Backside Line
The Out of doors Analysis Foray (males’s) and Aspire (girls’s) rain pants are a standout alternative for sturdiness and luxury. In case you’re on the lookout for breathable, versatile rain pants to sort out moist, sloppy circumstances—and even spring snowstorms—these prime performers have you ever lined.
Distinctive options like suspenders attachments and optionally available inset stirrups (each bought individually) assist hold the pants cosy on the waist and sealed over your boots, making them nice for harsh climate. The ¾-length zippers, operating from ankle to mid-thigh, are one other spotlight. These seam-sealed zippers allow you to ventilate as wanted to dump warmth throughout intense exercise and make it straightforward to take the pants off with out eradicating your sneakers.
Whereas they’re on the pricier facet, the Foray and Aspire pants ship distinctive weatherproofing, sturdiness, and performance. Obtainable in brief and tall sizes, they’re an ideal match for varied physique sorts. For critical out of doors adventurers, these rain pants are well worth the funding. For all of our rain pants suggestions, see our information to the very best rain pants of the yr.
How We Examined
Over a 60-day interval, we examined the Foray pants in soggy Minnesota winter rains, frigid temps, and lengthy hikes on the Ice Age Path. We additionally scrambled via boulder fields in Colorado’s Poudre Canyon to actually stress take a look at their sturdiness.
Fast Specs

Out of doors Analysis Foray / Aspire
Finest Sturdy Rain Pants for Chilly & Moist Climate
CleverHiker Score:
4.6/5.0
Value:
$199
Weight:
13.6 oz. / 13.2 oz.(males’s / girls’s)
Zipper Size:
Thigh
Professionals
- Elastic waist with drawcord
- ¾ size zippers
- Quiet materials
- Compact dimension
- Glorious air flow
- Attachments for suspenders & inset stirrups
- Inclusive sizing
Cons
- Value
- Just one rear pocket
- Saggy / runs massive
Consolation & Mobility
For 3-layer pants, the Forays transfer surprisingly effectively. The articulated knees are a standout characteristic that makes it straightforward to scramble over logs or sort out steep ascents. The gusseted crotch is one other win, supplying you with freedom to high-step or crouch with none awkward binding or pulling. The movement-mirroring stretch nylon is implausible characteristic that’s usually disregarded in rain gear. Our testers observed little or no resistance on steep boulder subject climbs in Colorado’s Poudre Canyon.
Match-wise, they strike a pleasant stability. They’re roomy sufficient to layer beneath with out wanting such as you’re carrying a rubbish bag, however not so saggy that they’re flapping within the wind. The adjustable waist with belt loops is clutch for dialing in your excellent match, and the elastic cuffs hold them from driving up while you’re transferring.
One minor gripe – they’ll get a bit clammy throughout high-intensity actions, even with the facet zips totally open. The inside material isn’t notably tender in opposition to naked pores and skin, however your base layer takes care of that minor ding.
General, they nail the comfort-to-protection ratio and earn excessive marks in our picks.
Climate Resistance
The Forays are a top-tier alternative in terms of climate resistance, and so they’ve earned their repute for standing as much as powerful circumstances.
First off, OR’s proprietary AscentShell™ Dry know-how delivers breathability, waterproofing and wind resistance, preserving moisture out and permitting sweat to cross via for optimum moisture administration. Then, the outer material is handled with Nikwax Direct.Dry, a high-performance, sturdy factory-applied sturdy water repellent (DWR) end. Lastly, full seam taping and YKK AquaGuard® zippers hold moisture from leaking in on the seam. The tip result’s reliable waterproofing, even in heavy downpours, but you received’t really feel such as you’re in a bagged sauna.
What actually units the Foray aside is how effectively it handles each rain and snow. The sturdy development shrugs off intense storms and retains your legs dry even when mountaineering via moist brush or sitting on damp floor. The addition of seam-sealed ¾-length zippers enhances their weatherproofing, whereas additionally making it straightforward to regulate air flow with out compromising safety.
These pants additionally carry out effectively in windy circumstances, preserving chilly air out whereas staying light-weight and versatile. For anybody heading into unpredictable climate, the Foray rain pants are a dependable layer you may rely on to maintain you dry and cozy. Whether or not it’s a wet path day or a shock snow flurry, they’re constructed to deal with all of it with ease.
Air flow
On the subject of air flow, the ¾-length zippers are the star characteristic right here, operating from the ankle as much as mid-thigh. These seam-sealed zippers are extremely versatile, permitting exact airflow management. Whether or not you want only a bit of additional air flow or wish to dump warmth rapidly throughout a steep climb, these zippers have you ever lined (or uncovered).
What’s nice is how the design balances air flow with climate safety. Even when partially unzipped, the pants nonetheless do a strong job of preserving rain and wind out, so you may keep snug with out sacrificing dryness. On prime of that, the zippers make it straightforward to slide the pants on or off over boots, an enormous bonus in chameleon climate circumstances.
The AscentShell Dry material additionally performs a task, providing breathability to forestall overheating throughout intense exercise. Whether or not you’re mountaineering in humid climate or working up a sweat on the path, these pants assist regulate temperature and hold you snug.
Weight
The Out of doors Analysis Foray / Apsire rain pants knock it out of the park when stepping on the dimensions. Whereas they aren’t the lightest rain pants available on the market, they’re nonetheless impressively packable for a 3-layer rain pant. At simply over 13 ounces, they’re light-weight sufficient to hold in your pack with out feeling such as you’re including pointless bulk, but heavy-duty sufficient to deal with tough circumstances and frequent use.
The engineers at OR made the many of the total weight by packing in helpful options, like ¾-length zippers for air flow and straightforward on-off entry. These additions add a little bit of heft in comparison with ultralight fashions, however they greater than make up for it in versatility and performance and a strong mixture of efficiency and portability.
For an extended backpacking journey or a dependable layer for wet-weather hikes, these pants provide the sturdiness and climate safety you want with out being overly heavy. If reducing each ounce isn’t your prime precedence, the Foray rain pants ship glorious efficiency at a really affordable weight.
Sturdiness
The Out of doors Analysis Forays are sturdy workhorses purpose-designed to face up to rugged circumstances whereas preserving you dry. The fabric is light-weight and hard, making them dependable for every little thing from lengthy backpacking journeys to wet-weather scrambles via rocky terrain.
Bolstered seams and high-quality zippers add to their longevity, making certain they’ll deal with repeated use and abuse with out falling aside. Our tester sluiced down rock and particles littered slope and the pants got here out of it unscathed. The seam-sealed ¾-length zippers are clean as silk and maintain up effectively even after frequent changes.
Whereas some ultralight pants sacrifice sturdiness to shave off weight, the Foray rain pants are constructed to final, making them an important funding for spending copious time open air. Whether or not you’re navigating dense brush, scrambling over rocks, or just coping with heavy rain, these pants are powerful sufficient to maintain up. With correct care, they’ll be a long-term staple in your gear assortment.
Ought to You Purchase the Out of doors Analysis Foray / Aspire Rain Pants?
The Out of doors Analysis Foray rain pants are a sturdy, versatile, and breathable rain gear element. They’re perfect for hikers, backpackers, and climbers tackling unpredictable climate, providing dependable waterproofing and options like ¾-length zippers for air flow and straightforward layering. With a stability of sturdiness and performance, they excel in each rain and lightweight snow, making them an important alternative for year-round adventurers.
Nonetheless, they might not be the very best match for ultralight backpackers or these centered on shaving each ounce from their pack, as their added options include barely extra weight.
When it comes to worth, the Foray rain pants ship distinctive efficiency and sturdiness, delivering dependable safety in powerful circumstances, and so they’re constructed to final for years of use.
What Different Rain Pants Ought to You Contemplate?
If the Out of doors Analysis Foray rain pants aren’t the right match for you, listed here are three options from our full information to the very best rain pants to think about:
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Evaluate: Just like the Foray, these pants are constructed for sturdiness and climate resistance, however they use a heavier, thicker material. They’re perfect for rugged circumstances and provide glorious safety in opposition to brush and rain. If sturdiness issues greater than weight, the Torrentshells are a strong alternative.
Out of doors Analysis Helium Evaluate: Simply as well-made because the Foray/Aspire’s, these are an important different if weight is extra of a precedence and also you’re not headed for hardcore circumstances. They’re made with Pertex Defend Diamond Fuse material, providing respectable sturdiness in a lighter bundle.
REI Co-op Rainier Evaluate: A budget-friendly choice that also delivers dependable waterproofing and breathability. Whereas not as sturdy or feature-rich because the Foray, they’re an important alternative for informal hikers or those that don’t want rain pants for frequent or heavy use.