SOAR X ALTRA TRAIL RACE TOP
| £160 |
| BUY NOW FROM SOAR |
PLEASE NOTE: I paid for the SOAR X ALTRA Trail race top myself and was not gifted this t-shirt 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.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
I’ve worn plenty of race and training tops over the years. Everything from cheap cotton tees to some of the best lightweight and technical stuff made for racing and training in heat over Ultra distances.
The SOAR x Altra Trail Race Top definitely sits at the serious end of that scale, and is easily my favourite running top of all time.
This isn’t just a lazy collab between two brands or a shirt with two logos stuck on it. It’s very obviously designed for racing, particularly hot trail races where breathability and weight really matter. SOAR have taken their usual care and attention in fabric choice and leant into Altra for their experience in Ultra and trail racing.
The first thing you notice when you pick it up is how minimal and soft it feels. It’s extremely light and breathable, especially across the body.
The white/grey colour isn’t just aesthetic either, it’s clearly designed with heat in mind. The arms and upper is almost silky; it’s really comfortable to wear.
MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION
Most of the lower torso and underarm area uses SOAR’s SPACE3D mesh which is all about airflow and is the same premium material you get on the Race Vests and Hot Weather T’s.
You can practically see through parts of it. The back, shoulders and upper arms use UPF 50 fabric, which gives you some proper sun protection where it matters most.
There’s also a slightly tougher woven panel across the chest. That’s there to deal with hydration vests rubbing all day, which is a nice practical touch and works flawlessly.
It is made in Portugal from a mix of fabrics chosen for performance:
- Main body ultralight mesh for airflow and moisture movement
- UPF 50 panels on shoulders and upper arms for sun protection
- Woven chest panel for abrasion resistance
- Bonded seams for zero rubbing and irritation.
The material mix combines polyester and elastane in different proportions across panels to balance stretch with durability — lightweight where you need breathability and slightly denser where you need resilience.
The sleeves are raglan cut, so you get good arm movement, and the neckline sits a bit higher which helps stop hydration pack straps digging in or rubbing.
FIT
The fit is definitely on the athletic side.
SOAR and Altra have cut this top to sit close to the body to work with trail packs and reduce excess fabric that could flap when on the move. It is not meant to be a baggy training shirt; this is a lean, ergonomic fit that feels race oriented.
I’m 6’3”, 85kg and wearing an XL in these pics. I have also tried this top in a large and whilst it fits well in most areas, it’s a little snug across the chest, not uncomfortably, just more from an aesthetic point. I’d happily wear either, but prefer the XL.
If you like a looser feel or are between sizes I’d suggest sizing up.
OUT ON THE TRAILS
It wicks sweat really well and dries quickly. I’m a fairly heavy sweater, and if I’m wearing a pack nothing is going to keep my back completely dry.
That said, with this top the mesh panels allow plenty of airflow, and if I’m running with a belt rather than a vest it does a really good job of keeping me reasonably dry.
Once you get moving at a decent pace, you can actually feel the air passing through the mesh, which is exactly what you want when you’re working hard.
The chest panel also does its job. Under a hydration vest it holds up well and doesn’t feel fragile, which you might expect from something this light.
Mobility is excellent too. Nothing pulls or restricts when you’re scrambling over gates or lifting your arms on steep climbs.
It feels like a proper race piece rather than a general running top.
CARE
Like most lightweight technical gear, it’s worth washing it properly and following the instructions on the SOAR web site which are as follows:
- Wash with Grangers Performance Wash
- Do not use fabric conditioner
- Cool iron: 1 dot
- Do not bleach
- Do not dry clean
- Look after it and it should last fine.
PRICE AND VALUE
There’s no pretending at £160 for a t-shirt this is cheap. It’s definitely a premium bit of kit.
That said, if you’re someone who races or loves getting out on the trails a lot, especially in warm conditions, you can see where the money has gone.
The fabrics are good, the construction is thoughtful and it does exactly what it’s designed to do.
WHERE TO BUY
I bought direct from SOAR but you might struggle to get hold of your size now as they have virtually sold out.
| £160 |
| BUY NOW FROM SOAR |
PROS
- Extremely breathable
- Very lightweight
- Good sun protection on shoulders
- Chest panel handles vest straps well
- Great mobility
CONS
- Close fit won’t suit everyone
- Expensive
- Probably overkill for casual runs
CONCLUSION
The SOAR x Altra Trail Race Top is a seriously well thought out bit of kit. It’s incredibly light, exceptionally breathable, and clearly designed with long, hot trail races in mind.
The SPACE3D mesh does a brilliant job of moving sweat and letting air flow through the body, while the UPF panels on the shoulders and the tougher chest fabric add some practical durability where you actually need it when running with a pack.
The fit is definitely race focused, sitting close to the body to work properly with hydration vests, and the bonded construction means it stays comfortable even when you’re moving hard over long distances. It feels purpose built rather than general running gear.
Yes, it’s expensive, and it’s probably more technical than most people need for everyday training.
But if you’re someone who spends long days on the trails, races ultras, or regularly runs in hot conditions, it’s the absolute best running top I’ve worn. Lightweight, comfortable and built properly for the job.
| £160 |
| BUY NOW FROM SOAR |