Article by Matt Kolat
ECO Tech T - £79
Fit
The shirt fits almost as you’d expect it too from SOAR quite tapered. I got mine in XXL and normally wear a Large, but I have to be honest I prefer a loose fit, XL would have fitted me fine. So if you like a close to skin fit go for your usual size, if not - size up.
What I liked
If a Soar product is priced with two and not three digits - we’re already cooking. One of the reasons why I wanted to test the Eco Tech T was that it’s one of SOAR’s more budget friendly offerings. Luckily this does not result in any quality downgrades. The fabrics are still silky soft and very breathable and make you feel (and look!) cool on a hot day’s run. Worth mentioning that the fabrics are very sustainable - 87% recycled polyamides and polyesters and 13% elastane. The shirt is in the featherweight category, I would probably expect it to be a summer-only item for me. There are reflective elements both in the front and back. The shirt comes in ten different colours and can easily be worn casually because of the subtle styling. Great introductory model if you would like to try SOAR without spending as much as some of their racing gear requires.
What I did not like
Nothing to report - finally a SOAR shirt that does not require breaking the piggy bank.
Long Summer Shorts - £140
Fit
In terms of the fit - I would recommend a true to size. If the photos in the article make you think that the shorts look extra loose - that’s only because SOAR had sent me a size larger than I would usually order (I’ve got an X Large instead of a Large).I would expect this is because SOAR often sells out pretty quickly - if you like something better, order quick or you might regret it! To put the sizing into perspective I am 6ft tall and weigh 176 pounds - so not exactly skinny. In terms of the composition the shorts are made out of 92% polyesters and 8% elastane.
What I liked
This is a great and universal piece of kit. The way the shorts are styled - they can easily be worn casually in the summer. The laser cut ventilators do a great job in hot weather.
With regards to storage the shorts have two, large fully secure zippered pockets. They can each hold a max sized smartphone or a bunch of smaller items. This is yet another feature that makes those shorts a great casual wear item for hot summer days. The hem is split allowing for a greater freedom of movement which will be particularly welcome to folks blessed with larger legs, like yours truly.
What I did not like
This one for sure is not a budget offering - £140 can buy you a very good pair of daily trainers these days but then again SOAR is an upmarket if not a luxury brand and has to cost more than the rest of the pack.
Soar Running
Tester Profile
Maciej 'Matt' Kolat- 39 years old, hailing from Poland but pounding Scottish pavements and trails since 2007. Mainly runs shorter distances on pavement 5-10 km and reserves longer runs for beautiful Scottish Glens. Matt’s opinion sometimes may differ from other RTR testers as he is the slowest of the bunch (5k at 25:38). Matt also uses running as a way to stay healthy having shed 106 lbs so far (and counting).
Europe only: use RTR code RTR5ALL for 5% off all products, even sale products
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