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Brand · United States

Outdoor Research

A Seattle brand with a long association with air-permeable membranes, now centred on its electrospun AscentShell Dry rain shells.

Founded 1981Last verified 2026-10-19

Background

Founded in 1981 in Seattle by Ron Gregg after a failed-gaiter incident on a Denali expedition; the expedition location is the inspiration, not the business's origin.

What to check before buying

Editorial buying guidance, not a brand rating

Ventilation deserves as much attention as the waterproof fabric when choosing a shell for active use. Check how far the vents open, whether you can operate them while wearing a pack and how the hood adjusts. Product names alone are not enough to establish construction or features, particularly when comparing different generations of a jacket.

For the general method, see how to choose a waterproof jacket and waterproof ratings explained.

Brand facts

Published company information

Country of origin
United States
Founded
1981
Price range
Mid
Jacket families
Foray, Aspire, Helium
Warranty
Infinite Guarantee: gear is 'guaranteed to perform throughout the lifetime of the product'. Despite the name, normal wear, misuse, accidents and user-created rips and tears are explicit exclusions.
Repair programme
The warranty FAQ states: 'We do not currently offer a repair service.'
Sustainability
Foray/Aspire 3L pages claim a 100% recycled nylon face fabric, 'free from intentionally-added PFAS' and a PFAS-free Nikwax Direct.Dry DWR, plus third-party carbon-neutral certification by Climate Impact Partners — attributed claims, not independently verified zero emissions.

WaterproofJacket.com assessment

Our editorial view of the brand

Strengths

  • AscentShell Dry 3L rain shells with published construction detail
  • Foray 3L carries the brand's own 'Best Seller' label

Weaknesses

  • No in-house repair service — the warranty FAQ states none is currently offered
  • Older Foray II/Aspire II were GORE-TEX; specifications must not be transferred to the AscentShell Dry 3L generation

Frequently asked questions

Does the Infinite Guarantee cover wear and accidental tears?

No. Both normal wear and accidents are explicit exclusions; the guarantee covers performance defects over the product's lifetime.

Is the Foray a GORE-TEX jacket?

The current Foray 3L uses Outdoor Research's own AscentShell Dry. Older Foray II versions were GORE-TEX — check which generation you are looking at.

Sources