Review of the Enlightened Equipment Torrid Apex Hooded Jacket: Is it worth it?

After a month of wearing this jacket nearly every day I give my initial review, likes and dislikes, as well as answer if I would buy it again.

[@dougieranger]

Thanks for this very honest review. The light weight definitely does come at a cost it appears. Liked and subbed.

[@wesleydietsch1859]

really appreciate the feedback on the sleeve, cuff sizing and pocket zippers

[@HikeHikeHut]

You’re welcome. My wife just purchased a new torrid in December and all of those items appear to be the same. They have corrected/changed the way the hood drawcord works so no cord to poke you any more.

[@RAMtrails]

great review. Thanks

[@calebmjones1993]

love the review thanks!

[@hanksanford4860]

hello. I know the outside color is navy blue. what color of orange is on the inside? on the website they have a red, a salmon orange and burnt orange. which one did you choose.? also. what is the difference between 7d and 10d> thanks Hank

[@HikeHikeHut]

Interior is 10d burnt orange. 7d is lighter and more fragile. But feels nice. I do not know if it’s the same material but I own some 7d from multiple manufacturers for gear I see myself. It seems strong enough for a liner. I’ve worn my torrid a lot. All over the world in all conditions and never ripped a hole in the 10d. If I did it again I’d do 10d outer 7d inner just to save the extra bit of weight. They didn’t have the 7d when I purchased. They have also changed/fixed the hood shock cords on the newer versions.

[@mamagag81]

what about water resistance? in the website says it is water repellant .. I am thinking between this one or the Patagonia nano puff that is waterproff

[@HikeHikeHut]

Mine is not very water resistant at all. It drys pretty quickly though.

[@davidkovachi2827]

After having so many jackets over the years and I do. I have a walk in closet 12 feet deep. This closet is dedicated to just jackets. If the wrist are tight that will be the weak point of the jacket. Yes there is insulation running to the wrist but that insulation is most likely compressed and since you loose so much heat where the wrist are that will mean COLDER THAT normal hands compared to a jacket where the wrist and arms are properly fitted. There should be a bit of play when you bend you arms at the elbows. If there isn't that jacket isn't properly fitted.

[@HikeHikeHut]

David Kovachi I too am a bit of a Jacket horder. Although I do not have a dedicated jacket closet I have 20 or so various wind - down jackets. Even with the various flaws of this jacket I do find myself gravitating more and more to it this winter. The real test for me personally will be when the weather eases up and the hiking season begins "which jacket will I choose". Since I'm in a generally dry climate most of the year there is usually no "need" for synthetic but the lack of seams and cold spots in a light weight jacket intrigues me. Time will tell. When I do my 2018 gear reviews I will see then what I really took with me.

[@philnesmith8635]

I have thinking of getting one for a while. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

[@HikeHikeHut]

Phil Nesmith you are welcome

[@cjt5mith]

I was thinking of getting this jacket in exactly those colours (I am guessing it is black/burnt orange), so this review was particularly useful for me.

[@HikeHikeHut]

Thanks for watching. This is actually navy and orange and for what it’s worth I still recommend it with the same caveats as I state in the video.

[@nikolasalmodovar6420]

Good review but I still don't get the size of it while it is compressed. :( And it's impossible to find such a photo!

[@HikeHikeHut]

It’s about 50 percent bigger than my ghost whisperer or montbell exlight anorak compressed.

[@nikolasalmodovar6420]

@@HikeHikeHut Thank you for reply! It's not that bad!

[@expatadventureturkey9324]

Thoughts on using 20D for outer shell and 7D for inner? My thoughts are little bit more durable w/ 20d on the outer with a very soft inner 7D appreciate the feed back 👣👣👣🏔👍🏽

[@HikeHikeHut]

I think that would be a great set up if you are looking for a heartier shell and more wind resistance. If you would ever plan on using it while active I would have concerns of breathability.

[@MAXCOBRALAZERFACE]

Excellent review. I don’t think this is the jacket for me. Thank you 👍

[@germain5718]

Good review. I just wish you can show us a 360 view of the jacket on you. My fear is that it might be too wide around my waist even as a size M. I’m a size 31 waist.

[@HikeHikeHut]

I'm a 31 inch waist as well and I think the jacket fits perfectly. after a year it is my favorite jacket but if you are muscular in the arms it will likely feel very tight. Being a skinny guy with skinny arms it's great having a jacket that my arms are not swimming in.

[@JakeMarcin]

Thanks for your honest review

[@HikeHikeHut]

InvictusOutdoors You are welcome. Hope it was useful in some way.

[@Keefe_Outdoors]

all the pros and cons led me to get a vest. only 4 oz

[@HikeHikeHut]

Report back how you like it. Intriguing. The jacket is my go to since purchasing. A few flaws but I enjoy the fit. I feel if I were a bigger (muscular or otherwise) I would find it too tight in certain ways.

[@MrPhins]

Really well done review. Those small details like the "looseness" of the interior lining in the arms and the lack of stretch in the cuffs are a big deal. At that weight and not having to worry about getting it wet are fantastic. I have the EE Revelation and love it and I'm looking forward to future iterations of this jacket (hopefully with the hood cords less irritating).

[@HikeHikeHut]

MSP Pando Thanks. I find video reviews very helpful so I am just trying to pay the community back.

[@sudokuj2112]

Thanks for this great review. Well thought-out, super thorough. Go A's!

[@kjheyhey8304]

Thanks for your review. This question is a bit after your video release but was wondering how wind proof the jacket is considering it is of the same material as the MH GW. Does the continuous fill provide more wind resistance??

[@HikeHikeHut]

My belief and experience is that the shell and liner material provide the majority of wind resistance. If you are really looking for more wind resistance you could order with a 20d shell and a 7d internal to offset some of the weight. I will say, one annoyance in the wind is the loose arms catch the wind and flap a lot.

[@2fargonebackpacking132]

As a thin guy with long, gangly arms, I found this review especially helpful. Buying the jacket soon thanks to you. Much appreciated!

[@HikeHikeHut]

Glad to help. I’ve had the jacket for 3 years now. Still my go to. Was wearing it today. Probably worn it 500 times. No rips. The apex has lost some loft especially on the back but still warmer to me than my 2014 ghost whisperer.

[@2fargonebackpacking132]

Excellent! Sounds like I made a quality purchase. Thanks again, man!

[@yaimanulkit]

what is your tall ? and chest ?

[@mikefranks8469]

My issue is im at the top range of the small and at the bottom range of the medium. Should I go for the medium or not?

[@HikeHikeHut]

mike franks if I were in your shoes I would consider emailing ee. I am usually somewhere between a medium and a large and risked a medium with the understanding i may have to return if I were wrong. It worked out for me going with a medium. Sleeves were long enough torso and a chest were big enough. Only thing i feel is a little small are the arm width (not length) and wrist openings. But I'm slim so it's ok with me.

[@mikefranks8469]

I sent them a message to see what way to go. Hopefully, being on the line still gives me a few inches to layer...

[@HikeHikeHut]

fyi some folks just commented below on light racers comment that you might find helpful in figuring out sizing. long story short they went with the smaller size and had to return it for the larger size.

[@mikefranks8469]

I ordered a small and medium since I’m on the edge of a small size.

[@rodrev_hiking6757]

@@mikefranks8469 im like you . How does the S fit you now ??

[@freakpower91]

Is it the string that annoys you when sleeping or the metal gromits?

[@HikeHikeHut]

The grommets are plastic in mine but it's the string for me. I only find it bothersome when I have it zipped all the way up especially if I sleep in it. But turning it inside is fine for me while sleeping. It's really a small complaint and should not detract from the other positives in the Jacket. The wrists are really the biggest negative in my eyes.

[@brib9716]

Love my Torrid. Have you worn it in wet weather yet?

[@HikeHikeHut]

+Bri B Hello. I have, but probably not in the way you mean. I've warn it in lots of rain but not without it covered with a rain coat. I've had it in a light rain alone and the dwr seemed to wet through pretty quick. When hiking with it when it might rain I usually have my Houdini with me. when I think it will rain helium 2.

[@davidkovachi2827]

I have using climashield for years. Since 1992. Climashield apex for 3 years as far as jackets. Climashield has many advantages to down as far as jackets go. Hiked in down pours many many times in them. Now lets say the jacket wets out. No matter what the humidity level is if you get out of the rain say a shelter or tent the jacket will dry in about 20 minutes. Try that with down. Better yet don't because with down that is dangerous.

[@adastra3147]

Why not a vest Bro? :)

[@HikeHikeHut]

I love vests. I wear one almost every day.

[@lightracer8632]

Can you give me a little more information about sizing? Looks loose (big) on you. I'm 5-7, 130, and I'm concerned their Small will be too big. Thanks

[@HikeHikeHut]

Light Racer I'm 6-1 and 150 and got a medium. The torso is loose and not a sporty fit. Looser than my ghost whisperer in the same size. The arms feel slimmer and the length feels on par with my other medium puffys. Based on their description it is supposed to run on the large side so if you normally where a small this will likely feel "big". I find it his size very comfortable when I get a chance I can take a picture with this on and zipped vs my ghost so you can compare the two and see the difference. I will post it to my instagram and share a link.

[@HikeHikeHut]

+Light Racer here are some pictures comparing the torrid fit and the ghost whisperer. Not the most flattering pictures but I think they show the GW slightly slimmer fit. I'll leave them up for a couple of days. instagram.com/p/BcL9Wz9HXBk/

[@lightracer8632]

Awesome, thanks for the comparison. I went ahead with my order for a small.

[@jeffhallman676]

What about bigger guys? Right now I'm 6'0" and tipping in at about 230.

[@HikeHikeHut]

Jeff Hallman sorry. Not sure. Based on my subjective experience you may have issues with arms and wrists. I think torso would be fine ok as they are oversized. Do you own any other jackets that fit in comparison? I have about 10 puffys to compare against My guess is you could fit in the torrid but again my concern would be tight wrists

[@haleybrucato3619]

Hi, what color is the outer fabric?

[@HikeHikeHut]

This one is the navy blue 10d

[@sarahsundstrom1425]

Umm..is it warm ? Lol

[@HikeHikeHut]

Hmm..I think warm is subjective but I can say for me it is slightly warmer than my Ghost Whisperer. I think a lot of it has to do with the fit on me. I find it less baggy so there is less air to warm up between my body and my jacket. I am cold normally and this jacket keeps me "warm" into the upper 30's/low 40s when I am not moving.

[@420BLUNTLEY]

School colors from high school lol

[@HikeHikeHut]

Technically school colors from College but still