Patagonia Ascensionist Softshell Jacket - Men's - 2008 BCS

This is a great softshell that can do it all! I wear it whenever I don't need my hardshell. It is durable and comfortable. Great for any outdoor pursuit!

Got this on sale and because I wanted a softshell with a hood. I got a large and also have a large-size Arcteryx Gamma MX. This one fits looser and is longer in the body and in the sleeves than the Gamma MX. It also doesn't have any fleece on the inside like the Arcteryx (but I knew this and actually this was a desired quality). So anyway, this is nice, stripped down softshell. It's pretty water-resistant but extremely breathable because it doesn't have any sort of fleece lining or a ton of pockets taking up space on the inside. The length is great for wearing a pack and my only minor complaint is that the collar is cut pretty high and sort of rubs against my chin in an awkward way. Pretty good jacket!

For those who were fans of the Patagonia Ready Mix, this jacket is everything the Ready Mix could have been. Super breathable, and amazingly durable. I use this as my go to softshell for just about everything climbing related.

love this jacket. great for expeditions, alpine, whatevs. it's legit. too legit. in fact, it's too legit to quit. it's indestructible and a bomber jacket that can take a shizzload of beating. i'd recommend sizing down. girlfriend had to actually size down 2 sizes from her normal pat size. for guys, at least one size down and you'd still have TONS of extra room for movement. i'm 6'2, 165lbs and small fits good enough to have several layers. get it!

If you accept it for what it is (not rain protection), this softshell is great. In particular, I like the long arms, the general athletic cut, and the large hood. It breathes super well, is pretty durable, and has only the features I need (ie, not too many pockets, etc.). Looks pretty good for the apres-climb too.

Cons: it's not a hard shell. So when the mountain is spitting a nasty mix of stuff at you, this is going to be the first layer to get wet. And get wet it will. That's a tradeoff I choose to make, but it's a choice you should make consciously, not unconsciously.

This is a great jacket and everything everyone else has said about it here. Very breathable, very durable fabric with no fleece lining bonded to the interior. The cut is great for my slim build, with great patterning (no extra material flapping around, but very well articulated.) I'd only take a half star if I could because there is one problem with this jacket that drives me up the wall: the tab bellow the collar that is meant to secure the hood. The tab borders on useless anyway, since I usually just cinch down the hood to keep it flattened against my back. But if the tab is not secured it wants to stand straight up and poke me in the back of the neck all day. The alpine version of Chinese water torture. I am on the edge of cutting the darn thing off. If Patagonia had put the flap on the backside of the hood and put the slots to hook it into on the inside, no issue. It is a pretty minor detail that mars an otherwise perfect alpine outerwear design.

I've worn this jacket around 65 times skiing this winter in Summit County, CO. Plenty of warmth over two thin layers for all but the coldest days. The only weak point in terms of warmth is how thin the jacket is when zipped in front of your face while facing strong winds (I don't wear anything on my face other than Dermatone). But on the other hand, if it was thinner it would lose some of its vast versatility.

Great fit, (I'm 6' 160#s, and wear a large with the hemcord tightened), super mobile, doesn't ride up and breathes well, even during high output activities like skinning and telemarking. Hood is large enough even for my stupidly large head wrapped in a helmet and it sheds (albeit light) snow with ease.

I've checked my sleeves with dismay after catching an arm on a branch at high speeds in the trees, only to find nothing but a slight skid mark. Durability, check. Warmth, check. Fit/comfort, check. Mad style, check. I've gone softshell, and will never go back, and am a converted patagucci lover.

Got this for resort and backcountry skiing. Hardshells aren't breathable enough for me unless it is very cold (20s or lower). This is my second softshell, and it has a better cut than the first one--full coverage down to the hips and no constriction in the shoulders (I'm 5'10, 165lbs). It's very breathable (I kept it on over mid-weight poly-pro and a dri-clime windshirt for most of the day during a 10 mile cross-country ski day in 35 degree weather). It did a good job of shedding the inch or two of wet snow that fell. My only minor complaint is that big gusts of wind can get through it when on the ski lift, but I probably wasn't wearing enough layers underneath. The hoods rolls up comfortably. Overall the best softshell jacket I've tried for skiing.

Had this jacket for a few months, love it, I am 6ft 3 inches 170# and wear the large, the length in the torso is perfect, overall it has a nice slim fit that can accommodate a thick fleece and baselayer. the only con is the sleeves are a little longer than I would like.

First my measurements. 45inch chest, 34 inch arm, 17inch neck, 36 inch waist. The XL fit me perfectly, not to snug not too baggy. My lady even said that it was good looking enough to wear around town.

I bought this jacket in the orange color. i got it for two reasons. one for running in the cold weather and two, for snowboarding.

I live in Chicago and during the winter i run outside, as long as it is above 0. I have taken this jacket out in the cold, 20's (not including wind chill) and have loved it. It stops the wind and keeps out the wet weather. Tonight there was freezing rain that were no chalenge.

The breathability is great on this jacket, I have yet to overheat. (even in slightly warmer weather 40s)

All around it is a great jacket for me needs, the fit is good, it serves its purpose and it doesnt bind up on me when wearing for a run or around town.

I've used this jacket ski touring, ice climbing, and skiing off lifts.

Pros: Breathes really well. Light. Blocks most wind. Hood fits great over helmet.
Cons: Not bomber windproof layer. Hood doesn't fit if not wearing helmet; it becomes a windscoop.

Sizing: I'm tall/slim 6'4" 200lbs. I have slim waist, broad shoulders. Large is almost perfect in torso, but not long enough. XL is long enough, fits shoulders fine, but I swim in it at the waist. Pick your poison.

Overall opinion: Performance-wise, I've enjoyed touring and climbing in this jacket. It really breathes well. I was cold in it skiing off windy lifts. Added an extra layer to my normal base+fleece and was good to go.

This is a TECHNICAL piece. I wanted to love this jacket-- indeed, I was in love with it from the neck down-- great color, fabric, sleeve length, cut. But, the hood is ginormous-- it completely slouches down and covers my face and the adjustments don't help. If you zipper the jacket up and don't use the hood, the hood crunches against the back of your neck and is uncomfortable. This would be a great piece for someone who wears a helmet, but if you're xcountry skiing, snowshoe hiking, this is not the jacket for you.