Customer Reviews Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoodie

Nice lightweight hoody that is very warm for its size. I used it just as a hoody over a base layer, sometimes with a soft shell over it when there's heavy rain in PNW. For light misty rain it does fine on its own. Really glad I got this and would always want to have one on hand to use.

Best winter running jacket for sub-zero MN mornings I own. Might suggest added reflective materials and less bulk in the Hood. Highly recommend!

I initially got this to be used as a mid-layer for long cold climbs but it has now become my main outer layer for most weather during all climbing.

I wear the Ascendant Hoody just about everyday going to work during the week, and in the outdoors on the weekend. My work commute involves walking in Seattle, and the Ascendant repels water for everything but an absolute downpour. In which case you would want a shell on anyhow. The polartech insulation provides enough warmth for my ten minute walk or so down to temps in the high 40's (Farenheight) or so, and if it's colder than that I wear a vest underneath. For ski touring the jacket is great for the Cascades. If you are Ascending uphill (sorry for that), the jacket breaths well, and repels wind and wet snow when moving form below to above snow level. The zippered chest pocket holds my iPhone XR with an Otterbox easily which makes navigating with a GPS app easy to do. The hood fits over a ski helmet easily and snugly for the downhill without obstructing vision. The hood also fits snugly over your head on the uphill, and the polartech insulation feels great compared to a more rigid mid-layer. The jacket works great while climbing with the cinch cord for the waist, and elastic for the wrist cuffs and hood. While trail running I like the thumb loops for the sleeves.

love this jacket. light, packable, breathes well and it always surprisingly warm. The liner may be a bit scratchy at first touch, but once you put the jacket on, I never think about it again and I often wear just a t-shirt underneath.

I'm 6'2 175. Size Large fits great. The perfect backcountry skiing jacket. One layer for skinning and skiing down. All perspiration from the up is gone on the down, but somehow also warm. So far have BC skied 2 days and done a long trail run in windy conditions between 20-35 degrees F. Couldn't be happier.

Great midlayer or outer layer for active adventures. Weather resistant and adds just enough warmth.

Great overall jacket for autumn and fall activities. You can layer this for colder weather activities. It great for travel; packs up small but still looks good. Is warm when you need it to be but not too hot when it gets a little warmer. It repels rain and snow well but I wouldn't use it for extended wet activities. Wear it nearly every day!

I live nyc and love the warmth this provides for doing errands and eunning around in 30s 40s days with an overcoat i'm amazed that something so thin can be so warm. Im 5'7 160 and the med is a perfect fit.i've only worn it once as an under layer and because of the thin warmth of it i was able to wear a light waterproof over it. All that said i REALLY dont like puffy crinkly coats so this is a perfect substitute

New favorite hoodie! Very light and breathable, especially good for high output activities in the cold. Seriously the best mid layer out there!

Super comfortable. Warm for its weight and size. I love the stretchiness from top to bottom. Sheds wind well. All around excellent jacket. I want one in every color.

Very warm even though it's a light weight jacket. I've used it as a light jacket on its own and as a mid layer underneath my Foray and Fortress jackets. Athletic fit and comfortable when active. Great fit for my frame, 6'1", 190 lbs. Lots of positive comments from others. Great purchase.

I can't take this thing off: I love it so much. It breathes great and provides a surprising bit of warmth given its weight (so light!). The medium fit is perfect (6' 2" - 178lbs).

Love the warmth and feel of this jacket. Awesome mid-layer or on its own for every day use on cool days. I really like the non-zipped side pockets, zippered chest pocket and discrete thumb loops.

This is my second Ascendant Hoody, and all I can say is WOW! This piece is unreal and should be a staple if you live in the PNW. I mainly bike commute and climb in them, and both have held up extremely well over the last 2 years. I'm typically a large in almost everything OR (6'1, 195lbs, gangly arms), and the fit of this is spot on again for me in size large. Great winter mid-layer. Great shoulder season primary in dry conditions, but can withstand some moisture as long as it isn't a downpour. Why haven't you just purchased this already?!

I use the jacket every day. It is an excellent do everything jacket that is cozy warm but breathable. Water and wind resistance is quite good. I do worry about the durability due to the thinness of the outer material, but I haven't had an issue yet.

So breathable and wind resistant!

Very warm for the weight, super impressed so far. Excellent mid layer for really cold days but is a great jacket on it's own as well. The feel of the lining takes a bit to get used to, but after a few minutes of wearing it, I totally forget about it. Fits nice and trim, had to go up a size (from L-XL; I'm 6'3") so I could fit my base layer more comfortably.

I don't leave reviews two days after I get a piece of gear. Since I expect my gear to hold up and serve me for years, a good review can only happen after you've put something through its paces. After having the Ascendant jacket for six months and coming off a 21 day fall backpacking trip in the Arctic I feel justified in talking about how great this jacket is. It became my "go to" layer for everything, especially in alpine environments. It really has the biggest comfortable temperature range of any softshell I've got. It blocks the wind fantastically, while still breathing well enough that I could hike in it without getting sweaty wearing a full pack. On warmer days it was the perfect layer to throw on when we stopped to not only be warm, but let my sweaty base layer dry. It shed just enough rain to work for passing sprinkles, and be the only outer layer on cooler days. The jacket version layers nicely, but I'd get the hoody if I had to do it over again just because this ended up being worn as my outer layer in any weather that wasn't a full rain storm. Without doubt the most versatile synthetic jacket for activity in the lineup.

used it on numerous occasions both in Scottish highlands and French alps. Works extremely well as an active 3 season mid layer. no matter how active i was, the layer was super breathable and yet very insulating. Decent wind resistance and shed light rain very well. For worse conditions i would add a hard shell on top. I'm a big fan of OR gear and my entire layer system is built around their products. When hiking in temps ranging from -5C to 10C i go with OR Echo LS as my base layer with the Ascendant on top. Above 15C is where it gets pretty hot but then the base layer alone will keep you plenty warm as long as you are on the move

Despite the putrid color (mustard/orange/brown?), this thing is a heat-packing force in a lightweight and extremely comfortable package. Temps have yet to really dip, but I would have no problem throwing it under a Carhartt (or anything else to get it out of sight!).

I have had this mid-layer for a little over a week and have worn it everyday. I honestly don't like taking it off but it's hard to shower in!

Great as a warmer mid layer in cold temps or a standalone layer in cooler temps. Breathes well in the cold when you're working hard.

Haven't toured in this thing yet, that'll be the real test. But for everything's else it has been fantastic so far. Super comfortable and lightweight, packs down tiny, breathes well when you want it to, and insulates well when you want it to. Has been perfect for climbing and hiking and awesome for just hanging around town or the house as well

I contemplated purchasing my Ascendant Hoody for at least a year. I like the style, the weight, the warmth, and the hood. I held off because most OR garments I have tried on feel a little snug to me. I am a life long guide and adventurer and appreciate well designed and constructed gear; I won't buy otherwise. But almost all OR large cuts seems designed for what my body was like in my 20's, slim and fit. I am in my 50's now and still go at with gusto, but my slenderness is not my usual body type anymore. I finally decided to try my first OR jacket and I am very happy with it. I wear it as my go to for the cooler temps we are having this summer. I wear it at home while I make and sip my morning coffee. I took it out with me when I guided a kayak tour recently. I take it mountain biking but take it off quickly as I heat up. It is super warm in feel to perhaps the mid-50"s. Any cooler and I need to be active to stay warm in it. The wind proof quality is excellent, the colors are great, if it was just a hair looser I would be all over it like ugly on an ape.