Customer Reviews Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoodie

Great lightweight hoodie/jacket. Reasonably water resistant. Decent warmth for the weight/thickness. Perfect for spring and fall, and should be a great middle layer once the snow starts flying!

I bought this jacket to serve as a mid layer for backcountry skiing. It performs admirably at this. It is breathable, but is windproof enough that it is often all I wear on medium temperature days during the descent. It serves as a nice warm layer underneath a shell on very cold days. I would not recommend it for downpours, but it beads water just fine in light rain and wet snow. Where I have used it more than I thought is as a medium layer for apres ski days or cool summer nights. This is the most versatile jacket I own. My wife has the same jacket and loves it. I am 6'1" with a large frame (210lbs) and found the large to be too small and tight for me. The extra large is perfect, however.

I bought it as a backup to sit in my pack during backcountry ski days but I've ended up using it pretty much for everything: as a midlayer for ski area yo yo laps, in the car driving to the trailhead, warm layer for the down on backcountry ski days, early morning bike rides to work, drinking beer, hanging out on the porch. I like the brown color as it looks like a Carhartt jacket. This thing really does it all. I'm hooked on Polartec Alpha! I'm usually in between an L and and XL (6'3 200lbs) and the XL in this jacket is a perfect and sporty fit.

Great athletic fit and excellent weight to warmth! Absolutely love this jacket.

The first one I ordered was a large and it fit snug. I normally were a large but not in this. I returned it without any problems and got the XL which fits perfect! I got this hoody for every day wear and has a light weight hoody for backpacking. First time wearing it was on a fishing trip on lake superior. It kept me cool and comfortable the entire day on the lake with temps in the high 50s. While this hoody isnt 100% waterproof it kept me dry on light to moderate showers.

Stoked on this jacket - I shopped around for a while looking for a replacement synthetic puffy that was a good balance of warmth and lightweight to use mainly for ski touring as my warmth layer. This jacket is the first jacket that has far exceeded my expectations - it's light and incredibly comfy, it's warm enough to drink a beer at the summit while touring midwinter, yet I can actually wear it on the skin track without immediately shedding it, stands up to light rain and long soaking bushwacks while steelheading, and looks good enough my girlfriend will actually let me wear it out. Good enough I bought her one and myself a second.

I've barely taken this jacket off since I bought it. It is extremely breathable, slim-fitting, warmer than it should be, resistant to all sorts of mild weather, comfortable next to skin, and easily slips under an outer layer. In the winter I wore it under down or GoreTex or with a heavy baselayer when moving. This spring it's been a great all-purpose layer in or out of town. It's pretty much moved all my fleece and softshells to the back of the closet. Minor cons: The thumb loops are not useful to me- the sleeves are just short enough that the loops pull on my hands and are uncomfortable. The fleece on the inside is amazing, but I'm worried about long-term durability. I've seen some fuzz coming off and it's extremely lightweight. My only other complaint is that it picks up grime really easily, but this is mostly because I wear it so much!

The jacket provides suitable warmth in cool conditions, yet breaths nicely when the air warms up. Works great as a mid layer, but is suitable as a top layer as well. The only complaint is the thumb loops. I thought they would be part of the sleeve, but they are just a couple of fabric loops and not very comfortable. If that is my only complaint, then I am doing good!

Very comfy, love the colors and the open side pockets and the chest pocket is a must for me.

Great for spring and fall hikes. Not waterproof but water resistant, stays dry for a while in rain. Lightweight and comfortable, athletic fit.

This was the second one I purchased. Love this as a mid layer and as an outer layer in the right conditions. Breathes well and keeps me warm. Doesn't hold up to the harshest of weather but it isn't meant to. Have used this as a sole outer layer with a base backcountry skiing isn't the San Juanes up to 13k ft in December. Went to pull out my shell and realized I could skin and and ski down in this without adding the shell and was amazingly comfortable both ways. Have also used in the Khumbu valley. Very versatile and highly recommend.

I have used for multiple activites and very versatile. Skate skiing, cycling, and casual, just warm enough for most winter activities. The hood is the best, if a bit cold pull over the lined hood and you warm right up. Highly breathable.

This has quickly turned into one of my most used and favorite jackets. Fits great (6'5" 200lbs), super breathable, and typically just the right temperature. Comparable in warmth to a Patagonia R1 with a little bit of added wind resistance. I wear this for nearly everything from backcountry skiing to hiking and around town. Really impressive jacket overall.

I got this to wear under my shell when backcountry skiing but I found I wear it all the time as it is warm but not too warm, breathes really well and can get wet and keep you warm. I run hot so typically while touring uphill I am down to my long underwear top unless its below 20 degrees or really windy. This layer breathes so well that I can leave it on most of the time on the uphill. If I start getting too hot I take off the hood and unzip the front and you can dump a lot of heat quickly. Wasn't expecting it to be so versatile but its now my favorite piece for ski touring. The only downside I can come up with is that I use it so much its starting to show some signs of wear. The outer fabric breathes well but its not exactly the most durable stuff.

I use this jacket mostly for downhill skiing. It took me quite some time to find a good mid-layer. This one is awesome and has everything you'll need in a mid-layer. It's warm, windproof and fits well under a waterproof shell. It can also be used on its own on dry days.

This insulative mid layer is easily as warm as my down puffy and its half the size and half the wieght. It fits well for an athletic build and it breathes really well when moving fast in the mountains. This is the perfect pair with a waterproof shell for warm days ice climbing or long alpine ridges. A great mid layer at an even better cost compared to jackets like the Atom LT.

Its light and breathable

Solid piece. Can handle being roughed up. Successfully hits the tricky point of being breathable and warm.

This is my second Ascendant and it still is my favorite jacket. The fit is just right and the stretch allows you to move freely and not think about the layer that you are wearing over your shirt. Its reasonably warm, and fits well under a shell. Highly would recommend.

Amazing breathability works at any temperature. Some days ski touring I wear it as my only layer on the way up and down.

This jacket is my new go to for around the town. I have packed it as an extra layer on long hikes; but my favorite use has truly been to wear around the city. It seems so light, but is quite warm for it's weight. I prefer OR men's line, and the Medium fit me well at 5'4" and a bit curvy. The arms are long on me but no so much that it is annoying or bothersome.

I was slightly skeptical when it was billed as the ultimate mid layer as I run hot during high output activities, but I have to agree with how this is advertised. It has replaced my other mid layers for winter excursions and will become a staple this summer as a early morning/high alpine/backpacking warmth layer. I am truly amazed at how well this layer breaths, but at the same time traps heat. I've used it for night skinning, puking snow skinning, windy days in the alpine, sunny days, lift accessed laps, I basically put it on regardless of the weather when outside in the winter. It is amazing! I rarely overheat or feel cold when wearing it and the only times I have is just when I'm wearing too much or too little to begin with. When skinning during a snow storm, the shell got damp, but I was dry on the inside. The hood is perfect for skinning in a ball cap, but wanting to shelter the ears and neck from the wind/snow/sun. I don't know if highly recommend is enough, but I have already raved about it to many a friends.

I have the hoodless version of this jacket, and wear it all the time. I love it so much, I decided to grab this one too. If I'm cold in my house - comfortable, lightweight, doesn't get in the way of motion. Great for outdoor activities. For ultrarunning events in 20 deg F temps, I'll wear a base layer and throw this on top. It stops most of the wind, is breathable, packs down in the pack when not being used, and gives a surprising amount of warmth. HEY OR: The zippers bounce and make noise when running - I can solve this by zipping the zipper handle into it own pocket, but then it is tricky to open it again with gloves. Check out how North Face, Salmon, etc design zippers so they don't bounce noisily while running.

The most versatile cold weather jacket for high exertion activity. Breathability while regulating warmth, is pure magic. Have worn it extensively for snowshoeing, AT skiing, backpacking and ice climbing. Never felt more comfortable in temps from 18 F to 30 F. Thanks OR !

Excellent all around coat for ski tours. I've had many days skiing in this coat this winter and it is my go to for back country ski days. Sheds light precip like a champ and you never feel clammy or wet when wearing it. Almost wind proof but some will get through on exposed windy ridges and the like. You can ski pretty hard on the up track and not feel too sweaty at the top during ski/skin transitions. Unless it's really cold I usually just ski in this coat all day. It is a little fragile and friends wearing the same coat have gotten minor tears when setting a track through tighter trees. I would not change the material though as it is the right combination for this activity. You just need to be wary. Awesome jacket.