Enlightened Equipment Copperfield Review

Bottom Line

The Enlightened Equipment Copperfield is an ultralight layer designed for minimalist hikers who value weight savings above all else. At a mere 2.3 ounces, it’s one of the lightest windbreakers available, making it perfect for thru-hikers, trail runners, and fastpackers. Its 10-denier nylon fabric provides some level of wind resistance but does not hold up in the highest winds like a heavier jacket. The Copperfield packs down incredibly small, fitting easily into the palm of your hand or a hip belt pocket, so it’s always within reach. Perfect for die-hard ultralight hikers, the Copperfield makes our list of best windbreakers.

The Copperfield excels in minimalism, but its ultralight construction comes with trade-offs. The fabric is thin and less durable than other windbreakers, making it more susceptible to abrasions and tears in rugged terrain. It also forgoes features like hand pockets, adjustable cuffs, or a helmet-compatible hood, limiting its versatility for some users. Additionally, the Copperfield provides good wind resistance for its weight, but it doesn’t perform as well in sustained high winds or cold conditions as heavier options.

If you prioritize a featherweight design and don’t mind sacrificing durability and features for packability and simplicity, the Enlightened Equipment Copperfield is a fantastic choice for ultralight adventurers looking to shave every ounce. Though it may be too technical for most, the Copperfield will find a home with the committed ultralight hiker.

How We Tested

Over two months, we wore the Copperfield jacket on hikes and runs as well as backcountry and cross-country ski trips to field test its performance in multiple conditions. Our tests consisted of real-world exposure to the wind and elements. We also used a blow drier to test wind resistance and also completed a one-hour run while intentionally overdressed to test its breathability and moisture management.

Wind & Weather Resistance

The Enlightened Equipment Copperfield is marketed as a wind shirt. Although it has the full zip and hood of a jacket, it resists wind and weather like a shirt. The ten-denier fabric is among the thinnest we tested. Feather light, it does not block wind as well as we would like above treeline or on gusty days. Testing its wind resistance with a blow dryer, we detected the slightest bit of wind penetration through the material. Being ultrathin, it wets through instantly. If you’re someone looking for a lightweight jacket over a bombproof one, then the Copperfield is the perfect choice.

Breathability

Denier is the measurement of the thickness of the material used in a jacket. With a 10-denier face fabric, the Copperfield is the thinnest jacket in our lineup. This thin material lends itself to being breathable but not as well as we had hoped. When testing this jacket while intentionally overdressed to test its breathability, we were surprised to find beading perspiration inside the jacket. That moisture took longer to pass through the material and evaporate than others we tested. Even though it’s vastly more breathable than a hardshell, the Copperfield can feel clammy at high exertion levels.

Weight & Packability

The Copperfield is the lightest jacket in our lineup at a mind-blowing 2.3 ounces. This amazingly lightweight jacket is so light that it’s hardly noticeable  – whether in the pack or on the body. We loved being able to pack this away and forget about it until we needed it. It easily smashes into the palm of your hand, down to the size of a tangerine. However, without a stuff pocket, it quickly springs back and expands in volume. We found ourselves wishing for a stuff pocket, despite the minor weight penalty, to make this jacket more manageable.

Comfort & Fit

The Copperfield is one of the largest fitting jackets we tested. Marketed as intentionally a half-size large to allow for layering, it felt more similar to a full-size large. We suggest sizing down if choosing to wear this jacket without layers underneath. It runs long in the torso and baggy through the arms and body. We were thankful for the elastic hem cinch to tighten up the extra material.

Should You Buy the Enlightened Equipment Copperfield?

If you’re a die-hard gram counter after the lightest jacket, then the Copperfield is the one for you. At a paltry 2.3 ounces, it’s hard to get much lighter. This is the jacket to choose for a thru-hike or ultra-distance run where every gram counts. However, it may be too technical for most other uses, and its trash bag appearance won’t work for some people, either. Also, this material does not block high winds or moisture as much as we hoped. That being said, it earns a spot in our lineup for the committed ultralight enthusiasts who demand nothing but the lightest in their kit.

What Other Windbreaker Should You Consider?

Head to our gear guide, to see the full lineup of best windbreakers.

Montbell Tachyon Review: Another ultralight jacket, the Tachyon provides more features like zipped hand pockets and an internal stuff pocket.

Patagonia Airshed Pro Review: An extremely breathable jacket more akin to a shirt, the Airshed Pro is slightly heavier than the Copperfield but with more breathability in the arms and hood.

Patagonia Houdini Review: If the ultra-thin and shiny material of the Copperfield isn’t your style, the Houdini is trim and simple with many colorways to fit different tastes.