The North Face One Bag Sleeping Bag Review

Bottom Line

The North Face One Bag is a one-of-a-kind mummy bag with a temperature range of 5°F to 40°F, making it one of the most versatile options on our guide to the best camping sleeping bags. With zip-off layers – including a down-fill mid-layer and a synthetic top layer – it’s useful year-round. If you want unrivaled customization based on the season, this bag is a great choice.

Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer’s put this bag to the test over 20+ nights. From frigid camping in January in Rocky Mountain National Park, to warm September nights in Dead Horse Point State Park, the One Bag performs. He likes the wider fit, perfect for restless sleepers like him. The thick draft collar effectively keeps cold air out. The One Bag bag also packs relatively small, making it easy to carry and store. We appreciate that the stuff sack is lined with fleece, so it doubles as a stuff-sack pillow on trail. 

However, the One Bag isn’t without drawbacks. The 360° zippers make it feel a bit stiff. We find the length runs a bit short. Almost all the insulation is concentrated on top, leaving the underside less warm, so you’ll need to pair this model with a high R-value sleeping pad on chilly nights. It’s also one of the priciest picks on our list. That said, the huge temperature range accomplishes what two separate sleeping bags normally do, so it’s a practical long-term investment. If you want a single sleeping bag for year-round camping and backpacking, we highly recommend the One Bag. 

Comfort

The North Face One Bag offers a good nights’ sleep thanks to a smart design and premium materials. The soft nylon interior is quiet, smooth and inviting. If you like to spread out – but still want the warmth of a mummy bag – this one hits the sweet spot. There’s plenty of room to roll over, but it’s still narrow enough to avoid cold spots. Ian loves that the stuff sack serves double time as a cozy camp pillow. The inside is lined with a plush fleece, making it a comfy place to rest your head whether you’re in a tent or curling up in the back of your car.

The removable insulated layers further the One Bag’s comfort. With a hybrid of both down and synthetic insulation, it balances warmth and breathability for awesome comfort from polar to mild temperatures. For chilly nights around the fire, we zip off the 800-fill down mid-layer to use as a small camp blanket, and it’s easy to snuggle into this bag night after night.

But, there are a couple of issues to consider. The One Bag’s zippers run the perimeter of the entire bag. This design is awkward at first, as we kept brushing against them during the night. Also, the zippers a bit stiff, which takes getting used to. Hook-and-loop patches at the top of the bag should prevent zippers from sliding down in the night, but they’re too small to effectively do their job. Finally, this bag measures a bit short. Ian is 5 ‘6, and finds the Regular size bag is perfect for him – though it was cramped for our taller testers. If you’re taller than 5’6, consider picking up the Long version instead.

Warmth

When it comes to warmth, The North Face One Bag is a leader. It’s not exclusively a winter sleeping bag – we recommend it primarily for 3-season camping – but that hasn’t stopped us from taking it into very cold places. Ian used it on a bone-chilling winter backpacking trip to Lawn Lake in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. Temps dipped down to 12°F. Paired with a warm sleeping pad, he stayed toasty.

The One Bag’s insulation system is the key to its warmth. Its temperature rating of 5°F, 20°F, and 40°F makes it adaptable from cold winter nights to mild summer camping. The bottom layer has 800-fill power down (rated to 20°F), and the top layer is synthetic (Rated to 40°F). Combined, the hybrid and down layers are ISO rated to 5°F, though our testing finds this bag is cold below 15°F. A fluffy draft collar at the neck and along the zippers help lock in heat and prevent cold air from entering. Well-placed pull-ties cinch the hood around your face on cold nights.

The One Bag’s impressively warm, but it has some quirks. Most of this model’s insulation is on top. That means the underside of the bag is thinner, and our testing finds it’s absolutely essential to pair it with a sleeping mattress or backpacking pad with a higher R-Value on cold nights. Without a warmer pad, this bag can feel chilly.

Still – these are not dealbreakers, and are par for the course with camping bags. When warmth is a priority, you’re a cold sleeper, or you want to take on year-round camping, this model is a stellar choice.

Packed Size

Despite its bulky double zippers, The North Face One Bag packs impressively small: only 8 by 15 inches. The 20D nylon ripstop fabric and blend of down and synthetic material means it stows away easily in a closet or trunk. This thing takes up very little space compared to other camping sleeping bags we’ve tested. Plus, The North Face also includes a large mesh storage sack to preserve the integrity of the down and fabric during long-term storage.

While we recommend this model mostly for car camping, it’s also reasonable for shorter backpacking trips. At 3 pounds, 13 ounces, its weight doesn’t hold a candle to ultralight options on our backpacking sleeping bags list, but the layers zip off, which reduces its bulk and weight. Ian’s taken this one several warm-weather backpacking trips with the synthetic or down layer removed.

Features

The North Face One Bag has a number of versatile features. Our favorite thing is its layered insulation system, offering full warmth control. The bag has a slightly wider fit for tosser turners, its draft collars keep cold air from sneaking in, and simple hood cinch pulls make for easy adjustments at night. We appreciate the glow-in-the dark zipper pulls that are color coded to make it easier when reattaching layers. Plus, the stuff sack can be used as a camp pillow. Simply turn it inside out for a soft fleece surface, fill with a jacket, and lay down.

There are a few notable cons to the One Bag’s design, though. This thing simply has a lot of zippers. It’s what we love about this model, but it takes time to get used to the feel. It also takes focus to hook the zippers on the correct track, and without catching material. All these zippers can feel tedious – and a bit overwhelming – especially when we’re in a hurry, it’s cold out, or we’re ready to sleep. This model also doesn’t have any pockets for small essentials like a chapstick, headlamp, or a phone.

Should You Buy The North Face One Bag?

The North Face One Bag is designed for campers who want outstanding versatility for car camping or backpacking. With its unique layering system that uses both down and synthetic insulation, it offers three temperature ratings – 5°F, 20°F, 40°F – for comfort in icy or balmy conditions. The bag’s wider fit suits active sleepers and all positions, and the large draft collars, glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls, and a fleece-lined stuff sack make this a cozy and dynamic pick for night after night under the stars.

However, this sleeping bag may not be the best fit for minimalist campers or those on a tight budget. Its bulkier zipper system can be a bit cumbersome. The hood is a bit shallow, the fit runs short, and its thin underside requires a high-quality sleeping pad for warmth in colder conditions. Finally, the price may be a bit steep for campers who aren’t in need of such a versatile bag for varying temperatures. But for a durable, warm, and compact sleeping bag for frontcountry o backcountry, we think it represents an excellent value. If you’re looking for a do-it-all option, the One Bag may be exactly the one for you.

What Other Camping Sleeping Bags Should You Consider?

Did the One Bag catch your eye? See our guide to the best camping sleeping bags to find out how it compares. Also check out these excellent alternatives:

EXPED Megasleep 25/40 Review: This model offers adjustable temperature settings and a comfortable design like the One Bag. It’s easier to adjust by simply flipping it: one side is warmer, and the other is cooler. The Megasleep 25/40 isn’t as durable or cold-weather-worthy, but it’s much more affordable.

REI Trailmade 20 Review: The REI Trailmade 20 is a classic 3-season mummy bag with a 20°F warmth rating. Unlike the One Bag, the Trailmade lacks the temperature-adjustment system, high-quality fabric, and down fill, but it’s more affordable, offers many inclusive sizes, and is considerably lighter.

Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 Review: The Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 shares the mummy design and excellent design of the One Bag, making it a smart pick for colder nights. It’s lighter thanks to down insulation and a large hood, but it comes at a similarly premium price.