Outdoor Research Foray Super Stretch Review

The Outdoor Research Foray Super Stretch is a versatile and comfortable waterproof shell. A more mobile take on the classic Outdoor Research Foray II, this jacket includes an added rear Elastane panel for enhanced mobility. Notably, this panel remains watertight while also providing a sort of cross breeze through the jacket, which enhances comfort. Both the hood and waist hem are cinchable, providing several fit options. The hood is also large enough for helmets and other headgear, with both rear and front cinches for optimal waterproofing. The biggest draw of this jacket, besides the stretch-enhanced mobility, may be the side vents. Each vent runs from the waist past the pit to about a quarter of the way up the bicep, offering a huge potential for airflow. Overall, this jacket is an excellent choice for wind and water protection in a wide variety of situations.

Performance Comparison

Water Resistance

Constructed with new Gore-Tex Paclite fabric, the Outdoor Research Foray Super Stretch does well in water resistance testing. It uses a 2L layup, meaning that the outer waterproof layer is sewn together with a lighter layer underneath for comfort. Under the simulated downpour of our shower test, most of the jackets performed well, but some areas under the most water pressure did saturate. However saturated, the jacket still kept water out but did lose that perfect 'beading' protection pretty quickly.

All zippers and seams are waterproofed excellently; even the Elastane section on the rear keeps water out despite its porous appearance. The hood comes down nicely over the forehead and makes use of a soft brim to keep water off the face.

Breathability

The baseline breathability of the Paclite fabric is very strong, but what makes this jacket truly excellent is its ventilation options. Both side zips cover huge areas, and the double zipper gives a wealth of different settings for any possible scenario.

One interesting feature of these vents is that if you bring the bottom zipper all the way up, the jacket essentially becomes a poncho. Using the top zipper, wearers can adjust the vents to any size at will, offering breathability far above the meager pit zips offered by most jackets.

Side vents aside, another great feature of this jacket is the rear Elastane panel. Despite its appearance, it is not at all water-permeable. What this means for the jacket is that when moving around, it facilitates a kind of crossbreeze, replacing stagnant air in the body of the shell. Between these two features, this jacket sheds heat very well, even at temperatures around 70° F.

Comfort and Mobility

This facet of the jacket is where the Foray Super Stretch really shines. Other jackets in the category can feel stodgy or bulky, but this is not a problem for this jacket at all. The rear panel is made of a fabric called Elastane, and this is the main namesake of the "Super Stretch".

Situated in between the shoulder blades, this makes turning and arm movements very comfortable. This is not to undersell the mobility of the main fabric of the jacket, which also moves well with the user.

Outside of the stretch panel, this jacket is still very nice to move about in. Despite its high measured weight, it feels very light and mobile while it is on. The sleeve cinches have large velcro patches which are easy to adjust and fit nicely on the wrist. In the front of the neck, there is a smooth rubber-like panel which covers the zipper and prevents chafing on the upper neck and chin.

Its hood has two sets of cinches, one on the back and a pair in the front by the neck. The front toggles rest near the wearer's sternum, which means the wearer either need to unzip the jacket a little or reach their hands down the neck to cinch which can a little awkward.

The tightness of the neck cinch can be set to the wearer's preference before it is immediately needed, but if it needs to be tightened in a pinch, it can be a little obtuse. The toggle releases do not have this problem but are stitched into the hood, which can be confusing at first.

Weight

Measured at 15 oz, this is quite heavier than a lot of other jackets in the lineup. Interestingly, this additional weight is not that noticeable while using the jacket; the breathability and stretch give the user a more airy feeling.

For ultralight trips, this is not our first choice. Due to the most stretchy material being located in the back of the jacket as opposed to being fully stretch material, the Foray Super Stretch does not pack down as small as one might think; it still manages to pack into a 32oz water bottle, but not without a bit of muscle. However, the versatility of this jacket makes it a great option for many expeditions, especially those with warmer temperatures or mixed weather.

Durability

The Gore-Tex Paclite fabric used for this jacket is very strong, and holds up well to snags and rips. The choice to put a four-way stretch panel in a high traffic area rather than construct the whole garment from ultra-stretchy material means this jacket does not have to compromise durability to give it high mobility.

Every zipper is stitched well and lined up in such a way that prevents the fabric from getting caught. The waist cinch has a weak panel that broke during testing, but as long as the wearer takes care not to overtighten the cinch, it should hold. Notably, the broken panel didn't seem to affect the function of the cinch at all. This may be indicative of poor build quality, but nothing else on the jacket showed any problems. The waterproofing will need reapplication after a certain amount of use, but this is standard for modern waterproofing across the board.

Should You Buy the Outdoor Research Foray Super Stretch?

This jacket is an incredible multi-use option for those who need mobility in a wide variety of circumstances. Its huge vents and rear Elastane panel allow excellent dumping of heat in warmer situations, and the larger fit allows for bulkier mid-layers in colder climates. For mixed or unpredictable weather, this jacket is a great choice. For those who are expecting torrential rain day in and day out, there are other jackets in this category with stronger waterproofing. If you are a traveler or someone who lives in an area with diverse weather, this jacket is an excellent one-size-fits-all light shell.

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