Pricey, but very good design and quality.

By DMM Ranked #1055 - Men's Softshell Jackets January 23, 2010

This is essentially the Marmot Genesis jacket (minus the hood). I have the Genesis, so here are my two cents.

Tough, but smooth, outer fabric. A little stretchy. Extremely resilient and abrasion resistant. Sheds wind and water. Yes, this is a soft-shell jacket; however, because the fabric is waterproof and the jacket is welded together (not stitched) and the zippers are "waterproof", it is fully waterproof (and thus, windproof). In my experience, it performs better than a Windstopper jacket.

Pit zips allow for venting. Outer pockets will not aid in venting much, if at all. It is considered an M1 soft-shell in the Marmot lineup - meant to be warm and highly resistant/impervious to the elements.

As to warmth, the inside is a thin fleecy layer bonded to the jacket. It is Marmot's driclime (a thin, but fuzzy polypro, with thickness between a Capiline 2 and 3). It traps heat and feels nice against the neck and chin, but it is not a thick fleece layer. The fit (standard, not athletic) allows for layering.

The jacket wicks and breathes, but does not breathe well enough for highly aerobic activity (hence the pit zips), unless the temps are very low or you run really cold.

Pockets are high enough to use with a pack.

Absence of a hood does not bother me, especially considering that the Genesis hood has limited adjustability and is a bit floppy without a helmet.

No other bells and whistles; however, it is an excellent 3-season jacket. I have used my Genesis for skiing, hiking, and around town. A friend uses his when skiing or climbing.

That said, it is not inexpensive. Yet, it performs as well as any Arcteryx or other high-end, windproof/waterproof soft-shell.

View Details: Marmot Ascend Softshell Jacket - Men's

Helpful Votes: 3 Yes