SOAR RUNNING SPLIT SHORTS
| £100 | |
|---|---|
| BUY NOW FOR MEN | BUY NOW FOR WOMEN |
PLEASE NOTE: I paid for the SOAR Running split shorts myself and was not gifted these shorts or paid by SOAR Running to give a honest review. This page contains affiliate links. Making a purchase via our affiliate link means I may receive a small share of the sale.
SOAR market themselves as a performance led brand that sits at the intersection of race day and every day running. These shorts are described by SOAR as “a stripped back split short reimagined for the everyday”. They’re created to delivers airflow, freedom and comfort whether you’re racing or running easy miles.
FIRST IMPRESSION
I’ll be honest in saying that I’m cautious with split shorts. They’re either incredible or cause me endless chaffing.
But from the moment I took these out of the packaging, I was genuinely surprised by their quality, lightness and premium feel. They feel well made and not flimsy or overly delicate.
COLOUR AND FIT
For women, these are available in black and dark teal, while the men’s range also includes orange and white. I went for black which I find is endlessly versatile and is perfect for me as my club vest is green.
I’d heard mixed feedback suggesting you may need to size up in SOAR products, but I followed the online size guide and stayed true to my usual size. I’m consistently a UK 8 / size small, ordered a small and the fit was perfect.
If I were being particularly picky, I might size up purely for a touch more length, but that’s a personal preference rather than a fit issue.
The waistband is elasticated but not tight or restrictive and there’s an internal drawcord if you want to fine tune the fit. Once adjusted, they stayed put without digging in.
FEATURES
I feel like these shorts are well designed with runners in mind, without overdoing it.
Some of their key features are:
- Ultra-lightweight outer short which has a floaty, barely there feel.
- Closer fitting inner brief for coverage and confidence.
- Side split with laser-cut hem for unrestricted leg movement.
- Bonded seams for comfort and durability.
- Small zipped pocket at the back. This is perfect for keys or caffeine bullets (but not large enough for a phone or gels).
- Quick-drying, sweat-wicking fabric that performs well in warm weather, but was also quick drying in the rain!
COMFORT AND PERFORMANCE
In truth, I usually steer towards cycle style shorts, mainly to minimise chafing and for gel storage. However, what has been missing from my running wardrobe is a pair fast short, something suitable for VO2 sessions and 5/10km races. These fill that gap perfectly.
The side cut out allows full leg extension without restriction, which you really notice when you pick up the pace. They’re incredibly breezy, lightweight and easy to move in, to the point where you genuinely forget you’re wearing them.
My thighs are prone to chafing and while these do ride up slightly for me (mainly due to how my thighs are), I was surprised by how comfortable they remained.
I wore them on runs of up to 10 miles:
Under 5 miles - no chafe balm, no issues.
Over 5 miles - I used balm as a preventative rather than out of necessity.
Once I got moving, I didn’t need to adjust them and the inner brief stayed in place the whole time. They feel secure without feeling heavy or clingy.
I was worried they were a bit short for me, but the inner brief offers the modesty I desire, especially during windy runs. Despite initial concerns, I also didn’t experience any bounce from the rear pocket even with keys stored.
MATERIAL AND DURABILITY
In my opinion, this is where SOAR really stand. The fabric is ultra lightweight yet premium and you notice it immediately. As soon as I put these on, they just felt like a quality.
The shorts feel technical without feeling fragile. The polyester elastane blend breathes well, wicks sweat efficiently and fast. I tested these in a torrential downpour, and this is where they truly earned their place in my rotation.
Despite being completely soaked, they didn’t become heavy, clingy, or waterlogged, nor did they hold carry any noticeable extra weight. This is something I was genuinely grateful for as the miles ticked on.
They also wash well, holding their shape and performance with no signs of wear. They do crease slightly after washing, but these drop out quickly once you’re running.
These don’t feel like shorts you’ll need to replace any time soon, in that they feel like a long term investment piece.
PRICE
These are at the higher end of what I’d pay for race shorts, but the moment you take them out of the packaging you understand why.
You do get what you pay for in terms of material, construction and performance. Everyone I’ve spoken to about SOAR kit consistently comments on how hard wearing it is.
For something I’d race in up to a 10km and rely on for faster sessions, I’m comfortable with the price point.
CONCLUSION
As someone who’s naturally cautious with split shorts, I went into testing these with a bit of hesitation. Instead, I’ve found myself reaching for them on faster sessions.
They feel light, freeing and quietly confidence boosting. I love how they feel against the skin and how they perform regardless to what I am running.
As far as split shorts go, I think these are definitely up there with some of the best.
WOULD I RECOMMEND THEM?
Yes, especially if you’re looking for:
- A race day short for 5/10km
- Something lightweight for tempo or VO2 sessions
- A premium, minimal option that feels as good as it performs.
If you don’t experience chafing issues, I also think these could work well for longer distances. And if, like me, you usually live in cycle style shorts, these make the perfect complement rather than a replacement.
WHERE TO BUY?
These shorts are available directly from SOAR running.
| £100 | |
|---|---|
| BUY NOW FOR MEN | BUY NOW FOR WOMEN |
- They offer the same day dispatch on orders placed before 12pm.
- Free UK returns
- A one month free return policy, even after running in them. I really appreciate it when brands do this as you never know how something will fit until after you’ve been out in it!
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions you would like to ask about the SOAR running vests, please get in touch.
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