Soar All Weather Jacket review
The Soar All Weather Jacket will set you back £350: can its waterproofing justify the investment?
Soar Running’s All Weather has been a staple of the Brit brand’s collection for many years, and a firm favourite amongst our testers.
Personally I’ve used their Ultra Rain 2.0 jacket for five years now. It’s still a regular water-thwarter in my run collection.
DWR for ‘weatherprooofing’
A DWR coating is responsible for adding the water resistance to the top-end All Weather running jacket (£350 / $470). Rain beaded on the surface and simply flowed off.
Soar don’t offer a waterproof rating for the All Weather (simply labelling it ‘weatherproof’). But it stayed watertight throughout my test period, which involved some intense and prolonged rainfall.
The DWR tech is usually seen on classic rain shell jackets. But the All Weather’s construction has an almost coarse material. It’s made from a mix of polyester, elastane for added stretch and, unusually, wool, which gives the All Weather its woven feel.
Soar All Weather vs Inov-8 Performance Hybrid
It’s not the cosiest on bare arms (some of Soar’s previous All Weather jackets have had a fleece inner), especially when worn back-to-back with the Inov-8 Performance. But it’s certainly not uncomfortable.
The plush inner of the collar most certainly is comfortable, however. Fully bonded internal seams add to the All Weather’s waterproofing abilities.
There’s also a heavy-duty full-length zipper guard for further wind and water protection.
Breathability is enhanced by the inclusion of that wool, and I didn’t overheat on any autumnal runs. But the bonded seams and lack of any armpit vents meant that warm summer conditions are clearly exempt from the meteorology boxes ticked by the All Weather.
The wool also adds insulation, making it a warmer offering than all but the Inov-8 on test. The Velcro cuff adjustmen and drawcord waist tech combine to prevent draughts from sneaking inside.
Given the seriousness of their YKK Aquaguard zips, I didn’t have to worry about the condition of any snacks or valuables located in the two waist pockets and chest compartment. They proved ample enough for a multitude of bars and gels.
At 360g, it’s not the lightest, however, while stashability isn’t easy due to its semi-rigid nature.
Sharp off-trail styling
The All Weather is also smart and stylish away from the running trails, giving an almost mod-like aesthetic (if Paul Weller runs, he’ll probably run in this).
There’s also a blue version with increased visibility, but both possess reflective seams and details.
Soar All Weather Jacket bottom line
Sizing ranges from XS to XXL for men, but I was surprised to see the lack of a female-specific version of the All Weather, which needs addressing.
What also needs addressing is that £350 price tag. This comfortably places it as the priciest jacket within this test (and also near the top of the priciest running jackets on the market).
In its defence, the techy abrasion-resistant Italian fabric should provide durability. As I alluded to earlier, I can vouch for the longevity of Soar running products in my wardrobe. It’s also unlike anything else on the market.
220 Triathlon verdict
It’s hard to ignore the price but this is a formidable jacket for battling winter weather Score 80%
Pros
- Excellent rain protection
- Durable
Cons
- Costly
- Unisex sizing
Soar All Weather Jacket specs
Price: | £350 / $470 |
Waterproofing: | ‘Weatherproof’ |
Features: | Pockets, adjustable cuffs, reflective details |
Weight: | 360g |
Materials: | Membrane DWR-coated fabric |