Lightweight, waterproof urban trench coat.
Designed to Keep Me Dry
I live in a temperate climate, having traded frigid cold Minnesota winters for months of grey, rainy days in the Pacific Northwest. Over the years I’ve learned to see the beauty in shades of grey and to stay warm and dry with effective rain gear.
The Outdoor Research Aspire Trench does an excellent job of keeping me dry, whether I’m running errands, exploring the trails of the nearby park in a constant drizzle, or power walking in pouring rain with my neighbor. Its seams are fully sealed, and it’s made out of bluesign® approved GORE-TEX with Paclite® Technology 2L. I’ve been impressed with its light weight and the smooth texture of the material. Unlike the some of the old school rain jackets I still own, the Aspire Trench doesn’t make crinkly noises when I move.
It’s also cut longer than the typical trail jacket so I get better coverage without having to wear rain pants. The trench can be unsnapped at the side seams to allow more freedom of movement.
Layer For Warmth
The Aspire Trench is slightly shaped with a gentle elastic band across the back of the jacket for a flattering semi-fitted look. It’s nice to have quality rain gear for travel and urban use because I really don’t like wearing outdoor gear when I’m in the city.
I appreciate that I can quickly adjust the hood by tugging or releasing the toggle on the back of the hood. The hood opening has just enough elastic around the edge to hold the hood in place when it’s on. Outdoor Research keeps the design simple by not including adjustable toggles for the front of the hood. Some users might not like that they won’t be able to cinch the hood around their faces. It’s not a problem for me since I wear the jacket to stay dry. It’s usually in the low- to mid-40s when I spend time in the rain, so I usually wear an ear warmer band or lightweight hat under the hood.
I found that The Aspire Trench is roomy enough that I can wear a mid-weight merino jacket and insulated vest underneath it on cold days or just a long-sleeve merino tee as temps reach the low 50s.
The Aspire Trench has two zippered side pockets where I stash my phone and wallet and a small zippered chest pocket. The front zipper is protected by a flap of material that snaps at the top and at the bottom of the trench. There are also two sets of snaps around the wrist cuffs so I can make them more snug if I need to.
Bottom Line: I’ve been wearing the Aspire Trench for weeks in temps between the mid-30s F and low 50s F, and I have stayed dry and comfortable on a variety of outings. I like the fit, style, and discreet logo placement. The trench is fairly breathable, but I wish it had pit zips because I heat up so fast when I hike or walk. Overall, I’ve been happy with its performance and durability.
Available in women’s sizes XS to XXL in five different colors: Ash, Black, Loden, Moth, and Treeline. For a similar jacket in men’s sizes, check out the Men’s Foray II GORE-TEX® Jacket.
Manufacturers: outdoorresearch.com
