Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket Review

After years of searching for the one — the perfect puffy for hiking and backpacking — I think I’ve finally found it. Enter The Enlightened Equipment Women’s Torrid Jacket.

This jacket had been on my radar for a while, largely due to my (very healthy) envy of my housemate’s Torrid. Confession: I may have tried hers on when she wasn’t looking. A couple of months ago, I finally snagged my own — a custom, color-coordinated masterpiece of lofty, synthetic goodness wrapped in silky nylon. Spoiler: it’s worth every penny.

Marketed as a long-distance hiker’s dream, the Torrid jacket boasts a stellar weight-to-warmth ratio that appeals to the gram weenies (you know who you are). But what really sets it apart is its synthetic insulation, a game-changer that keeps its loft and warmth even when damp. In short: sign me up!

Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket At a Glance

• MSRP: $200
• Weight: 9.43 oz (XL w/ hood)
• Fill:  2oz/yd² CLIMASHIELD APEX synthetic insulation
• Made in: Winona, MN (the custom version is made in the USA; the stock version is made in Vietnam)

Men’s custom Torrid jacket here.

Photo assistance by: @laurinwanderland on Instagram

Intended Use

The Torrid is perfect for ultralight hikers who need a three-season insulating layer that’s warm, versatile, and ready for all kinds of weather. Its lightness and packability mean that it stows easily when you don’t need it and delivers the perfect cozy hug when you do. 

Circumstances of Review

I couldn’t wait to see if the Torrid would live up to its reputation in the Pacific Northwest’s notoriously damp, chilly autumn. Over the course of several trips in October and November — including the North Cascades, Mount Rainier, and Olympic National Park — I wore this jacket through just about everything: clear, crisp days, rainstorms that turned to snow, and sub-freezing post-holing adventures. It didn’t just keep me warm — it kept me comfortable.

Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket Features

The Torrid stands out from the pack when it comes to three-season puffy jackets, thanks to its thoughtful features. Over the years, I’ve noticed that some brands interpret “ultralight” to mean “stripped-down,” cutting important features to save weight. But Enlightened Equipment has somehow cracked the code, delivering a jacket that’s both impressively light and packed with comfort-enhancing details. Here’s what sets it apart:

• Fill: The CLIMASHIELD APEX synthetic insulation stays warm even when damp, dries quickly, and doesn’t shed like down. Perfect for extended adventures or unpredictable conditions.
• Fabric: Choose between 7D, 10D, or 20D nylon (I went with the middle-ground 10D). The durable water-repellent (DWR) coating adds extra protection in wet weather.
• Fit: Slightly oversized for layering, with sizes XS–3XL and optional tall versions for the long-torsoed among us.
• Optional: 
  • Cinchable, insulated hood
  • Tall torso option, which adds an additional 2″ of torso length and 1″ of sleeve length

Additional features include:

• Raglan-style sleeves with diagonal seams for greater range of motion
• Grosgrain “zipper garage” allows the zipper to be comfortably zipped fully to the top
• Zippered insulated handwarmer pockets
• Shock cord waist adjustment (in pocket) for a custom fit
• Elastic wrist closures to reduce draftiness

Usage

The Torrid jacket is a mid-weight, three-season insulating layer. While Enlightened Equipment doesn’t provide an exact temperature rating, they suggest it performs well in temperatures around freezing. You can extend its range by layering underneath or adding a shell on top, making it a versatile and essential piece for various conditions.

During field-testing for this review, I wore it in temperatures as low as 30°F during a light snow shower, paired with a synthetic base layer and a fleece midlayer. It kept me warm while stationary and nearly too warm when moving.

Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket Pros

Photo assistance by: @laurinwanderland on Instagram

Ultralight + Warm

The Enlightened Equipment Women’s Torrid Jacket really does deliver on its promise to provide “warmth, wind protection, and moisture resistance at an ultralight weight.” Every time I put this thing on, I can literally feel the warmth radiating back to me, and when I was carrying it I appreciated its sub-10 oz weight.

Comfort

This jacket isn’t just comfortable—it actually fits. As a woman with a larger chest and body, I can confidently say it’s the most comfortable puffy I’ve ever worn. Over the years, I’ve tried insulated jackets of all kinds, from down to synthetic, big brands to small, and nothing has fit me like this. I can move in it—swinging trekking poles, climbing boulders, or bending to tie my shoes—with no binding or bunching. It zips over my chest without squishing the loft and layers beautifully with a base and midlayer underneath, all in my true size.

No sizing up, no drowning in fabric. Enlightened Equipment nailed it: this jacket is not just functional but a joy to wear.

Extended Sizing Options

The Women’s Torrid Jacket Custom is available in true-to-size XS – 3XL sizes, with an additional “tall” option available in all sizes. I don’t know of any other brand offering this range of sizing in a puffy, especially not true women’s sizing. I am a very standard women’s size XL/16-18, and this jacket fit me great in an XL, with room for layering and moving but without being baggy or oversized. 

Cost

At $200, it’s a steal compared to competitors that cost way more for similar or lesser performance.

Durability

I’ve only owned this jacket for a couple of months, but I expect it to last for years. The smooth fabric resists snags, and the synthetic insulation doesn’t shed or lose loft like down. It’s also easier to wash and less prone to clumping, so you can clean your Torrid repeatedly without compromising its performance (check out EE’s synthetic fill washing guide HERE).

That said, the Torrid is an ultralight piece of gear, so it requires care to maintain its durability. The custom version offers three fabric weights: 7D (lightest and most breathable but less durable and water-resistant), 20D (heaviest, with superior durability and weather resistance), and 10D (a balanced middle ground, which I tested). EE’s detailed fabric guide is worth a read for more insights (find it HERE).

Fun

Let’s be honest — customizing your gear is a major perk in today’s booming ultralight gear market, and Enlightened Equipment delivers with the Torrid Jacket. With 18 outer fabric colors and 14 inner fabric options, there’s a combo to match any style. Keep in mind, though, that some colors are limited to specific fabric weights, and your choices can slightly impact the jacket’s final packed weight.

Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket Cons

Lead Time

Custom orders can take up to nine weeks — so plan ahead. The non-custom versions ship faster, usually in three business days.

Packability

Synthetic fill doesn’t compress as much as down, but the Torrid still packs small enough for most needs. This jacket will take up very slightly more space in your pack than a comparably sized mid-weight down puffy. 

Shape

EE isn’t going to win any awards for “most flattering” with this jacket. One friend who assisted me with taking photos for this review likened me to Violet Beauregarde post-gum-chewing when I first put it on. But hey, warmth + function > fashion, amirite?

Overall Impression

The Enlightened Equipment Women’s Torrid Jacket is everything I hoped it would be. Lightweight, warm, and packed with features, it’s my new go-to for everything from thru-hikes to day hikes. The price point seals the deal, especially during sales like their current “Black November” promo (20% off, bringing the cost to $160). 

If you’re in the market for an ultralight, weather-ready puffy with top-notch customization options, the Torrid deserves a spot on your gear list.

Shop the Women’s Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket

Shop the Men’s Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket

Photo assistance by: @laurinwanderland on Instagram

Comparable Items

Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody Women’s | Men’s

• MSRP: $329
• Weight: 9 oz
• Fill type: Synthetic

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hoody Women’s | Men’s

• MSRP: $360
• Weight: 8.5oz
• Fill type: Down

Mountain Hardwear Ventano Hoody Women’s | Men’s

• MSRP: $260
• Weight: 11.7oz
• Fill type: Synthetic

REI Co-op Magma 850 Hooded Down Jacket Women’s | Men’s

• MSRP: $249
• Weight: 10.5oz
• Fill type: Down

The Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket was donated for purpose of review