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!

This my favorite coat I own. I took this sweet coat up to alta the night before it snowed 17 in. This coat kept me high and dry. I also took it backpacking in glacier mt., it was light and kept me dry and out of the wind. This is a must buy for any serious outdoorsman. Super job mountain Hardwear.

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 ...

I've worn this jacket for a couple of months now, primarily cycling in SF, CA where we have a lot of drizzly fog days. Compares most directly with Gamma MX hoody.

Pros:
Pit zips-this is a huge advantage over the Gamma MX. The pit zips in conjunction with very functional venting pockets allow tremendous temp regulation! Taped zips can be a little annoying if wearing with only a T-shirt, but don't notice if I'm wearing even a silkweight long sleeve.

Velcro cuffs. Prefer to elastic.

Cheaper than Arc'teryx without loss in quality (MHO).

Cons:
Mountain Harwear always a little short in the torso for me (I'm 5,10, 170lb and wear Med). Gamma MX better fit in length.

Gamma mx has a way better hood!

Overall this is a great lightweight jacket, which I recommend without hesitation. Looks good, feels good, and performs very well. Constructed with superb finish.

I ended up going with the gamma mx instead of this jacket just because of the fit. I normally wear a large in most jackets cause I am 6'4" and lanky. This jacket fits like a glove and i loved it except for one thing...It is cut very short. I probably could have just gone with an XL but I decided to get the gamma mx which is a very comparable jacket and almost $100 more expensive unfortnately. The gamma mx lacks pit zips while the torch has them which gives the torch a huge advantage. However the gamma's hood design is infinitely better and it's cut longer which made me go with that. My friend just got the torch, sized up one size from his normal size, and loves it. So all in all this is a wonderful jacket and damn near waterproof just be careful of the sizing but if it doesn't fit you these guys will help you out! One of the two best hooded softshells out there

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.

the only drawback is that the hood is a tiny bit too small to fit a climbing helmet (Petzl Ecrin). If the helmet ft, I would give it 5 stars. 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.

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.

If you don't expect a whole lot of warmth out of this jacket you wont be disappointed. Its versatile and extreamly comfortable. I love ths sizing. Short, smaller waist and long arms are why i buy Mountain Hardware. You want a Moo-moo, look elsewhere.

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!

Was shopping for a softshell so I ordered the Torch and the MH Hooded Synchro. Decided to keep the Synchro b/c it was a little thicker, reviews stated it was more waterproof and the Torch had a very athletic fit that wasn't great for layering. The material is very nice. The fit though is very cut and athletic. I wear a large b/c of my chest size of 41. I am 5'7" and 160 lbs though with a 19" torso length, so i don't consider myself a normal large. for everything but my chest, a medium would suit me fine. this jacket fit me like a medium. if you are interested in layering, go up a size. the pocket with the patch i think is for an MP3 player to keep the pocket more waterproof. there is a hole in the pocket that goes to the inside pocket that i guess would allow you to thread your earphone wires through it?
A great jacket. i would have kept it if i had the money to have two softshells. would be great for mountain biking, running, etc. pretty thin. i may end up getting it in the future.

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.

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.

I have used a few other softshell jackets, and this is the best yet, by far. It is thinner than the Mountain Hardwear Alchemy and smarter than the North Face Apex. Taped zippers and pit-zips are not only ingenious, but now indispensable. Why would you not have taped pit-zips? The integrated hood is also great and necessary. This is a great jacket and the price should not make you shy as many inferior jackets cost the same. Great product!

Great quality and performance based on friend's experience. Unfortunately the fit wasn't for me. It's cut trim so if you lift or have a large upper body this may not be for you.

I purchased a Torch jacket in Nov. '05. This baby has seen a lot of good days. I have been extremely happy with this jacket from the start, with the exception of the stupid patch over the breast pocket which never made any sense to me (see my 2 year old review at the top of the page). Well sure enough this last weekend on a four day ski trip the patch started peeling up and within a day had fallen off. Now I have a real patch, duct tape. I emailed Mountain Hardware my thoughts on the subject and a new jacket is the way from the good folks at this site. I'm happy everyone is standing behind their products. I expected no less. I just wish MH would fix the design.

I shopped hard for a softshell jacket and am very pleased with my choice. This jacket is the perfect weight for the Cascades and will likely replace two garments on BC ski days. I just took it up to Crystal Mountain for a day of lift skiing. Performed great with only one base layer in mid 20s temps. Love having an integrated hood, a quick way to warm-up with no fussing around. My only complaint is the patch over the front pocket, useless and unnecessary, a lame attempt at fashion on an otherwise unpretentious and totally useful garment.

A true softshell. Its light and moves with you I got a size bigger and did not need to.

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

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

Great Jacket - very light and thin as softshells go, perfect for active snow sports. Ok waterproofness in snow showers, totally windproof. Ventilation is outstanding with pockets and pit zips, making this jacket great for yo-yoing in the backcountry.

I bought this jacket to use during ski season in Colorado, and it is great. You can use this about 8 months of the year. Extremely lightweight jacket but very technical. This jacket has an athletic cut, and you may need to size up if you plan to layer. I am 5'10", 160lbs and had to go with a size Large.

The Torch replaced a 12 year old Patagonia soft shell as my primary backcountry skiing jacket. This thing really does it all; from very cold, windy tours where the hood and soft, tall collar come in handy to sunny, aerobic days where the core and pit ventilation are perfect. It is a little shorter at the waist than some jackets so try before you buy. At 5'9" and 160# the medium is a great fit for me.

Wow! What a great jacket! Light weight but still warm. Perfect pockets, pull tabs, and zippers. Nice overall stitching and styling. The snug fit is perfect for climbing and outdoor sports. I ordered mine a size larger than I normally wear; this made the jacket more comfortable for everyday use. Definitely worth the money!

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.

I have muscular dystrophy and thus I am a lot weaker than most people so this coat is ideal. It is very light and feels almost if if you are wearing a coat. I live in a windy city and with this jacket on most of the wind is blocked. It keeps you warmer than you would think while protecting you from all the elements.

I heard a lot of good things about this jacket but was never able to find it in a local store to try it on. So I took a chance and ordered it anyway even though it seemed a little pricey. My initial reaction was that it was too form fitting for comfort. I am 6 foot 165 lbs and ordered my usual large and started to question whether I should have gone up a size. But after wearing it on the trail I realized that the fit was perfect for what it is, a great hiking/backpacking/skiing soft shell. It really is completely windproof and beads light rain very well. It has more than ample venting for when the temperature rises and the integrated hood is very convenient. It's soft, stretchy and very comfortable especially with a pack. It's not a great around town jacket but when you are ready for some serious outdoor activity with changing weather conditions this is the jacket for you. But keep a waterproof shell handy for those occasional downpours.

I wanted a soft shell that was windproof and not bulky. I started out with The North Face Cipher. I was very dissapointed, so I returned it. (See my review of the Cipher)

I then decided to just spend the extra money and get the Torch, which was getting great reviews. I couldn't be more happy. It is form fitting, without being too tight. The fabric is extremely durable. When you zip it all the way up, it is nice and snug around the neck, not allowing air inside. This jacket does not have half the bulk of the North Face Bionic. This jacket is worth the extra money. My only negative is that there is only one draw cord on the hood, however that doesnt stop it from being a fabulous jacket. I also have the Mountain Hardwear Tenacity Decent Jacket. I am quickly becoming a fan of Mountain Hardwear. I'm telling you, spend the extra money and get this jacket. You won't be sorry.

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.

Bought it for trip to Alaska Jun 08. Have only had it a few weeks, and worn in the evenings at baseball games. So far I love it. I am 5' 11" & 190 lbs. Usually wear XL, had to send it back because it fit like a shirt. XXL is good. On both the sleeves are a little long, but will work fine.

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.

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

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.

Best Soft shell I've ever used. Have taken this out on many many backcountry expeditions and it does the job every time. Extremely light weight with very extreme protection. My most recent outing was at about 11,000 ft. in the Rockies we started getting rained on about 8,400 ft our group stopped to put on their rain gear only to find out I had forgotten my rain jacket at home :( All I could do was pull up the hood and keep going I hiked in a down pour that soon turned to a wet snow for about 3 hours the only place I got wet was where my shoulder straps were rubbing right on the jacket. And even then I was not that wet and never cold. Wonderful jacket that has sold itself to pretty much every one on that "3 day vacation." In defense of the front pocket; it is made specifically for a compass or an iPod of some sort and it works perfectly for that. Only downside is it looks a little pretentious wearing such a hardcore jacket into the office on colder days.

I really liked this jacket...until I put it on. The construction and make of the jacket is wonderful. However, the fit is very very odd. I am and average 6 foot, 190 lbs person and the torso of the jacket fit just ok. it seemed a little short, however this could have just been the sport cut, which is nice; but the selves were about 4 inches too long. When I put my hands at my sides the sleves went all the way down to my finger tips. This was such an odd fit that I even wondered if I simply got a manufacture defect. For this price I would expect to get a jacket that fits like a glove not some alien body type. Anyway, I ended up sending it back and got an Arc'teryx and I love it.

I'd been looking for a soft shell for a while. I wouldn't consider myself a huge person, but I like to wear XXL. It affords me more room etc. There isn't a lot of XXL stuff out there so when I saw the Mountain Hardware Torch Jacket I was pretty excited. I ordered it and Back Country did its usual great job shipping it to me, the jacket was too small. Someone has to tell all these companies that not everyone who enjoys the outdoors weighs 175 lbs. In conclusion, your website is great, I will order from them again. As for Mountain Hardware, unless you're a tiny person forget it.
P.S. I did send it back.