The best shoes in the Under Armour lineup fall into two categories–everyday training shoes (including new models for trail running, like the Hovr Speed) and racing shoes. UA shoes can be a bit divisive—the brand gets routinely dragged by users on the Running Shoe Geeks subreddit because of the poor performance of its first running designs. This section is going to be a heartbreaker for some, but the ride was just not good. There are a lot of moments while running where I truly wanted to stop and just switch shoes but for testing purposes, I didn't. In terms of walking or just working out at the gym, it's comfortable; but for the hard impact of running, it just is not. An unpleasant ride in the HOVR Phantom 2

The Velociti Wind 2 won praise from RW testers for its surprising durability and grip, and this new, updated design retains those attributes. The shoe still has a full-length layer of Flow cushioning, but it’s tweaked to be even softer and lighter, according to Under Armour. The underside of the Flow layer has an undulating pattern of grooves that reliably grip the road. And, in standard Under Armour fashion, it’s durable enough to withstand repeated impacts, so the shoe won’t wear down after a few miles, unlike most shoes with exposed midsoles. That means there’s no need for a separate, heavy outsole, which shaves off considerable weight. Along with companies like Hoka and On, Under Armour is part of a “new” wave of running shoe brands that launched in the past few decades. Founded by University of Maryland football player Kevin Plank in 1996, Under Armour’s technical base layers rapidly gained popularity among athletes, leading to broader appeal for shorts, sweats, and other athletic apparel. The Clone upper stretches and contracts to match the shape of your feet, even as they swell up over the course of your run, so you get a snug fit that won’t feel constricting on longer efforts. The upper also features a rigid external heel counter that supports your heel and ankle, so the shoe won’t feel wobbly when cornering or running across uneven ground.

The UA HOVR Phantom 2 is a high mileage everyday training shoe. Think Pegasus, Nimbus, Clifton, Triumph etc. This shoe feels good, looks good, and rivals all of those. The Hovr Phantom used to be Under Armour’s max-cushion shoe, but the Mega 3 has eclipsed it. This plush trainer features even more midsole foam than the Phantom, along with a new Clone upper. If you want all the padding, the Mega 3 Clone has it. The weight of the HOVR Phantom 2 is one of the things that also cause the shoe to be very underwhelming. It weighs 11.5oz/327g., which is very heavy for a running shoe (average weight for road running shoes is 9.7oz/274g. It definitely just feels heavy and dead underfoot, so this is not a very responsive or fast shoe. Just fine durability Other brands, like Asics, New Balance, and Hoka, use different midsole materials that create a similarly soft, pillowy feel. Generally speaking, you won’t get that sensation with Under Armour shoes. On the bottom, the segmented rubber outsole keeps the shoe flexible—no clunky strides here—and carbon rubber placements under the heel add durability. Compared to the rest of the UA lineup, the Mega 3 dials up the cushioning, and it’ll treat your feet to a plush ride on your next training run.

Derived from olefin wax, Hovr creates a firm feeling at toe-off, which helps you push hard and maintain fast paces. Under Armour uses Hovr in its training shoes, giving models like the Infinite 5 and Machina Clone 3 a firm, but smooth feel underfoot. The Clone upper, a design feature found across the Under Armour running shoe line, is a woven fabric that’s crafted with a specialized stitch pattern that allows your shoe to adjust its shape to fit your foot when you put it on. The Under Armour HOVR Phantom 2 is a good running shoe option for casual runners who are running under 6 miles. Who should NOT buy it

Under Armour brings its Hovr cushioning to the trail with the Hovr Speed. As the name implies, it’s designed to be a lightweight, speed-focused model for spirited trail running and racing. Smooth Ride: The shoes feel nice to run in. Responsive, a little bit soft without being too mushy, fast and comfortable. Under Armour released its first running shoes in 2009. After a tough start, it gained traction in the running market in the last 10 years with its SpeedForm running line. Lately, new models like the Flow Velociti Elite prove that the best Under Armour running shoes can keep pace with the big players in running. Best Under Armour Running Shoes The sole has pronounced toe spring, where the sole curves upward off the ground under your toes, which helps you roll smoothly from landing to toe-off. It’s topped off with a knit upper that boasts good breathability and creates a secure fit.

This shoe stands out among trail running models for its lightweight outsole. It’s built on a Vibram Litebase outsole, a new tread design used in trail racers like the Nike Ultrafly and Hoka Mafate Speed 4 to drop some of the weight added by traditional rubber trail outsoles. At the end of the day, the Hovr Sonic 6 is a well-rounded shoe for everyday training, especially if you prefer a leaner shoe without a ton of plush cushioning.That broad derision, however, is based on an antiquated view of the brand. Under Armour has learned from its mistakes, and its recent shoes are better, with improved cushioning foams and supportive, well-fitting uppers. Despite the derision, many runners have found success with UA shoes: Most notably, Sharon Lokedi won the 2022 New York City Marathon wearing a pair of Flow Velociti Elites. The HOVR Phantom 2 is an awesome running shoe. Looks great, very responsive and fast, yet durable. If you don’t mind a few extra grams, then go for it. Footbed: There is no removable footbed/insert. There is simply a very soft inbuilt bed to rest your feet on. It’s nice. The HOVR Phantom 2 is definitely one of the heaviest high mileage trainers on the market Cool things about this shoe