Rab Ascendor AS pants - Reviews? Comparisons?

https://rab.equipment/us/women-s-ascendor-as-pants

I'm curious to hear opinions on the fit and fabric weight of these pants. Fit-wise, I'm most concerned about them being too tight, but it's hard to tell from the photos since I have a different build than the models.

Some other softshells I have for comparison:

• Patagonia Simul Alpine (~2016?), size 2: For me the waist sits really high, so I have to cinch it 2" tighter. The upper leg is the right size but not flexible for high steps, and the lower leg is just right. I like that the thigh pocket sticks out a bit from the pant leg. Temperature-wise, I use them in the 60s rock climbing, and with 2 base layers for moderate to warm ice climbing.
• Arc'teryx Psiphon SL, size 4: The rise is a bit low. They didn't have size 2 when I bought them so I clip the belt tighter. The upper leg on these is also not flexible enough for high steps. I find the lower legs very loose. The fabric feels more papery and less breathable than the Simul Alpine pants. I don't love having to deal with the belt buckle to pee. Also, the pockets are tiny. I've worn them for colder rock climbing with 1 base layer, but I can't fit more layers underneath so I haven't tried them in winter. 

For use case, I'm looking for something similar to or slightly warmer than the Simul Alpine pants, for high Sierra rock and not-too-cold snow/ice. Other pluses are a non-feminine but not-baggy fit, a color (I wear "too much black"), and a fly that's easy to manipulate with gloves.

Thanks in advance!

They’re my go to climbing pant for alpine and ice. They have great durability, stretch, and are the perfect weight for an all-around option. I wear them down to about 20F with just a base layer, which is not to say that they’re heavy, I just run pretty warm.

In terms of fit, the men’s version is slim but not tight through the waist, butt, and thighs, with room for layering. The lower leg has some taper, which I really like. They fit very well over my double boots in the winter. The scuff guard works well since it isn’t laminated to the soft shell material, meaning if you cut the scuff guard, you probably didn’t put a hole through the inner layer.

I think you’ll find them to be heavier than the Simul Climb pants and probably will check all your boxes. The only thing they’re missing are suspenders, but you can easily add some since the loops/tabs are there already.

If you’re concerned about a feminine cut, maybe try the men’s. Fly is no problem with gloves

Definitely check them out!

John Edwin wrote:

They’re my go to climbing pant for alpine and ice. They have great durability, stretch, and are the perfect weight for an all-around option. I wear them down to about 20F with just a base layer, which is not to say that they’re heavy, I just run pretty warm.

In terms of fit, the men’s version is slim but not tight through the waist, butt, and thighs, with room for layering. The lower leg has some taper, which I really like. They fit very well over my double boots in the winter. The scuff guard works well since it isn’t laminated to the soft shell material, meaning if you cut the scuff guard, you probably didn’t put a hole through the inner layer.

I think you’ll find them to be heavier than the Simul Climb pants and probably will check all your boxes. The only thing they’re missing are suspenders, but you can easily add some since the loops/tabs are there already.

If you’re concerned about a feminine cut, maybe try the men’s. Fly is no problem with gloves

Definitely check them out!

Thanks, that's helpful! Sounds like the use case is spot on for me. I wouldn't have thought about the scuff guard thing.

Men's is out of stock right now so I'm hoping someone will weigh in on the women's.

Can anybody tell me how the fit is on these pants? Do you think they run small or large for their respective size? I’m a 31” waist and that lies between a small and a medium so just trying to figure which way to go. Thanks.

I bought a Large 34" and they measure a true 34" waist. They also have elastic on two sections of the waistband so they can stretch a bit more than stated size. 

They're a somewhat trim fit, not as trim as the Mammut Eisfeld Advanced SO pants I ended up going with. Sent the Rab's back so I can't give you actual field results.