Happy Thanksgiving Hikers! I hope eveyone is having a Great Day & Eating TONS of Calories so you can go out to Hike them off later! Do you have any Post-Feast Hikes Planned? What about tommorow, are you skipping the Shopping to Hit the Trail? Hike On, Darwin
I never thought I'd have a hack to offer to hikers as experienced as you, Darwin, but: you can actually stuff any jacket with a hood into its hood and cinch it down with the drawstrings. So even this jacket could be a pillow!
I own that very jacket. After buying it I tried a Ghost Whisperer and sent it back. I tried a Patagonia and sent it back. The Torrid APEX is where it's at. And honestly had I not seen your review I probably wouldn't have bought it because at that price I would've been highly doubtful that it could go head to head against more expensive competition. It weighs the same as a Ghost Whisperer, it doesn't collapse when it gets wet and it's cut differently so it's way more comfortable than a G.W. imo. The cinches are now on the outside and they've corrected most of the interior sleeve material issue by reducing its length so very little if any comes out now. Thanks for the follow up.
I bought one a while ago based on your recommendation Mr. D. The hoodless version. It was for hiking, but I found myself wearing it all the time at home, a second skin. Warmth and texture. It's probably paid for itself twice over in saved heating bills. It literally takes no space when I push it into the pack, something to do with the slipperiness. It slithers into the empty spaces. I've been successfully washing it in a frontloader on 30 degree Celsius wool cycle, followed by an additional rinse cycle . I've been using Vanish Napisan sensitive (un-perfumed version). I spin dry it using no heat. I can't say if that fluffs it up or not, but it sure makes it nicer to wear. I do notice that the price has gone up. They've realised that they are onto a good thing.
2 years later it's still good except I've stopped spin drying it. Some few times I'd have to rearrange the insulation which was a minor annoyance and it drys almost as fast just hanging up.
My July 2019 Torrid has the hood toggles on the outside. The Torrid can be worn inside-out, too, if you don't care that the pockets are inside along with the zipper pull and tags. That means an orange-colored inner can be used during hunting season, so that you don't get shot.
Completely agree on the drawstring. They did fix the sinch around the neck going outside instead of inside now. So hopefully they fix the drawstring around the cuffs and waist. I have the 7 d as well and wanted to share for anyone considering this jacket. The material feels WAY too thin to be durable. However, I was out doing section J of the PCT a few weeks ago and going down to a river for water we had to jump down a 5-foot embankment. Well, I grabbed a root to swing down, which then broke and I fell the full 5 feet down onto rocks. I landed on my arm, and elbow as well as my side. (I was ok) I was expecting the jacket to be shredded. But instead, there wasn't a noticeable scratch on it. So yeah it looks flimsy, but it's damn near bomb proof!
You have some of the best gear reviews on the tube! Trail testing to the extreme. People need to understand the difference between paid and sponsored haha. The work you’re putting in for the development of the products, companies, your own hikes and ours is second to none. Always honest and sincere in your opinions (even when you change your mind) haha thanks man. Improving the hiking community for everyone. Keep the quality content coming!
Hey Darwin! I have a synthetic insulated jacket as well, in my experience washing it and “fluffing” it back in the dryer does restore significant loft! Give it a shot brother!
Bought myself an Apex Jacket last spring, based mostly on your initial comments, and have been very satisfied. Warm, lightweight, and no fear of wet like I would have for ANY down items. Will protect my down sleeping bag to the max., but it's hard to protect a jacket from the wet. So this was a great move and I will not go back to down! Many thanks Darwin, and congrats on another "jewel" in the hiking crown! Hike on, Tortoise
I actually wrote to EE about cleaning/rejuvenating the Torrid since it’s synthetic. (Their website has instructions for cleaning their down gear, but not their synthetic gear.) The guy who responded said that I should pretty much treat it as if it *was* a down jacket and use the same washing/care instructions. I have yet to do this yet, so I have the same curiosity you do about regaining some of the loft. Thanks for the vid, Darwin!
I've had my Apex Torrid for about a year and love it! As you said, it's the warmest jacket I've owned. I was out for a walk this morning with temps in the teens and a stiff breeze with only a merino wool base layer and this jacket (and pants of course :P ) and I was toasty warm. I'm thinking of getting a vest version to add to my system as a mid layer.
@@markcummings6856 My mistake typing that. I was ordering some of their mitts with 4oz Apex before watching the video. I had 4oz stuck on the brain. Edited.
How do you think this jacket would do with a polar-weight base layer inside and a Gore-Tex parka (basically a rain jacket) outside? Option to add a micro-grid fleece layer inside. I do winter camping, thinking this could do double-duty as a mid-layer as well as a backpacking puffy...
@@Rick_Schott I think it would work great! Most of my camping is winter camping. The colder the better. I use mine as a mid layer under a wool Boreal from Lester River. I've been in single digits with it like that and was almost too warm when moving around doing camp chores.
Hey Darwin! I know this video is a few months old by now, but I just want to say: thank you for reviewing this jacket! I just received mine today, and it is so comfortable and warm, I think this might finally be my perfect midlayer. Mine is 10D on the outside and 7D on the inside. Thanks again! -Articus
Sweet. I put a 7d inner and outer material Apex jacket in my EE shopping cart this morning because of their sale but was still deciding on pulling the trigger. Your vid convinced me. I have their 30 degree Apex quilt and love it, but because of pack real estate I can't buy a lower temp quilt, just too bulky.
Cool beans Darwin, I ordered my Apex Torrid last yr after your initial review. Sold my Ghost Whisperer because I felt the Torrid was always instantly warmer when I put it on. Just recently sold my EE Revelation down quilt and have an Enigma Apex quilt being built right now. 👊🏻
I've been intrigued by this jacket since it came out. I do love my down stuff, but being able to use an insulated jacket in cold/damp conditions is definitely a perk to synthetic. Might need to add it to my quiver of jackets at some point. Nice review, man!
Happy Thanksgiving. I do a lot of canoe tripping here in Ontario. That means I'm around water a lot - even more so when it rains. I tried using down sleeping bags and jackets but once they get wet they are very uncomfortable. I've found that the synthetic insulations like thinsulate are very effective even when they get wet. One thing you mentioned is that these products don't have baffles because the insulation is continuous. That means they also have no 'cold spots' like down. As for washability - you can put it in your washing machine with your favorite detergent then tumble dry WITHOUT HEAT. I recommend using a front-loading washer or one of the new style top-loaders that doesn't have an agitator. As for longevity, I have a 25 year old no-name synthetic sleeping bag that I just replaced with a new Nemo Forte which is rated for lower temperatures. Thanks for all the great gear reviews.
Great videos Darwin! Do you ever modify your gear yourself? I think mods would be interesting as part of your reviews as well. For example, I think you could easily sew or otherwise add a cinch cord to the bottom of the APEX. I realize some people don't like to do these things for warranty reasons but this is pretty standard practice in the wild no? Once you have some basic skills it's easy to do this stuff without destroying the product in most cases. Just a thought, keep on hoofin it!
Hey Darwin. Absolutely love your videos. You have inspired me to hike the Mountains to Sea trail in 2019. I bought a shirt from you about a month back. Any idea when those will be shipped out?
@@wrendbl12 Yeah, that's the common route...Message me up when you get to the Onslow Bight section! About when are you starting? I have a 2019 goal of running/hiking the Onslow Bight section (15B) from beginning to end.
Hoping Santa finds I was good this year and brings me an EE Torrid Apex jacket. I was looking in the sight but didn’t see the color of your 7D jacket. Was it a special one just for you? Thanks and keep up the great Vids.
Really great video, but worried about the sizing. Really wanting to grab one of these guys, but wanted to know the thoughts on the fit. A lot of stuff now is slim fit and I want to know if I have to size up. I am 5’9, weight 210, and have pretty broad shoulders. Thinking an XL, but don’t want it to be too baggy. Thanks for the info!
I noticed on their site they make a more technical looking synthetic jacket called the Outcast.. I’m really liking the look of that ones specs too. Dang.
I bought one of these after your first gear review of this jacket. I love mine, it is definitely the warmest jacket I've ever owned and I guess because of the look of it, I get a lot of question about it so it's cool too talk to people about it who haven't seen this one yet.
Great review. If you check this, i bought it to use as a moving layer. Down will drop to its channel or baffle bottom when you swear into it. Do you think that a puff with down is required for times at rest, in camp etc, or does the torrid cover both bases? Think smokies in march or sierras early june or sept. I would think both. The torrid replaces fleece imo not down.
Bassenji Denier is thickness of the thread. 20D will be thicker threads than 7D and as result more durable. 20D is also near windproof at 1cfm as opposed to 7D around 35cfm that has almost no wind resistance at all.
I got an Apex jacket and am very very pleased with it. I took it into 14 degree temps and it did just fine with a couple of layers underneath. Good stuff!
@@DarwinOnthetrail Weight and loft loss from fibers breaking are the current and likely long-term issues with synthetic. Never know what's around the corner though
Great review Darwin. So with the Appalachian Gear hoody and the EE jacket, what’s the lowest temperature range you’ve been in and still be comfortable before having to add another layer? I’m building my kit for a thru hike of the AT.
Thanks Nick! Yeah, it always shocks me that people want to be Sooo Negative about something that another person takes time to create & puts out for free into the world with only the intention to inform & inspire... It saddens me. Glad YOU dug the review. Hike On, Darwin
I think with 3000 miles of use. Some wear and tear should expected. For its value it held up well. Also your video clip of Mt Whitney. I am at the Alabama hills right now. Your favorite eastern sierra's just got two days of a wicked blizzard.
I tend to run super hot and have thick arms which get bunched up with base layer sleeves and a down vest is working well for me.Not for most people but for the few it can be pretty awesome.
I purchased one of these jackets a few months ago based on your initial video review of it, and I do think it's an exceptional jacket so thanks for putting me onto it. HIKE ON? =)
Brother tell me, how does it vent moisture when you sweat? Does it shuttle that sweat out well? Also, does the 7D shuttle that moisture faster than the 10D? Thanks!
Beware the durability of 7D material. I have 10D exterior, 7D interior on my Torrid. Managed to catch the interior of the hood ducking under a branch while on the trail that created a small rip on the inside of the hood (2" long). Anyways just something to think about if you use the 7D exterior.
Enlightened Equipment tells you, quite clearly on their site that 1) 7D material transfers your body oils through the fabric to be collected onto the insulation fill more rapidly than the higher denier count fabrics, and 2) that Apex insulation is not only washable but more easily washable than down. Your mysterious “lack of loft” is actually a year’s worth of greasy grimey unwashed body oils accumulated into the Apex fill. Please wash that thing dude.
What I've learned about gear is that its value is just as much held up by how you use it as with the materials and shapes in themselves. When you learn to use something, the safety it brings is exactly the reason why you would want it. Dont be trapped by all the theory of searching for the perfect gear -- follow some simple advice and then go out there to teach yourself to effectively and comfortly use your gear. A video reviewer that gets a jacket for testing is sponsored to make a video simply from the fact that they get access to the gear for testing. Their experience with the gear cant be bought by simply buying the gear -- you have to use it yourself to "grow into it" and make it valuable to you.
I wonder if a person could re-insulate w new Climashield APEX? Take a few stiches out of the jacket, pull the continuous inner APEX out, re-cut from that pattern, and re-sew it back in. Or even go up or down w the insulation weight/thickness/CLO. Ripstop and Dutch sell Climashield APEX in many different weights. I mean, how hard could it be to do that? If you said it has 2oz. Climashield APEX, imagine how friggin burning hot a thicker loft 5oz. would be! Or even lighter 1.5oz for spring/fall. Or is the 2oz. perfect for you?
Any mention to the water resistance of the fabric ? Can withstand light rain ? Is the DWR lasting or not ? What about the elastic in the cuts and bottom of the jacket (loosing elasticity with time )?
I have the 7D jacket and got a hole in it first hour I wore it, but don't know how. It is really, really thin material. I only wear it with my rain jacket over top.
Hi, can I ask what size you are wearing. I’m based in UK so need to get the size right. I Patagonia I’m a large so thinking this might be the case fit this jacket. Thanks
I'm absolutely shocked that you're saying you find it warmer than any down or any other jacket you've owned. That's the thing I'm struggling with right now, is finding something that I feel like gives me enough warmth. I have a couple puffy jackets including one from columbia and just finding that it doesn't keep me warm. It's like they're made more for style/looks than actual function.
I currently have a rab cirrius flex hoodie synthetic jacket it’s pretty good and I like it but been debating wether to get the apex ??? Is it warmer then down ???
I’m pretty rough (aka careless) on my gear with intent to use for hunting as well. Has no one tried the 20D? Pretty sure that’s what I’ll end up with (+ 7D interior).
@@stevebuscemi1006 I actually waffled on this for so long, then eventually went another direction with the Kuiu Kenai jacket and pants. No regrets - pretty amazing layer, actually. Way more water resistant than I expected, too. Perfect for 3+ seasons in the Anchorage area.
I have the earlier (pre "X") Xenon and love it, but either version is over 50% heavier than the Torrid! Plus the Primaloft insulation is less durable and not as warm weight for weight as the Apex insulation in the Torrid. In other words: the Xenon is nice but it's no longer competitive.
Thomas Ellingsen ...except that if you spec it like Darwin's (7D inside and out) the Torrid is 7.4oz and it's then over 40% lighter (sorry my math was off in my earlier comment)
Been through a briar patch with that jacket!? hmmmm:) One of the things I don't like about those jacket types is that for any kind of outdoor/wilderness activity besides just simple through hiking or main trail recreational stuff it would be eaten alive by briar or thicket. I've grown up in Texas in what is literally called The Big Thicket. This sht is legendary and will eat up and spit out a puffy in 5 min. You'd be dumping money down the drain if you were to do any off trail activity or work in one. I love my Mountain Hardware puffy but it ONLY gets used for trail weeny hiker stuff. For briar/thicket bushwhacking you need a heavy worker jacket unless you wanna look like you just got finger blasted by Freddy Kruger.
I'm pretty sure they're made for lightweight backpacking, not trail maintenance or for lumberjacks. Carhartt's are probably better for that, but Carhartt's stink for lightweight backpacking. Tools for the task.
does anyone know if the torrid pants are good for walking thru BRUSH/Lanatana/light thorn stuff? need something that hitchhikers stickets don't stick too. thanks
@@wisenber Wiggys is just Climashield and there's nothing different from any other. He's not the only one laminating continuous filament synthetic. The Lamina series of sleeping bags comes to mind. Losing loft is a given with current synthetic insulation as the fibers break. Wiggys and Ray Jardine are the two prophets of synthetic and tend to be overly evangelistic at times. It's another tool for us to use. My synthetic bags and clothes all have lost loft compared to my down gear, which two decades on for some and just a few years for others, are in good shape. YMMV
@@seaotter52 "Wiggys is just Climashield and there's nothing different from any other. " Actually it is. The lamination makes the Climashield more stable making it last longer and more easily laundered. Few manufacturers use Climashield as it is made in the USA and much more expensive than Asian chopped staple. To my knowledge, Climashield is the only continuous filament on the market. The rest are chopped staple. "The Lamina series of sleeping bags comes to mind." That's a chopped staple, not continuous. " Losing loft is a given with current synthetic insulation as the fibers break. " Chopped staple twists and breaks, continuous filament does not. "Wiggys and Ray Jardine are the two prophets of synthetic and tend to be overly evangelistic at times. You might want to add Ryan Jordan to the list as well as he favors Climashield for long term exposure to wet environments. As I've mentioned, I have several pieces of Wiggy's gear that are well over a decade old. Primaloft fails within a season. Continuous filament lasts much longer. I have down as well. Down will also fail without proper care. Jardine didn't pull Climashield out of a hat. He wanted the lightest possible solution that worked. Down would have been much lighter, but it did not work for him and his style of long mileage days. One of the parts that really attracts me to Climashield is being able to actually wear it under exertion. The puffy layer isn't just for camp or static breaks. I'd never wear down if I thought I might sweat. YMMV
@@wisenber With all due respect, as a long time user of Climashield from Arrowhead, Ray Jardine, and a DIY quilt and Wiggys booties there is a definite and noticeable loss of loft over time with a loss of warmth as well. It is simply a fact about synthetics. The equivalent in down would be having down escape. Washing will maximize the remaining loft but when I measured 3 year old Climashield it was not same as original. It's just material science. In my experience it's the way plastics takes a set that is a cause. Climashield is really good stuff and has a place in my gear selection, so much so that a Torrid, hooded (10d/7d) is on the way and a Thru hiker vest is #2 in the queue behind a summer weight Climashield quilt.. I have down and Climashield underquilts, down and synthetic (Climashield) top quilts because when I canoe camp it's one thing and backpack, another. Go east into the humidity or multiple days of rain... Wiggys is ok but the key is look at how few backpackers use it. Don't try to make a #1 Phillips work when you need to use a #2. My job is an airline mechanic and you use the tools that are needed for that task. I really don't care what you use, I'm just tired of folks hyping W beyond it's capabilities.
I've recently bought the Eddie Bauer Evertherm which is a Down jacket where the down is made into a sheet. Eddie Bauer has a patent on it until sometime in 2019. I haven't seen a review from any of the RU-vid hikers yet. This jacket is amazing. It keeps me really warm and is super light. Does anyone have this jacket on their radar? This EE Torrid APEX jacket is very similar.
