Conjuring a packable, synthetic cold-weather bag is a tough trick, but EMS pulls it off by stuffing the Velocity 5 with highly compressible PrimaLoft Sport insulation, wrapping it in a superlight Pertex Quantum shell, and pairing it with a compression stuffsack. The bag is a smart, affordable choice for soggy treks and river trips. A respectable 62-inch girth at the shoulders allowed me to spin comfortably on 30-degree nights. The half zipper is the Velocity’s only significant weight-saving concession. 5掳F, 3.2 lbs; www.ems.com
Bonus: Hood drawcord doesn’t tickle your face like midnight mice.
Bummer: Testers deemed the rating overly optimistic by about ten degrees.