The Pertex shell sheds moisture very effectively while still allowing for good airflow. ![]() One thing became immediately apparent: it has a remarkable ability to simultaneously vent heat and protect you from the elements. I often found myself hanging out in it from the moment I woke up until it was time to cozy up in my sleeping bag.īreathability is another strongpoint of the Outdoor Research Ascendant. With a bit less insulation than the since-discontinued Uberlayer (95g/m2 compared to 98g/m2), but significantly more than other options like the Patagonia Nano-Air and Arc’teryx Atom LT (60g each), the Ascendant lands in a well-deserved category as a versatile jacket for almost any season or activity. And it can definitely go colder with more layers added. In practice, I found the Ascendant’s “sweet spot” to be within five degrees of freezing on either end, which is a respectable range for an active insulation piece. In terms of layering, I often paired it with a short-sleeve baselayer, and sported the jacket as an outer layer for descending just as often as I did for climbing-a true testament to its temperature-regulating ability and breathability (more on that below). If anything, I found that the Ascendant ran a little on the warm side during aerobic activities. Despite its plush, toy-like appearance, the Polartec Alpha Direct synthetic insulation worked great. While I expected this weight-saving decision to impact warmth, that wasn’t the case. The Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody, unlike many other active insulation pieces, has only two layers: an outer shell and inner insulation. To see how the Ascendant stacks up, see our articles on the best synthetic jackets and best midlayers. Below we break down the Ascendant’s warmth, breathability, water resistance, weight and packability, fit and sizing, and more. We have mixed feelings about its exposed insulation, which results in a fuzzy, somewhat unkempt appearance, but the Ascendant proved itself to be a solid active insulation choice for high-output activities. As an active midlayer with great mobility, it can be your go-to jacket for everything from backcountry skiing and climbing to hanging out by the fire after a day in the mountains. It’s a bit on the heavy side compared to other midlayers, but that’s a price we’re willing to pay for its versatility.Piggybacking off the popularity of their functional Uberlayer jacket, Outdoor Research introduced the Ascendant as a lighter and more breathable option. You’ll be wearing this jacket way more than packing it, but you can squish it down to about 7 by 5 inches in its own pocket. We liked the clean cuffs (they have Lycra inserts to block wind) which play nicely with other layers and gloves. A sturdy, two-way zipper let us vent from top or bottom and access a climbing harness. ![]() Five pockets (two interior) store winter must-haves. The hood fits over a climbing helmet, but also adjusts snugly over a beanie. ![]() “It’s an ideal outer layer when you’re grinding hard uphill in deep cold, and it makes a low-bulk midlayer under a shell,” one tester says. It’s the full recipe at work: Polartec Alpha, an insulation with thousands of tiny perforations that allow body heat to escape, is sandwiched between a wicking polyester liner and tough-but-supple nylon shell. This jacket became a second skin for one tester who wore it nonstop for four days of ice climbing in New Hampshire, then around-the-clock on a four-day summer climb of Mt. Breathable when it needs to vent, warm when it needs to insulate.
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