EMS Mountain Lite 20° down bag: any good?

Now it's about $113, I might have to pick one up too… no one has one to comment? I guess for this cheap and EMS's seemingly easy returns, hard to pass up a 20 degree bag at 2.2 pounds.

I have several EMS garments that are about 15 years old and still going strong. I'd say their quality is very good so go for the bag.

Yes, I had one. The early ones were good. High quality down, well beyond the advertised 725+ rating. I brought it back because it was too warm and got a pair of 40F degree bags. Again, 725+ rated, but I have had a single to 30F. They are heavier than a WM or FF, but a good usable bag at 1#13. I take the pair when the wife and I go. Montbell makes a better bag in that range, as does WM, but at about 3-4 times the price you mention. A significant weight penilty at ~5-7oz, though.

Where are you getting those prices from?

Craig,

Sale EMS has on right now in stores and online.

Yep … I was checking it out.

I bought an EMS Mountain Light a few years ago, Orange and Grey color. It was on sale. the 2lb weight and claimed rating sold me.

That was before a thoroughly researched my gear before purchase.

In hind sight it was a bad decision. It seems under filled. There were times when I was cold and it was 40*, the down seems to shift to the side. holding it up to the light it looks like entire panels have no down in the middle, just to thin layers of nylon together. That is not going to keep anyone warm to 20*

It is a good deal at $113, maybe they have fixed this issue

buyer beware I do not think this is a 20* bag.

My current montbell#3 is rated to 25* and clearly has more insulation in it and is warmer.

With down bags you get what you pay for.

I have an older mountain lite with a pertex shell. I think I paid $160 many years ago. It's true to rating in my experience. Mine weighs exactly 2lbs in size long…apparently they've gotten slightly heavier. It's lasted really well…I've had it at least 5 years and it's still my go-to bag for colder fall/spring trips.

I'd say go for it, I've gotten easily 200 nights of use out of mine and it's still going strong.

Craig,
I got about the same. Still going strong. Good solid bag. There are better out there, but only for the weight. I, too, find them true to spec or better.

The $119 was too good to pass up. I only picked up the bag at my local EMS last night. Initial thoughts: very impressed. I found adequate amounts of down in each compartment. Bag weighs 1 pound 15 ounces on my scale, and can be compressed into something little bigger than a Nalgene (although I wouldn't recommend doing this often). The shell is a 30d pertex and is very soft. Very happy I found this thread. The mens regular bag was not available online, but was available at the local EMS store.

So I bought this bag in the store, the day I first posted this thread.

I'd say I got an excellent deal. It was advertised as $150, but rang up at $130.

My bag weighs 2 pounds, 3.8 ounces with the compression sack. It seems very well-made, with good distribution of down throughout – I wouldn't say it's underfilled. Looks like any prior complaints have been resolved. My kitten hasn't managed to poke a hole in the shell yet. The only possible issue I see is an anemic zipper draft tube – it could extend another inch or so.

The zipper tends to snag if you just yank on it, but not if you guide the fabric out of the way with a finger. No big deal.

I've slept with it indoors (unzipped as a quilt) every night since, and no complaints yet.