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Isn’t that nasty weather out there? First it was wet, now it’s freezing cold… The layers of functional clothing quickly pile up to a small sumo costume. ;) But there is another way, as the clever use of high-tech materials proves once again.
ReviewSoar All Weather Jacket
Sponsored Post: Soar provided me with the products for this review at my request. This had no influence on the content of my post. The article is written indipendently and reflects exclusively my personal experiences.
[php snippet=1]First Impression
I have to admit that I was not a Soar fan from the first moment on. Two years ago I was instantly enthusiastic about the Soft Shell Jacket, but I only really learned to appreciate it over time. The shorts and finally the Ultra Rain Jacket had it much easier. Meanwhile I know what I can aks of the textiles from England.
Even the All Weather Jacket looks quite unimpressive at first glance. Black, with a few small white applications. Thin, but with some roughened material. You imagine a weatherproof jacket for all occasions differently.
The breast pocket is complemented by a zipper pocket on the lower back. Another eye-catching feature: the tight cuffs with thumb holes. Just like the Softshell Jacket. And if you look closely, you notice the slightly shiny seams.
The material is also slightly rough on the inside. So I would trust the jacket to have a certain warmth. But all in all it looks more like a very thin fleece jacket. And I should be able to go out in all weathers with it? ;)
However, it is worth reading the “Designers Notes” to learn more about the All Weather Jacket. Soar reveals that the material is absolutely weatherproof even without a membrane, but at the same time very breathable. The designers have also noticed that black is not the ideal colour for a winter jacket ;) However, the colour is probably the result of the production process of the Italian high-tech material and seems to be unchangeable. Therefore the white elements on the front and back were added. Furthermore the seams are reflective. So one has thought about it.
The cut of the jacket is also deliberately sporty and tight. The material is slightly stretchy and follows every movement. It has also been roughened on the inside so that it feels good when worn next to the skin. Of course you can also wear a shirt or long-sleeve underneath.
Running experience
But you should not wear too many layers under the jacket. At the first run I was a bit too sceptical and sweated well ;) Even in wind, rain or snow you should consider the jacket as a fully-fledged winter outfit. This is unusual at first, because you always think of the onion principle in winter. But with the Soar Jacket, one layer less than you’d usually wear is enough. ;)
I have to admit that I wasn’t sure about wearing the jacket on some evenings because of the colour. After all, I usually don’t run any lit paths, but bluntly do my usual rounds through the peasantry. So it’ s helpful to be seen well. But on the other hand, other gear such as the headlamp or reflectors also do the job.
Besides, the function convinced me too much not to want to wear the jacket all the time ;) Especially the faster runs in rainy weather were really fun! Even when cooling down I never got cold, because the jacket kept the rain off well, didn’t let the wind through and the inner climate was still pleasant. Of course the All Weather Jacket is wet from the inside when you take it off. But that’s more like a fine spray that has settled on it. The material is not really wet.
But also in milder temperatures without rain the jacket was a good companion. Only with a (functional) undershirt underneath, I felt a little naked at first, but in return I could enjoy the freedom of being on the road so minimally.
The two pockets help to carry the necessary equipment. A modern mobile phone fits well into the breast pocket, while the back pocket has even more volume. However, you should keep in mind that the pockets can get wet when running!
The jacket has also survived various washes without losing its function. To be honest, this is always one of my worries… Soar states that you should wash the jacket with a suitable detergent and then refresh the double DWR-impregnation with an iron on the lowest level. Apparently it worked very well for me, because the rain rolls off like on the first day. :)
Alternatives
If weather resistance is not important, you can of course also use the somewhat cheaper Softshell from Soar. It has the same sporty cut and is universally applicable. In the rain you will of course get wet under it over time… The same applies to the Spherewind-Jacket by X-Bionic – which is, however, available in at least one striking colour. Otherwise, you will quickly end up with much heavier, but not necessarily warmer jackets like the 23.5 N jacket from 2XU.
Conclusion
If you don’t know Soar yet, you should definitely have a look at my other reviews of the English manufacturer! I’m not equally convinced by every product, but there are many highlights that really inspire me.
