Love this jacket! Water and wind resistance, warmth, fantastic ergonomics, and great looking too. However, I was initially encouraged to order based on shirt size, under the premise that the sizing was close to what I would normally wear. I typically wear XL, so that is what I ordered. However, XL was just too baggy for me, especially around the waist. Note, Columbia does feature an adjustable waist cord which helps fitment quite a bit. But sleeve length was also excessively long, completely covering my hands while they were in the relaxed, side position. Note that my overall rating is still 5 stars. I exchanged the XL for the L and it fits PERFECTLY wearing only a shirt underneath. I love this jacket, how it looks, how it fits, and how it performs. Very comfy, very attractive fit. Color is true. Excellent for cooler/windier days here in Florida. I now plan on ordering an XL for colder weather conditions, using it as a weather/wind barrier on top of Columbia's very nice Steens fleece jacket in the L size. Purchased while on sale for only $60, very pleased with this purchase, despite having to exchange for a smaller size. Read more
This is my first Columbia product. Most Outdoor Adventure brands do not make Big and Tall men’s clothing. And I am both Big and Tall. So I have much difficulty finding clothes that fit me well and look good. I actually saw the jacket on a main Big and Tall Men’s clothing website. Went to Columbia website to find more details than the Big and Tall website had. Then I googled for reviews. That brought me to Amazon. I found that Amazon had the best price. The Big and Tall site was full retail. Amazon had it on sale. Actually matching Columbia’s own sale price. But, add Free Amazon Prime Shipping to make Amazon the better deal. So I decided to purchase from Amazon. The jacket arrived quickly. I live in Atlanta Georgia. We do not get a lot of extremely cold weather. What we do get usually comes in late January thru February. The jacket arrived just in time for our first cold snap. It arrived 3 days ago, but I just wore it outside for the first time this morning. Temp was 23F outside. Had some ice to scrape off the car windshield. The jacket was perfectly warm. Did not feel cold at all. Saw some people complained about the sleeve length. I am 6’ 3”, and when first putting on the jacket the sleeves do hang down to the knuckles on my hands. The sleeves have Velcro straps to cinch the sleeves against your wrist and seal out the cold air. I pulled the Velcro tight against my wrists and the sleeves felt fine. And it held in the body heat to keep me warm. I did not bother with the pull string for the waist size. But I know it is available if I needed it. I found the pockets were sized just fine. And the chest pocket was in a good location to put my phone and wallet to allow quick access when I went through the drive thru to get a coffee. Did not need to unzip the jacket and then dig inside to my shirt pocket, or pull up the jacket waist to reach a pants pocket. So I am very happy with that chest pocket. So, synopsis. The size was a good fit for a 6’ 3” 400 lb man. Fits me almost like it was tailored for me. The jacket was nice and warm in temps in the low 20’s. I am so happy that I am gonna take a chance and order a pair of matching gloves. Read more
I bought this Columbia Ascender Softshell Jacket for my son’s birthday, and it ended up being the perfect choice. As soon as he tried it on, he loved the look and the fit. Columbia really nailed the balance between comfort, style, and durability with this jacket. What stands out: Perfect fit: The sizing was spot-on. It has a clean, tailored look without being too tight, and it gives him plenty of room to move. Stylish design: The jacket looks sleek and modern, and he can wear it just about anywhere — school, running errands, going out, or even on a casual date night. Comfortable material: The softshell fabric has just the right amount of stretch, making it comfortable for all-day wear. It feels high-quality and sturdy without being heavy. Weather-resistant: It does a great job blocking wind and light rain, which makes it perfect for cooler Florida days or when the weather changes unexpectedly. Thoughtful details: The zippered pockets, adjustable cuffs, and chin guard are all small touches that make a big difference in everyday use. Columbia build quality: Like most Columbia gear, it feels durable and well-made. This is a jacket that will hold up for years. Bottom line: This was a great purchase and an even better birthday gift. My son loves how it feels and how it looks, and he’s already wearing it all the time. If you want a stylish, comfortable, and well-made jacket, the Columbia Ascender is absolutely worth it. Highly recommend. Read more
Jacket was great for lightweight, rain, and kept me pretty warm on a recent overseas trip. For the money it’s the best jacket especially in my size. If you are tall it will feel a little short. I am 5’10” and it just fits me length wise. Read more
Perfect size for me, Nice and warm when needed. Read more
Good quality. Warm. Looks nice on. Sleeves are a bit too long. Read more
This was exactly what I was looking for in a jacket (to be fair I was specifically looking for softshell jackets) at a good price (especially on sale). Accurate sizing, I like the zippered pockets, good quality, warm but not too heavy, all around great jacket Read more
Great fit and style. Love the Columbia Ascender Jackets. Very comfortable. Read more
