Enlightened Equipment Torrid APEX Jacket - Full Review

[@EnlightenedEquipment]

Great review Dan! Glad to hear it is one of your favorites -- totally right on the garbage bag look 😂 but great facts and insights!

[@DanGoesHiking]

Thanks for making a truly great product! It's the warmest garbage bag I've ever worn 😄

[@DanielOutdoors]

We had signs of hypothermia on our last Across Norway Thru hike and got soaking wet and cold during a storm. We had trouble taking on the jackets on. Our savior however, was a fleece towel we also bring.

[@dougieranger]

That looks fantastic. Liked and subbed. Best wishes from Scotland.

[@SeniorHiker77]

Nice and informative review Dan.✌

[@SeniorHiker77]

Nice review Dan almost want one but the sizing won't work for me. My waist is between the X & xl. Men's. Lol

[@dennislavelle6909]

Hi, it would be nice to know what the CFM is on a down counter part.

[@DanGoesHiking]

I would imagine the CFM has less to do with the insulation type and more to do with the material used.

[@KAFKUBA]

So I looked into this jacket more and I'm disappointed it's not even reviewed on gear lab...not that I care much but tell be why I would get this over the mountain gear or other down competitors

[@DanGoesHiking]

I'd say the biggest difference is price. At full retail the GW is over $300 (although you can often find a marked down version somewhere). Fortunately both jackets are very popular so I know a ton of KZbinrs have reviewed both. As long as both jackets meet your needs feature-wise, I'd focus on what everyone is saying about the downsides of each jacket. Look for trends and if there are any that are deal breakers for you.

[@KAFKUBA]

@@DanGoesHiking thank you for your quick replies and honest input...I never heard of enlightened and it's because of your videos I became interested...I was surprised talking to them that they their products come in synthetic or down, but their jackets are only synthetic...must be market niche thing

[@DanGoesHiking]

Yeah I'm not sure why that is either (the synthetic instead of down). They use synthetic with their clothing accessories too (mittens, booties, etc.). They must have just made that decision to stick with one when designing it. It's always tough buying jackets without being able to try it on, but I think they have a return policy if you end up not liking it.

[@KAFKUBA]

@@DanGoesHiking probably a price point thing...next I'm looking for your Nike hat! Lol

[@Onnitfan1]

What is your height and weight?

[@DanGoesHiking]

About 5' 7". 135lbs or so

[@longwinters4304]

I’ve had mine since last winter. Love it. I walk all winter and snowshoe even if well below zero with windchill. I find it very warm and practical.

[@shaggyterrell8460]

Hello! Just a question, what denier did you get for your inner and outer? Thanks!

[@longwinters4304]

@@shaggyterrell8460 10D outside and 7D inside

[@z0uLess]

I dont understand why you would need a puffy for temperatures above freezing, but I guess I am just used to having wool in different thicknesses. My favorite is the mid thickness wool fleece which I got in the army and I havent been able to find anywhere these days. When I use a light and roomy wind jacket and that sweather (same weight as the torrid), I am totally fine down to freezing temperatures. I plan on getting a down jacket for nordic skiing trips in winter. Down is weight efficient warmth compared to a thick wool sweater. That way I can throw the down jacket on ontop of my anorak during breaks to trap heat, and you really dont need moisture protection on below freezing temperatures like that. My point is that I think the industry does what best serves the industry, meaning that the hiking culture develops into people using way too many thin layers, because this means that manufacturers can sell more gear, which deteriorates the overall breathability for the consumer. A puffy basically is like bringing two extra layers of wind protective shells when most people allready have another shell or rain jacket in the pack. I know its a comfy feeling walking around in what most people associate with their sleeping system, but I am not so sure its the most efficient 3-season gear relative to the rest of the arsenal that most people allready need to have in terms of rain and wind protection. Personally, I prefer one light breathable wind jacket, one rain jacket and then swap between 3 different thicknesses of wool, meaning I will always just use two layers in total at any time.

[@brianl9944]

I just got mine... but sadly found one major flaw... it doesn't have a wind flap behind the zipper line ( just like those cheap winter jackets)... disappointed

[@kevindecoteau3186]

i prefer wool, if it gets wet you can stay warm

[@stephenkreiger4558]

Nice review, Dan! If you don't mind, what is you height and weight, for fit assessment purposes?

[@DanGoesHiking]

Thanks! I'm 5' 7" around 130 lbs, although I've probably packed on some extra quarantine kilos this year 😁

[@gearjunkie3412]

@@DanGoesHiking wish my wife had your dimensions 😒

[@rodrev_hiking6757]

@@gearjunkie3412 lmao 🤣

[@JeremyOdom]

Mine just arrived today and I love it!

[@kenwest8638]

Have you compared the Torrid Apex to the Outdoor Vitals Vario jacket? I would be interested in your perspective. Both are lightweight and synthetic.

[@DanGoesHiking]

Sorry, I've never tried that jacket.

[@OldPackMule]

Great review as always.

[@robertcallahan1046]

Outstanding review. Gave me all the information I needed to make an informed decision on purchase. Thanks!!

[@KAFKUBA]

What is your height/weight? I'm 5'9" 160 lbs and was thinking medium

[@DanGoesHiking]

I'm about 5' 7" and 140 lbs. I found their size chart to be pretty accurate

[@KAFKUBA]

@@DanGoesHiking thank you! Great review

[@andrewhowie4217]

@@KAFKUBA I am similar size and weight to you, curious to know if you did purchase one and if so what size and did it work out ok for you? I'll need to get mine shipped to the UK and undecided on size at present

[@KAFKUBA]

Now 145 lol

[@ldavis4428]

Thanks for the review! Very thorough. I'm really glad you commented on the elastic bottom. Being a woman with a sort of JLo butt, I had even more concerns about the elastic and if it would ride up. Everything else about the jacket including the awesome green color would make me buy it in a heartbeat but I think that elastic would cause more problems than it's worth for my body shape. :( Otherwise, I think it would be perfect!

[@connorprice6964]

Hey Dan thanks for all the great insightful reviews!

[@DanGoesHiking]

Thanks for watching!

[@ShastaBubba]

Nice review Dan! Really appreciate your insights and sense of humor.

[@retkvi]

The best review so far on this jacket, and I also would want thicker version, something like 4,3 Oz or so would be nice. Many manufacturers/almost all they are, make jackets with non breathable materials and for that reason is this jacket so special, not with the used insulation/olthough it is also the best at this moment and time, but rather with the used outer and inner lyning, I personnaly sweat allot and so I searched for jacket that would take this fact in account.

[@brandonlewis7747]

Just got mine in the mail day before yesterday! Great review Dan!

[@dranzer2545]

How much sleep do you get?

[@andrewbrinkman5506]

How do you like this over the alpine light? I have the alpine light and find it to be a bit boxy and not as warm as I like.

[@DanGoesHiking]

The alpine light is much warmer than the Torrid, but it's also twice the weight. If it's going to get below freezing I prefer bringing the alpine.

[@rodrev_hiking6757]

Im 5.8 at 158lbs my Ghostwhisperer is S but other Shirts i have size M . Chest is 38 ... What size should i buy ? I want a custom but im from Germany cant afford a Send back

[@DanGoesHiking]

You'll have to check out the size chart on their website.

[@manxxique]

what size did you buy in the end ?

[@brianl9944]

Hi Dan, I really like your unbiased reviews. No BS music no hero photos (and no tattoos)... Thank you!!!

[@DanGoesHiking]

Thanks!