How’s EMS Doing These Days?

Don't know, but I sure preferred the old, classic logo over the new, dumbed-down-corporate-generic one.

That's my impression, too. However, I haven't checked in a while, so I can't rule out the possibility of their returning to their roots.

Of three in my neighborhood, two survived. I shop in the one in Wilton, Ny regularly. Lots of clothes, but gear, too. I just bought a pair of Fencemender pants on sale. Took them snowshoeing and fat biking and They may be my favorite winter pant ever. I've spent thousands over the past couple of decades. The manager knows me and treats me very well. I've bought a few Karrimor items and they've held up incredibly well for the price. It's the parent company. They're a good store in my book. I have EMS down bags that I still use after 30 years.

Here in upstate NY I have 2 stores within 20min of me. That said, I'd most likely ignore them except they send me a $10 coupon every birthday. So each season as I plan my hikes and determine what gear I need to replace I'll search their website and if I find what I want I'll pay them a visit. I probably use the coupon one out of every 2 years.

I have an EMS quarter zip fleece I bought at least 15 years ago. It's one of my favorite chilly weather shirts, and it has almost no signs of wear. Definitely one of my best purchases.

I'm going to be welcoming in the New Year in a circa 2009 EMS Mountain Light 15 degree bag that IMO is as good or better than the WM bag my wife will be in, despite a lot of bag nights. Adjusting for inflation, it was still less than half the price of the WM. I shopped at EMS for the parka I bought my wife for Christmas and wanted something that would be as good as what it replaced and last a long, long time. EMS had squat I thought fit the bill, I ended up at Dick's because they carry Patagonia, which I purchased. We're mountain bike touring into the Green Mt. NF, up a beautiful stream on a snowless snowmobile trail. Our panniers are filled with gear bought at EMS, though not all their branding. Dick's may end up closing my local store through competition, they carry almost as many small backpacking items, though tents, packs, and sleeping bags are decidedly low grade.

I was in the EMS store in Lake Placid over the summer; daughter was thinking about new hiking boots. They had a decent selection of brands, though not as comprehensive as REI. The store was understaffed - it was hard to find anyone to help try on boots.

I haven't used EMS brand gear in a long time but grew up hiking with their backpacks and wearing some of their jackets and clothes - they were solid, sturdy, and affordable. The company is now owned by GoDigital Media Group, which mostly manages intellectual property rights for music and video but has EMS and Bob's Stores (inexpensive casual/work wear apparel and footwear) under its umbrella. Not sure what that means for the quality of the gear, but I don't think it's a positive in terms of maintaining quality, much less innovation or updating their house brand designs. I'd tend to trust REI-branded gear over EMS these days, have had very good experience with REI tents and backpacks.