SOAR RUNNING CLUB VEST
| £70 |
| Contact SOAR to make an enquiry for custom club vests |
PLEASE NOTE: I paid for the SOAR Running club vest myself and was not gifted this vest 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.
I’ve been running with my club for about three years now and there comes a time in every club runner’s journey when they decide it’s time to properly rep the club colours, whether that’s during training sessions, club runs or on the ultimate platform of all, race day.
Our club is fairly big, which means we are able to pull together the minimum order numbers needed to commission custom race vests from premium, London based running brand SOAR.
I’ve taken on the role of dealing directly with SOAR to arrange the club orders each year and I have to say that not only do they produce genuinely high quality kit, but their customer service has also been excellent throughout the process.
ABOUT THE VEST
This is very clearly a race inspired piece of kit with a size medium weighing a minuscule 44g. From the moment you pick it up, the overriding impression is just how little there is to it. The vest feels almost weightless in the hand and once it is on, it all but disappears. That is very much the point. SOAR have built this with one job in mind and that is going fast on race day.
When I received my first order of 22 vests 2 years ago, I’m not sure what I was expecting but when this tiny box arrived and I first picked it up, my assumption was that there must be another box on its way, as there was no way this one contained 22 vests, however, I was wrong, they are just so incredibly lightweight!
FABRIC AND BREATHABILITY
The fabric is the standout feature. It is an open mesh Italian SPACE3D material that is extremely breathable and dries quickly. In warm conditions it performs brilliantly, pulling sweat away from the body and never feeling heavy or clingy, even when soaked. Compared to more traditional polyester race vests, it feels a step ahead in terms of cooling and moisture management. You stay drier for longer and when it does get wet, it never feels like it’s stuck to your skin.
There is a slight trade off here in that the fabric is very minimal. In lighter colours it can become see through when wet, which is not an issue for everyone but is worth knowing before you buy.
FIT AND COMFORT
The fit is slim and race focused. This is not a relaxed training vest and it is not trying to be. It sits close to the body without flapping and that snug fit helps with both cooling and comfort when running hard. The arm holes and neckline are cut generously, giving good freedom of movement without rubbing.
Seams are bonded rather than stitched and edges are clean and soft against the skin. I’ve never had any issues with chaffing even over longer sessions (4+ hours) and in hot conditions. Sizing is on the snug side, so if you sit between sizes or prefer a little more room, sizing up is sensible. I generally wear a large but am most definitely an XL in SOAR sizing.
ON THE RUN
Where this vest really earns its place is when your’e running hard. It does not move, it does not bunch up, and it does not hold sweat. I normally steer clear of wearing vests, I hate that they often seem to ride up and I end up with the front neckline riding up high, but the Race Vest from SOAR stays put. After the first kilometre you forget about it entirely, which is exactly what you want from a race top. It feels purpose built for fast racing, whether that is a 5k, a half marathon or longer.
DURABILITY AND CARE
Because the fabric is so light, it does need a bit of respect. Gentle washing is recommended and it is not something you want thrown loose into a kit bag with zips and rough fabrics. When washing I’d suggest putting it into a wash bag. Longevity seems reasonable if it is looked after.
Care is needed when attaching a race number, as pins can snag the mesh if you are careless.
VALUE
There is no getting away from the price. It sits firmly at the premium end of the market. That said, most people who buy it do so specifically for racing and judge it on performance and quality, both of which it has in heaps. When you take into account how good this vest is, I think it represents good value for money.
OVERALL
The SOAR Elite Race Vest does exactly what it sets out to do. It is incredibly light, exceptionally breathable and almost invisible once you are running. It is not the most robust vest you will ever own and it is not cheap, but for race day performance it is genuinely excellent.
If you want a vest for everyday training, there are cheaper options but if you want something that you can train in and slip on for that big race whilst chasing your best possible performance, this is one of the best race vests available right now.