Outdoor Research

Aspire Trench Jacket - Women's

Excellent coverage!

This rain coat is longer than most for complete coverage. It's very lightweight for easy packing and comfortable to wear. I haven't used it in a solid downpour yet, but from the fit and looks of it, I expect it to keep me completely dry! It's also stylish and will be a great addition to my wardrobe.

Too difficult to zip

I was very excited about this rain jacket. The color and fit were perfect. However, I had to return the jacket because the main zipper was such poor quality. It was almost impossible to detach the zipper at the bottom of the jacket (e.g. I had to step into the jacket to try it on). Once I managed to unzip the jacket and open it - it took me about 5 minutes (several tries) to get the zipper to connect at the bottom and smoothly zip up. It was awful. I'm a busy mom with a small child. I can only imagine standing in the rain with a small child - and working desperately to try to get the jacket to zip up! I was so frustrated after multiple tries. The reviews about the bad zipper are certainly true. At this price point, I would expect decent zipper. Very disappointed as I loved the rain jacket otherwise.

Could use some improvements

The hood is problematic. I am 5'2" and 98lbs. The XS fits well with room to layer a fleece or puffer underneath. I have worn it in downpours and stayed dry. The hood could be more generous and the thing to tighten it is awkwardly placed on the back of the hood and doesn't work well to make the hood snug around your face. Wearing a beanie underneath makes it too small to be effective. The brim isn't adequate to keep rain off my face and glasses. I end up wearing a rain hat over it. I also wish the coat had snaps all down the front and not just at the top and bottom. Sometimes snaps are faster and easier than using a zipper. I also wish it had inside pockets. Overall it is a cute, functional, light raincoat that packs up small and is great for travel.

Cute AND functional!

I mostly got this to use as a 'city' rain jacket, with the idea I wouldn't wear it out as quickly as all my other gear. It's the longest, lightest shell I have now, so I wore it for a morning to shovel snow while the weather alternated sideways snow and rain. It kept me perfectly dry, blocked the wind, and I never overheated, even with multiple layers underneath. So yeah, I have my super cute pink rain jacket and an epic storm shell. The bottom end of the zipper on mine is a little finicky. I've had this issue with zippers on other layers(various brands). At this point, I just consider it a quirk of outdoor gear.

Marrying Functionality and Style

I work in an outdoor environment and I am always on the hunt for a long raincoat. I have noticed that OR raincoats are on the thinner side which is incredible in the spring/summer, but I live in Seattle and it's never terribly cold but it's cool and the rain just feels soggier in the winter. I've not really found a winter coat that can withstand 6hrs of being outside in a 35degree downpour. I could have tried their Stormcraft Down Parka but I already owned a puffy I like so I bought this coat in 2 sizes up so i could wear the nano-puff under it. The waist cinch/drawstring really only gathers in the back (which might be a drawback for some) However, I find that it just gathering in the back hides that I bought it a little big and gives it a shape that doesn't look too wonky/ like I'm being swallowed. This coat marries functionality with style better than most raincoats. It fits my work needs, but I also like that it's not so "technical" looking that I can wear it to dinner and get compliments. I love it so much, I'm genuinely considering buying a second in my size that I can wear in the summer I'm that obsessed with this coat.

Excellent trench!

This trench is beautifully and classically cut. Both stylish and functional! I live in Washington state and am out and about all day for work, so a reliable rain layer is an essential. This one exceeds expectations.

Perfect Rain Jacket!

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Size Bought:

S

Height:

5' 2"

Weight:

125

I can't believe how lightweight this jacket is, and it feels soft, not crinkly. The fit is great and true to size, but I wouldn't be able to fit a chunky sweater under it without the sleeves feeling tight, so if you want room for bulky layers underneath, size up one. The drop hood is perfect for keeping my neck protected when not donning it, and I love the side snaps to let me be a little more mobile while still having the extra coverage of a longer length. I haven't worn it in a downpour yet, but it's GORE-TEX, so I don't doubt it'll keep me dry.

Great jacket!

I purchased this jacket for a trip to Iceland and the UK where I knew it would be very windy and rainy- I'm happy to say that this trench held up and met all my expectations! The gortex blocked the wind well and kept me drive in all types of rain conditions. I wore it on a longer hike in heavy rain and wind, and while the inside layer looked darker when I took it off than normal and maybe slightly damp to touch, my clothes under this were all fully drive, so it did it's job for sure. The zipper at the bottom is finicky, but I found if I tried to pull up on the zipper with my left hand and kept the zipper perfectly aligned, it worked fine- this also seemed to get better with ongoing use. Only feedback is that they need to add the adjusters to the sides of the hood so you can fully cinch the hood around your face. The back part you can cinch does help hold it on there, but in strong winds I still found it slipping off. Improving the design to add this would totally address that problem.

Fantastically functional

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This jacket was exactly what my wife needed for work as a large animal ER veterinarian. First time this jacket was taken out it was put to the test in a thunderstorm throughout the night. Kept her dry but also stayed out of her way while working.

Exactly as I was hoping

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This raincoat is perfect. Sizing, adjustable features (hood, waist, wrists) easy and effective. It is very light, and can roll up small if necessary. Kept me dry on my christening walk in a significant rain. No regrets for purchasing this jackets. Oh, and I love that it is long enough in the back to cover a tunic top.