Ascender Ii Softshell Vest men's

Usage:

• Specifically designed for hiking and outdoor activities, where a versatile layer is required that offers protection against the elements without restricting movement.
• Perfect for combining with other garments as a mid-layer or outer layer, easily adapting to temperature changes and variable weather conditions.
• Ideal for summer adventures and temperate climates, providing a windproof and water-repellent barrier without generating excess heat.
• Its sleeveless design ensures total freedom of movement for the arms, making it suitable for activities such as trekking, light climbing, or active daily use.
• A fundamental garment to keep the torso protected and warm when a full jacket would be too bulky or hot.

Features:

• Omni-Shield™ technology that provides advanced water repellency and stain resistance, helping to keep the vest clean and dry in light rain and splashes.
• Windproof construction that effectively protects against wind, improving the user's thermal comfort in exposed conditions.
• Four-way stretch softshell fabric that offers superior flexibility and a dynamic fit, allowing a full range of motion during intense activities.
• Bonded softshell exterior for greater durability and an optimized garment structure.
• Abrasion-resistant chin guard, designed to prevent irritation and increase comfort when the zipper is fully closed.
• Zippered side pockets that allow secure storage of personal items and offer a refuge for hands.
• Zippered chest pocket, strategically located for quick and secure access to essential items such as a phone or wallet.
• Adjustable hem with a drawcord that allows for a personalized fit at the bottom, sealing out cold air and optimizing body heat retention.
• This product has been made with a durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment free of PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as "persistent chemicals," representing a more conscious choice for the environment and user health.

Materials:

• Outer layer made of Nexgen Contour softshell fabric, composed of 100% polyester. This advanced material is characterized by its excellent balance between wind resistance, water repellency, breathability, and elasticity, providing comfort and protection in a wide variety of weather conditions and activity levels. The polyester used ensures notable durability, quick-drying capability, and ease of maintenance, being a robust and lightweight fiber.

Ecological Certifications and Brand Sustainability Practices:

• Columbia is a bluesign® System Partner, meaning it actively collaborates with suppliers who adhere to the rigorous bluesign® standards for sustainable textile production. This system focuses on resource optimization, consumer safety, reduction of water and air emissions, and occupational health and safety, thereby minimizing the overall environmental impact.
• The brand manages a comprehensive Restricted Substances List (RSL) to ensure that its products, including the materials and chemical processes used, are free of potentially harmful substances. This practice protects both consumers and the environment, complying with and often exceeding international regulations.
• Columbia Sportswear applies Manufacturing Practices Standards (SMP) in its supply chain, which establish clear guidelines on labor conditions, health, safety, and environmental management for its manufacturing partners, promoting a fair and safe working environment.
• The company uses the Higg Index, specifically the Facility Environmental Module (FEM), to assess and promote continuous improvement of environmental performance in its associated manufacturing facilities, focusing on reducing water and energy consumption, waste management, and emissions.
• Adoption of the Social & Labor Converged Assessment Framework (SLCP) as a tool to standardize social and labor audits, seeking to reduce duplication of efforts and promote greater transparency and improvement in labor conditions in the supply chain.
• Maintenance of a Materials Traceability Program that seeks to increase visibility and control over the origin of its product components, supporting the selection of more responsible and sustainable sources.
• Support for Fair Trade certification in some of its supplier factories, which ensures that workers involved in production receive fair wages, work in safe conditions, and can invest in community projects.
• Participation in the Carbon Leadership Project with selected factories, an initiative aimed at identifying and implementing measures for reducing the carbon footprint in production processes.
• Implementation of Solution Dyeing processes (Dope Dye / "Colored with Less Water") in a selection of its products, a dyeing technique that drastically reduces water, energy, and chemical consumption compared to conventional dyeing methods, decreasing environmental impact.
• Columbia's ReThreads Program encourages the collection of used clothing and footwear for reuse or recycling, promoting a more circular economy and reducing textile waste.
• Through initiatives like RISE (formerly HERproject), Columbia supports empowerment programs for female workers in its supply chain, focusing on health, finance, and leadership development.
• Additionally, the brand is part of various industry alliances and supports environmental conservation, labor rights, and supply chain transparency projects through its participation in: AFIRM Group (for chemical management), Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) Climate Action Corps, Apparel Impact Institute (Aii) with its Clean by Design program (for resource efficiency in factories), Transparency Pledge, the AAFA & FLA Apparel & Footwear Industry Commitment to Responsible Recruitment, and the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA).
• Columbia Sportswear also demonstrates its commitment to sustainability by aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), using Open Supply Hub (OSH) to improve its supply chain transparency, and reporting its sustainability performance according to the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards, in addition to publishing its Supply Chain Transparency Statement. The brand actively collaborates with foundations and organizations dedicated to conservation and social welfare such as Planet Water Foundation, National Park Foundation, Conservation International, Captains For Clean Water, Ocean Conservancy, and UK National Parks, and supports programs like Transition Projects and the Collegiate Outdoor Recreation Program.