Do you have any questions or recommendations for other outdoor enthusiasts looking for a new rain jacket? We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
Thank you for this video. It's interesting that you mentioned about the noise these jackets make. I thought I was the only one who thought about the noise issues of the fabric as it moves along the body. I've noticed with some rain jackets and rain/ski pants that they make a sort of "crinkling" and/ “swishing” sound, not too dissimilar to taking a large paper shopping bag mixed with a plastic coating or a plastic vinyl tarp or corduroy pants. When I'm out in nature, and for me that's just walking a local neighborhood trail or walking on the street, or if I'm more importantly working around horses (which I spend a lot of my time doing), the last thing I want to hear is my own body moving around. I don't want to have to stop moving just to enjoy nature's symphony. And likewise, while on horseback, the horse is usually the one making the noise (if any noise), along with some leather squeaks from the saddle, and most of these are nearly impossible to hear unless you listen or them. I don't want to either be distracted by crinkling and rustling fabric in the saddle. And I surely don't want the horse to be distracted by my clothing such that it might even spook them. I have just purchased the OR Foray II and also the REI Mt. Reiner jacket and rain pants. I will test each of them and see how they hold up to working with horses on the ground and being out on the trail in the rain.
Patagonia made the 3-layer H2NO on the new Slate Sky so soft it’s almost like a fleece. And the “crinkle” sounds is less than half of my 2020 Rainshadow (also H2NO). It’s seriously quiet and comfy. But.. no pit zips and has a storm flap for venting which lots of the reviews seem to not dig.. I love it. The comfort is unreal. You don’t mind wearing it anywhere cause you’re not crinkling around.
If you must have Gore-Tex, look into the ePE options. It’s Gore’s new 3-layer that doesn’t have PFCs. Chances are most people do not need that level water protection, it also sounds like a trash bag. Patagonias H2NO is awesome.. soft, durable and just as waterproof in my experience. It’s also made sustainable and ethically. Patagonia has a no receipt lifetime warranty on wearing down too, so you buy once if you’re careful and don’t lose stuff. Edit: Patagonia H2NO on the 2023 lineup is the new fleece feeling stuff. The Slate Sky is the one I’m using currently, fav rain gear I’ve ever had.
Drives me crazy how the hood cords are inside. Any idea what the proper technique is for pulling on them? Usually they're on the outside and uber easy to pull down on. Can't figure out how we're supposed to do the same when the chords are inside the hood!
The obvious con which was omitted from this video is that the side zips, which allow the jacket to become more of a poncho, are not waterproof zips.....as you're probably guessing, the jacket leaks straight in through those areas. Based on that design flaw (which I still struggle to understand from a design perspective), it can't really be used in sustained rain. Just an FYI if you're considering this product.
I read that regardless of brand, the first thing to go on rain gear after years of use is the zippers. That’s why I really shopped around for one with snaps this year.
Had 3 Forays (I not II). I love the design. Hate the zippers. Main zipper failed completely on all 3 after 1-3 years. Their zippers have tiny plastic teeth. Cheap. (Didn't know about the infinite guarantee. You don't get your same color back it looks like, unless you're lucky, but I just submitted a claim). BTW - every review I've seen of the main competition - Patagonia Torrentshell 3L says it doesn't breath (vs other models). Hard to see the point in paying for a 3L membrane if it doesn't breath, but everyone says they love it, so ?
Do you have any questions or recommendations for other outdoor enthusiasts looking for a new rain jacket? We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
Your reviews are great. I have been subscribed since the trailer build, and I really enjoy watching your reviews. Thanks for sharing. Honestly thanks!
Thank you for the feedback and glad you are enjoying the videos. 😀
Thank you for this video. It's interesting that you mentioned about the noise these jackets make. I thought I was the only one who thought about the noise issues of the fabric as it moves along the body. I've noticed with some rain jackets and rain/ski pants that they make a sort of "crinkling" and/ “swishing” sound, not too dissimilar to taking a large paper shopping bag mixed with a plastic coating or a plastic vinyl tarp or corduroy pants. When I'm out in nature, and for me that's just walking a local neighborhood trail or walking on the street, or if I'm more importantly working around horses (which I spend a lot of my time doing), the last thing I want to hear is my own body moving around. I don't want to have to stop moving just to enjoy nature's symphony. And likewise, while on horseback, the horse is usually the one making the noise (if any noise), along with some leather squeaks from the saddle, and most of these are nearly impossible to hear unless you listen or them. I don't want to either be distracted by crinkling and rustling fabric in the saddle. And I surely don't want the horse to be distracted by my clothing such that it might even spook them. I have just purchased the OR Foray II and also the REI Mt. Reiner jacket and rain pants. I will test each of them and see how they hold up to working with horses on the ground and being out on the trail in the rain.
Glad the video was helpful. Have fun testing your new gear out. It’ll be interesting to hear if the horses notice the jacket noise.
Patagonia made the 3-layer H2NO on the new Slate Sky so soft it’s almost like a fleece. And the “crinkle” sounds is less than half of my 2020 Rainshadow (also H2NO).
It’s seriously quiet and comfy. But.. no pit zips and has a storm flap for venting which lots of the reviews seem to not dig.. I love it. The comfort is unreal. You don’t mind wearing it anywhere cause you’re not crinkling around.
Came down to the OR and Patagonia for me, I went with the OR Aspire II as well.
If you must have Gore-Tex, look into the ePE options. It’s Gore’s new 3-layer that doesn’t have PFCs.
Chances are most people do not need that level water protection, it also sounds like a trash bag. Patagonias H2NO is awesome.. soft, durable and just as waterproof in my experience. It’s also made sustainable and ethically. Patagonia has a no receipt lifetime warranty on wearing down too, so you buy once if you’re careful and don’t lose stuff.
Edit: Patagonia H2NO on the 2023 lineup is the new fleece feeling stuff. The Slate Sky is the one I’m using currently, fav rain gear I’ve ever had.
Drives me crazy how the hood cords are inside. Any idea what the proper technique is for pulling on them? Usually they're on the outside and uber easy to pull down on. Can't figure out how we're supposed to do the same when the chords are inside the hood!
Great video. Is the zip on the mens Foray II on the same side as the women's version? Or is it reversed like most clothing is?
Thanks! The zip is actually on the same side for both men's and women's version.
Underrated youtuber!
Thank you! 😀
What sizes are each jacket? I'm trying to determine if my jacket would weigh more or less.
They are both sized Large. The Foray II is a men's Large and the Aspire II is a women's Large.
how breathable is the Aspire II? I always sweat so much on mild rainy days, and feel just as wet as if I hadn't worn a rain jacket at all!
Gore-Tex can only breath so much, which is why we choose these jackets. With the massive side zips, we can let the heat escape if needed.
Do you know how it compares with the original Aspire ?
Sorry we do not have the original to compare with.
I have the original Aspire. The only difference I can tell is that the OG Aspire front zipper also zips up from the bottom.
The obvious con which was omitted from this video is that the side zips, which allow the jacket to become more of a poncho, are not waterproof zips.....as you're probably guessing, the jacket leaks straight in through those areas. Based on that design flaw (which I still struggle to understand from a design perspective), it can't really be used in sustained rain. Just an FYI if you're considering this product.
I read that regardless of brand, the first thing to go on rain gear after years of use is the zippers. That’s why I really shopped around for one with snaps this year.
Had 3 Forays (I not II). I love the design. Hate the zippers. Main zipper failed completely on all 3 after 1-3 years. Their zippers have tiny plastic teeth. Cheap. (Didn't know about the infinite guarantee. You don't get your same color back it looks like, unless you're lucky, but I just submitted a claim). BTW - every review I've seen of the main competition - Patagonia Torrentshell 3L says it doesn't breath (vs other models). Hard to see the point in paying for a 3L membrane if it doesn't breath, but everyone says they love it, so ?
Cheap rain jackets repel rain. What I want to know is how breathable the jacket is? That’s what paying extra is for. Thanks.
Breathable is always going to be an issue with waterproof fabric. That is why we picked these models with the multiple ways to vent the heat.