SOAR SS’26: A Closer Look at Four Pieces from the New Collection

Apparel
8 min read
Last updated:

Dieser Beitrag ist auch verfügbar auf: Deutsch

SOAR has dropped a few pieces for the S/S ’26 season that went straight onto my shortlist … a cap, the Race Vest, a linen shell and a singlet. Four fairly different items, but all built around the typical SOAR approach: pared back, technical, no frills.

Advertisement: The manufacturer provided the products for this review at my request. This had no influence on the content of my review. The post was written independently and reflects my personal experience only.

Sahara Cap 2.0 | White/Blue — €94

White baseball cap with a long blue neck cover for sun protection.
Blue waterproof rain poncho with a white hood, designed to cover the head and torso during rain, with a drawstring toggle on the side.

The Sahara Cap is SOAR’s answer to running in full sun. The standout detail is the one-piece, darted crown construction — fewer seams, a tighter and more stable fit. The neck cover (canopy) is integrated directly into the structure and lies flat instead of flapping loose.

White baseball cap with a light blue detachable neck scarf hanging behind it.
Close-up of a two-tone jacket hood in white and blue with a black drawstring toggle.
Close-up of a white disposable face mask resting on a blue surgical gown with black elastic ear loops visible.

The cap comes in one size with an adjustable drawcord at the back. For the fabric, SOAR uses 100 % PES in the main body, while the canopy is a PA/EL blend (76/24) for a bit of stretch. Five-panel construction, mesh side panels for airflow, laser-cut edges instead of hemmed ones — that saves weight and prevents fraying.

Features at a glance:

  • Lightweight canopy for cooling and protection
  • Five-panel build with mesh side panels
  • Drawcord for a secure fit
  • Stiff brim
  • Reflective SOAR logos
Person taking a high-angle selfie while walking on a paved path, wearing a white sleeveless shirt, red shorts, white sneakers, a light-blue neck scarf, sunglasses, and a white sun visor under green trees.

The Sahara Cap obviously isn’t an everyday piece. And even on hot days I had the feeling I was getting a few odd looks. But functionally the thing is simply spot on! Of all the cooling tricks I’ve tried while running, a damp cap was unbeatable. The neck cover sits fairly close and doesn’t flap around annoyingly while running — least of all when wet.

So: the design may be a little unusual, but the performance has earned it a permanent place in my hot-weather rotation.

Race Vest 2.0 Print | Black White Dot — €145

White sleeveless tank top with a black-to-gray halftone dot pattern across the front.
White sleeveless tank top with a black halftone dot pattern across the front. - Front view of a white tank top featuring a large black dotted abstract design. - White sleeveless shirt with an allover grayscale dotted pattern. - Graphic-pattern tank top with a white background and black dot motif.

The Race Vest 2.0 is the reworked version of SOAR’s lightest racing top. The manufacturer puts it at just 44 grams. The cut has visibly changed: a squarer neckline for more airflow, a lower-cut back to free up the shoulders, a slimmer waist for a more flowing stride. A notched, film-welded side split is meant to add freedom of movement without adding weight.

White and black sleeveless top with a dotted halftone gradient pattern
White sleeveless top with a dense black-to-gray dot gradient, photographed on a light background.
Close-up of white mesh athletic fabric with a holographic XRACE tag.
Close-up of a black-and-white fabric with a dotted outer edge and a small tag reading 'RACE VEST' and 'Made in Portugal' on the inside.

The fabric is 89 % recycled PES plus 11 % elastane — an Italian material with a 3D structure that moves sweat outwards quickly. The seams are bonded rather than stitched, which is supposed to add comfort. SOAR positions the vest broadly: from 5 km to ultra, on road, track and trail.

Features at a glance:

  • 3D fabric structure for fast sweat transport
  • 100 % recycled, ultralight Italian fabric
  • Bonded seams
  • Close, body-hugging cut (intended to be aerodynamic and cooling)
Man jogging along a paved path beside grassy fields, wearing an orange visor cap, sunglasses, and a patterned sleeveless running shirt.

The Race Vest is worn skin-tight so the fabric can play to its strengths. Above all that means it soaks up sweat very quickly and cools you down in the process. At the same time it dries out fast again when conditions change. Thanks to the soft material and the stretch, it feels nothing short of pleasant on the skin. By now I must own a dozen Race Vests, simply because I like the thing that much.

Linen Shell Top | Ecru/Warm Grey — €430

White lightweight pullover with a short zip placket and gray side panels on the sides of the torso.
Back view of a white jacket with gray side panels and curved gray inserts along the sides, long sleeves.

A proper ProtoLab piece: the Linen Shell Top combines a technical linen blend with a relaxed, airy fit. According to SOAR, linen’s long fibre structure absorbs less moisture and dries faster than classic synthetics — designed for warm and changeable temperatures.

White athletic jacket laid flat with a vertical black zipper running down the center and gray sleeves. The brand tag is visible near the collar.
White zip-up jacket with textured fabric and a black zipper pull, laid flat to show front zipper and collar detail, brand tag visible behind the neck
White and gray jacket laid flat, showing back with light-gray shoulders and sleeves on a white surface.
Close-up of a white textured fabric with a grey panel showing a black label that reads 'soar' Linen Shell Top on the garment surface.
Close-up of white textured fabric overlapping with dark gray fabric on a light surface.

The cut is deliberately loose, with gusseted armholes (an extra triangle of fabric in the underarm for more freedom of movement) and a lower-cut collar for better ventilation. A half zip at the front and an adjustable waist hem are there to fine-tune the fit. French-woven contrast panels add structure. Weight: 165 g in size M.

Fabric blend: 44 % PA, 27 % MD, 22 % EL, 7 % linen.

Features at a glance:

  • Technical linen blend for breathability and a dry feel
  • Half zip to regulate ventilation
  • Relaxed cut for freedom of movement
  • Gusseted armhole, low-cut collar
  • French-woven contrast panels
  • Adjustable waist hem
  • Reflective, perforated SOAR logo
  • 165 g (size M)
Runner in a white jacket and orange-tinted sunglasses runs along a sunny rural dirt road with green fields and a wind turbine in the distance.

At that price the top is obviously not for the faint-hearted… But ProtoLab at SOAR means exactly that: finding out what’s currently possible. And using natural fibres in a garment this functional is certainly a serious challenge.

Runner wearing a light jacket and blue shorts jogging along a rural road beside a metal railing, with trees and a house in the distance.

I was sceptical too, mostly because of the long sleeves. In the end, though, the Linen Shell Top proved itself across a range of conditions. Even on hot days, when I’d normally reach for the vest or the singlet, the top kept the running climate comfortable — with the sleeves pushed up slightly, admittedly.

Singlet | White/Blue/Magenta — €120

Pastel blue sleeveless tank top with a soft pink gradient, displayed on a white background (informative product image)
Light blue sleeveless vest with pastel pink and purple gradient sides, front view; brand 'soar' at the bottom.

The Singlet is SOAR’s most pared-back top for hot training days — ultra-breathable mesh, stripped down to the essentials. The fabric is an Italian mesh, light and with even airflow according to SOAR. The cut is deliberately looser than the Race Vest’s — more air, less body-hugging.

Light blue sleeveless athletic top with a white front panel and pastel pink-to-blue gradient on the sides, made of mesh fabric.
Light blue sleeveless athletic jersey with a white panel laid on a white surface.
Light blue mesh athletic shirt with a small size tag and a pink inner mesh panel visible at the seam.

Seams have been deliberately moved out of the high-movement zones to avoid chafing. Add to that a lower-set neckline and laser-cut hems. Material: 88 % PES, 12 % elastane, plus an antibacterial finish.

Features at a glance:

This is where Thomas Pier writes about running and (much more than just the necessary) equipment. I don't run particularly fast or far. But I like to share my experiences as an ambitious recreational runner, curious early-adopter and as my own trainer.

I am happy about every digital contacting - but even more so about every kilometer run together.

Strava Badge
Cookie Consent with Real Cookie Banner