Best Layered Sleeping Bags (2023)

There aren’t many multi-layered sleeping bags on the market, but our review covers the best layered sleeping bags from top outdoor brands on the market today, all very versatile and suitable for a variety of weather conditions.

The layered sleeping bags featured here include bags that have at least two separate layers. But you will see some with three. This means that you can combine them in various ways and use them in a variety of weather conditions and climates.

I am a mountaineer myself so when I am in the mountains, I sometimes have drastic changes in elevation during the day. This is practically like going through several seasons in a single day. It is incredible how much difference you can have when you camp in a low valley and you move by car to a mountain pass that is over 2000 or 2500 meters. This is why having such a layering sleeping system is so convenient.

Does layering sleeping bags work?

This is not about layers you have on your body, and about how many layers you should wear in a sleeping bag. That’s a completely different issue. This is about the layering of the sleeping bag itself.

But this layering works the same way as the layering of your clothing. It makes a sleeping bag versatile, and it also makes sleeping in it more comfortable. So it definitely works and having such a bag is a true advantage, and it saves space in the car as well.

Our 2023 list of the best layered sleeping bags

So here is our list of options ordered by weight from lighter to heavier:

If you are new to this, then it may be important to stress that these are products of some of the best-known outdoor brands that have been around for many decades, so you know what you are buying.

1. Coleman Adjustable Comfort 30-Degree Sleeping Bag

The reason for having this sleeping bag here on our list is the two layers that include the shell bag and an integrated sheet. The sheet (the yellow layer in the picture) is sewn into the shell from the inside on one side only. On the other side, it attaches with three toggles and loops.

On the other hand, the shell bag in the Coleman Adjustable Comfort 30-Degree Sleeping Bag has a unique zipper design so you can open it in various ways. When fully zipped the shape is rectangular and with an extension under the head.

The top area can be zipped only under the chest, and the lower part of the body can ventilate, or you can unzip the chest part while keeping the feet protected. You can also unzip both cover areas and sleep under the sheet only.

This is a machine washable set with a snag-free ZipPlow zipper and Roll Control design. The weight is 6.33 lb (2.87 kg), and the dimensions are 78 x 33 inches (198 x 84 cm). The temperature rating is in the wide range of 20 – 70 F (-7 to 21 C), and this is due to its adjustable features. The packed size (L x D) is 18.1 x 11 inches (46 x 28 cm).

What I like:

• Versatility.
• Price.
• Machine washable.

What I dislike:

• No stuff sack.

2. TETON Sports Polara 3-in-1 Sleeping Bag

The term 3-in-1 in the official name of this TETON sleeping system means that there are two sleeping bags, one in another. So you can use them together as the picture shows, or separately.

Inside the TETON Sports Polara 3-in-1 Sleeping Bag is a pleasant but thin fleece bag. You can use it for warm weather as a sleeping bag or as a blanket. The external bag is a much thicker shell, and here too you have a zipper that runs around its perimeter, so you can open it and use it as a blanket. You can combine these two blankets as well, so this is a system that is far more than just 3-in-1.

When used together, the official temperature rating is 0˚F (-18 ˚C). So this is a good and reliable 4-season sleeping set. The insulation of the shell bag is synthetic.

The total weight is 6.5 lb (2.95 kg), and the dimensions are 82 x 36 inches (208 x 91 cm). the packed size is (L x D) 17.5 x 12 inches (44 x 30 cm). You will want to know that this is a very affordable product, as usual for this globally known brand. That’s why it makes our list of the best layered sleeping bags.

What I like:

• Versatility.
• Warmth.
• Price.

What I dislike:

• Not machine washable.

3. The North Face Dolomite One Duo Sleeping Bag

This is a multi-layered rectangular sleeping bag that is described as a 3-in-1 system. Here is what this means. You have two separate upper layers. This means you can use any of them, or both together.

The North Face Dolomite One Duo Sleeping Bag has the following temperature ratings:

• 30 Degrees F (-1 C).
• 50 Degrees F (10 C).
• 15 Degrees F (-9 C).

This bag from North Face is an incredibly versatile system, and it’s suitable for people who change elevations or climate frequently. Note also that when you unzip any of the two layers, you can use it as a blanket.

The insulation is synthetic, and the bag is machine washable. They build it in two sizes, R & L. So the weight is 8 lb 13 oz (4007 g) for the R size, and 9 lb 7 oz (4273 g) for the L size. The dimensions for the R version are 82 x 60 inches (208 x 152 cm) and its packed size (L x D) is 24 x 13 inches (61 x 33 cm).

What I like:

• Double-wide.
• Machine washable.
• Versatile.
• High quality.

What I dislike:

• Bulky.

4. Coleman Tandem 3-in-1 45 Big and Tall Double Adult Sleeping Bag

What you have here is a double-wide sleeping bag, and this is behind the word Tandem in its name. But the Coleman Tandem 3-in-1 45 Big and Tall Double Adult Sleeping Bag makes our list because it comes with a built-in detachable sheet for layering. The sheet is quite thin but when you have it in such a pad, it can make lots of difference.

Coleman describes it as a 3-in-1 sleeping system. This means the following. You have a large double-size sleeping bag when needed, and its dimensions are impressive 81 x 66 inches (206 x 168 cm). However, the two halves can be completely unzipped, and you can use them as two separate solo sleeping bags. Just fold and zip each of the halves to itself, and you have two solo bags.

But you realize also that you can use the two halves as blankets as well, so it would be appropriate to describe it as a 5-in-1 system.

The insulation is synthetic, and this is their Coletherm hollow polyester fibers. The official temperature rating is 45 F (7 C). So I would describe it as a 2-season-plus sleeping bag.

The features include a 2-way patented ZipPlow system that prevent snags, and also what they call the ComfortCuff design, this is a warm and cozy fabric that is in contact with your face. You also have what they call the Roll Control design, a patented Quick Cord no-tie closure, and a stuff sack.

Note that it is machine washable, but bear in mind its packed size (L x D) 17.7 x 13.4 inches (45 x 34 cm). The weight is 9.5 pounds (4.3 kg). It is added also to our list of best double camping sleeping bags for adults.

What I like:

• Versatility.
• Detachable sheet.
• Price.

What I dislike:

• Packed size.
• Not for really cold weather.

5. Coleman All-Weather Multi-Layer Sleeping Bag

The final selection on our list of best layered sleeping bags is the Coleman All-Weather Multi-Layer Sleeping Bag is a true multi-layered sleeping bag with three bags nested in each other. So you can use them together as a multi-layer bag as its name suggests, but you can also use them separately, and combine two of them together. The 120-year-old Coleman brand adds credibility to this selection.

Each of these three bags can be fully unzipped so you can use them as blankets. And here again, this means together, separately, or combined. So all in all, you have 14 possible combinations. This is a sleeping bag for all weather conditions and all seasons.

The inner bag is a fleece material, and the other two are with synthetic insulation. All of them are machine washable. The weight is 12.55 lb (5.7 kg). The dimensions are 79 x 36 inches (201 x 91 cm), and the packed size (L x D) is 16 x 21 inches (41 x 53 cm).

What I like:

• Price.
• Versatility.
• Ease of use and maintenance.

What I dislike:

• The weight.
• No hood.

Final thoughts

So this was our selection of the best layered sleeping bags, and it provides plenty of great options for versatility and price. As you’ve seen,  there are single and double bags on the list, and the latter also allows for solo use when you take one side of such a bag and zip it to itself.

Happy camping!