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Stoov Big Hug heating blanket review
With winter on our doorstep and spring camping just around the corner, it is time for our Stoov Big Hug review. Imagine sitting on a couch on a rainy autumn or cold winter day. If you’re any bit like me (Manon), you’ll be shivering from the cold and in need of a warm hug. Although overlanding might not be the same, as we never sit on a couch and are always outside, we also experience these chilly moments in which we wish we could light a fire, or turn the knob a little more to heat our surroundings. Unfortunately, when traveling full-time you can’t always hide inside or light a fire. For us, we don’t even have the option to sit inside and turn on the heater. When it’s cold, it’s cold. But, it doesn’t have to be uncomfortable.
Now, luckily, there are many other options to give yourself such a warm hug during those cold moments and we have found the perfect solution. Stoov, a Dutch company, has a broad range of home accessories to warm you up, wherever you are. We carry their ‘Big Hug’ around, and we are in desperate need to tell you about it! So let’s take a look at the Big Hug, what it is, what we use it for and what we think of it.
What is the Stoov Big Hug?
The Stoov Big Hug is a small heated rug of 40×110 centimeters, which fits perfectly in any chair. The blanket, which consists of two layers of fabric – in our case a synthetic wool-like fabric on the outside (the side you’re sitting on), and recycled Pet felt on the inside – has an infra-red core that’s powered by an integrated power bank. The Stoov Big Hug is meant for a warm back while sitting in front of a campfire. This way, you are heated by the fire in front of you and the Stoov in your chair.
Now for overlanding, this is perfect. Even during a chilly evening or cold winter day, you can receive a warm hug from behind. But that’s not all. We also use the Stoov in bed, horizontally spread over our feet, to keep us warm at night. Additionally, it is a great source of warmth when your belly aches in case you are having your period. Now for the latter, it must be said that Stoov also offers a warm jug, ‘Homey’, which would be perfect for this type of use, but as we don’t have that yet, we rely on the versatile usage of the Big Hug.
As it comes with three different settings/temperatures – 32, 37, and 42 degrees Celsius –, it is easy to choose the temperature that you like most. And then, to elaborate on that, it’s environmentally friendly as well, as Stoov’s technology only heats you, and not the environment around you. Once you don’t need it anymore, you roll it up, wrap the elastic band around it, and store it away. It’s as easy as that!
Specifications
- Infrared heating blanket
- Works on a built-in powerbank
- Fabric: canvas
- Size: 110 x 40 cm
- 1.5 to 3 hours of heat (depending on the selected mode)
- Suitable for chairs and bed
- Heat mode 1: 28 – 32 degrees C.
- Heat mode 2: 35 – 39 degrees C.
- Heat mode 3: 38 – 42 degrees C.
Pros
- The synthetic wool fabric is amazing as it stays warm for longer, and it feels great on bare skin.
- Three different temperature settings provide you exactly with what you need.
- Meant to be used in a chair, but is multifunctional during overlanding.
- Chargeable via USB connector and a magnetic connector on the Stoov side. Always easy!
- The quality of the make is extraordinary. The seams are well made, the fabric lasts long and the heating unit is foolproof.
- The elastic band inside is easily tucked away when the Stoov is in use, but also very helpful and easy to use when storing the Stoov away. We also like to store the USB charging cable in the Stoov.
- The battery is integrated into a top compartment that folds over the top of the chair, therefore creating a counterweight that keeps everything nicely in place.
Cons
- A wider design would be great for in bed. We recently found out that the Big Hug type is better suited for that.
- The magnetic charging point at the Stoov’s side is rather funny and not very common. Although a more standardized charging input would be logical, we do like the fact that this type of connection does not easily break, which is positive in the case of overlanding.
- It is not visible how full or empty your battery is. For us, this means that we charge it after every use, even if there might still be 90% battery left.
- What we could change/add to the Stoov Big Hug would firstly be a timer, so you can go to bed with a Stoov at 11 PM, after which it automatically turns off at for example 1 AM.
- The magnetic connector seems very fragile, but so far it has worked as a charm for the past 17+ months. Just store it away safely when not in use. We actually store the entire cable inside of the Stoov, behind the zipper.
Would we buy it again?
We would definitely buy the Stoov Big Hug again if we needed to. I guess that once we have a house, it will be outfitted with many more Stoov items, such as their pillows and the Big Hug’s sister, the Big Hug XL. Even the size of the Big Hug is rather big for overlanding in a small vehicle, which is sometimes a problem. Yet even though it might be on the big side storage-wise, we still love it and I’m grateful we took it with us. This one item can turn a cold uncomfortable night into one that you’ll never forget, gazing at the stars. So yes, we would definitely buy this item again and we recommend it to anyone, regardless of whether you are traveling or not.
Our approach for gear reviews
As long-term overlanders we fully understand the need for high-quality and reliable gear. We know that if gear isn’t up to standard it can hinder your adventures, resulting in discomfort or a dangerous situation.
We write our reviews after extensive testing and with you – an adventurous overlander – in mind. We hope you appreciate our information, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Pro Tip
Although the Big Hug is officially meant for use in terrace chairs, camping chairs, and benches, we love to take it to bed as well! It’s a great snuggly blanket that’s perfect for the rooftop tent. It keeps our feet warm, and therefore gets us through the night in comfort when it gets cold.
Check out these product shots
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