The North Face Dolomite One is a cozy, versatile sleeping bag. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Choosing the appropriate temperature rating for a sleeping bag can be tricky. You want a sleeping bag that’s going to keep you warm but isn’t going to cause you to overheat. It’s a bit of a Goldilocks scenario. But what if there was a sleeping bag that let you choose your temperature?
The North Face Dolomite One ($175) sleeping bag functions like three sleeping bags in one. This unique sleeping bag design features three different layers — a bottom layer and two top layers — that can be added or subtracted to customize the temperature rating between 15 degrees (F), 30 degrees (F), and 50 degrees (F). The layers help you find that happy medium, regardless of where you’re camping.
| Pros | Cons |
| Multiple layers offer three temp ratings in one bag | Switching layers at night is tricky |
| Stash pocket in each layer | Mid layer is a little funky to use |
| Zipper runs the entire length of the sleeping bag |
The North Face Dolomite One: First Impressions
When I first read about the Dolomite One, I was intrigued by the design. I liked the idea of having multiple temperature ratings at my disposal and was curious about how it would look and work.
When the Dolomite One arrived in the mail, I quickly opened it up. Laid out, it looks like a rectangular camping sleeping bag, but if you take a closer look, you’ll notice there’s an extra section of fabric in the middle. The sleeping bag layers are color coded (yellow and blue). Your options are to sleep under both the blue and yellow layers (15 degrees), unzip the blue layer and sleep under just the yellow mid-layer (30 degrees), or unzip the yellow layer and use just the lightest blue layer (50 degrees).
I live in Hawaii, and most of my camping adventures are warm. That said, investing in a 50 degree sleeping bag has always seemed gratuitous, so I usually just pack a light blanket or sleep with a warmer-rated sleeping bag un-zipped. However, if you venture higher in elevation, the nights can get chilly and even dip below freezing. Therefore, a versatile sleeping bag like the Dolomite One seemed like the perfect solution for the varying conditions that I typically camp in.
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A camping trip is even better when you have the pups in tow. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Notable Features of The North Face Dolomite One
Temperature Rating: 15 degrees (F), 30 degrees (F), or 50 degrees (F)
Regular Weight: 5 lbs
Long Weight: 5 lbs 12 oz
Insulation: Synthetic
Zipper Location: Right
Living in Hawaii, I have become well acquainted with the blue outer layer that operates as a 50 degree sleeping bag (it’s made me reconsider my stance on warm-weather sleeping bags). The lightest layer is the perfect amount of insulation for most of my camping nights. And if it’s a really toasty night, the wraparound zipper unzips entirely, allowing you to lay the bag out flat and use it like a blanket.
For those nights when I do venture to higher elevations, the combination of the blue and yellow layers provide ample warmth and keep me comfy-cozy. And the yellow mid layer provides that happy medium for in between nights.
Aside from its variable layering system, there’s no denying that the Dolomite One is a very comfortable sleeping bag. The rectangular shape allows you to spread out and roll around with ease. As someone who flips back and forth while they sleep, I like that this sleeping bag is roomy and soft. The top layer has a smooth liner that is oh-so-cozy to snuggle up in.
The multiple layers of the Dolomite One offer different temperature ratings. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
When I go camping, I like to keep my headlamp close at hand at all times. I often read in my tent as well as wander to the bathroom in the night, so I like to stash a light somewhere that’s easy to access. The Dolomite One has an interior pocket on all of the layers, so regardless of which one you’re sleeping in you can keep essential items nearby.
The Dolomite One comes with a stuff-sack, although stuff-sack may be the wrong word, as I found it was easier to roll the sleeping bag up and slide it in rather than stuff it. Regardless, the Dolomite One was easy to pack back up, and although it’s not a small sleeping bag, I was impressed with its compressed size despite the many layers.
The Dolomite One is great for camping adventures near home, but is a bit big to be a backpacking-specific option. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Drawbacks of The North Face Dolomite One
Figuring out which layer is which can be a little confusing at first. When I first acquired the Dolomite One, I wasn’t sure which layer matched each temperature rating, so I spent some time reading about the sleeping bag and messing around with it at home to familiarize myself with the layers. It can also be a little tricky to transfer layers in the middle of the night, so knowing which layer is which is helpful.
I really appreciated having multiple layers in one sleeping bag, but there were some quirks with certain sleep setups. To arrange the Dolomite One layers for a 30 degree temperature rating, you unzip the blue layer and fold it down to the bottom. The bunched up extra layer was one of our few annoyances about this bag; however, if you know you don’t need the maximum insulation, you could leave the blue layer at home (or stash it in the car). Because this sleeping bag is better-suited to car camping, we don’t mind being a bit over-prepared.
It’s also important to note: At five pounds, this is a heavier sleeping bag. While it compresses down pretty small for what’s essentially a 15 degree sleeping bag, it’s still not well-suited to backpacking.
Testing in progress with the North Face Dolomite One and other sleeping bags. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
If I had to sum up the design of The North Face Dolomite One in just one word it would be this: Genius. For car camping and other non-backpacking adventures, sleeping bag size and weight isn’t as big of an issue. And having three temperature ratings in one sleeping bags was a game changer. The Dolomite One is a comfortable and versatile sleeping bag, contributing to a good night’s sleep in the woods, regardless of the conditions you’re camping in. Better yet, this sleeping bag is priced competitively. And if you’re sleeping with a partner and need some more space, check out the double option as well, aptly named the Dolomite One Duo.
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Editor’s Note: Take a look at all our recommended Sleeping Bags for camping. Need a tent? Check out our Best Camping Tents review. Looking for a place to plant your tush? The Best Camping Chairs of 2024 can help with that. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
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