REASONS TO BUY
Great mobility
Amazing breathability
Waterproof chest pocket
Helmet-compatible hood
REASONS TO AVOID
Doesn’t pack into pocket
Less waterproof than top models
Above average weight
Outdoor Research Foray Super Stretch Review
A very solid jacket with excellent breathability that provides strong waterproofing in all but the most extreme of situations
A decently sized chest pocket keeps items dry and easily accessible.
Credit: Craig D'Innocente
RELATED: The Best Rain Jackets for Men
Our Verdict
The Outdoor Research Foray Super Stretch is our Top Pick for Mobility and Freedom of Movement. An updated Gore-Tex fabric known as Paclite offers great breathability while maintaining waterproofing and durability. This fabric choice in conjunction with huge torso vents and a rear mesh panel makes the jacket comfortable and versatile in many different scenarios. However, it does compromise some waterproofing in the process, wetting out faster than other rain jackets in the line-up. Ultimately, this jacket is an excellent choice for those looking for a wind and waterproof shell with multiple use cases.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Outdoor Research Foray Super Stretch | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Rain Jacket |  Best Breathability and Mobility |  Best Bang Bang for the Buck | Best on a Tight Budget | |
| Price | $209.97 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $179.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $172.99 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $110 List $110.00 at Amazon | $59.99 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Highly breathable and versatile jacket which holds up well to any weather short of torrential downpour | This well-made jacket offers high-end performance without having to spend big dollars | This stretchy model offers excellent freedom of movement, making it a great option for someone looking for a jacket they can wear on the move | A well-made rain jacket that carries your dollar exceptionally far | An incredibly inexpensive layer for shoppers on a tight budget needing a rain jacket |
| Rating Categories | Outdoor Research Fo... | Patagonia Torrentsh... | Mountain Hardwear S... | Helly Hansen Loke | Columbia Watertight II |
| Water Resistance (45%) | |||||
| Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Comfort and Mobility (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Outdoor Research Fo... | Patagonia Torrentsh... | Mountain Hardwear S... | Helly Hansen Loke | Columbia Watertight II |
| Measured Weight (Men's Small) | 15.0 oz | 12.7 oz | 9.6 oz | 8.4 oz | 12.7 oz |
| Number of Fabric Layers | 2 | 3 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2 |
| Waterproof Fabric Material | 2-layer recycled Gore-Tex Paclite, 50D poly, stretch Gore-Tex panel, PFC-free DWR finish | 3-layer H2No Performance Standard 50D ECONYL (proprietary material) with a PFC-free DWR finish | 2.5-layer 50D Dry.Q (proprietary material) | 2.5-layer Helly Tech Polyamide (proprietary material) with a PFC-free DWR finish | 2-layer Omni-Tech (proprietary material) with mesh liner |
| Pockets | 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand |
| Pit Zips | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Pit Zip Length | Unmeasured | 11.5" | 12.5" | 11.6" | N/A |
| Stows Into Pocket | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Carabiner Loop in Stow Pocket | N/A | Yes | No | No | No |
| Helmet Compatible Hood | Yes | Yes, but very snug fit with partial coverage | Yes, but snug fit with partial coverage | Yes, but snug fit with partial coverage | Yes, but snug fit with partial coverage |
| Hipbelt Friendly Hand Pockets | No | No | No | No | No |
| Additional Features | Adjustable drawcord hood, YKK Aquaguard zippers, internal front storm flap, adjustable drawcord hem, adjustable Velcro cuffs, TorsoFlo 2-way side vents, key clip | 2-way adjustable and stowable hood, microfleece-lined neck, external and internal zipper storm flaps, chin guard, adjustable Velcro cuffs, drawcord hem, carabiner clip-in loop | Adjustable hood, adjustable Velcro cuffs, dual lower hem adjusters, carabiner clip loop | Adjustable hood, front placket/storm flap, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem | Adjustable hood, chin guard, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Outdoor Research Foray Super Stretch is a versatile and comfortable waterproof shell. A more mobile take on the classic Outdoor Research Foray II, this jacket includes an added rear Elastane panel for enhanced mobility. Notably, this panel remains watertight while also providing a sort of cross breeze through the jacket, which enhances comfort. Both the hood and waist hem are cinchable, providing several fit options. The hood is also large enough for helmets and other headgear, with both rear and front cinches for optimal waterproofing. The biggest draw of this jacket, besides the stretch-enhanced mobility, may be the side vents. Each vent runs from the waist past the pit to about a quarter of the way up the bicep, offering a huge potential for airflow. Overall, this jacket is an excellent choice for wind and water protection in a wide variety of situations.
Performance Comparison
This jacket is great for a wide variety of circumstances.
Credit: Craig D'Innocente
Water Resistance
Constructed with new Gore-Tex Paclite fabric, the Outdoor Research Foray Super Stretch does well in water resistance testing. It uses a 2L layup, meaning that the outer waterproof layer is sewn together with a lighter layer underneath for comfort. Under the simulated downpour of our shower test, most of the jackets performed well, but some areas under the most water pressure did saturate. However saturated, the jacket still kept water out but did lose that perfect 'beading' protection pretty quickly.
All zippers and seams are waterproofed excellently; even the Elastane section on the rear keeps water out despite its porous appearance. The hood comes down nicely over the forehead and makes use of a soft brim to keep water off the face.
Video of the shower test shows some areas wetting out, but overall still keeps water out.
Credit: Craig D'Innocente
Breathability
The baseline breathability of the Paclite fabric is very strong, but what makes this jacket truly excellent is its ventilation options. Both side zips cover huge areas, and the double zipper gives a wealth of different settings for any possible scenario.
One interesting feature of these vents is that if you bring the bottom zipper all the way up, the jacket essentially becomes a poncho. Using the top zipper, wearers can adjust the vents to any size at will, offering breathability far above the meager pit zips offered by most jackets.
Fully unzipping both vents from the bottom opens up the jacket to incomparable breathability.
Credit: Craig D'Innocente
Side vents aside, another great feature of this jacket is the rear Elastane panel. Despite its appearance, it is not at all water-permeable. What this means for the jacket is that when moving around, it facilitates a kind of crossbreeze, replacing stagnant air in the body of the shell. Between these two features, this jacket sheds heat very well, even at temperatures around 70° F.
Double zippered vents cover the full length of the torso and even extend a little up the arm.
Credit: Craig D'Innocente
Comfort and Mobility
This facet of the jacket is where the Foray Super Stretch really shines. Other jackets in the category can feel stodgy or bulky, but this is not a problem for this jacket at all. The rear panel is made of a fabric called Elastane, and this is the main namesake of the “Super Stretch”.
Situated in between the shoulder blades, this makes turning and arm movements very comfortable. This is not to undersell the mobility of the main fabric of the jacket, which also moves well with the user.
The Outdoor Research Foray Super Stretch allows a near-full range of motion, which is impressive coming from a rain jacket.
Credit: Craig D'Innocente
Outside of the stretch panel, this jacket is still very nice to move about in. Despite its high measured weight, it feels very light and mobile while it is on. The sleeve cinches have large velcro patches which are easy to adjust and fit nicely on the wrist. In the front of the neck, there is a smooth rubber-like panel which covers the zipper and prevents chafing on the upper neck and chin.
A large and helmet compatible hood provides good protection; dual cinches make sure it fits in many use cases.
Credit: Craig D'Innocente
Its hood has two sets of cinches, one on the back and a pair in the front by the neck. The front toggles rest near the wearer's sternum, which means the wearer either need to unzip the jacket a little or reach their hands down the neck to cinch which can a little awkward.
Showing full tightness of the front hood cinches; these toggles can be hard to reach without unzipping the neck of the jacket.
Credit: Craig D'Innocente
The tightness of the neck cinch can be set to the wearer's preference before it is immediately needed, but if it needs to be tightened in a pinch, it can be a little obtuse. The toggle releases do not have this problem but are stitched into the hood, which can be confusing at first.
Weight
Measured at 15 oz, this is quite heavier than a lot of other jackets in the lineup. Interestingly, this additional weight is not that noticeable while using the jacket; the breathability and stretch give the user a more airy feeling.
For ultralight trips, this is not our first choice. Due to the most stretchy material being located in the back of the jacket as opposed to being fully stretch material, the Foray Super Stretch does not pack down as small as one might think; it still manages to pack into a 32oz water bottle, but not without a bit of muscle. However, the versatility of this jacket makes it a great option for many expeditions, especially those with warmer temperatures or mixed weather.
Even on warmer days, the Super Stretch is a great option as a windbreaker or light shell.
Credit: Craig D'Innocente
Construction Quality
The Gore-Tex Paclite fabric used for this jacket is very strong, and holds up well to snags and rips. The choice to put a four-way stretch panel in a high traffic area rather than construct the whole garment from ultra-stretchy material means this jacket does not have to compromise durability to give it high mobility.
Every zipper is stitched well and lined up in such a way that prevents the fabric from getting caught. The waist cinch has a weak panel that broke during testing, but as long as the wearer takes care not to overtighten the cinch, it should hold. Notably, the broken panel didn't seem to affect the function of the cinch at all. This may be indicative of poor build quality, but nothing else on the jacket showed any problems. The waterproofing will need reapplication after a certain amount of use, but this is standard for modern waterproofing across the board.
Should You Buy the Outdoor Research Foray Super Stretch?
This jacket is an incredible multi-use option for those who need mobility in a wide variety of circumstances. Its huge vents and rear Elastane panel allow excellent dumping of heat in warmer situations, and the larger fit allows for bulkier mid-layers in colder climates. For mixed or unpredictable weather, this jacket is a great choice. For those who are expecting torrential rain day in and day out, there are other jackets in this category with stronger waterproofing. If you are a traveler or someone who lives in an area with diverse weather, this jacket is an excellent one-size-fits-all light shell.
Despite its mobility and light feel, the Super Stretch has no problem bushwhacking.
Credit: Craig D'Innocente
What Other Rain Jackets Should You Consider?
For those who need reliable, strong waterproofing, consider the Arc'teryx Beta SL or the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L. Another high mobility option that is remarkably breathable is the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Jacket for those who want a lighter full stretch jacket. If you're prepping for a backpacking trip or a big spring ski tour and you want that just-in-case jacket to stuff in the bottom of your backpack, the Outdoor Research Helium will do fine for light rains and only adds 6.5 ounces to your total gear weight.
—Craig D'Innocente
You Might Also Like
