New Enlightend Torrid APEX Jacket

Phone + This Forum = Struggle.

A new Vest and a Windshirt also.

https://enlightenedequipment.com/torrid-apex-jacket/?utm_source=EE+Newsletter+Subscribers&utm_campaign=508165454c-Torrid+Jacket+Release&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c1c55f05aa-508165454c-90513885&mc_cid=508165454c&mc_eid=8638e064d7

The Copperfield windshirt looks freakin’ sweet.  Finally a huge choice of colors in UL gear :)

I just saw the announcement e-mail in my inbox. I’m definitely very intrigued by this, since I’ve been toying around with the idea of swapping out my adequate-ish but not beloved Ghost Whisperer for a light synthetic for a bit more versatility.

I’m not really sure how this compares to the GW (or similar), warmth-wise, but it seems like it could be a nice insulating layer for the reasonably normal 3-season mountain conditions that make up like 99% of my trips, where I only really need something to take the edge off when I’m in camp (or for a little bit during a cold morning).

Its good to see some high quality Apex warm wear. This level of Synth insulation from a cottage manufacturer at good prices, hasn’t really been seen since the Bozeman Mountain Works Cocoon series.

These will sell well.

I see it’s a 2.0 apex not the standard 2.5.

Someone needs to do a serious comparison of the EE Tarrid, the Nunatak Skaha, and the 2018 Patagonia Micropuff.

@jjmcwill Thanks for the mention of Nunatak. A better comparison instead of the Skaha would probably be our 7 ounce JMT Jacket.

I was trying to understand how warm these jackets from Enlightened Equipment and Nunatak might be and I found that Richard Nisley posted a comparison table for different weights of Climashield here:

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/climashield-apex-pullover-hoodie/page/2/

The Enlightened Equipment Torrid uses 2.0 oz Climashield APEX and the Nunatak JMT uses 2.2 oz Climahsield APEX.

So I would expect both jackets to be slightly less warm than the 2.5 oz Climashield weight listed in Richard Nisley’s table. That is, not as warm as a Montbell EX Light Down Anorka or Patagonia Micro Puff, But maybe a little warmer than a Patagonia Nano Puff.

Funny coincidence that as we’re talking about the EE Torrid and other Apex jackets, BPL is posting snippets of a trip report on Facebook.  Today they are talking about how humid conditions and moisture condensation were negatively impacting their down insulating items.

One wonders: Would an Apex jacket and an Apex quilt be have been more appropriate gear choices for the Timerline Trek?

I have used my EE Prodigy quilt (now Revelation Apex) in persistently very wet conditions and there is no doubt that it ‘saved the trip’… down would have been a disaster, as I know from sad and expensive experience.

I also have a Cumulus Apex hooded jacket that I use in such conditions and it is stellar.

Bob, I’m eyeing that Cumulus jacket. I know it’s a tough question, but: to what temps can you use the Cumulus Apex-jacket? I always pair my insulated jacked with a fleece, and if necessary, thermal weight baselayer.

Arne, I have been comfortable down to around 15°F (-9.4°C) with the Cumulus, but it is a bit heavier (12 oz/340g on my scale) than the EE Torrid. However I am a huge fan of the Pertex Quantum shell, and I got mine in size Large so that it fits over all other layers.

@bobmny10562,

I made a 5.0 Apex quilt from a Thru-hiker “kit” about 2 years ago, and ended up taking it on our August trip covering the northern 93 miles of the JMT from Vermillion Valley to Yosemite.  I have one of the original EE down quilts – the one with the Karo Step baffles, rated to 20 degrees with overstuff.  My wife was using it on this trip, which is why I took my Apex quilt.  It worked well except for one or two nights where I added my jacket to keep from getting chilly.

I currently have some 7.5 Apex and some of RSBTR’s OutdoorInk fabric in “dragon scale” red waiting to be sewn into a warmer late fall / early spring quilt.  I’m really curious to see how compressible and light (or not) this one will be.

The jackets look great.  My 2011 Patagonia Nano-puff jacket is starting to look a little flat, so it may almost be time to find a replacement synthetic jacket.

Arne, I have been comfortable down to around 15°F (-9.4°C) with the Cumulus, but it is a bit heavier (12 oz/340g on my scale) than the EE Torrid. However I am a huge fan of the Pertex Quantum shell, and I got mine in size Large so that it fits over all other layers.

Hi Bob, thanks for the answer!

I assume the mentioned temps are whilst active? Otherwise that’s pretty great.

When worn over all other layers (base/fleece/shell) it is for me OK at that temp when inactive.

But in the winter I’m typically not inactive for long… with short daylight hours I’m usually crawling into my shelter shortly after dinner.

A good companion piece to the Torrid hoodie would be some Apex pants with full side zips and a front fly, 20D on seat an knees. A MUCH lighter version of the MH Compressor pants.

The Copperfield windshirt looks freakin’ sweet.  Finally a huge choice of colors in UL gear :)

That does look good, and 2.1 oz!

Not sure I would find 10cfm adequate… personally cannot wear something like the MB Tachyon for any length of time although I know people who can hike in one all day.

(There’s got to be an interesting story behind that name… perhaps a ‘magic’ allusion?)

:^)

+1 Bob on two counts. First, I’ve also worn a Patagonia Micro Puff parka and Montbell Thermawrap Parka, which appear to be similarly rated for warmth, sized to fit over all layers including shell, and have felt warm to those temps without lingering outside for long periods.

Second, EE it would be fantastic if you added pants to Bob’s specs to replace the Micro Puff pants I used to wear. I think they came in around 19 oz. in Large (I’m a 34 in waist and 6 ft tall with 32 in. inseam). About how much would an Apex pair to Bob’s spec run in Large?

There’s got to be an interesting story behind that name… perhaps a ‘magic’ allusion?

First thought was that Copperfield is a spin on the popular Houdini wind shirt.

I wonder how the warmth of the Torrid would compare to a microfleece pullover with the Copperfield worn over the top, at a comparable paired weight. Seems like the microfleece plus windshirt is a more versatile combo for hiking in multiple temperature ranges, but then again, I’ve never worn an APEX jacket. The Torrid seems like a better insulator option for folks who don’t use windshirts or fleece perhaps?

At $175 a much better deal than the Patagucci jacket RJ is promoting this week.

Loving both the Copperfield Windshirt and the Torrid Hooded Jacket. I did notice there was a fabric choice for both based on the color picked. I obviously would want the 10D for the wind shirt based on the breathability. I did however wondered if the 20D would be better for the jacket. Any reason for the more breathable fabric for the jacket? I would also like to see the windshirt in a light color for bug season (white, light grey). Something that i personally have been trying to find is a windshirt in blaze orange for hunting season (Backpacking specific). Funny not one outdoor company makes backpacking gear in a true (safety) blaze orange. Sill glad to see this the cottage guys are pushing forward.

The Torrid looks nice. However the Nunatak JMT is both lighter & slightly warmer (2.2 Apex vs 2.0) for nearly the same price…foregoing the handwarmer pockets.

Seems like the microfleece plus windshirt is a more versatile combo for hiking in multiple temperature ranges, but then again, I’ve never worn an APEX jacket. The Torrid seems like a better insulator option for folks who don’t use windshirts or fleece perhaps?

If it’s cold enough, all of them will be needed!

Even when it is fairly cold — say 15°F, since I mentioned it above — I cannot hike for more than a few minutes in any sort of puffy without overheating. Quite often I have used a combo of OR t-shirt, Pata R1 pullover and Montbell Versalite and still overheat in a few minutes unless I open the front and pit zips and pull down the hood if I’m working hard. (Perhaps not technically correct, but I refer to this as “achieving thermo-hygrostasis” i.e. warm enough but not sweating.) However, when stopping, I quickly don the puffy over everything to maintain that temperature.

Hence my opinion that they are all part of a system. If it isn’t going to be too cold I go with the fleece/shell combo alone. As you say, they offer much more versatility.

However the Nunatak JMT is both lighter & slightly warmer (2.2 Apex vs 2.0) for nearly the same price

Warmer? Very likely although differences in design such as arm, hip, neck/face closures and back length can easily make more than a 10% difference.  I do not have either of these so couldn’t predict how that works out (but the Torrid’s back length is a couple inches longer)

lighter Weight?  Maybe, maybe (likely??) not … take a look at the size charts … the Torrid’s small is a bit larger than the JMT’s medium except chest circumference being 1″ smaller at essentially the same weight at the JMT M/L

Nunatak’s list of customization options is very impressive however.

Looks like Dan Durston has been testing out the Torrid. Can’t wait to read his review as I highly respected his opinion.

https://intocascadia.com/about/