REASONS TO BUY
Soft exterior fabric
Great aesthetics
Decent hood design
Breathes quite well
REASONS TO AVOID
Meh water resistance
Expensive for what it is
Kuhl Stretch Voyagr Review
This is a stylish and comfy jacket, but it can only handle a drizzle
Credit: Zach Lovell
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ November 3, 2026
RELATED: The Best Rain Jackets for Men
Our Verdict
There's a lot to like about the Kuhl Stretch Voyagr; it's comfy, its exterior fabric is supple, and it's breathable. There's just one problem: it's not very water-resistant. The Voyagr is undoubtedly eye-catching, at least for a rain jacket, but we got wet wearing it in anything more intense than a drizzle. Underneath the cover of an umbrella, we could use this layer for more flavors of storm, but it's better considered a windbreaker with some water protection rather than calling the Voyagr a true rain layer.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Kuhl Stretch Voyagr | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Rain Jacket |  Comfort on a Budget | | Best Bang for the Buck | |
| Price | $199 List Check REI (on sale!) | $189 List Check Price at REI | $140 List Check Price at Backcountry | $130 List Check REI (on sale!) | $100 List Check Price at Backcountry |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | If you care more about looks than performance, this jacket might work for you | This well-made jacket offers high-end performance without having to spend big dollars | Comfortable and quality rain jackets often come at a high price, but this layer offers a less expensive alternative to premium options | A well-made rain jacket that carries your dollar exceptionally far | For shorter storms, this budget layer might be all you need and will save you some cash |
| Rating Categories | Kuhl Stretch Voyagr | Patagonia Torrentshe... | Rab Downpour | Helly Hansen Loke | L.L.Bean Trail Model |
| Water Resistance (45%) | |||||
| Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Comfort and Mobility (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Kuhl Stretch Voyagr | Patagonia Torrentshe... | Rab Downpour | Helly Hansen Loke | L.L.Bean Trail Model |
| Material and Waterproof Membrane | 2.5-layer polyester | 3-layer H2No Performance Standard 50D ECONYL (proprietary material) with a PFC-free DWR finish | 2.5-layer Pertex Shield | 2.5-layer Helly Tech Polyamide (proprietary material) with a PFC-free DWR finish | 2.5-layer waterproof-breathable TEK shell |
| Measured Weight | 11.6 oz | 12.7 oz | 13.3 oz | 8.4 oz | 13 oz |
| Pockets | 2 zippered hand, 1 internal zippered chest | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest |
| Pit Zips | No | Yes, 11.5 inches | Yes, 10 inches | Yes | No |
| Helmet Compatible Hood (Per Testing) | 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 |
| Stows Into Pocket | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Carabiner Loop in Stow Pocket | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Hipbelt Friendly Hand Pockets | No | No | No | No | No |
| Additional Features | Adjustable hood in front and back, front packet/storm flap, adjustable hem, velcro cuffs | 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 with stiff peak, dual sided rear hem adjustment, internal storm guards | Adjustable hood, front placket/storm flap, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem | Adjustable hood in front, front placket/storm flap, adjustable hem, velcro cuffs |
Our Analysis and Test Results
This is a great layer until you get wet underneath it, and we wish it were at least a bit more affordable. Credit: Zach Lovell
Likes
Kuhl did a great job with the exterior fabric comfort of the Voyagr. It's soft, stretchy, and, with a loose cut, boasts great mobility. It also has a well-designed hood that fits easily over a hat and can be cinched down in multiple places.
The looks of the Kuhl Stretch Voyagr were also standout. The face fabric doesn't have the same crinkle and sheen as a typical rain layer, making it look less techy and more like urbanwear. Yes, there was a trade-off with performance, but we'll get to that in a minute.
Style is subjective, but our friends and family all appreciated the looks of the Voyagr. Credit: Zach Lovell
Dislikes
Is it too much to ask a rain jacket to repel rain? Evidently so, because we got wet wearing the Voyagr in anything beyond a mist or a drizzle. Its lighter level of water resistance wouldn't be a dealbreaker considering its looks, comfort, and breathability, but it's double the price of more protective budget jackets.
The Voyagr is made with a 2.5-layer construction similar to other rain jackets. However, the stretchy material doesn't feel like a rain layer, and it shows once the storm hits. To be fair, this does keep you dry in lighter rain, but it's almost a hybrid softshell-rain jacket.
This jacket does repel water for a while, but it won't keep you dry if you're out in the rain very long, which is disappointing for a rain jacket. Credit: Zach Lovell
Should You Buy the Kuhl Stretch Voyagr?
We wanted to like this jacket because it looks and feels good on. But overall, it's just not that protective. The fabric wets out quickly, defeating the purpose of a rain jacket. If you're only in light rain very infrequently, it will do okay, but overall, if you're looking for actual rain protection, look elsewhere.
This semi-effective rain layer has a great hood and more fabric stretch than most rain layers; we only wish it were more rain-resistant. Credit: Zach Lovell
What Other Rain Jackets Should You Consider?
The L.L.Bean Trail Model is half the price and substantially better at keeping rain out. If you like the idea of a supple, stretchy feeling material like the Voyagr but want more dependable water resistance, the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Jacket has a soft exterior fabric that does a better job of keeping water out.
—Zach Lovell
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