Worn alone, this is the perfect raincoat - breathable, impervious to rain, and weighs next to nothing. With a Super200 fleece and flannel shirt underneath I've worn this comfortably in 20 degree windy weather. So you get a four season jacket that is attractive, waterproof, and windproof - for $100 less than the other brands' versions. The seams and taping are flawless, the zippers work perfectly (once you get the hang of the double-ended zipper), and the fabric is very nice. The blue color is vibrant and rich. I take a 40R in jackets, and the medium size Ascent sits at crotch level. The bottom, and hood, drawstrings allow a lot of adjustment. Chin area is soft felt to avoid abrasion.
If you're tall and looking for a high performance waterproof shell without paying $500 or more, then this is your only choice - but luckily, this is an excellent choice. The design, features and apparent fabrication quality it absolutely top notch.
The only thing missing, to me, is a lightweight mesh liner that would allow you to wear the shell over just a shirt or sweater. The second small thing I'd like to see changed is the chest pocket, which has a somewhat small opening. I have a hard time getting things in and out of this pocket, despite it being large enough.
The adjustments on this jacket are great, so you can really customize the fit - especially the hood. Breathability and ventilation control are great. I'm 6ft 2in and 190lbs, so a medium tall fits me perfectly. There is still room for a down or fleece jacket underneath, yet the overall fit remains trim, not baggy.
Great jacket. Unbelievably light. Replaced a Mountain Guide jacket that came apart at the seams. In comparison, the Ascent is much lighter and the drawstrings on the hood seem to pull more evenly. Nice product.
I purchased this jacket about 5 months ago and found this top qulity shell to be outstanding for a range of activities. I live in Alaska and have used this in weather from 50 degrees to 20 below (fleece jacket under). It is very breathable and really keeps out the rain and snow even in windy conditions. I have used this for both hiking and in field work and it appears to be quite abrasion resistent and lightweight for its strength. Overall the best shell I have worn.
