Outdoor Research made a few amendments to the Transcendent Hoody since we tested it, including changes to the pockets, fabric, and baffle pattern. See the updated version below on the left, followed by its predecessor on the right.
Since we haven't tested the updated version, the following text is in reference to the green model shown above.
Offered in an array of two-tone color options (ours was Pewter and Lemongrass), with a standard fit that leans towards the athletic, the Transcendent Hoody looks cool. Due to the features that help fine-tune the fit, we used it primarily as an outer layer on some big days in the mountains. It also served us well as a mid-layer with a hardshell over the top, and in both layering applications, it performed well. When our athletic endeavors got aerobic or the weather got a little wet, the 20 denier ripstop outer did what most down jackets do in the rain — got wet — but it did prove to serviceably wick, keeping our testers dry from the inside.
The Transcendent Hoody is reasonably compressible and won't take up much room in your pack, but it isn't ultra-light like the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hooded. The jacket packs down into its own pocket, but it serves better as a pillow than when it is clipped to your harness on a multi-pitch. The 650 fill-power of the Transcendent Hoody is on the lower end of the jackets we tested, which factors into both a little added weight, but also the low cost. In spite of this, it still manages to be functionally warm.
To see how the OR Transcendent Hoody stacked up against the competition in our overall rating above.
More than likely, the most critical consideration when buying a down jacket is how warm it will keep you (or very possibly, this consideration is secondary to whether or not it makes you look fat). Regardless, the Transcendent Hoody is definitely warm enough. A well designed and well-crafted garment, the Transcendent Hoody keeps the weather out and your heat in.
Drawstrings in the hood and waist help minimize drafts and elastic in the cuffs keep the sleeves in place over your gloves. The ultra-durable 20 denier ripstop polyester shell is incredibly wind resistant. The most significant limitation to the warmth of the Transcendent Hoody is the 650 fill-power down. Despite this, it compares well to the warmth of the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody (with 800 fill-power down, fewer design features), and is without doubt warmer than the Columbia Outdry Ex Gold or the Mountain Hardwear StretchDown Hooded. We awarded it six out of 10 points for warmth.
A jacket this solid won't be a featherweight. At 1 lb. 0.7 ounces, the Transcendent Hoody is on the heavier side of the lightweight down jackets we've tested in the last two years, a bit heavier than the Rab Microlight Alpine. Yet, along with a little extra weight, you get a tremendous amount of durability and weather protection. A great design with well-chosen features such as drawstrings at the front and back of the hood, an internal front storm flap, and fleece-lined pockets; you won't begrudge the extra ounces when you are snug in the Transcendent Hoody on a stormy day. Five out of 10 points.
Getting your down jacket wet is an excellent way to get started down the road toward an epic in the mountains, particularly if you then manage to get snowed on for an extended period of time. Like the great majority of down jackets, the Transcendent Hoody will saturate even in a light rain if it's consistent enough.
Despite having a DWR coating applied to the outside shell of the jacket, we found that in a light rain it was less effective than most, and the fabric was quick to absorb water like the Mountain Hardwear StretchDown Hooded. Not only that but OR chose not to use hydrophobic down in this model. Don't ditch the rain shell if wet precipitation is in the forecast. Five out of 10 points.
When it comes to fit, we thought that much like our Editors' Choice Award-winning Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoody, the Transcendent Hoody offered great freedom of mobility.
That said, we also felt that it ran a bit large in the torso area, and was slightly on the baggy side. We wouldn't go so far as to say that it was designed with the extra girth of the REI Co-op Magma 850, but we still thought it could have been a bit trimmer. This is a relatively small complaint, however, and overall we felt like this was a very nice fitting jacket. 8 out of 10 points.
The Transcendent Hoody is a great stash-away layer for big ski tours or climbs of big cold peaks like Denali or Rainier. It also serves well as a light belay jacket, as it includes two giant internal stash pockets for storing extra items such as climbing shoes or water bottles. We liked how small this jacket packed down, much smaller than in previous years, and it stashes into its own pocket with ease.
We have also found that the down of the Transcendent Hoody has shown little to no loss of loft after languishing at the bottom of packs, being used as a pillow, and used daily for months. One of the better characteristics of this jacket, we awarded it eight out of 10 points.
The design of the Transcendent Hoody has little room for improvement (perhaps 800+ fill-down in the next iteration?). A minimum of extras reduces the number of the things that might break and helps keep the weight of the Transcendent Hoody somewhat in check. Oversize zip pulls on the hand warmer pockets and the front zipper makes adjusting layers without taking off your gloves a cinch. Spacious internal stash pockets give you a spot to stash gloves, bottles, and your snacks when resting, and were, without doubt, our favorite feature.
We can't say enough how much we love having these pockets! Drawstrings on the hood allow you to dial in the fit over a beanie or a helmet with equal ease. There are strong similarities in the design of the Columbia Outdry Ex Gold and the Outdoor Research Transcendent Hoody, with the notable exception of face fabrics, but the latter definitely has a more mountain-ready design with greater adjustability of the hood, water bottle pockets, and a Napoleon pocket.
Our only complaint is that the hem drawcords weren't recessed into the hand pockets, instead leaving a drawcord to dangle, something that drives us nuts. Overall it tied for the best in the review with the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody, receiving a solid nine points.
Use this jacket as part of a layering system for the big days when you can throw it in a pack. Its fit will accommodate layers underneath it, while still being trim enough to throw a hardshell over the top. Ski touring, alpine rock, and mountaineering are great activities for this jacket. Due to its trim, stylish look, it also makes a good choice for wearing around town without looking like a mountain guide. This is truly a do-anything jacket, as long as you don't let it get wet.
This jacket retails for only $225. It is a great jacket and is a steal for such a low price. The result is it was a very easy choice for our Best Bang for the Buck Award.
Though not the warmest or the lightest, the Transcendent Hoody will keep you sheltered in a storm for a lot longer than many jackets on the market. It has perhaps the most ideal set of features for use as a climbing or skiing jacket and looks good enough to wear anywhere you want to go, not just in the mountains. It is also made using only responsibly sourced down, so is a great choice for the conscience. The best thing about this jacket is the price, a low $225, making it our Best Bang for the Buck.
