Outdoor Research Foray 3L Review

Throughout our testing seasons, the Foray offered an abundance of wet-weather protection. We didn't love their weight and lack of adjustment capabilities; we missed features such as pockets and ankle adjustments. But sometimes, you need the most durable and waterproof pants you can find, and that's where the Foray shines.

Water Resistance

This is where the Foray excels, and where you want a rain pant to excel. Simply put, the latest iteration of the Foray has made a very weather-resistant pant even better, and you can say warm and dry wearing these in many different scenarios, from soaked hikes in the rainforest to alpine climbing approaches.

The pant uses a standard three-layer construction found in premium rain shells, consisting of a backing material, waterproof/breathable membrane, and a face fabric with a durable water repellent (DWR) finish. The Foray's DWR treatment is top-notch, providing incredible beading performance; water truly just runs right off these pants. Additionally, the Foray uses very long YKK aquaguard waterproof zippers that run almost the entire length of the pants and maintain an excellent seal. As expected for a premium pair of rain pants, the Foray uses taped seams throughout its construction.

Breathability

Simply put, the Foray is a burly pair of rain pants. The heavy materials used add some heat, making them feel fairly warm when moving uphill. The 3-layer construction offers some help with getting moisture away from the body, but simply put, the Foray is not the most breathable option out there.

Between field testing and our standardized uphill circuits, the Foray fell further back in the pack. Luckily, there are ample 3/4-length side zips that allowed us to dump heat and increase ventilation.

Comfort and Mobility

With a relaxed cut, the Foray will allow you to move your lower body however you need. High-stepping while scrambling, spanning boulder gaps, or even doing a bit of climbing was no problem in the Foray, with one asterisk: there's a lot of excess fabric.

While the baggy fit of the Foray allowed for unencumbered movement, there was so much extra material that it got caught on branches, and we even sometimes stepped on it. While many other rain pants offer some degree of adjustability at the ankles for keeping the fabric away from the soles of your shoes, the Foray doesn't offer much in the way of adjustment, only providing an elastic rubberized instep patch and a single closure button. However, Outdoor Research does offer these in multiple inseam length options, so it should be possible to size these in such a way to limit excess material at the hem.

While we wanted a bit more adjustability at the ankles, the Foray has a waist cinch system that was easy to use, even while wearing gloves. Unfortunately, the cord lock didn't bite down on the shock very securely, and our testers sometimes had to tie a knot in the waist's drawstring so it wouldn't loosen over time. If you're a fan of suspenders, the Foray also has suspender loops that are easy to access.

Weight

The previous iteration of the Foray was already quite heavy, and unfortunately, Outdoor Research added grams in the current version. However, the three-layer construction improved its water resistance, so at least the added weight improves the pant's wet weather performance.

At 13.7 ounces, the Foray is a fairly heavy pair of rain pants. In fact, these are the heaviest pants that we reviewed, making them a less than ideal pick for users who are optimizing for weight, or want a pair of pants to throw in their bag just in case. With that said, there are times when having the most waterproof and durable pants is worth the weight penalty. If that sounds like something that you identify with, the Foray could absolutely make sense for you.

Durability

Fortunately, Outdoor Research made these hefty pants very durable for a rough life on the trail. While some of the competition easily ripped during field testing, the Foray didn't even bat an eye at any wear and tear we tried to put them through in our testing. They could be a good option for those needing a burly pant for field work, where you need a rain pant that can hold up, day in and day out.

The Foray is a heavy-duty pair of rain pants that can handle much more abrasion than most of its garment class. Rain pants are historically more fragile than other pant constructions, such as softshells, but the Foray held up relatively well. We didn't experience any failures in the zippers or the waist drawstring, and as long as we kept up with washing/drying, the water resistance performed consistently. Additionally, the Foray is backed up by Outdoor Research's great warranty and customer support.

Should You Buy the Outdoor Research Foray 3L?

The Foray is a great pick for trips where you're expecting very wet weather, and rugged conditions. If you're anticipating long sections of bushwacking off trail, scraping around in boulder fields, and other such pleasures, all in torrential rain, the Foray would be a dependable companion. Additionally, the hefty materials are better suited for cold climates. If you're hovering at the rain/snow line on demanding trails, the Foray's extra weight could be an advantage.

What Other Rain Pants Should You Consider?