Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody vs Rab Microlight Alpine Down

Weight and specs compared for 2026 — and which one to choose.

Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody is the lighter option — 2 g lighter than the Rab Microlight Alpine Down (1% less weight). If grams matter to you, that is the one to beat.

Spec	Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody	Rab Microlight Alpine Down
Weight	340 g · 0.340 kg · 0.75 lb	342 g · 0.342 kg · 0.75 lb
Brand	Outdoor Research	Rab
Category	Clothing - Mid Layer	Clothing - Mid Layer

Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody

340 g

Polartec Alpha Direct fleece for high-output activities.

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Rab Microlight Alpine Down

342 g

750-fill down jacket with Pertex Quantum shell.

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Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody vs Rab Microlight Alpine Down: which should you buy?

If saving weight is your priority, the Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody wins — at 340 g it is 2 g (1%) lighter than the Rab Microlight Alpine Down (342 g). That said, the heavier option may justify the extra grams with more capacity, durability or comfort, so weigh the trade-off against how you'll use it.

See where both rank against everything else in this category on the lightest clothing - mid layer page, or browse the full gear weight database.

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