for a reliable generalist blanket with a couple of neat features.
What Other Camping Blankets Should You Consider?
If budget is your top priority, you also can't go wrong with the Kelty Bestie. If you are willing to spend a little more to get a lot more blanket, the Kelty Biggie is more basic than the stellar but can comfortably cover two people. For a feature-filled down option (as opposed to the synthetic fill of the Stellar), we'd steer you toward the Kammok Firebelly.
The Thermarest is a great mutli-purpose blanket to have on hand for a chilly evening on the deck.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
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Ben Applebaum-Bauch
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