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Description

Mountain Hardwear's Torch is a lightweight, windproof jacket with welded seams.

The Mountain Hardwear Men's Torch Jacket represents the evolution of softshells. The hooded jacket weighs barely over a pound, making it an obvious choice on sunny days for backcountry skiers and ice climbers. Mountain Hardwear built the Torch Jacket with a Gore WindStopper laminate and underarm zippers; this way the fabric can be extremely thin but still offer the breathability and wind protection you've come to expect from softshells. Mountain Hardwear welded all the Torch Jacket's seams instead of stitching them. Welding the seams makes the jacket more compressible when it's packed, easier to move in, and more wind-resistant. Articulated sleeves allow you to naturally swing an ice axe without pulling up your coat, and the soft flannel-knit lining means you'll be at least a little comfy hanging onto those axes stuck into vertical ice.

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Mountain Hardwear Torch Jacket - Men's

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Here's what others have to say...

5 5

Scott Levasseur

Member since 

I was a softshell hold out, thinking I would stay with my hardshell. Well my hardshell finally wore out and after looking around I settled on this jacket. What an awesome jacket. I received it and thought "Well I'm going to freeze in this thing!" Boy was I wrong! This jacket is super lightweight, windproof, and pretty much indestructible! I have abused this jacket in pretty much every way possible and it has just shrugged it off. The only time I was thinking I was going to have to throw on another jacket was when I got surprised by a rain storm and the jacket started to get a bit wet. So for everything except for really a pounding rain, this jacket is the one! One of the biggest pluses for me was the hood that fits over a helmet. Nothing worse than being up on a cliff climbing and having ice and snow down the collar of your jacket. Just buy it!

5 5

alpine poser

Member since 

the only drawback is that the hood is a tiny bit too small to fit over a climbing helmet (Petzl Ecrin) but it does fit under the helmet. Still one of my favorite jackets, especially for overall, slim fit - some other jackets tend to be too big around my trunk. Normally I wear MH medium, but this one is great in large.

5 5

Barrett Wood

Member since 

I bought the Torch to replace a stolen Alchemy and I'm really impressed with it. It's much thinner than the Alchemy, but don't worry, you warm up as soon as you start moving. As you heat up, you can dump heat with the pit zips or the hand pockets (I prefer to use the pockets). The breathability and waterproofing are both excellent. I've used mine for everything from rainy fall hikes on the Maine coast to cross country skiing to snowshoeing to a winter summit of mount Washington. It exceeded my expectations in all of these. On a backcountry snowboarding trip, I opened up all the venting on the way up, then zipped up, popped my ipod into the chest pocket (there are 3 internal headphone ports) and rocked out on the way down.

Features I really like are the hand pockets and the hood. The pockets are mesh backed so that you can use em as vents, they run from just above the hem all the way to the shoulder, and the zippers are long and mounted high up for easy access. The hood stays out of the way with the stiffened brim and the scooped sides don't cut into your peripheral vision. The combined drawcord goes 1/2 way around the front, then turns 90 degrees and goes straight back. It's easy and simple and doesn't clutter up the jacket.

Fit: I'm 5'10" and 145lbs. The medium fits me well. It's cut a bit shorter than other jackets to allow you to wear it with a harness, but other than that is pretty much standard MH sizing. Athletic cut. It seems to have a bit of extra room in the chest, but that's probably due to my being skinny.

Can someone go into details about the...

DJM

Member since 
Posted on

Can someone go into details about the differences between the Torch and the Dragon? Thanks.

El Capitan Jack

Member since 
Responded on

As you might have heard, the Dragon is the updated version of the Torch. But from my personal experience, the Dragon has a much silkier/softer feel than the Torch, and doesn't feel as stiff (possibly due to the silky softness, perhaps?). The Dragon feels a bit thinner than the Torch, but I could be mistaken. The Torch has velcro wrist closures, while the Dragon has an inner cuff with thumb loops instead. There's more information in the question/answer section of the Dragon page.

El Capitan Jack

Member since 
Responded on

As you might have heard, the Dragon is the updated version of the Torch. But from my personal experience, the Dragon has a much silkier/softer feel than the Torch, and doesn't feel as stiff (possibly due to the silky softness, perhaps?). The Dragon feels a bit thinner than the Torch, but I could be mistaken. The Torch has velcro wrist closures, while the Dragon has an inner cuff with thumb loops instead. There's more information in the question/answer section of the Dragon page.

5 5

xplo

Member since 

This jacket is my favorite softshell for backcountry skiing and backpacking. Im 5.10, 175. Medium fits perfectly (not to short on me) .

4 5

kil2836852

Member since 

OK this jacket is Great- im 6'1 170 slender cliber body and wear a medium in almost everything- but this jacket is a bit short on the belly length! it's for climbing ice/trad/sport and that's all I would use it for if I were you- It's cut short fot the harness - but the sleves are perfect length- I really like it for climbing!

How does this compare to the MHW Dragon?...

tocej31806

Member since 
Posted on

How does this compare to the MHW Dragon? Which is warmer? How do the features compare? Does this have thumbholes? Thanks.

Jon Webb

Member since 
Groups:
Responded on

Dragon is the replacement for this jacket.---------------------------------Dragon is an UPDATE to the Torch. Similar fabric more bells and whistles on the Dragon. A great jacket for a great price...

2 5

joshua

Member since 

bought mine 3 months ago @ LGS and was super stoked. That lasted till about 2 weeks ago when the front pocket started to peel back and then fully came off. Mtn Hardware customer service said i could send it back and they'd fix it and send it back to me in 4-6 weeks.....needless to say I told them i'd send it back in the spring.... yesterday the pocket fully came off, and the pockets zipper started to delaminate. Another call to Amos @ warranty again and I was on my way back to LGS to trade it in...got a Millet gore softshell, with stitches:)
best part was after my bro @ LGS was walking away I turned around and there was a guy, torch jacket, missing the same pocket.....I thought he was wearing mine but nope, he bought his @ REI in cali and had been in England for the last year....sans pocket. I gave him the 800 # and told him to talk to Amos as well....
Seems there is some quality control issues MH needs to work on ...

4 5

thomaspissarzowski2361292

Member since 

I used it here in the european alps and it works great,even if its cold. The only thing I miss is something like a velcro to reduce and fix the hood in times you don't wear a helmet

5 5

garettk1

Member since 

This is a great softshell and is definitely a climbing jacket. Has all the right stuff and nothing more. I shopped around for a solid month before deciding on the Torch over it's replacement the Dragon and I'm glad I got it before they're gone.

From what I've read in some of these reviews people are having problems getting the size right. I'm 6'1", 185 and the XL fits me perfectly, keeping in mind that you want it to be able to accommodate two layers underneath without being too snug. Also, yes, the sleeves are cut long and the torso is short, which is intended. The sleeve length allows you to bend without exposing arms or pulling up from the waist, and the short cut of the torso just keeps the jacket out of the way when you have other gear strapped to you (backpack, harness, etc.).
Pit-Zips are great (why would you NOT have these) and long. Seams and zippers are all tight. I can't to get this jacket on the mountain.

Can't tell from the pics what the texture...

Raymond Alimurung

Member since 
Posted on

Can't tell from the pics what the texture of the outer material is. Is it silky/ shiny/satin-y like the MH Dragon softshell--or it rougher/matt finish (w/c I prefer) more like the Outdoor Research Elusive, TNF Windwall, & MH Synchro?

Jon Webb

Member since 
Groups:
Responded on

The Torch Jacket is the predecessor to the current Dragon Jacket. The fabric on the Dragon Jacket has a slighty softer (satin-like) hand than the Torch but I wouldn't call it shiny by any stretch. I would say the Torch is a little closer to the Sychro in overall look of fabric and hand than the Dragon. With that said, we're splitting hairs here, the fabrics are all really similar and definitely not shiny. Hope this helps...

5 5

Denver Tomblin

Member since 

I bought this jacket for snowboarding and haven't had the chance to wear it on the slopes yet. But when I ordered the jacket I was worried about the fit. But I got the size right. I'm 6'2", 210 lbs. My arms are long and a 44" chest. The XL fits like it was made for me. I have room for laying, but it isn't baggy. I will probably get between 20 and 40 days on the slopes this year and will update on the performance

is the fabric a 4-way stretch? I had a...

claus

Member since 
Posted on

is the fabric a 4-way stretch? I had a Mountain Hardwear before but it didn't stretch so well whihc made the jacket kind of stiff

rewell2351011

Member since 
Responded on

this jacket's nice and stretchy, never stiff except for the one time I was wearing it w/o good base layers and it got sweaty - forgot to pull it in my bag at night and it froze harder than hard cardboard - after forcing it on and climbing a bit it softened back up again. so yeah, it stretches - not stiff.

4 5

rewell2351011

Member since 

Don't believe the negative reviews? I'm sure the negative reviewers are real people too! I for one absolutely love this jacket, however the taped seals have completely come undone especially around the waist assumedly because I routinely tighten the elastic cord to keep wind from coming up and into the jacket - the jacket keeps out wind and precipitation like a champ - but DO believe that if you use the elastic the seam tape will eventually just fall off. I am about to send mine back in hopes that it will be repaired, and I will continue to do so each summer if necessary because aside from the seam tape issue it is a fantastic jacket, and regarding warmth, I find it plenty warm down to -10F or so assuming you are moving and have appropriate underlayers.

4 5

rewell2351011

Member since 

Don't believe the negative reviews? I'm sure the negative reviewers are real people too! I for one absolutely love this jacket, however the taped seals have completely come undone especially around the waist assumedly because I routinely tighten the elastic cord to keep wind from coming up and into the jacket - the jacket keeps out wind and precipitation like a champ - but DO believe that if you use the elastic the seam tape will eventually just fall off. I am about to send mine back in hopes that it will be repaired, and I will continue to do so each summer if necessary because aside from the seam tape issue it is a fantastic jacket, and regarding warmth, I find it plenty warm down to -10F or so assuming you are moving and have appropriate underlayers.

5 5

mtnhdwr2339993

Member since 

Don't believe the negative reviews!
I have had mine for several years and no problems with the seams coming apart.
Jacket length is cut short in front to accommodate climbing harness / back belt with no bunching; cut longer in back.
Arm length is longer than expected until you velcro close and then use full range of motion - then you will realize it is perfect
Overall cut is perfect - I'm 6'1"" / 185lbs, wear size large - not too baggy or tight can fit microfleece underneath when I need a little extra insulation.
Climbed Mt Rainier with this jacket and use if for spring backcountry skiing - jacket is killer.
Sized up the first time and the xl was way too big - body and arms - jacket is suppose to be lean for less bulk and better warmth.

5 5

john2140681

Member since 

I thought it was short until I wore it with my pack. Its cut to wear with a pack. It wears exactly the same weather you are wearing a pack or not. It doesn't bunch under a pack. I have sent the XL back and got the XXL. I'm 6'2 260. 50 inch chest - 36 inch waist.

3 5

Michael Yeung

Member since 

I bought this last year over the Arcteryx Gamma MX hoody when Backcountry.com had a sale. Since i bought it has been a mixed bag for me.

First of the pros. This jacket is light, will shield you from the wind extremely well and can take a suprisingly large amount of PNW moisture.

However, keep an eye on the seam taping because it started to peel, luckily backcountry RMA'd it for me. Moreover this thing doesn't insulate all that well and a helmet cannot be fit underr the hood, so if you're doing ice climbing or skinning up a ridge this might not be for you.

5 5

leaping.fo947967

Member since 

This jacket is awesome. It has replaced my fleece and shell. I love having one jacket that can do it all. I may have to layer up in the colder months but I ordered a size up so I could do that after reading the reviews below. The sleeves were way long for me (past my fingertips). I think this may be due to the jacket being a climbing jacket and longer sleeves allow you to reach over you head without pulling the sleeve halfway up your arm. I had the sleeves altered and now the jacket fits perfect! I would highly recommend it but try it before you buy it to ensure you like the fit.

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