REASONS TO BUY
Super comfortable stretch material
Breathable
Classic style
Lots of great color choices
REASONS TO AVOID
Lacks pit vents and some performance features
Expensive
Not built for extreme conditions
Kuhl Stretch Voyagr Trench Review
This stylish rain jacket surprised us with its breathable performance and high comfort
Credit: Trish Matheny
By Trish Matheny ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 29, 2026
RELATED: The Best Rain Jackets for Women
Our Verdict
The Kuhl Stretch Voyagr Trench is a jacket our tester wanted to wear even when it's not raining, which is saying something for a rain jacket! It has a flattering fit and stretchy fabric that's comfortable and easy to wear all day. It also has decent breathability and good water resistance. The long hemline offers plenty of coverage, keeping the tops of your legs dry in driving rain, and the cinched waist offers city style often lacking in raincoats. We felt sleek and put together whether dashing into the grocery store or making our way to the office on our morning commute. It lacks some technical features like armpit zips and watertight zippers, though we did appreciate the reflective strips, which add some visibility if you're doing a nighttime dog walk. If you're looking for a comfortable, protective, and good-looking rain jacket to wear around town, this is our top recommendation.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Kuhl Stretch Voyagr Trench | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Around-Town Style |  Best Overall Rain Jacket | Best Ventilation |  Best Bang for the Buck | Budget Pick for Active Use |
| Price | $239 List Check REI (on sale!) | $189 List Check Price at REI | $260 List Check REI (on sale!) | $140 List Check Price at Backcountry | $100 List Check REI (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This rain jacket is best-suited for women who are after day-to-day style in wet weather conditions rather than the best overall waterproof performance | A quality rain jacket offering exceptional water resistance and performance that will hold up to the wildest weather | With its well-rounded balance of performance and comfort, this jacket is built to withstand various outdoor pursuits | An affordable jacket that’s comfortable enough to wear all day, yet provides enough technical performance features for active pursuits during moderate precipitation | Although affordable, this jacket still includes pit vents for better airflow along with the ability to stow into its own pocket for increased packability |
| Rating Categories | Kuhl Stretch Voyagr... | Patagonia Torrentshe... | Outdoor Research Asp... | Rab Downpour | REI Co-op Rainier |
| Water Resistance (45%) | |||||
| Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Comfort and Mobility (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Kuhl Stretch Voyagr... | Patagonia Torrentshe... | Outdoor Research Asp... | Rab Downpour | REI Co-op Rainier |
| Material and Waterproof Membrane | 2.5-layer waterproof/breathable membrane | 3-layer 50D H2No Performance Standard ECONYL with a PFC-free DWR finish | 3-layer AscentShell Dry 100% Recycled Nylon 40D | 2.5-layer 50D Pertex Shield Revolve with a PFC-free DWR finish | 2.5-layer HydroWall with non-PFC DWR finish |
| Measured Weight (Size Small) | 12.56 oz | 11.8 oz | 10.4 oz | 12 oz | 10.2 oz |
| Pockets | 2 zippered hand pockets and 1 internal zippered chest pocket | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand, 2 interior drop-in |
| Pit Zips | No | Yes, 11 inches | Yes, 20 inches | Yes, 14 inches | Yes, 10 inches |
| Helmet Compatible Hood | No | No | No | No | No |
| Stows into Pocket | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Carabiner Loop in Stow Pocket | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Hipbelt Friendly Hand Pockets | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Additional Features | Fully seam-sealed, 4 way stretch, YKK water-resistant center-front zipper, hood and hem adjustments for a custom fit | Dual adjustable and stowable hood, microfleece-lined neck, external and internal zipper storm flaps, chin zipper guard, adjustable Velcro cuffs, drawcord hem, carabiner clip-in loop | Adjustable cinching hood, YKK Aquaguard zippers, internal front storm flap, elastic drawcord hem, adjustable Velcro cuffs, TorsoFlo 2-way side vents, key clip | Dual adjustable hood, brushed tricot chin guard, zipper storm guards, adjustable Velcro cuffs, drawcord hem | Adjustable hood, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem, brushed collar lining |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Kuhl Stretch Voyagr Trench quickly became our go-to rain jacket when we wanted a little extra style during rainy days around town. The fit is true to size, easy to layer, and the four-way stretch will make you want to wear this jacket even when it's not raining. For ladies after flattering style over top-notch waterproof performance, this jacket won't disappoint.
The streamlined design, great fit, and four way stretch make this one of the most stylish and comfortable options in our review. Credit: Trish Matheny
Water Resistance
The water-resistant zippers, longer hemline, and 2.5-layer breathable and water-resistant membrane of this jacket do what they're designed to do — keep you dry during shorter bouts outdoors in city settings, where you are popping in between the car and the store or walking from your subway stop to the office. To be completely transparent, the Stretch Voyagr isn't our number one recommendation for water-resistant performance in the burliest conditions. In sustained exposure to the elements, the fabric does begin to wet out. While we were pleased with the performance during short bouts of weather during drizzly dog walks, in harsh conditions and for serious outdoor excursions, you may be disappointed with your purchase. That said, this is the jacket equivalent of ankle-high rain boots, super cute with moderate protection during light rain and limited exposure to the elements.
The two-way main zipper is water-resistant but not watertight, though Kuhl included an interior storm flap to help with any water that may sneak in. Our phone stayed dry during testing while tucked inside the secure interior chest zipper. The Stretch Voyagr is a great blend of performance and style, it's streamlined silhouette is flattering and will have you looking your best around town. It also provides enough water resistance to keep you and your outfit dry in light to moderate rainfall, where the water has enough time to bead away rather than absorb into the lightweight material.
The 2.5 layer water resistant shell combines with a quiet fabric and flattering silhouette that is perfect for your daily commute, short dog walks, or linking up with friends around town during a sub-optimal forecast.
Breathability
After pegging the Stretch Voyagr as more of a lifestyle design than a waterproof shell that's built to perform in torrential downpours, we were quite surprised by just how breathable the lightweight membrane of the outer shell was during testing. The jacket lacks pit vents, so we don't recommend throwing this jacket on when you're running sprint intervals in the rain, but for short dog walks around the city or a quick dash into the market to get out of heavy rain, we think you'll be satisfied with the performance.
While testing in Yosemite Valley, we noticed the jacket's stretchy membrane sticking to our skin on particularly hot and humid days between intermittent storms. That said, it was helpful to open up the two-way zipper to allow more airflow to the thighs. We also opened the wrist cuffs to get a little extra flow in the sleeves. While impressing the team with its breathable membrane, we think the Stretch Voyagr is best-suited for those prioritizing style over the most weather-resistant, breathable performance.
The Stretch Voyagr features a breathable membrane despite its lack of mesh lining and ventilation; however, we think it's best-suited for ladies seeking style during short jaunts in sub-optimal conditions near the city.
Comfort and Mobility
The lightweight Stretch Voyagr design features a four-way stretch that is so comfortable that you will want to wear it around town even when it's not raining. We found the fit runs true to size, with enough room to layer underneath. The stretchy fabric moves with you, whether you're unloading groceries or grabbing something off the top shelf. The hemline hits just above the knee for extra water-resistant coverage, but it still looks cute. There's even a cinch cord on the waistline to create a flattering silhouette.
The lightweight design feels comfortable next to your skin, but the hood isn't especially roomy. There's a toggle to tighten it to your liking, but the lack of coverage made it difficult to layer a beanie underneath. We also didn't love carrying our smartphone in the hand pockets; they're located in a spot that made it uncomfortable to high step or climb stairs. A phone will fit into the zippered chest pocket, although its silhouette will be visible. Overall, when it comes to comfort and mobility, the Stretch Voyagr was one of our favorite jackets to wear around town, whether it was raining or not.
The Stretch Voyagr is one of our favorite jackets for comfort. The flattering silhouette and cinched waistline are stylish for errands around town or heading out on our morning commute. There are a ton of color options to choose from as well.
Weight
Despite the trench coat design that includes additional material to cover the thighs, the Stretch Voyagr remains lightweight and packable. It weighs only 12.56 ounces for a size small, and packs down easily into a day pack or suitcase for travel.
The lightweight material feels great next to your skin, providing water resistance without the discomfort, extra bulk, or restricting and noisy fabric.
A competitive weight despite the longer hemline. Credit: Trish Matheny
Construction Quality
The overall construction quality and durability of the Stretch Voyagr is one of the first details we noticed. From the fully sealed seams to the beefy two-way water-resistant main zipper, to the quality 2.5-layer waterproof and breathable membrane, to the zippered hand and chest pockets, the design screams premium quality that you'll have in your closet for a long time.
While the Stretch Voyagr is a quality design, it's not exactly our first choice for a jacket to go out and get rowdy in (i.e., no bushwhacking). The ultralight fabric may not stand up well to manzanita forests, thick brush, or sharp rocks. Though it works just fine for light hikes, this is more of a town jacket than your dedicated trail jacket, and we recommend it most for those who often commute in drizzly conditions or ladies after an easy, flattering, and effortless design for running errands around town.
Although not built to withstand the toughest conditions, it's plenty durable for stylish weather protection around the city.
Should You Buy the Kuhl Stretch Voyagr Trench?
The Stretch Voyagr is the perfect choice for women who are after style and coverage over the absolute highest tier waterproof performance. We love the ultralight, four-way stretch fabric that's so comfortable whether we're commuting or grocery shopping for the week. The fabric is surprisingly breathable, especially considering the lack of pit ventilation; however, this isn't the jacket for rigorous outdoor activity. This is the jacket you grab when you want to look cute around town, whether it's raining out or not.
What Other Women's Rain Jackets Should You Consider?
If money is no object and you need stellar waterproofing, the Arc'teryx Beta SL will provide the best performance when it comes to a lightweight jacket. We also highly recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell as a reasonably priced, high-performing jacket. The Patagonia Outdoor Everyday Rain Jacket is another trench-style jacket, though it's shorter than the Kuhl and we don't like its style or comfort quite as much.
—Trish Matheny
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