Best for

Reliable weatherproof mobility and cold-weather layering.   

What we liked

• First-rate weather protection
• Suspender loops
• Good mobility with stretch fabric.

Limitations

Heavy-ish, excessively loose.

Overview

Articulated knees, a gusseted crotch and stretch fabric make the Foray 3L a standout for mobility. They’re made from AscentShell Dry, a 3-layer fabric with 40D nylon and a decent 20,000mm waterproof rating. The recycled fabric is treated with Nikwax Direct DWR, which is PFAS-free. The two-way ¾ water-resistant zips make them easy to put on over trekking boots and provide venting. The elasticated waist has shock cord adjustment as well as suspender loops, and the cuffs are partially elasticated and have dome fasteners as well as loops for an instep cord. They pack away into a small rear pocket.  

Performance

Reliable Nikwax DWR combined with a high waterproof rating made these pants rank highly for overall weatherproofing. Mobility was above average too, with plenty of flexibility for stepping over obstacles, but overall the fit was baggy. This suits layering over thick clothing, but for my relatively skinny legs it was excessive, meaning extra fabric to catch the wind or terrain. Suspender loops and instep cord loops added to the near-complete feature-set. Ankle domes secured the cuffs, even with the zips open, but didn’t provide any cuff adjustment. The waist tensioner was fiddly to use and slipped over time, but a knot soon fixed it. 

Why buy the Foray 3L? 

A good feature set, decent mobility and excellent weatherproofing make these pants worth considering, but the loose fit is best for sturdy legs or when ample layering room is required.