EMS Velocity Sleeping Bag

[lumberzac]

Has anyone seen or heard anything about this sleeping bag? Supposedly it’s a new sleeping bag from EMS made with a new synthetic isolation. The bag is rated for 35*F, weighs in at about 1lb 8 oz, stuffs down to about the size of a football, and costs about $150. All the information I posted I heard second hand so I’m not sure how accurate it is. The bag isn’t listed on the EMS website, but if this is a really new product it may take some time to appear. If anyone has more info please post it here.

EDIT

EMS now has the bag on there web site EMS Velocity

[Rick]

'Zac, I am stopping at the Marlborough EMS tonight. I'll ask.

[lumberzac]

I did a little searching and found this.

EMS | Velocity 35°
This 1.5-lb bag is so light and compressible that you might think it was stuffed with goose down rather than PrimaLoft synthetic insulation, which actually stands up better to rain ($150; ems.com). Pair it with the Therm-A-Rest Z-Lite, a durable 15-oz cushioned foam pad. ($35; thermarest.com)

http://www.mensjournal.com/toolsToys/0408/camping.html

[fvrwld]

Has anyone or does anyone know anyone that has used the EMS velocity 5 degree bag?

Its on sale right now for a great price. It weighs the same as my 0 degree bag but packs down much smaller(9x17inches).

[llawhsoj]

velocity 35

I work at EMS. The velocity is a great summer bag, packs down to nothing, made of primaloft and cheap (for what it does). We made some for last summer and we were sold out of them (as a company mind you) by the middle of july... If your looking for a new summer bag I'd easily recomend it very nice light weight and quality bag. And just to continue rumors I've heard, apparently it can fit inside a wide mouth nalgene. I head it took a good amount of work and a tamping rod, but supposdly it fit (so was the discussion at work).
I'm not familiar with the 5 degree. It seems like an ok idea, but something that is copying the origional idea, which was a good one. I think if I were look at the 5 I'd go with the mountain lite 0, instead. Lighter, warmer, packs better, bit more pricy but worth the cash.
But if your thinking about it, I'd go for it. If I were to buy a new bag right now (which I'd like to... but I'm also a grad. student which sucks my cash...and time) I'd pick up either the velocity 35 or the mountain lite 20. Just my opinion.... take it or leave it.

p.s. do you ever feel like a total dork for sitting around talking about this stuff? I do this and get paid for it... and then I come online and do more of it, man I'm hopeless. And because of school I easily spend more time talking aobut gear than actually doing anything... man I need to get out of here.

[Kevin]

p.s. do you ever feel like a total dork for sitting around talking about this stuff? I do this and get paid for it... and then I come online and do more of it, man I'm hopeless. And because of school I easily spend more time talking aobut gear than actually doing anything... man I need to get out of here.

Well, I am a dork. You're just a poser dork, because at least you still resist your dorkiness.

But once you've had a taste of the dork side you'll never go back.

I can relate to gear chat and the feeling of "my god, what has my life become?" I actually sat down one day a few years ago and figured out that from early 2001 through early 2003 I posted well over 10,000 messages on various computing bulletin boards. Since then my taste in online discussion has become a bit more focused to a few BBS but has grown in variety (hiking, cars, computing, cats, fish... etc) but hasn't wavered a single bit. So in 4 years I'm guessing I've posted 20,000+ times on various bulletin boards. The most is on ocforums.com (the original overclockers.com computing board which was the first I ever registered on). I think I'm near 7,000 posts there alone. :headbang:

[redhawk]

So in 4 years I'm guessing I've posted 20,000+ times on various bulletin boards. The most is on ocforums.com (the original overclockers.com computing board which was the first I ever registered on). I think I'm near 7,000 posts there alone. :headbang:

And one of those posts actually had some relevance!!

[fvrwld]

Llawshoj, Thanks for the input. I plan on buying the Velocity 35 too. Amazing how small it packs down. That along with a Thermarest Prolite will shave some serious weight and bulk from my summer pack.

The price of the Velocity 5 is very attractive right now, $139!! I compared it to the Mountain lite and it onle packs down only 1 inch bigger. I was looking at down bags untill I saw that.

I don't feel dorky at all talking gear. I am a total gearhead and proud of it!! A REI catalog is like porn to me...I look over it and drool. Its funny, there is one other person at work that is into the outdoors. We are always taliking gear. We sat and talked about sleeping bags for about an hour last night. The uncool(non-outdoorsy) people just walk by and shake their heads. I feel sorry for them.

[lumberzac]

One thing I've heard is that the isolation used in the velocity bags, primaloft, looses its loft faster than other synthetic isolations. I'm not sure if it's true or not, but I think it is worth looking in to.

[-ecc]

I have the 35º bag and used it last August on the Benson to Whitehouse segment of the NP trail. Temps were normal for the time of year, that is fairly warm. I sleep very cold, though. I was totally comfy using it in a tent. There was one other person and two dogs in the tent with me.
I would recommend it for summer camping and perhaps late spring and early fall camping.
As for retaining loft, I've only had the bag for less than a year, so I don't know what the life of the bag will be. I store it in a big plastic garbage bag when I'm not using it so I can only hope it will last a while.
ecc

[ken999]

I've heard the same thing that Zac has. Nearly all synthetics are prone to loss of loft due to construction methods and or materials used. Try calling the manufactures and asking what sort of loft guaruntee they have on their insulations.

[redhawk]

My Polyfill bags have all lasted me more then 10 years and kept me warm in minus 0 temperatures.

After eight years I'm usually looking for newer technology and something different to look at anyway.

I've run across quite a few people who got uncomfortable or downright (no pun intended) chilled as a result of wet down. I only know one that had the same problem with a synthetic and that was because it got SOAKED in a thunderstorm.

I'd rather carry the few extra ounces and enjoy my trip and be safe then shave a few ounces and have uncomfortable nights.

[ken999]

Hawk- No noticeable loss of insulating capacity in your bags? They are just as warm today as the day you bought them?

After 8 years I'd like to look at my bag and say "...The $150-200 that I would have to spend on a new bag I can now spend on something else because of a wise purchase previously..." Might need a new hatchet by then...

I agree completely on the wet bag scenario...I'd be better off to worry about dropping ten pounds off the gut...

[redhawk]

No there was never any noticable loss. Rememer my bag is part of a "system". I have liners and covers that I use for degrees or warmth,

I believe that correct storage is very important for all bags.

I always take mine out, unzip it and air it out, then fold it over a rack that I have for just that purpose.

And yes. I have never HAD to buy a new bag. Like anything else, the technology always gets better, Even lighter synthetics, better shells, better zippers, better breathability, better design.

Plus they make em now with cute little ducky and bear and moosie designs!!