The Sleeping Bag: EMS Velocity 5

In climes where the mercury can dip into the teens, finding that desired cocoon of warmth in a sleeping bag typically means paying the price in weight and bulk—meaning less space for other creature comforts in your over-laden backpack. Eastern Mountain Sports is one maker who's solved the riddle with its Velocity line of sleeping bags, specifically designed for maximum warmth and minimum weight. The Velocity 5, weighing in at only three pounds, four ounces, sports PrimaLoft insulation and a Pertex Quantum shell, making for a cozy cocoon down to five degrees. Stuff this bag into its compression sack, and it'll take up less than one square foot of your precious pack space. Toss in a half-length zipper design, which shaves off a few more ounces, and a draft tube to stem heat loss, and you've got one toasty, lightweight bag. It's the next best thing to having fur.
$299; www.ems.com
—CT