Outdoor Research Foray 3L Rain Jacket Review

The Foray 3L Rain Jacket straddles the line in Outdoor Research’s lineup of jackets, landing somewhere between a lightweight rain jacket and something heavier to keep you warm in cool weather. Before testing, we weren’t sure if we’d like this grey area between the two, and we’ve got thoughts about what the Foray does well and where it could improve. Let’s dive in and discuss it!

The Rundown

The jacket is crafted from bluesign® approved 100% recycled 40D nylon. This is a great shout for those looking for something sustainably sourced, as it utilizes recycled materials and meets the standards of bluesign®. The material has a DWR finish and is highly durable, which lends itself well to long-term use. Still, it isn’t very breathable, which may deter some users (there are ways to stay cool with this model, but we’ll get into those later). That said, if you use the jacket in cooler weather, it’ll help trap some heat for added warmth. There’s no insulation, though, so make sure you layer up if it’s cold out there!

The interior has seam tape to keep water out. It performs incredibly well with the highly water-resistant materials and DWR coating. At no point in testing this jacket, from taking rainy spring walks around Detroit to hiking to remote waterfalls in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, did we experience any water permeating the shell. The material also has a little stretch, which is handy when you’re on the go or hitting the trail.

The jacket’s zippers are from YKK and are easy to use. YKK is the best zipper brand we’ve encountered, so we’re amped about the inclusion. We’ve had no issues so far!

In addition to the zippers where you’d expect, there are side zippers, too. These start where a pit zip usually starts (near your bicep) and continue all the way down the jacket. When fully engaged, it almost feels like you’re wearing two aprons, one on your front and the other on your back. This creates a gap between the front and back panels for air to flow through, which adds a ton of breathability when it’s sprinkling and you want to stay cool or after the rain stops and there’s still moisture on surfaces in your environment. We also found it convenient when carrying a travel backpack or daypack, as you could slip it under your coat in heavy rain. The jacket will keep you dry, but you won’t feel as hot as if you had them closed.

They can be challenging to use, especially if you have range-of-motion issues, as the zipper track ends near the edge of your armpit, which can be difficult to reach. It’s also challenging to get used to using them if you haven’t used pit zips before, but after a few sweaty walks, you’ll realize why they’re helpful. Plus, there are two zippers, so you can open from the top or the bottom or meet somewhere in the middle to have two sections open simultaneously for airflow at your waist and armpit.

The Outdoor Research Foray 3L Rain Jacket has an adjustable hood, which we dig. If you have a small or large head, it’s nice to be able to fit the hood to your noggin so you can stay dry and see out the hole.

The cuffs are adjustable with hook-and-loop fasteners, which is common among rain jackets. Still, these hook-and-loop fasteners are sturdy, which we appreciate since it’s frustrating to be cycling or hiking when they keep popping open. This is not the case for this jacket!

Similar to the hood and cuffs, the waist is also adjustable. It utilizes elastic, so you can cinch it if the weather worsens to keep gusts of wind and rain out. It’s easy to do, and the cinch stays out of your way if you aren’t using it. However, the cable only runs halfway around the jacket, as the pit zips cut off the access points, which can feel awkward at first but isn’t uncomfortable, and it works just as well as others we’ve tested that go all the way around the waist.

There are two hand pockets. One has a key clip, which is great if you’re taking a day hike or wandering through the city without a sling. Having a place to lock down your keys adds peace of mind to your carry, and we appreciate that.

There’s just one chest pocket, which works well for your phone, a snack, or a wallet. The pockets are basic, but not all Outdoor Research jackets have them, so we appreciate the inclusion.

Packability

We knew you would ask, so we’ll get it out of the way first. No, this isn’t a packable jacket. However, it packs down relatively small for its durability and waterproofness. If you’re willing to trade packability for performance, you can easily stow it inside your own stuff sack or fold it neatly inside your travel backpack or rolling luggage.

We think this is a solid choice if you need a rain jacket for home use and might occasionally travel with it. If packability is a huge concern for you, you can always wear it on the plane. That way, you don’t have to worry about stowing it inside your bag.

Fit Notes

Overall, the fit is comfortable. It isn’t as tight as more athletic options from Outdoor Research, and it isn’t baggy. Outdoor Research customer reviews for the jacket place it right in the middle between runs small and runs large, and that perfectly describes how we feel about it—looking for form-fitting or oversized? Go a size up or down!

If you’re wearing something super thin underneath or a tank top, the side zippers and thick materials can feel slightly abrasive, but not in a way that would stop us from recommending this jacket. It’s noticeable but not a huge negative.

The jacket is comfortable enough to wear all day, even with a sling or backpack. In testing, we wore this jacket on an 8-mile walk with camera gear around Detroit and a 5-mile hike to a waterfall in rural Michigan, and it performed well in both situations. For the durability and waterproofness it offers, the comfort is more than enough!