Soar Running is a high-end, high-performance boutique brand based in London, England. Since its founding in 2015, the Soar line has rapidly expanded to serve the needs of runners all over the globe. Soar is best known for its built-for-speed gear, but after checking out the brand, it’s clear that Soar manages to authentically combine exceptionally high-performance gear with art, fashion, and community. Just check out their Instagram or Spotify playlists for proof.
In this article, I review these six pieces of Soar running gear:
- Soar Running Marathon Shorts ($180) – short split shorts intended for high-performance racing
- Soar Running Split Shorts ($125) – medium-length shorts for everyday use
- Soar Running Speed Shorts ($135) – tights for 10-kilometer and under racing
- Soar Running Race Vest ($105) – lightweight tank top for racing
- Soar Running Ultra Jacket ($275) – wind and rain jacket for cool to very cold weather
- Soar Running Sleeves ($60) – lightweight arm sleeves for everyday or racing use
- Soar Running Tempo Top ($205) – lightweight full-zip top for hard workouts
- Soar Running Long Sleeve Tech T ($115) – lightweight top for cool days
- Soar Running Merino Track Jacket ($310) – stylist jacket for warm-ups, casual wear, or cold weather
While the Soar Running Sleeves are unisex, most of the other garments come in similar versions for men and women. I tested women’s specific versions of everything but the Soar Running Merino Track Jacket, which is a men’s only top.
Soar Running Marathon Shorts
Although the women’s Soar Running Marathon Shorts ($180) are named for the marathon distance, I’m confident these shorts can go the ultramarathon distance.
Designed with precision and attention to detail, these marathon shorts are constructed from lightweight and breathable fabric. This material not only keeps you cool and dry during intense workouts, but also offers excellent moisture-wicking properties, allowing sweat to evaporate quickly.
A front view of the Soar Running Marathon Shorts. All photos: iRunFar/Reese Ruland
These Soar running shorts feature a streamlined and ergonomic design that contours to your body, ensuring a comfortable and snug fit. They are tailored to enhance your natural movements while minimizing any potential restrictions, helping you to achieve your best performance.
The shorts are equipped with a unique brief. This shaped and bonded liner is infused with Aloe-Vera, thus eliminating any chafing concerns.
The storage on these shorts is surprisingly robust. The back pockets can hold four gels or a few packets of chews and the two front elastic loops can each hold a gel. The pockets also feature a zipper pocket, perfect for securing a car key or any other small essential.
Men, you can check out the men’s Soar Running Marathon Shorts ($180) too.
Shop the Women's Soar Running Marathon ShortsShop the Men's Soar Running Marathon Shorts
Soar Running Split Shorts
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the Soar Running Split Shorts ($125) feature a sleek and streamlined design. They are made from a lightweight and breathable fabric that helps keep you cool and dry, even during the most intense activities.
The material is also quick-drying, allowing moisture to evaporate rapidly, preventing discomfort caused by sweat accumulation. Instead of stitching the seams and hem, Soar opted to bond these areas, streamlining every detail of these shorts.
The splits on the sides of these Soar running shorts are the perfect length — long enough to allow for cooling and free movement, but short enough to provide coverage to your backside. This design allows for a greater range of motion, enabling your legs to move freely without any restrictions.
Soar Running Split Shorts.
It also helps in enhancing ventilation, promoting airflow, and preventing over-heating, making these shorts perfect for hot summer months.
The shorts have a comfortable elastic waistband that provides a secure and adjustable fit. The elastic waistband ensures that the shorts stay in place during your workouts, eliminating any distractions. Additionally, the shorts have a built-in brief liner that offers extra support and prevents chafing.
I found these shorts to be my favorite in the women’s lineup. They were the perfect length and provided just enough coverage. The shorts didn’t bunch up while running. I enjoyed how lightweight and breathable they are.
Luckily, these shorts are available for men as well. Check out the men’s Soar Running Split Shorts ($125).
Shop the Women's Soar Running Split ShortsShop the Men's Soar Running Split Shorts
Soar Running Speed Shorts
The Soar Running Speed Shorts ($135) are the most streamlined and shortest in the women’s short lineup. These shorts are intended for speed, and don’t offer some of the storage features that the Marathon Shorts or Split Shorts reviewed above boast.
A front view of the Soar Running Speed Shorts.
Soar strategically uses silicon grippers and laser-cut, bonded edges to achieve a skin-tight fit. Although these shorts are on the shorter side, I found that the silicon leg grippers did their job exceptionally well, and the shorts did not ride up during runs.
I would recommend these shorts for shorter-distance racing (10 kilometers and under), or training runs where you don’t need to carry anything with you.
For men, you can check out the men’s Soar Running Speed Shorts ($140).
Shop the Women's Soar Running Speed ShortsShop the Men's Soar Running Speed Shorts
A close-up view of the silicon grippers on the Soar Running Speed Shorts.
Soar Race Vest
I never thought I’d wear a “race vest” or a tank — I’m much more of a run-in-a-sports-bra person — but I’ve really enjoyed running in the Soar Race Vest ($105), probably because I barely notice it’s there.
My favorite feature of this item is that it is composed of 100% recycled fabric. I love seeing more and more companies strive to offer a sustainable lineup. The fabric itself is so lightweight it’s hard to remember you’re wearing a shirt— but just look down because you are!
A back view of the Soar Race Vest.
This Soar running singlet is long enough to tuck into your shorts to keep it from flapping around in the wind, not that there is a lot of it to flap around. The tank is fairly fitted, but loose enough to allow for plenty of movement. Keeping in line with the rest of Soar products, this top has laser-cut edges, helping to keep chafing and fraying of the fabric down.
Men, you can check out the men’s Soar Race Vest ($105).
Shop the Women's Soar Running Race VestShop the Men's Soar Running Race Vest
Soar Running Sleeves and Race Vest.
Soar Running Ultra Jacket
The Soar Running Ultra Jacket ($275) might be my favorite and most used piece of Soar gear — or any gear — these days. The folks at Soar thought through every detail on this jacket.
The fabric is otherworldly — it’s a proprietary Soar fabric — while it is waterproof, it does not require a separate membrane to achieve this. Why is this important? Well, you’ll benefit from a waterproof jacket that doesn’t cause you to overheat, even on mild days. I wore this jacket on cold (30 degrees Fahrenheit) winter days and stayed warm, but I’ve worn it on 45 degrees Fahrenheit spring days and felt comfortable as well.
A front view of the Soar Running Ultra Jacket.
The four-panel design provides a comfortable and relaxed fit, making it easy to layer if the weather demands it, which it did while I was testing the jacket. The drawstring on the bottom of the jacket lets you close off your upper body to the elements, should you be in the midst of a downpour.
The back pocket is large enough to carry keys, a cell phone, or a Pop-Tart. Basically, it’s a big pocket. I was worried things would bounce around on my back, but I did not experience that at all.
Men you can also avail of the men’s Soar Running Ultra Jacket ($275).
Shop the Women's Soar Running Ultra JacketShop the Men's Soar Running Ultra Jacket
A back view of the Soar Running Ultra Jacket.
Soar Running Sleeves
There are people who love using arm sleeves, and then there are people who are missing out. I am the former. If you’re the latter, consider investing in a pair of Soar Running Sleeves ($60). They are the perfect gear for those days when you’ll get a temperature swing an hour in. I keep a pair in my car, just in case I get to the trailhead and discover it’s colder than anticipated.
A close-up of the Soar Running Sleeves.
If you’re in the market for a pair, put the Soar Running Sleeves at the top of the list. They are incredibly lightweight — just under an ounce (28 grams) for a size M pair — and yet shockingly warm, thanks to their heat-retaining, sweat-wicking weave. The laser-cut edges, tailored elbow, and silicon grippers keep these sleeves from falling down during your next run.
The sleeves are unisex sizing, and should feel next to skin, or very snug so they do not ride down while running.
Shop the Soar Running SleevesSoar Running Tempo Top
The Soar Running Tempo Top ($205) is engineered for precision during brisk warm-ups, personal bests, and tempo runs — especially in chilly morning conditions. Its snug fit and exceptional breathability make it the go-to choice for demanding miles in cold weather. I find it shines on fast runs in high 30-degree Fahrenheit weather, or slower runs in the mid-40s.
Crafted from a lightweight French fabric with a sweat-wicking 3D-textured weave, this top ensures you stay cool as your pace and heart rate pick up. During runs where I warmed up excessively, I greatly appreciated the top’s full-length zip for quick cooling. It’s effortlessly easy to unzip and regulate temperature.
A front view of the Soar Running Tempo Top.
The stretch cuffs function as effective barriers against the cold — complemented by bonded seams, flat-lock stitching, and an elastane-infused stretch fit — ensuring unparalleled comfort. Despite the snug fit, it feels barely noticeable when worn. I attribute this featherlight feel to the wicking 3D textured fabric.
Despite the lightweight attributes of the materials, this top did not degrade at all from use or normal machine washing.
Lastly, a convenient zipped rear pocket accommodates essentials such as gels, cards, or your phone.
Men, you can check out the men’s Soar Running Tempo Top ($205).
Shop the Women's Soar Running Tempo TopShop the Men's Soar Running Tempo Top
Soar Running Long Sleeve Tech T
The Soar Running Long Sleeve Tech T ($115) surprised me. It looks like a simple shirt, but I found myself wanting to wear it all the time. This shirt shines as a super lightweight, highly breathable performance shirt, and has an eco-friendly ethos.
Engineered with a focus on sustainability, this top integrates a featherweight, recycled mesh, making it a cornerstone piece in your training wardrobe.
A top view of the Soar Running Long Sleeve Tech T.
I tested this shirt out in various temperatures and found that it shines on its own at around 40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the intensity of the run.
The shirt’s construction and barely there feel is on par with the rest of Soar’s lineup. I found this shirt to provide light protection against cool weather and windy conditions, but it’s light enough that I truly didn’t notice I was wearing it.
It sports a four-panel construction, coupled with bonded seams, showcasing meticulous tailoring that counteracts potential chafing zones. The incorporation of elastane within the yarn ensures unrestricted movement, allowing for a seamless transition from the first mile to the last mile without compromising on comfort.
Men can avail of the men’s Soar Running Long Sleeve Tech T ($115).
Shop the Women's Soar Running Long Sleeve Tech TShop the Men's Soar Running Long Sleeve Tech T
A bottom view of the Soar Running Long Sleeve Tech T.
Soar Running Merino Track Jacket
The Soar Running Merino Track Jacket ($310) has quickly risen to the top of the list for best jackets, on and off the trails. While it’s made for men, I tested the size XS, which was a tolerably loose fit for my 5 feet 3 inches, 117-pound frame.
It stands as a pinnacle of versatile functionality, marrying beautiful design with the warmth of Merino wool lining. The brushed interior ensures next-to-skin comfort and efficient insulation, contributing to its remarkable versatility. Zipped pockets on the torso provide secure storage for valuables, while the subtle branding on the bound hem and cuffs maintains a refined aesthetic.
The Soar Running Merino Track Jacket.
I found myself reaching for this jacket on runs where the temperature dipped into the freezing or near-freezing zone. I would pair it with a warm long-sleeve shirt on the coldest of days, or with the Soar Running Long Sleeve Tech T, reviewed above, on warmer runs.
Crafted from an ultra-soft, four-way stretch fabric, this jacket seamlessly adapts to temperature changes. It insulates when the cold bites, and efficiently wicks away sweat during warmer moments. Its versatility shines through, effortlessly transitioning from a 10-kilometer race warm-up companion to a stylish layer for packet pick-up, or even the perfect jacket for light jogs on easy days.
I was nervous the wool would degrade in the washer or become scratchy/itchy — however after testing, I did not experience either of those things. The jacket still looks brand new.
Shop the Soar Running Merino Track JacketSoar Running Apparel Overall Impressions
After testing these products out, it’s clear that Soar has thought through every little detail. Each piece is made from incredibly high-quality fabrics, and it’s obvious how much engineering and testing went into each garment. I have run a lot in these items and thrown them into the washer (not the dryer) and they are still in like-new condition.
In the future, I hope that the women’s line expands even more. I would love to see items like sports bras, longer (6- to 7-inch inseam) tight shorts, and a full winter lineup. They are slowly adding more items that trail runners would be interested in, but the company is focused on the road racing persona.
There’s no beating around the bush, the price tag on the items is quite high, but I think investing in high-quality gear is worth it. Hear me out. I spend a ton of time running, which means I spend a lot of time in workout gear. To me, gear is an investment in myself, and I don’t want to buy gear that doesn’t meet my needs, or it gets worn out quickly.
Buying cheap gear is a bad investment for a lot of reasons — it’s a pain to keep buying things, it’s frustrating to have a piece of gear not perform well, it’s bad for the environment, and more. I love to have several pieces of gear that I can count on. The high quality of fabrics and materials that Soar uses lets me know these items will last year after year.
I’d rather buy an expensive thing once than a cheap thing multiple times.
More to that end of not buying a ton of stuff over and over — I also really enjoyed this incredibly candid video with the CEO about Soar’s sustainability — namely, what sustainability means to Soar and what they’re actively doing to address it. I haven’t seen a video like this from another brand … maybe ever?
Aside from the information about fabrics and sustainability, I love their mission to make their gear last longer by rolling out things like a gear repair system, and reproofing waterproof items.
Call for Comments
- Have you tried any of these Soar Running gear? What were your thoughts?
- Do you think the products’ durability and the company’s sustainability ethos are enough to justify the price tags?
[Editor’s Note: The following updates have been made to this article. January 30, 2024: Added Soar Running Tempo Top, Long Sleeve Tech T, and Merino Track Jacket.]
