We’ve read the reviews across the web for the Outdoor Research Aspire Jacket – Women’s and summarize the results below:
Universal Ranking
PeakScore: 87 (out of 100)
User Rating: 4.3 stars 
Expert Rating: 4.4 stars
Number of Ratings Reviewed: 120
Pros & Cons
Reasons to buy:
User Reviews
- Optimal sleeve length.
- Many reports of being true-to-size.
- Many reports of the chest area feeling true-to-size.
- Very lightweight.
- Easily washable.
- Easily packable.
- Pit zips go the whole length of the jacket making for great breathability.
- Windproof and waterproof.
Expert Reviews
- GORE-TEX with Paclite fabric that features an updated DWR coating.
- DWR is free of PFCs, which is more environmentally friendly.
- Double-taped sealed seams and a watertight chest pocket.
- Stiff hood and Velcro cuffs to keep water out.
- Pull tabs tighten the access points of the jacket.
- Pull tabs for the hood and crown of the head so you can customize your fit.
- Fabric is thin, moveable, soft, and breathable.
- Zippers are accessible while wearing an internal or external frame backpack.
- Large inner pockets are made of mesh to add a bit of extra circulation.
- No chafing points.
- Soft fleece layer near where the jacket rests on your chin.
Reasons NOT to buy:
User Reviews
- Some reports of the fit being too big.
- Pockets are a bit shallow.
- Not extremely breathable.
- Waterproofing can fail under very wet conditions.
Expert Reviews
- Would not recommend wearing a hood with a helmet underneath, as there was not quite enough give.
- Not the most compact.
- Not a lot of color choices or variety.
- Short in the length if you’re buying true-to-size, so we recommend sizing-up.
Summary:
The Outdoor Research Aspire Jacket for women is lightweight and packable, making it a nice choice for fast and light outdoor adventures. The light materials does come with a tradeoff, however, with some users reporting that water soaks through in heavy rain.