EE Torrid APEX Jacket 3,000+ Mile Review
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- Опубликовано: 21 ноя 2018
- ** Stuff/Gear I Mention in this Video **
EE Torrid Apex Jacket - bit.ly/3a13Pkf
EE Torrid APEX Pre Review - • Enlightened Equipment ...
MH Ghost Whisperer Jacket - amzn.to/2y8Gs3g
PCT Gear List - darwinonthetrail.com/2018/09/...
Pinhoti Trail Gear List - darwinonthetrail.com/2018/02/...
AZT Section Gear List - darwinonthetrail.com/2017/09/...
AT Gear List - darwinonthetrail.com/2016/05/...
DISCLOSURE:
EE gave me (for free) the Torrid APEX Jacket featured in this video. I have no contractual agreement with this company and only give reviews on gear I myself would use or feel would benefit my viewers to know more about. This is NOT a Paid Review, nor did I receive the product in TRADE for a review. I am self-employed and do not receive further compensation from EE for this gear review.
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-----Intro By: Kat Pendergast-----
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------ Music By: Mike Boren -------
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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
Darwin onthetrail Happy Thanksgiving to you and snuggles! Yes, I will be starting a hike Friday morning up to Monday evening.
Happy Thanksgiving to you! I'll be bedridden due to a surgery, so enjoy a hike for me please!
Doing a day hike on a section of the New England Trail tomorrow! Got to hike off that turkey!
Plan on getting this jacket. Thanks.
Will be hiking locally here in northern Alabama at Wade Mountain today. #OptOutside
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 washed mine with nikwax gear tech and it made a pretty significant improvement for loft.
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.
How cold can you go with this jacket?
Just ordered a 7d inner/10d outer with the Black Friday sale. Super excited. Appreciate all of your videos and reviews! Keep em up Darwin!
Evolving Wino so you’re the reason for the 8 week lead time?
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 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.
I got one and love it ! Makes hiking in snow tolerable for sure.
Thanks for the info! You've always got some great, real trail, reviews.
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.
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
This video has been extremely helpful for me. Thank you very much for your thorough review! I'm going to order one soon.
Thanks for doing great reviews!
Thanks for the update, helped me decide that if I were to get an EE jacket the 7d would be suitable.
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.
I bought the 10d version after watching your previous video about it, and I love.
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!
Great review as always!
I cant use down due to allergies, so I really appreciate an honest review of a synthetic puffy 😀🤘
Great review Darwin!
Thanks Fellas!
Hike On,
Darwin
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!
Thanks Travis! I Try to deliver the Best & Honest Media I can for you guys! Glad you dig the Reviews!
Hike On,
Darwin
Travis Zukowski you notice He didn't say anything about your sponsored comment. 😂
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!
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. 👊🏻
Thanks! If my Ghost Whisperer ever needs to be replaced I may give the Apex a try.
Great honest review. Thank you!
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.
Might have to give this jacket a try. Really love my ghost whisperer though.
Sweet! I ordered one this past week in 7D. Looking forward to it.
NICE! Hope you dig it Tim!
Hike On,
Darwin
You know me....mr cheap....I think this is over priced for a synthetic. ;-)
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.
Got the 10d version myself and love it.
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.
Les Howard - Happy Thanksgiving
Care for the climashield the same way you care for down and you will see it re-loft to some degree. Great review, thanks.
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? =)
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!
04:50 Chicken Spring Lake! Nice review.
The down booties I got.from EE are super. This EE jacket may have to be my first synthetic jacket!
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!
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!
😲🤘dig new intro. Kinda like the other one though, but I ain't that good with change.
HIKE ON
THANK YOU
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?
Geoffery Wren Are you going East to West or West to East? I live in Jacksonville, so at some point you’ll be going right by!
@@thomasbrock I'll be going west to east!
@@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.
Just ordered mine
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 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 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.
The arms and cuffs are really quite narrow. I wished I had sized up for that reason. Otherwise great jacket.
Love my 10D Torrid! Might have to look at the 7D now to shave a couple more ounces
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.
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.
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.
Are there any changes you wish you had made to your customization of it? Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences. Hike on.
I just ordered the jacket and booties 😊
I got 10D inside and outside, mainly coz of the colors I wanted 😂
And I got a collar instead of a hood
So Darwin, I have both Primaloft Synth Jacket and Ghost Whisper 2. I would problaby go up to 10 that way insulation dosent wear up that fast, or material rip off. Synthetic is better with water, its water resistent, thats why the military invented it, you also need to see how much loft it is on the the jacket. Down Jackets depending on the outer material (not the ghost whisper 2) can get wet, but if they do you loose warmth. Down jackets should at least have good outermaterial of 10 D, goose is also better than duck down. Down are normally better to pack and warmer also depending on the down amounth and type. But usually if you have 60 g primaloft against 800 goose down, the down jacket is going to be warmer unless is really rains down on you.
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!
Yeah, I am really sold on All APEX stuff now. If only they could get the weight down on some of those quilts...
Hike On,
Darwin
@@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
How far down degree wise would you feel comfortable wearing the jacket?
Aloha. I have a sizing question. I'm on the verge of a s/m and torn on which to order. How tall are you? What size did you get?
The comments on here .. JEEZ! Thanks for the review, I might have to splurge while the thanksgiving discount is available.
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
Darwin onthetrail order placed :)
I love my Apex jacket and pants!
Hi great video
You can tight roll any jacket or hoodie into a pillow!
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!
Hey Darwin. What shell do you wear as a layer outside the EE Apex when it’s colder and precipitating? Thanks.
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.
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 )?
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.
Darwin I have 10D and love it ,great for wind too, does the 7D perform just as well in the wind?
Do you have 10D on the inside too?
Silly question perhaps, but what range of temperature do you recommend to use this particular jacket? would you consider it as a 3 season jacket?
Hey Darwin, not sure if you have it mentioned anywhere, but what size do you wear? Trying to figure out what size would work for me before ordering.
Should I go with 10D on outside and 7D inside or 10D both ways...any input is appreciated guys
8th multiple function for beard- cord poke resistance.
what size is your jacket?
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!
Hi what’s the coldest that you’ve worn this and what’s the cleaning instructions for it.
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 ???
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?
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
Realistically, with a lightweight merino base, what’s the lowest temperature that you would feel comfortable sitting around camp with the Torrid?
Check out berghaus reversa xtreme jacket 👍ee great but import tax to UK is not good .
Just got mine a week ago and the hood draw string is on the outside.
Is your jacket 10D outside and 7D inside? Thanks~
The 7D jacket I received a few weeks back has the hood cords on the outside as opposed to the inside on your prototype
NICE! Glad to know they finally fixed that...
Hike On,
Darwin
Wow really? Interesting.
What about the zipper I heard some complaints on it
What colour scheme did you choose exactly? thanks!
Hey Darwin, what size is your jacket please? I can’t find that information in your video or in the comments section. Thanks!
is the color- combo you selected still available and if so what is it? Thanks Darwin
Did you ever work out the colors Diego? I’m curious too
what size u wearing?
I just ordered mine last week. Opted for the 10D version though. Can't wait to get my hands on it. Thanks for the awesome review
NICE! Hope you like it as much as I have!
Hike On,
Darwin
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
What color is the outer shell? Thanks.
Hey Darwin, your jacket looks brown, but did you get the graphite on the outside?
I was also wondering what color scheme Darwin got. In 7D it looks like graphite and salmon orange?
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.
Good
If you lost it, would you buy another one, or replace it with a down jacket like the Ghost Whisperer?
YEP! The Torrid would def be the jacket I would buy!
Hike On,
Darwin
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).
How did hou like 20d?
@@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.
Would you prefer this jacket or the ghost whisperer down jacket from mountain hardware
The Torrid for the WIN!
Hike On,
Darwin
Thank you
I know this is old but I'm genuinely wondering how warm it when you are inactive in the cold.
Kimberlee Everson I sold my Mt Hardware Ghost Whisperer and kept the Apex Torrid cuz I thought the Torrid was warmer. My 2 cents. 👍🏼
@@cannibalmanimal2336 Sure you can get warmth more cheaply, but you pay a big price in weight and bulk. Cheap jackets use far inferior materials.
You Should try the Rab Xenon X. 🙂 Looks a lot like the EE, stuffs into own pocket like most Rab gear. Also super warm and looks great.
I might have to Check that one out!
Hike On,
Darwin
Thomas Ellingsen , agree 100% this is a nice jacket for it’s wt....
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.
@@dcaudwell according to the stats on both EE and Rab websites, the Torrid is 9.66 oz and the Xenon X is 12 oz. Heavier yes, but not by that much.
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)
Washing synthetic insulation has restored loft for me. (Integral designs Primaloft, and Wiggys Polargaurd)
@Mark "Wiggy's Polarguard", that's a pretty long lived piece of gear! I think he moved to Climashield about 20 years ago.
@@wisenber You are probably correct and I was just wrong about what he used.
The shock cord on the hood is now on the outside of the jacket
REALLY???? NICE!
Hike On,
Darwin
Man, I still have the old version ☹️
Do a hair reveal!
Thanks for the honesty but no thanks.
Ya but what does it smell like?
Roses... Duh
Hike On,
Darwin
Wait, you haven't washed it? I figured after a thru hike you would lyse all your clothes or burn it.