User Review: The North Face Dolomite

The North Face Dolomite
Above: The current Dolomite, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed August 3, 2006 by Pacer

Rating:
Design: Mummy Hybrid (Semi-Rectang) Long
Fill: H.O.T. SL Hollowfill
Temperature Rating: 20F
Weight: 3 lbs, 11 oz, 8x17 stuffsack
Price Paid: About $80

I'd give it 4.5/5 stars. This seems to me a true 20-degree bag. I have the men's mummy version. It is plenty warm in the cold; in fact, I usually need to unzip the bottom to vent my feet a bit, and I'm not a warm sleeper. I've slept to about 35 degrees and have been extremely comfortable.

I held back on the 5th star because the head area could be better designed (alas, you can't have it ALL for only $80!); I find myself trying to wrap the top around my head in the cold morning when I should be able to simply pull a built-in hood over my head. The fix for that is to simply wear a hat.

Inside liner is nylon and in slightly warmer temps (50s) can be a little sticky vs. a polyester "cotton-like" blend. But that's when you conveniently unzip the footbox. And the Dolomite dries quickly if wet. Shoulder room is not bad; I wear a 42" jacket. Zipper action is just "okay," but, again, this bag is still a GREAT value for the money. I'd probably buy it again.