REASONS TO BUY
Strategically placed breathable panels
Warm during motion
Fitted hood
Large chest pocket
Lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
Lacks thumb holes
Materials are not plush or thick
No hand warming pockets
Rab Ascendor Hoody - Women's Review
Blending breathability, warmth, and protection, this high-end fleece is specially designed for technical performance
We love the Rab Ascendor Hoody for its lightweight design and ability to thermoregulate on the go.
Credit: Amber King
Our Verdict
If you're in the market for a high-performance, technical fleece, the Rab Ascendor Hoody is our go-to. This lighter-weight fleece offers an impeccable balance of warmth and breathability, and is specially cut to comfortably wear with a hip belt or harness. The hood easily fits underneath a helmet, and other features include an insulated chin protector and a large chest pocket. It excels in cool weather as a standalone layer, offering protection from the wind and light rain. In a layered system, it's an excellent way to bump warmth. We only wish it came with a couple of hand-warming pockets and thumb holes, which would make layering much easier. Overall, this earns our accolades for its breathable and protective design. Check out our review of the best women's fleece jackets to see how it ranks against the competition.
Editor's Note: We added the Rab Ascendor Hoody to our lineup on December 9, 2023.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Rab Ascendor Hoody - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Lightweight Technical Performance | Most Versatile Women's Fleece Jacket |  Best Value for a Technical Fleece | Best for Stand Alone Warmth | Best Midweight Fleece on a Budget |
| Price | $125.00 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $159.00 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $100 List $99.95 at REI | $129.73 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $60 List $59.95 at REI |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Protective, breathable, and warm, this high-quality fleece hoody is designed for technical outings | A very versatile fleece that offers lightweight comfort and breathability but with the warmth of a midweight layer | An affordable full zip jacket that supplies technical performance without sacrificing a soft and cozy fleece interior | Warmth and comfort wrapped into a heavyweight fleece that we love to lounge in and wear during low-output activities outdoors | A simple, budget-friendly polyester fleece boasting soft fabrics and a cozy design |
| Rating Categories | Rab Ascendor Hoody... | Patagonia R1 Air Fu... | REI Co-op Flash Hyp... | The North Face Dena... | REI Co-op Trailmade |
| Warmth (25%) | |||||
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Layering Ability (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Rab Ascendor Hoody... | Patagonia R1 Air Fu... | REI Co-op Flash Hyp... | The North Face Dena... | REI Co-op Trailmade |
| Measured Weight (Size Tested) | 9.8 oz (Size M) | 10.4 oz (Size S) | 10.6 oz (Size S) | 15.6 oz (Size S) | 10.7 oz (Size S) |
| Type | Lightweight | Lightweight | Midweight | Heavyweight | Midweight |
| Main Material | Main: Thermic G 92% recycled polyester, 8% elastane. Second: 96% recycled polyester, 4% elastane |
5.7-oz 100% recycled bluesign-approved polyester jacquard with hollow-core yarns | 54% recycled polyester/35% nylon/11% spandex (bluesign approved) | Body: 50D Polartec (100% recycled polyester knit); Overlay: 70D x 160D 100% recycled nylon non-PFC DWR finish | 100% recycled polyester |
| Hood Option | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Number of Pockets | 1 chest | 2 hand, 1 chest | 2 hand | 2 hand, 1 chest | 2 hand, 2 interior |
| Features | Flat-seam stitching, under helmet hood, fleece lined chin guard, chest pocket, body mapped fit. | Off-shoulder seams, no armpit seams, moisture-wicking | scuba style hood, zippered hand pockets, hem draw cord | Very large pockets, durable fabrics in high-wear zones | Seamless construction, UPF 30, large pockets |
| Cuff Construction | Lightweight Thermic G™ grid elastic cuff | Quick-drying woven binding | Elastic cuff | Elastic cuff | LYCRA spandex binding |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Rab Ascendor Hoody stands out among the field of competitors for its technical. The lightweight design breathes well, keeps you warm, and has all the right features to help you keep comfortable in all types of weather. This jacket works just as well as a stand-alone jacket or in a layered system. We also love that the Ascendor Hoody is eco-friendly and made with a high percentage of recycled materials.
Performance Comparison
The thin fabrics coupled with lots of coverage makes this a wonderful companion for any most outdoor adventures.
Credit: Amber King
Warmth
Given its lightweight design, the Ascendor Hoody hoody offers a surprising level of stand-alone warmth. The brick-like fleece fabric construction offers a small level of standing warmth but does best when in motion. With a little extra insulation around the body and arms, it traps heat where you need it, but also allows heat to escape when it gets too warm. The recycled polyester fabric overlay offers increased wind resistance, better protecting your core on blustery days. We really appreciate that the hood fits underneath a helmet, and we love how the insulated collar helps keep your chin warm while standing still for long periods. Despite these improvements, this fleece still lacks the warmth of heavier options, making it best for high-output activities and not so great for hanging around camp.
We tested this fleece while cross-country skiing, hanging out at the crag, trail running, and hiking in the mountains of Southwest Colorado. We noticed that during high-output activities – where our bodies put out a lot of heat – it breathed quite well, ultimately keeping us from getting sweaty. Staying dry is crucial to staying warm, especially when it comes time to take a break. On colder days climbing at the crag, we were warm while moving on the rock. However, when it came time to belay (or stand still), the thinner design couldn't keep us warm for long, requiring us to pull on an insulated jacket.
Ashley tests the Rab Ascendor Hoody while hiking up the steep Bridge of Heaven trail in Ouray, Colorado. This fleece offers notable performance during high-output activities, like this one, and is our Top Pick for technical performance.
Credit: Amber King
Comfort
Comfort is key on any adventure, and this contender provides a nice level of comfort for all-day wear. The tiny polyester pockets that make up the interior construction of this jacket are comfortable against your skin, and the insulated chin protector is cozy enough to zip up during cold weather outings. We wish the Ascendor Hoody had hand-warmer pockets to add a little more storage and usability to the jacket, but we appreciate that the large chest pocket easily fits a phone. While this fleece is comfortable, it's far from plush or cozy, earning a slightly above-average score for comfort.
In terms of feel, the materials are soft and don't feel scratchy to the touch. The hoody offers a spacious and elastic fit with a fantastic range of motion. Movement while running, climbing, and hiking doesn't feel restricted, and the fabric doesn't bunch in weird places. The shoulders are spacious, and extra long sleeves and a longer torso provide coverage in all the right places. Although the face fabric wicks away water relatively well, it's far from water resistant – and certainly not waterproof – as it lacks tougher, more hydrophobic outer materials.
With a relaxed fit that offers excellent movement and coverage, this fleece provides all-day comfort.
Breathability
Any technical fleece needs to breathe well while still offering a certain level of warmth in cooler weather, and the Ascendor Hoody is a layer that breathes exceptionally well. The polyester fabric is composed of a brick-like design with thinner canals surrounding fleece islands. These canals allow heat and sweat to escape during high-output activities. What's unique about the design is the arms and head have larger fleece bricks than the back of the jacket, increasing the breathability of the back while keeping the arms, head, and front of the jacket warmer. The lightweight design includes very thin fabrics, which aids in the release of heat as well.
We put this jacket through its paces while running, hiking, and cross-country skiing. We could keep this fleece on when hiking up a very steep trail in 40 °F weather without getting too sweaty, but it was too warm to run in on sunny, desert days in the 50 °Fs. In colder weather – especially combined with a vest – it was a nearly perfect layer. Our lead tester tends to sweat, and the fabric dries out quickly when given the chance to air out. This balance of breathability and warmth is what ultimately makes the Ascendor Hoody an excellent option for technical performance.
The brick-patterned fleece tufts provide warmth while the canals between them provide exceptional breathability.
Layering Ability
Layering over and underneath this fleece is a breeze. When pulling it over long-sleeved base layers and tee shirts, it slid over the top of them with ease. We didn't notice the jacket catching or bunching, which is not always true with gridded fleeces. We also appreciate that there is extra room in the upper arms, providing a roomier yet athletic fit.
This lighter-weight fleece can also easily layer underneath another jacket or insulated coat. The harder face fabric slides well and doesn't catch or bunch. The only caveat to otherwise easy layering is the lack of thumb holes, which are always a nice option. But we do love that you can wear the hood comfortably underneath a helmet. Although the hood isn't big enough to fit over a helmet, it does articulate well enough pulled over a ball cap.
Layer this beautiful fleece over a baselayer or under a vest or jacket with ease.
Credit: Amber King
Weight
Another reason we absolutely fell in love with this fleece is the lightweight design. It weighs just 9.85 ounces (Medium size), making it a truly lightweight hooded fleece.
While it doesn't come with a stuff sack or a pocket that it can stuff into, it can roll up surprisingly small into its own hood. We could stuff most of the jacket into the chest pocket, which is pretty neat, and speaks to both the size of the chest pocket and the compressability of the Ascendor Hoody.
Not only is the Rab Ascendor lightweight, but it also packs to a tiny size making it a good option for many adventures.
Credit: Amber King
Should you buy the Rab Ascendor Hoody?
The Ascendor Hoody stands out for its ability to thermoregulate, making it our favorite for technical outings. The construction offers increased protection from the elements while releasing heat and keeping you warm in all types of weather. It's the fleece to choose if you need a new mid-layer that works as well in a system as it does as a standalone jacket. This hoody is really designed to perform while you sweat, and isn't as great if you want a fleece for hanging around camp. This is our top choice if you're willing to trade cozy, thick materials for technical performance.
What Other Fleece Jackets Should You Consider?
If you want a fleece that offers a better balance of coziness and technical performance, check out the [Patagonia R1 Air Full Zip Hoody. The R1 Air also offers excellent thermoregulation, but the fuzzy interior is a bit warmer. The Outdoor Research Vigor Grid Quarter Zip is another consideration that offers excellent thermoregulation in an even thinner shell. If technical performance isn't a priority, the Columbia Benton Springs Full-Zip is a cozy, stylish fleece ideal for hanging out in town or around the house.
—
Amber King
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