The first generation Tempo Top was one of our best selling garments. I designed it after struggling to find the right top to use for the transitional weather conditions in spring and autumn, and for higher intensity sessions and races in winter.
I started the development process for the Tempo Top 2.0 at the end of 2017. Initially, I thought I would just need to make some small tweaks until…
THE RIGHT FABRIC
....nine months ago I discovered a brand new type of thin woven fabric with a subtle 3D structure. This traps small pockets of air next to the skin making it warmer than a plain weave fabric of the same weight. It also makes it very comfortable – sweat is wicked off the skin and the fabric does not become clingy. I knew straight away this was going to take the Tempo Top 2.0 in a whole new direction.
THE CONSTRUCTION
The Tempo Top 2.0 uses three different construction techniques within each garment - laser cutting and bonding, flat-lock stitching and overlock stitching depending on the particular requirements and position of each seam.
This construction, along with the new fabric, brings the weight of a size M Tempo Top 2.0 down to only 150 grams. I am absolutely clear with all SOAR ELITE garments that if it is possible to reduce weight without compromising functionality then you must do so. Running is hard work, running fast, or racing, especially so. You do not want to be carrying any more weight than is absolutely necessary.
THE CUT AND THE DETAILS
The Tempo Top 2.0 keeps the close fit of the first generation garment. The armhole is cut high and close to the body to allow unrestricted arm movement. The front collar is lowered so that the top can be used comfortably with the zip fully closed in all conditions. For the Tempo Top 2.0, adjustments have been made to the shape of the body of the garment. The balance of the darts on the front and back waist seams have been adjusted to allow for a more comfortable fit when breathing heavily during a hard session or race.
No one wants their expensive running top to snag against a back pocket zip. So, I added a small panel of plain woven fabric at the bottom of the back panel. This will keep things pristine.
The thin glossy film detail that picked out the bonded seams of the first generation top is still there. It makes absolutely no difference to the performance, but it still look very stylish. It has an E on the back because it's a SOAR ELITE product. This is me hunting design PBs - no compromises, maximum commitment, not stopping until you cross the line.
The Tempo Top 2.0 is a really lightweight, super-comfortable long sleeve top that works across a wide range of temperatures. I have used my prototype top for every session this winter and have carried on into early spring with the production garment. It looks great and performs even better. The brief is, as always, ‘Beautiful Performance Running Wear’.
Tim Soar. London, 2019
YOU CAN SEE AND BUY THE TEMPO TOP 2.0 HERE
DESIGNER'S NOTES: ELITE TEMPO TOP 2.0
The first generation Tempo Top was one of our best selling garments. I designed it after struggling to find the right top to use for the transitional weather conditions in spring and autumn, and for higher intensity sessions and races in winter.
I started the development process for the Tempo Top 2.0 at the end of 2017. Initially, I thought I would just need to make some small tweaks until…
THE RIGHT FABRIC
....nine months ago I discovered a brand new type of thin woven fabric with a subtle 3D structure. This traps small pockets of air next to the skin making it warmer than a plain weave fabric of the same weight. It also makes it very comfortable – sweat is wicked off the skin and the fabric does not become clingy. I knew straight away this was going to take the Tempo Top 2.0 in a whole new direction.
THE CONSTRUCTION
The Tempo Top 2.0 uses three different construction techniques within each garment - laser cutting and bonding, flat-lock stitching and overlock stitching depending on the particular requirements and position of each seam.
This construction, along with the new fabric, brings the weight of a size M Tempo Top 2.0 down to only 150 grams. I am absolutely clear with all SOAR ELITE garments that if it is possible to reduce weight without compromising functionality then you must do so. Running is hard work, running fast, or racing, especially so. You do not want to be carrying any more weight than is absolutely necessary.
THE CUT AND THE DETAILS
The Tempo Top 2.0 keeps the close fit of the first generation garment. The armhole is cut high and close to the body to allow unrestricted arm movement. The front collar is lowered so that the top can be used comfortably with the zip fully closed in all conditions. For the Tempo Top 2.0, adjustments have been made to the shape of the body of the garment. The balance of the darts on the front and back waist seams have been adjusted to allow for a more comfortable fit when breathing heavily during a hard session or race.
No one wants their expensive running top to snag against a back pocket zip. So, I added a small panel of plain woven fabric at the bottom of the back panel. This will keep things pristine.
The thin glossy film detail that picked out the bonded seams of the first generation top is still there. It makes absolutely no difference to the performance, but it still look very stylish. It has an E on the back because it's a SOAR ELITE product. This is me hunting design PBs - no compromises, maximum commitment, not stopping until you cross the line.
The Tempo Top 2.0 is a really lightweight, super-comfortable long sleeve top that works across a wide range of temperatures. I have used my prototype top for every session this winter and have carried on into early spring with the production garment. It looks great and performs even better. The brief is, as always, ‘Beautiful Performance Running Wear’.
Tim Soar. London, 2019
YOU CAN SEE AND BUY THE TEMPO TOP 2.0 HERE
The first generation Tempo Top was one of our best selling garments. I designed it after struggling to find the right top to use for the transitional weather conditions in spring and autumn, and for higher intensity sessions and races in winter.
I started the development process for the Tempo Top 2.0 at the end of 2017. Initially, I thought I would just need to make some small tweaks until…
THE RIGHT FABRIC
....nine months ago I discovered a brand new type of thin woven fabric with a subtle 3D structure. This traps small pockets of air next to the skin making it warmer than a plain weave fabric of the same weight. It also makes it very comfortable – sweat is wicked off the skin and the fabric does not become clingy. I knew straight away this was going to take the Tempo Top 2.0 in a whole new direction.
THE CONSTRUCTION
The Tempo Top 2.0 uses three different construction techniques within each garment - laser cutting and bonding, flat-lock stitching and overlock stitching depending on the particular requirements and position of each seam.
This construction, along with the new fabric, brings the weight of a size M Tempo Top 2.0 down to only 150 grams. I am absolutely clear with all SOAR ELITE garments that if it is possible to reduce weight without compromising functionality then you must do so. Running is hard work, running fast, or racing, especially so. You do not want to be carrying any more weight than is absolutely necessary.
THE CUT AND THE DETAILS
The Tempo Top 2.0 keeps the close fit of the first generation garment. The armhole is cut high and close to the body to allow unrestricted arm movement. The front collar is lowered so that the top can be used comfortably with the zip fully closed in all conditions. For the Tempo Top 2.0, adjustments have been made to the shape of the body of the garment. The balance of the darts on the front and back waist seams have been adjusted to allow for a more comfortable fit when breathing heavily during a hard session or race.
No one wants their expensive running top to snag against a back pocket zip. So, I added a small panel of plain woven fabric at the bottom of the back panel. This will keep things pristine.
The thin glossy film detail that picked out the bonded seams of the first generation top is still there. It makes absolutely no difference to the performance, but it still look very stylish. It has an E on the back because it's a SOAR ELITE product. This is me hunting design PBs - no compromises, maximum commitment, not stopping until you cross the line.
The Tempo Top 2.0 is a really lightweight, super-comfortable long sleeve top that works across a wide range of temperatures. I have used my prototype top for every session this winter and have carried on into early spring with the production garment. It looks great and performs even better. The brief is, as always, ‘Beautiful Performance Running Wear’.
Tim Soar. London, 2019
YOU CAN SEE AND BUY THE TEMPO TOP 2.0 HERE