Hands down, one of our favourite items from 2018 was the Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody. The Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody is a versatile mid-layer that offers serious comfort while also providing enough durability to actually use it when climbing. With its stretch outer layer and warm inner layer, this jacket may be the best mid-layer for climbing currently on the market!
We had the chance to test the OR Ascendant Hoody over a six month period and here is what we thought.
The fit of this jacket was perfect for anyone looking to move well and stay warm at the same time. Unlike other jackets, the OR Ascendant Hoody features a long enough torso to feel completely comfortable and provides enough room and stretch for almost any movement. Being a little on the taller side, we found that the arms also provided the perfect arm length for active use as well as when trying to keep warm. It is also important to note that the fabric of the OR Ascendant Hoody not only cut the wind and rain but it also provided enough breathe-ability to actively move through almost any weather condition.
With a durable outer shell made of Pertex® Microlight 100% nylon 20D ripstop, we found the Ascendant Hoody could actually handle abrasive rock when climbing! Time and time again, we found ourselves warming up in this jacket from bouldering to route climbing. During our review, the jacket did get snagged on a pretty gnarly rock only to leave a small puncture that did not get any bigger over the testing period. We also impressed with the fabrics ability to stay clean despite serious abuse.
Although we were impressed with the outer layer of this jacket, it was the inner layer that made it a huge winner! Made of Polartec® Alpha® Direct Insulation. The soft feeling of this insulation was enough to wear the jacket right on your skin or with a t-shirt underneath. We even found ourselves gravitating towards this jacket in the morning cold while brewing a coffee or fighting off the wind in the sun. The response time of this insulation was immediate and kept us warm right for those dawn patrol missions.
Overall, we would highly recommend this jacket as a versatile mid layer that will keeping you warm from morning to night and withstand the elements. We found that this jacket was one of the few we tested over the year that could withstand the abrasive nature of climbing on rock and its fit combined with its stretchy outer layer allowed for extended movement not found in other jackets.
The Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody can be purchased at Climb On Squamish or ($249.95) or online at Outdoor Research. MSRP: $275.00 CAD
