REASONS TO BUY
Breathable
Mobile face fabric
Cozy fleece liner
Technical features
Helmet compatible
REASONS TO AVOID
Not super warm or wind resistant
Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody - Women's Review
This is an active wear piece, through and through
Credit: Outdoor Research
Our Verdict
The Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody provides a unique balance of breathability and mobility. The active Polartec Alpha Insulation keeps you relatively warm in mild conditions, while the mobile face fabric does a decent job at wicking away a light rain or a soft gust of wind. That said, it is not very windproof, requiring an additional shell to keep you completely protected from the elements. It's also not a very warm jacket. While it doesn't offer these performance features, this is what makes it an exceptional activewear piece in all four seasons. If you're seeking a jacket that you can get sweaty in the cold months, this is a great choice; it's also perfect for cool weather or warm summer nights.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody is one of the most breathable and mobile insulated jackets out there. It off-loads heat easily while wicking away moisture with its super soft fleece-lined interior. Take it with you on your next sweaty endeavor!
Performance Comparison
Steph sports the uber-breathable OR Women's Ascendant Hoody that is perfectly cozy for morning coffee before climbing in Indian Creek.
Credit: Amber King
Warmth
Featuring 95 g/m2 Polartec Alpha Direct (100% polyester), this jacket provides decent warmth for the months of the Spring and Fall on its own. The breathable nature of this activewear jacket is not conducive to super cold winter days as a standalone piece, but it does a great job as a mid-layer in the wintertime.
Testing in the double negatives proves to be cold but awakening. Here we wear the OR Women's Ascendent with many layers in our testing process.
Credit: Amber King
Our testers found it performed just fine while moving on warmer days, but it does require an extra layer (like a shell or fleece) when temperatures dip into the 30s and 40s. That said, it does have a hemline cinch cord and a well-fitted hood that helps to lock in any generated warmth. If you're seeking a great jacket to run or cross-country ski in the winter, this is one of our favorites. It will keep you warm while you move; however, it will cool down quickly if you have to hang out in the snow for a while.
Weight & Compression
Wearing this jacket is comfortable and cozy because of its lightweight nature. Weighing in at just 11.74 ounces, many of our testers mentioned that they hardly noticed it on. While it is lightweight, it does not have its own stow-away system and the quilted-face fabric design. That said, it can pack down to about the size of a small handbag.
While it doesn't have its own stow-away system, it still packs down relatively small into its own hood. Because the hood has a cinch, this keeps it nicely compressed.
Credit: Amber King
To stash it away, we simply zip it up and roll it into its hood. By doing this, we were able to compress it to a modest size without the use of a smaller stuff sack. Even though this contender doesn't have its own stow-away system, it's a great lightweight piece that can still be used for lightweight missions.
Weather Resistance
The Pertex Microlight ripstop stretch-woven shell does a great job wicking away droplets of water and keeping out a light wind. However, this jacket is thin and will not keep you dry and warm in a downpour or a wicked wind. Given its lighter design, make sure to wear a thin wind shell if you choose to wear it by itself in windy conditions; or layer it under a rain shell when it rains.
Our shower tests show that the material does absorb but offers mediocre protection. Here we see the inside of the jacket after being under the water for two minutes.
Credit: Amber King
Comfort & Coziness
This is one of the more comfortable insulated contenders we reviewed. Slipping on this gem is like wearing a soft fleece because the entire interior is lined with a super-soft fleece liner. It's so warm and cozy that we wanted to wrap ourselves in it - even when we weren't outside. The fleece lining continues throughout the body, arms, hood, and even into the pockets of the jacket. While this is super cozy and comfortable, some of our testers mentioned that the fleecy nature of the material wasn't as easy to layer as others with smoother liners.
We compared comfort features of each jacket in this review. We especially loved jackets with fleece lining and mobile face fabrics like the OR Women's Ascendant.
Credit: Derek Stoddart
In addition to cozy fleece, we LOVE its thin, quiet, mobile face fabric that moves with you while you dyno for a climbing hold or hike through the mountains. The zippered breast pocket is large enough to fit a regular-sized iPhone, but not much else. The handwarmer pockets are larger and accommodate gloved hands, but we didn't like that they didn't have a zipper. This made us afraid to store anything of value inside of them; that said, the breast-pocket sufficed for that function.
The hood is helmet-compatible and provides a snug fit around the face with the pull of a string.
The stretchy fabric makes this jacket compatible with a plethora of hats and helmets. We also liked the cinch at the back.
Credit: Derek Stoddart
The hemline also has a cinch cord around the back that can cinch down the hem to keep out snow or lock in warmth.
A look at the cinch cord.
Credit: Derek Stoddart
The wrists are elastic (but not gusseted), allowing you to push them up quickly.
Elastic cuffs are featured here.
Credit: Derek Stoddart
Breathability
The Nylon 20-D face fabric and the fleece liner does an amazing job of wicking away moisture, keeping you cool on the move; this is an active piece, best used while moving onwards and upwards. While hiking in warmer desert conditions, we didn't have to take it off with just a single t-shirt underneath, as it moved moisture easily from our bodies to the air. This is one of the most breathable jackets tested.
Here we wear the OR Ascendant on a snowy (yet warm) hike with friends.
Credit: Amber King
Our favorite function is in cold weather. While it's not the warmest coat out there, it's one of our top choices for winter running. It off-loads heat and wicks away moisture, transferring it effectively to the exterior of the breathable face fabric, so moisture does not sit and cool next to the skin.
Style & Fit
Featuring a slim and athletic fit, many of our testers adored its color combinations and flattering design. The style is simple and athletic without any fancy patterning or stitching, and the continuous fabric features one color with contrasting color along its borders and throughout the interior of the fabric.
A look at the relative fit of this jacket. We liked its looser fit and longer arms and torso.
Credit: Derek Stoddart
The arms and torso are long enough to accommodate our longer-limbed testers, and the stretchy face fabric makes this jacket an excellent option for those with a larger chest or broader shoulders. Outdoor Research did an exceptional job of constructing this stylish yet straightforward hoodie jacket.
If you're not into hoods, the OR Ascendant is also available in a jacket or vest-style design.
Value
This is a moderately priced piece. If you're searching for an active-wear insulated jacket, this is a great option, but some jackets offer better warmth and performance for just a little bit more.
Hike, climb, run, and play! This jacket is perfectly suited to be worn on its own or above/below other layers. It functions well in all four seasons, providing unbeatable breathability.
Credit: Amber King
Conclusion
The Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody stands out for its fantastic breathability and comfort features. This lightweight insulated jacket is an ideal standalone piece during the warmer months or a fantastic mid-layer when the mercury dips below freezing.
This jacket is lightweight, mobile, and breathable. A perfect active wear piece.
Credit: Derek Stoddart
—
Amber King
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