Outdoor Research Foray 3L Review

Throughout our testing seasons, the Foray 3L offered unwavering weather protection. While we didn't love that the latest version weighs more, and it's hard to adjust the fit, there are some trips where you need the most waterproof pants possible, and that's where the Foray shines.

Water Resistance

This is where the Foray 3L excels, and where you want a rain pain 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 Foray 3L, as the name implies, uses 3 layers of sandwiched material to create a trustworthy barrier between you and the elements. OR uses 100% recycled nylon, and in this version, they use a factory-applied DWR treatment from Nikwax. It's imperative that you wash the Foray regularly to keep the pants performing optimally, and don't forget that drying them on low heat reactivates the DWR. We found the YKK zippers to be effective at keeping water out, and the seam taping held up throughout our entire examination process.

Comfort and Mobility

With a relaxed cut, the Foray 3L 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 3L allowed for unencumbered movement, there was so much extra material that it got caught on branches, and we even sometimes stepped on it. While some rain pants have adjustability in the ankles for keeping the fabric away from the soles of your shoes, the Foray only has some elastic and a single button. The eyelets can be used to add some shock cord, which can keep the pants from moving around too much, but we suggest getting the fit appropriate to reduce bunching.

While we wanted a bit more adjustability in the ankles, the Foray 3L has a great waist cinch system that was easy to use, even when it was pouring rain. Depending on the specific fit, we sometimes had to tie a knot in the waist's drawstring so it wouldn't loosen over time, but this was common across several brands. If you're a fan of suspenders, the Foray also has suspender loops that are easy to access.

Breathability

As a hefty pair of rain pants, the Foray 3L is certainly not the most breathable option out there. The 3-layer construction offers some help with getting moisture away from the body, but these are simply a warmer pair of rain pants than most that we tested.

Between field testing and our standardized uphill circuits, the Foray 3L fell further back in the pack. However, these have a 3/4-length side zipper that provides some great ventilation. None of the rain pants we tested would be our first choice for sustained uphilling, and the Foray will still perform well enough for rainy adventures, keeping you from sweating too much.

Weight

The past version of the Foray was already quite heavy, and unfortunately, Outdoor Research has added even more weight to the Foray 3L. However, the 3L has improved water resistance, so the weight at least is in step with weather protection.

At 13.7 ounces, this is one heavy pair of rain pants. In fact, these are the heaviest in the entire review, making them less ideal for outdoor adventurers who are counting grams or want a “just in case” rain pant. Having said that, there are some trips where getting wet might not be avoidable, and when you need to keep yourself as dry as possible, the Foray 3L may very well be worth the weight.

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.

These are heavy-duty 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 3L 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.

Should You Buy the Outdoor Research Foray 3L?

These are great for those trips where you know the weather will be wet. While some might simply stay at home, the Foray 3L will allow you to keep hiking and backpacking through the storm. The Foray is great for the all-weather adventurer who's ready to deal with whatever Mother Nature throws at them, and doesn't quite want to use something as heavy as a hardshell pant.

What Other Rain Pants Should You Consider?