Reviews You Can Rely On

Columbia Ascender Review

This casual jacket from Columbia is great for outings around town, day hikes and light activity, though is not designed for climbing or skiing pursuits
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columbia ascender softshell jacket review
Credit: Columbia
Price:  $115 List
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Manufacturer:   Columbia
By Ryan Huetter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 17, 2017
57
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Weather Protection - 30% 7.0
  • Breathability - 30% 5.0
  • Mobility - 20% 5.0
  • Weight - 10% 6.0
  • Features - 5% 3.0
  • Style - 5% 6.0

Our Verdict

The Columbia Ascender is a softshell jacket that is best suited for trips around town, light hikes outdoors, and other low output activities. It is an affordable layer, has a fleece backing that makes it cozy and warm, and looks great paired with jeans, hiking pants, or even slacks on the way to the office on a cold fall morning. Of any of the softshells with casual settings in mind, this is one of the most budget-friendly.
REASONS TO BUY
Warm
Stylish
Inexpensive
Durable
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Doesn’t stretch
Few pockets
Boxy fit
Wrist closures are bulky

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Columbia Ascender jacket is an inexpensive, good-looking coat that is simple and durable. It has relatively few features and is not very mobile, so its usefulness is limited to casual outings that do not demand high performance.

Performance Comparison


columbia ascender softshell jacket review - the wind kicked up on the approach to go ice climbing. pictured left...
The wind kicked up on the approach to go ice climbing. Pictured left to right: Patagonia Knifeblade Pullover, Ascender, OR Ferrosi.
Credit: TJ Brumme

Weather Protection


This jacket scored a 7/10 for weather protection. The hooded version of this jacket would have scored higher, but for the weight, we were disappointed. We found that the DWR coating adequately shed water and snow, but the wind whipped right through when walking around the neighborhood on chilly days. In less extreme conditions, we found the wind resistance to be adequate. The light fleece backing made this one of the warmer jackets we reviewed. It was warm enough when walking with just a light sweatshirt underneath, but we were chilled when standing around in 30-degree weather. The adjustable cord on the hem easily lost its stretch, making it difficult to get a tight fit around the waist to keep out cold drafts from coming up the back.

Breathability


The Ascender scored pretty low in breathability tests. The trade-off for high breathability, however, is weather resistance.

For casual softshells, we like jackets that fit somewhere in the middle, like the Ascender. They are weather-resistant enough to block a lot of wind and light precipitation, but breathable enough that you won't sweat your way down Broadway.

Mobility & Fit


This model is the second least mobile softshell jackets that we tested due to the poor cut and lack of stretch. The lack of stretch means that the user's movement feels restricted, so we were more inclined to wear this on walks and other activities where we did not have to move around as much. For activities such as rock or ice climbing, we prefer jackets that stretch have gussets under the arm. The Ascender has neither.

columbia ascender softshell jacket review - casey shows us the falling cuffs, also notice how much the jacket is...
Casey shows us the falling cuffs, also notice how much the jacket is pulling up at his waist. This is not a very mobile softshell.
Credit: Jeremy Bauman

Weight


Lacking a hood, and any useful features aside from three pockets, the lower weight is not necessarily an endorsement. Those wishing for added features and protection would happily accept a small weight increase to get the wind and water resistance offered by a similarly weighted coat.

Features


Compared with top-tier softshell jackets, the Ascender falls behind. Lack of mobility aside, poor quality seams and wrist closures are our biggest complaint about this jacket. That said, we loved the zippered handwarmer pockets while strolling through town in style. Lined with a light fleece material, our hands were cozy inside even without gloves on during chilly walks. The zippered chest pocket is also large enough for a phone or power bar.

columbia ascender softshell jacket review - when cinched tight, the cuffs are bulky, but they aren't large...
When cinched tight, the cuffs are bulky, but they aren't large enough to fit over many ski gloves.
Credit: Jeremy Bauman

Style


This jacket comes in some neutral colors and has a decent cut. That said, we preferred the look of the Arcteryx Gamma MX Hoody.

columbia ascender softshell jacket review - notice how the jacket is starting to pull out of the harness. this...
Notice how the jacket is starting to pull out of the harness. This was not a very mobile softshell.
Credit: Gentrye Houghton

Value


If you don't need something super technical, this jacket offers decent value for its low price.

Conclusion


The Columbia Ascender is an inexpensive softshell that provides more protection than a heavyweight fleece. It works well around town but lacks the breathability and mobility that we require for serious outdoor ventures.

Ryan Huetter