Bottom Line
The Outdoor Research Foray (men’s) / Aspire (women’s) is one of our favorite rain jackets for breathability. This jacket dumps heat like no other, thanks to huge zips that allow hikers to unzip it way up the sides. Double zippers allow the coat to open from the bottom up when things heat up. Hikers who run warm on their hikes will love this feature in a robust jacket.
The fabric’s two-layer construction provides a higher degree of weather resistance than initially expected, and this model repelled heavy rains in stride. The jacket’s chin and hood cinch down to create a tight opening around the face to keep out moisture. We loved this option for Alaska’s cold autumn rains.
The fit of this shell was somewhat puzzling as it is on the roomier and boxier side. Hikers with a fuller torso will fit this better than those more slender. While the huge side zips are great for dumping heat, they often bunch and create a pinch point under a backpack waist strap. The waist cinch only tightens the rear of the jacket, creating a somewhat awkward fit when cinched down. For those needing a solidly built rain shell with superb weather resistance that can dump heat in a hurry, look no further than the Outdoor Research Foray II / Aspire II.
Quick Specs
Outdoor Research Foray 3L / Aspire 3L
Best Rain Jacket for Ventilation
CleverHiker Rating: 86/100
Price: $250
Listed Weight: 11.9 oz. / 11.7 oz.(men’s / women’s)
Pros
- Extra-long pit zips for unrivaled ventilation
- Durable materials
- High-quality construction
- Deep handwarmer pockets
- External chest pocket
- Supple, flexible material
- Many colorways
- Packs small into its own pocket
Cons
- A little pricey
- A bit tight for those with wide shoulders
Comfort & Mobility
During testing, the fit and comfort of the Outdoor Research Foray left us a bit puzzled. The jacket felt very boxy and big through the torso and arms. Though this jacket may suit someone with a larger build, the medium size we tested didn’t work well for a leaner frame.
The large zippers for ventilation added excess material that often bunched and pinched under backpack waist straps. The hem drawcord only cinches the back and would not stay in place. It made for an awkwardly bunched fit at first that relaxed over time. We loved the brushed finish around the chin, which gave a comfortable feeling to the skin.
The loose fit of this jacket made it highly comfortable and allowed for unrestricted mobility. The material is highly dynamic and slightly stretchy to accommodate movement. We never felt impeded or stretched to the max in this coat and enjoyed it for wide movements while still maintaining full coverage.
Weather Resistance
We loved the rain shield this jacket provided in heavy fall rain in Alaska. We never found it leaking and appreciated its fully taped zippers on the front and chest. Our only wish was for taped vent zips and pockets. However, the flaps kept those adequately covered and resistant to precipitation.
The hood’s brim shed moisture out and away from the coat, and anything landing on the front was quickly repelled. The cuffs did not experience notable leaking and could be cinched down snuggly to keep out heavy moisture. We will be using this jacket for more heavy rains and extended exposure to the elements.
Ventilation
The Foray’s hallmark feature is the double-zippered vents that run from the hem to the triceps. Zip down from the top to open a small ventilation area, or unzip from the bottom to get the airflow moving. This is a truly unique aspect of the jacket, as it can almost unzip in half along the sides, allowing for unprecedented airflow.
When wearing the Foray fully sealed up in rainy conditions, we found it much warmer than the others we tested. We recommend this model for cold rains and fall temperatures. This would be the perfect jacket for lower activity levels or for layering with warm mid-layers to create a super warm and waterproof system. We overheated in a warm summer rain wearing this model, but that was quickly fixed thanks to its huge zips.
Durability
The Foray stood out during our testing as an extremely durable option. While we were initially skeptical of its two-layer construction, often impartial to three layers for durability, it stood up well over our testing and is a great heavy-weight option. While this is a heavy jacket, it makes up for that with its superb durability. The Foray is the perfect choice for hikers facing unforgiving terrain. The elbows and hems held up to regular contact with the ground, and the shoulders showed no wear after multiple sessions with a heavy pack. This is a great jacket for heavy use.
Weight
The Outdoor Research Foray is one of the heaviest jackets we tested, weighing one pound in a men’s medium. This is much higher than OR claims (their website reports 11 ounces), and we noticed the excess weight. This high weight is likely due to the large vent zippers and burly construction.
Packing down a jacket with this many zippers proved to be a challenge and it is likely not the best choice for those with limited space on a long hike where lightweight packing is paramount. It does not pack into its own pocket and packing it into a ball created a larger space than others we tested. The Foray is best suited for front country or shorter backcountry adventures where the extra weight is not a hindrance.
Should You Buy the Outdoor Research Foray / Aspire?
The Outdoor Research Foray is the perfect jacket for those who run warm and need serious ventilation. Thanks to its huge double zippers, ventilation is a breeze. Those with larger bodies will fit this jacket better, and although the fit sometimes felt awkward, we loved some thoughtful features like waterproof zippers and a brushed collar against the chin. This is one of the heavier jackets we tested, but this results in a highly weather-resistant and durable jacket. This is a great choice for those exposed to heavy precipitation in cooler climates and is sure to perform under heavy rain and wind.
What Other Rain Jackets Should You Consider?
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Review: With a similar construction and high weather resistance, the Torrentshell is a well-aligned option with the Foray.
Montbell Versalite Review: If you are prioritizing ventilation, then the Monbell Versalite is the perfect next choice for a highly breathable jacket.
REI Rainier Review: The REI Rainier combines durability with an accessible price point. If you’re after durability but are looking for a lower price point, then the REI Rainier is the answer.
