Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket Review
Warmth
Comfort & Mobility
Breathability
Weight & Packability
Weather Resistance
Sustainability
Weight
8.9 oz.
Insulation
2 oz/sqyd Climashield Apex
Fabric
10D (7D available)
Packable
No
Pros
Cons
Enlightened Equipment Torrid
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Synthetic Insulated Jackets.
Over the course of three years and 4,000 miles of trail time, the Enlightened Equipment Torrid has proven itself as a solid three-season insulator. I first picked it up for a thru-hike of the Colorado Trail, where I wore it daily as an evening layer at camp and during chilly morning starts. It’s lost a bit of loft over the years (an inherent downside of synthetic fill), but even still, it keeps me warm into the low 40s and can handle sub-freezing temps with a fleece underneath. I can push it even colder while hiking: I wore it on the move in the Smokies during a late November trip with temps near 20°F and felt perfectly regulated while trudging uphill. For ultralight backpacking, the Torrid really hits the sweet spot—any warmer and I’d likely end up leaving it at home due to bulk and weight.
The Torrid’s warmth is especially impressive given its low weight. I used a Patagonia Nano Puff during part of the PCT but mailed it home after the Sierra—it offered similar warmth to the Torrid but for over 4 ounces more, which simply didn’t make sense for my ultralight kit. The Patagonia Micro Puff edges a little closer in warmth-to-weight performance, but still lags behind at 10.5 ounces. My old Outdoor Research Transcendent down jacket (notably more insulated than the current version) is the only jacket I own that’s clearly warmer than the Torrid, but it’s nearly double the weight and only comes out for true cold-weather trips. For three-season thru-hiking and lightweight layering, the Enlightened Equipment Torrid continues to hit the “just right” zone.
The Torrid isn’t the most refined synthetic jacket when it comes to comfort, but it’s cozy where it counts. Despite the shiny nylon face fabric, it’s surprisingly soft against the skin and genuinely pleasant to wear. There’s no stretch—either in the fabric or through side panels—but the fit is roomy enough that I’ve never felt restricted. All told, the Torrid is light, puffy, and roomy in all the right ways, delivering a comfort experience that’s more about ease than precision.
That said, if you’re used to stretchy, sweatshirt-like synthetic insulated jackets, the Torrid may fall short. It doesn’t excel during dynamic movement like climbing, where a more tailored, athletic fit with additional stretch tends to feel more dialed. And I do wish Enlightened Equipment had used a softer fabric where the top of the zipper meets the face. Gripes aside, the Torrid still edges out my Patagonia Nano Puff and Outdoor Research Transcendent in overall comfort, and the ultrathin 7-denier liner I chose (a 10D version is also available) has a soft, airy feel that’s hard to beat.
The Enlightened Equipment Torrid offers average breathability among synthetic jackets and isn’t our first pick for high-output use. Its nylon shell and Climashield Apex insulation are optimized more for wind resistance and ultralight warmth than airflow, and things can get clammy fast once your body heat ramps up. To its credit, the Torrid doesn’t pretend to be an active insulator—its mission is to deliver maximum warmth for the weight, which is exactly what matters on ultralight hikes and thru-hikes. But for more aerobic activities like ski touring or fast-paced climbing, you’ll want to reach for a more breathable alternative like the Black Diamond First Light Hybrid or Patagonia Nano-Air Ultralight.
The Enlightened Equipment Torrid is just about as light as synthetic jackets come. The brand offers a listed weight of 8.9 ounces for the 10-denier (D) version and 7.9 ounces for the 7D version. My Torrid—a hooded pullover with a 10D nylon shell and 7D liner—comes in at just 8.9 ounces on my kitchen scale. Compared to the next-best lightweight jackets, the difference in weight is clear—the Patagonia Micro Puff checks in at 10.5 ounces and the Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT is 10.9 ounces.
The Torrid’s biggest limitation is its bulk—Apex synthetic insulation just can’t compete with high-end down when it comes to packability. That said, it’s pretty par for the course in terms of synthetic insulation. There’s no built-in stuff sack or pocket, but it rolls easily into its own hood and compresses to slightly larger than a 1-liter Nalgene. Most of the time, this is a non-issue with a 40-liter pack, but if I’m heading out with my 36-liter frameless pack, I have to be pretty sure I’ll need the warmth. Still, the Torrid remains a staple in many thru-hiker kits for a reason: more than any other synthetic jacket, it nails the sweet spot of warmth and weight.
The Enlightened Equipment Torrid is pretty par for the course in terms of weather resistance, which still gives it a big leg up over down-insulated jackets. The shell isn’t exactly a fortress—understandable given the thin 7D or 10D fabric—but it holds up decently against wind and doesn’t have the weak points you often get with sewn-through baffles. The durable water-repellent coating does a solid job shedding light precipitation, though I always try to layer a rain shell over it when the skies open up. It’s not in the same league as a jacket like the Patagonia DAS Light with its Pertex Quantum Pro shell, but the Torrid’s combo of DWR and synthetic Apex insulation has still pulled its weight in some truly nasty weather.
In 2022, I got caught off guard by a late-spring snowstorm during a three-day backpacking trip in Shenandoah. My ultralight Outdoor Research Helium rain shell couldn’t keep up with the heavy snow and biting wind, and my layers underneath started getting soaked. I was reluctant to risk my Torrid too, but eventually grew so cold that I had no choice but to throw it on under the saturated shell. Hours later, after bailing to a nearby wayside, I peeled off the rain jacket to find the Torrid’s shell wet but the insulation inside still dry—and I’d stayed surprisingly warm the whole time (cold feet aside). That trip sealed it for me: the Torrid’s ability to insulate even when wet means I never hesitate to bring it along.
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Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
PFAS-Free DWR
Durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses a PFAS-free DWR, while a red X means the DWR contains PFAS.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
Despite the Torrid’s “trash bag” aesthetic, it actually feels well made in hand. This was the first thing I ever bought from Enlightened Equipment, so I wasn’t sure what to expect—but the stitching is clean, the zippers are smooth, and after thousands of trail miles, nothing has failed me. The 10D outer shell definitely feels thin (and it is), especially since it’s not sewn directly to the Apex insulation—but that construction helps reduce cold spots and shave weight. I wouldn’t reach for the Torrid if I were heading into heavy brush, but it’s held up impressively across multiple long trails. I’ve only picked up one rip from walking into a tree branch in Maine—and more recently, a couple of punctures from landing on a spiky yucca in New Mexico (though to be fair, the yucca punctured me too, so I’m not holding that against the jacket).
At around $200 for the stock version—and a bit more if you manage to snag a custom build—the Torrid delivers excellent value for ultralight backpackers. If you’re after something lighter, warmer, and more compressible, ultralight down jackets like the Ghost Whisperer UL do exist, but you’ll pay over twice as much for relatively marginal gains. For what it is—an ultralight synthetic puffy that’s warm, reliable, and simple—the Torrid nails it.
The Enlightened Equipment Torrid comes with an unsurprisingly simple feature set, including a hood and two handwarmer pockets—or a single marsupial pocket in the case of my pullover version. The hood is form-fitting and a little shallow when fully zipped. I have long hair, and wearing it in a high bun can max out the space—same goes for layering it over a ball cap or beanie. That said, the hood offers a warm, secure fit and excellent field of vision, which I’ll gladly take in exchange.
Inside the hand pocket(s) are two hem adjusters, and the hood features basic drawcords for dialing in the fit. All of the cords are small and fairly thin, making them tricky to operate with gloves on. But they’re also the kind of set-it-and-forget-it adjustment that rarely needs fussing once set. Overall, the feature set is minimal, but it fits the Torrid’s ultralight, no-frills design perfectly.
Tester: 5’10’’ 150 lb.
Size tested: Men’s medium
I’m typically between a men’s small and medium for jackets, so when I read that the Torrid runs a half size large, I originally opted for a small, thinking the medium might be too baggy. That turned out to be a mistake—the small fit well in most areas, but the shoulders were too tight for comfortable layering or movement. Since Enlightened Equipment doesn’t accept returns on custom items, I ended up selling it at a slight loss and ordering a medium instead. Lesson learned: size up and embrace the looser, cozier fit.
The medium fits me much better overall, with sleeve and back length that feel just about perfect. That said, when worn under a lightweight rain shell, the bottom hem does occasionally peek out. In the end, it’s true that the jacket runs on the baggy side—a friend of mine has described it as “shapeless,” claiming to look “like a blob” with it on, which isn’t the best endorsement for casual use. But the Torrid isn’t trying to be an everyday synthetic jacket. Among the ultralight trail community, the jacket is a vibe, and going with your standard size will likely yield the best results.
Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody ($345): Ultralight for Climbers
The Micro Puff is Patagonia’s closest synthetic competitor to the Torrid in terms of warmth and weight, boasting best-in-class thermal efficiency with its 65-gram PlumaFill insulation. Its 10-denier Pertex Quantum shell adds a bit more weather resistance than the Torrid’s face fabric, and the jacket feels more polished overall. That said, it’s over 2 ounces heavier, almost $150 pricier, and includes alpine-oriented features like internal drop pockets and a helmet-compatible hood—nice for climbing, but overkill for the trail. For backcountry performance at a lower weight and price, the Torrid is still the better thru-hiker’s pick. For a deeper dive, read our Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody review.
Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie ($235): Close, But Not Ultralight
The SuperStrand LT is Outdoor Research’s take on ultralight synthetic insulation, pairing a 12-denier shell with proprietary “down-like” fill. At 10.9 ounces, it’s impressively light, cleanly styled (no hem, hood adjustment, or chest pocket), and more town-friendly than most. However, it doesn’t feel as warm as the Torrid, and we’ve experienced some fill leakage through the seams—a disappointing flaw. The Torrid remains the stronger choice for serious backpackers chasing weight savings and weather resilience, but the SuperStrand LT has broader appeal for casual use. For more, read our review of the SuperStrand LT Hoodie.
Ultralight, weather-resilient, and astonishingly warm for its weight, the Enlightened Equipment Torrid has become a cult favorite among long-distance hikers for good reason. Just be ready to embrace the minimalist feature set and unrefined look.
Warmth
Comfort & Mobility
Breathability
Weight & Packability
Weather Resistance
Sustainability
For serious backcountry users seeking an ultralight, highly packable jacket that doesn’t skimp on warmth, the Micro Puff delivers. It offers the thermal efficiency of down with added wet-weather assurance. Just be prepared for a minimalist fit and a paper-thin shell that prioritizes weight over durability.
Warmth
Comfort & Mobility
Breathability
Weight & Packability
Weather Resistance
Sustainability
With a trim-fitting, lightweight design, the SuperStrand LT offers genuine backcountry utility. It has more casual appeal than other ultralight synthetic jackets but falls short in warmth.
Warmth
Comfort & Mobility
Breathability
Weight & Packability
Weather Resistance
Sustainability
Is the Torrid Jacket for You?
The Enlightened Equipment Torrid is a go-to pick for ultralight backpackers and thru-hikers who want maximum warmth for minimal weight. If you’re looking for a wet-weather alternative to a down jacket, it’s hard to beat the Torrid’s thermal efficiency at this weight and price. It’s not the most breathable, durable, or mobile insulator out there, but it’s not trying to be—it’s built to throw on at rest stops, during chilly mornings, and on shoulder-season nights in the backcountry. For anyone who travels in damp conditions and cares about minimizing weight, the Torrid is one of the smartest synthetic jackets available.
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