A SPECIAL HIGH FIVE
Testing SOAR's Nano Jacket a whole winter.
This one’s a bit of a special one as it’s monothematic on a single product. SOAR Running is one of the most technically advanced running gear companies around and they asked me to test some of their stuff during winter, including some merino pieces, their cold weather pants and – here comes the highlight – the Nano jacket that was released late in 2024. Spoiler: the SOAR Nano jacket is different. I had the chance to wear it from late November until now and I included it in at least 25 runs – from easy 5k to 5 hours on the trails. And the Nano just doesn’t disappoint.
But let’s begin with the obvious – it’s 575€ and that isn’t exactly cheap. You’ll have to decide for yourself if you wanna pay that sum for a running jacket. But I’ll try to tell you why this jacket is more than “just another” expensive running jacket. The sizeing of the jacket is classic SOAR, so I went for XL instead of Large, what was a good idea. The jacket’s fit is relatively snug, without being too tight or loose anywhere. “Every feature serves a purpose” is what SOAR says about the jacket and i can see that. With a weight of just above 200 grams it’s very light, the waterproof rating is 10,000 (taped seams of course), while still being way more breathable than every other running (rain) jacket i used before. The jacket comes with a front zip “Napolean” pocket, several reflective 3M patches, a corded hood for perfect fit and of course it fits the requirements for race regulations.
POV and experience: i sweat a lot, no matter if summer or winter. And in the past, i sometimes wore rain jackets as outer shells in winter to keep warm. But usually that meant having soaking wet layers underneath the jacket and i wasn’t really able to take the jacket off when it got warmer after a while, because i was soaking wet with sweat running down my arms. I’m not joking. That was the fact that always brought me away from rain jackets for running.
Well, turns our that didn’t happen with the NANO jacket. It’s so much more breathable and comfortable wearing in colder temperature. FYI i usually combine it with a light merino longsleeve baselayer and a longsleeve or running tee as mid layer. Worked great for early runs before the sun was at underneath 0 degrees but also until up to 5,6 degrees and sunshine. You just don’t have that feeling of wrapping yourself in a layer of plastic with the Nano jacket.
So yeah, 575€ is still expensive after all, but that jacket is hell of a product and (together with the Raide belt) my most-used product of the 24/25 winter season and probably one of the most used items for this year’s wet weather season.
The SOAR Nano Jacket is available directly via the brand’s online store and selected running specialists around the world.
The next issue of the Runners Highest HIGHEST FIVE will be out later this week, so stay tuned.
*Please notice: SOAR Running sent me a pr sample of the jacket but I wouldn’t say I like a product if that’s just not the case. I’ve tested the jacket for quite a while to come to my honest review.