The Under Armour brand has a valuable reputation among athletes all around the world. From innovative apparel designed to be the best in the market to high-level partnerships, Under Armour has grown from a national brand to a billion-dollar global brand.
Athlete shoes are Under Armour’s fastest-growing product lines, and they compete in quality and pricing with the top brands such as Nike and Addidas. Where Under Armour excels is in innovative design and comfort that make them the preferred choice for runners around the world.
We’ve reviewed their wide variety of running shoes available for the road, trails, and just about anywhere else that you would be training at. And, we’ve come up with this shortlist of the best Under Armour running shoes to help you buy the shoes best for your level of training.
Our Top Under Armour Running Shoes Are…
Product | Details | ||
---|---|---|---|
1. Under Armour HOVR Machina | Top Pick |
| Check Current Price |
2. Under Armour Horizon BPF Trail Running Shoes |
| Check Current Price | |
3. Under Armour Speedform Apollo 2 Running Shoes |
| Check Current Price | |
4. Under Armour HOVR Sonic 3 Running Shoes |
| Check Current Price | |
5. Under Armour HOVR Infinite 2 Running Shoes |
| Check Current Price | |
6. Under Armour HOVR Guardian Running Shoes |
| Check Current Price | |
7. Under Armour Surge 2 Running Shoes |
| Check Current Price |
1. Under Armour HOVR Machina — Best Under Armour Running Shoes
If you’re looking for an all-rounded neutral shoe for your everyday runs, the Machina will be your best pick. Its design is responsive and flexible to give you that extra bounce in each step and comfortable for daily training. The Machina features a high-density EVA foam insole layered with UA’s HOVR foam that put bounciness in every step.
The insoles sit on a Pebax plate that provides flexibility and improves energy return, especially in cold weather. The midsole will feel a bit stiff because of the shoe’s flat shape, even though the insole is comfortable for everyday wear. Pebax also allows you to have more powerful toe offs on the forefoot to improve your sprints.
A lightweight dual rubber outsole provides extra protection from impact while providing excellent service. The heel and medial forefoot feature carbon rubber that has hard-wearing durability for these high impact areas. The forefoot is made with blown rubber to provide a better grip for toe-off. The outsole performs well in wet and loose gravel terrain giving you versatility in where you want to train.
The Machina’s mesh upper is made with a highly breathable engineered material that helps to keep your feet well aerated. Its one-piece structure provides for a snug fit. However, it is not very flexible, and the shoe will feel a little tight when your feet begin to swell. But, it does provide excellent water resistance when running in wet conditions.
Specs
- Sole: Rubber
- Material: Synthetic
- Size: 5-17 (US)
Pros
- Has increased bounce and energy return
- Pebax forefoot provides a powerful toe-off
- A well-cushioned midsole for comfortable use
- Get coaching and tracking through MapMyRun app
Cons
- Slightly snug for big feet
- Slightly stiff midsole
The well-cushioned Machina is our top pick for the best UA running shoe because of its versatile design, flexibility, and exceptional comfort. Whether you’re training every day or you occasionally jog through the park, the Machina is a well-rounded companion to help you take on those miles.
Overall Rating – 4.8/5
2. Under Armour Horizon BPF Trail Running Shoes
Trail running is one of the most refreshing experiences you can have as an athlete. And if you occasionally enjoy running a nature trail to enjoy the trees and the birds, you’ll need to have the proper shoes for it. The Horizon BPF running shoes are perfectly designed to help you conquer the toughest trails and give you long service while at it.
Horizon’s most compelling feature is the molded one-piece upper mesh enclosed with a cast PU frame for support and durability. The PU frame protects the shoes from getting beat by nature on the trails while the mesh beneath allows your feet to breathe and protects from dampness.
The outsole is also compelling. Made with Michelin rubber, it provides excellent traction and stability through wet terrain and loose ground. Its design allows for smooth shedding of mud and debris and digs firmly into the ground giving you the support you need to move faster.
Specs
- Quick-drying mesh with cast PU frame support
- Lightweight EVA midsole and foam insole
- Highly breathable mesh tongue
- Michelin rubber outsole with lug pattern
Pros
- Provides excellent traction in all-terrain
- Comfortable to wear for long periods
- Durable and hard-wearing
- Excellent fit and quality at a reasonable price
Cons
- No built-in tracking sensors
Unlike road running or the treadmill, trails are uneven, and sometimes you’ll have to contend with loose stones or fallen branches. The Horizon running shoes provide traction for any terrain, including wet grass, to make it the perfect outdoors shoe.
Overall Rating – 4.5/5
3. Under Armour Speedform Apollo 2 Running Shoes
The Apollo 2 is a lightweight trainer designed for flexible training and road running. It is a minimalist designed shoe that looks fashionably stylish with your everyday wear, as long as you like bright colors. But for running, it is a better treadmill shoe than a road shoe because the outsole’s lugs will wear off a little too soon.
It also means that it doesn’t perform well in wet conditions, but it is very flexible and responsive to give you a natural stride. Other than the outsole, the shoe has plenty of positives such as a well-cushioned midsole that includes a full-length Micro G foam insole layered with a charged cushioning to provide sufficient impact protection.
The upper mesh is made of a highly breathable material that reduces moisture buildup in the shoe. It has excellent water resistance for wet runs and drys quickly.
The construction of the Apollo 2 allows you to fit the shoe comfortably like a sock. It is comfortable with a seamless interior that will enable you to run sockless without developing blisters. The low weight and excellent cushioning make it the perfect shoe for daily training.
Specs
- Quick-drying and breathable upper mesh
- Double cushioned and fixed insoles
- Blown rubber outsole with evenly flat lugs
- Available in a variety of fresh and bright colors
Pros
- Light and comfortable for everyday wear
- Reflective material provides visibility in low light
- The seamless interior allows for a comfortable fit
- Micro G insoles provide high responsiveness and bounce
Cons
- Poor durability on the outsole
The Apollo 2 is a well priced running shoe that you can use for everyday training. The double cushioning and upper mesh allow for a great fit while protecting your feet from fatigue and injury.
Overall Rating – 4.2/5
4. Under Armour HOVR Sonic 3 Running Shoes
The Sonic 3 running shoes offer the best flexibility for running on different terrain and for various running activities. The shoe is lightweight to help you perform better and provides soft cushioning for reduced impact and better energy return.
It comes with a removable insole that is designed to contour to the shape of your foot, providing extra comfort and cushioning in the forefoot. The HOVR midsole is encased with a compression mesh that allows it to give more bounciness to reduce the impact on the feet and keep you going for longer.
The Sonic 3 features a mixed outsole of blown rubber at the forefoot that has a light bounciness that helps you transition better. The heel features a high abrasion rubber that helps to absorb impact, and an external TPU heel counter provides additional support and shoe structure. Like all the other HOVR shoes, the Sonic 3 comes with an embedded chip that connects your running metrics to an app to help you improve.
Specs
- Fast-drying and breathable micro thread upper mesh
- Removable anti-microbial Ortholite insole
- HOVR midsole with a compression mesh
- TPU external heel counter
- Record Sensor for tracking and analysis
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Has excellent cushioning that reduces foot fatigue
- Versatile for distance running, road running, track and treadmill workouts
- A fast-drying and breathable upper mesh
Cons
- Too snug for some people
Sonic 3 is a flexible shoe for everyday training. It is very comfortable and easy to break-in and durable. The tongue is attached with stretchable side wings, which may make the shoes a little snug for some users.
Overall Rating – 4.7/5
5. Under Armour HOVR Infinite 2 Running Shoes
The UA Infinite 2 is designed to be high-performance training shoes for long-distance runners. As expected, the shoe delivers comfort, flexibility, and efficiency to help you achieve your running goals. It features a tracking chip embedded in the shoes that track and analyzes all your running metrics to help you improve your running.
The Infinite comes with a heavily padded insole that reduces the impact of heavy running on the heel. A full-length EVA insole lines the inside of the shoe to provide grip and comfort. The Hovr foam midsole offers a firm underfoot and the extra cushioning that a marathon runner needs to reduce fatigue.
The shoe’s outsole is equally designed for heavy use. It features carbon rubber heel pods that provide better traction and durability. It also has an external heel counter for additional support and to position your foot in place for comfortable running. The upper mesh is lightweight and breathable to allow you to keep your feet dry and comfortable during the long run.
Specs
- A lightweight and breathable upper mesh
- UA Hovr foam midsole with EVA insoles
- Solid rubber outsole with carbon rubber heel pods
- Record Sensor tracking chip
Pros
- Provides ample cushioning for long runs
- Tracking chip helps to improve running and form
- Extremely dural outsole for heavy use
- Insoles offer an excellent and comfortable fit
Cons
- May not be suitable for wide feet
These are high-performance shoes with extra cushioning that provide a springy lift to help you push off better with each step. The soles provide a more comfortable landing when running on a hard surface. Overall, a well-priced training shoe that will not disappoint.
Overall Rating – 4.4/5
6. Under Armour HOVR Guardian Running Shoes
The stability series of the UA running shoes are designed to provide extra support to help you have a more stable stride. Stability shoes such as the HOVR Guardian help to prevent injuries and alleviate joint pains caused by overpronation of the feet, which is a symptom of flat feet.
This shoe comes with a gender contoured EVA insole that provides underfoot support and protects the feet. The HOVR midsole is well cushioned on the heels and arches to help reduce impact and redistribute pressure on the feet. The shoe has a rigid external heel counter to keep your heel in place, which gives you better stability while running.
While these features help to reduce the overpronation of your feet, the shoes also provide a comfortable fitting with a generous toe box. The lightweight mesh upper wraps comfortably for firm support, while carbon rubber pods provide extra traction and durability on the outsoles.
Specs
- A lightweight and breathable upper mesh
- Well-cushioned insoles and midsoles
- Features a rigid external heel counter
- Record Sensor to track and analyze your running metrics
Pros
- Medial Post in the midsole helps prevent overpronation
- Lightweight with a comfortable fit
- Provides well-cushioned arch support for stability
- Generous toe box for big and wide feet
Cons
- A little stiff and heavy
- Less bounciness
Stability shoes help to reduce overpronation by providing a medial post in the midsole that redistributes the pressure on the foot to reduce stress on your ankle. It also has a well-cushioned arch, contoured insole, and a generous toe box for a comfortable fit.
Overall Rating – 4.6/5
7. Under Armour Surge 2 Running Shoes — Best Value
These lightweight shoes offer enhanced cushioning for superior comfort. The design allows for more exceptional durability with heel and forefoot support to help you run for longer without fatigue. The shoe features a full-length EVA insole for added comfort and helps your feet adapt to the shoes for everyday comfort.
It also has a cushioned EVA midsole that helps to reduce the impact of your feet hitting the ground. An external heel counter helps to control your foot’s pronation to keep it neutral to reduce the chances of injuries.
Other features include rubber soles reinforced with rubber pods for added durability and with raised rubber knobs for added grip. The shoes have a breathable upper mesh that allows them to remain dry and keeps your feet comfortable.
Specs
- Synthetic material with a breathable upper mesh
- Rubber outsoles with aggressive traction design
- Cushioned EVA insoles
- Heel to Toe Offset: 8mm
Pros
- Comfortable shoes for everyday use
- Lightweight and superior quality
- Versatile for walking, hiking and running
- Provides excellent ankle and heel support
- Cushioned EVA insoles prevent foot fatigue
Cons
- Small and inaccurate sizing
The Surge 2 shoes are lightweight and offer great comfort and durability for a reasonable price. The design allows for everyday use without fatigue and support for your heels and ankles.
Overall Rating – 4.6/5
Under Armour: About The Brand
Like all great stories of success, the Under Armour story begins in 1996, in a humble basement. Kevin Plank, a former fullback and special teams captain for his university’s football team, is the brainchild of the company.
He began by selling moisture-wicking T-shirts that he had designed himself, and that first T-shirt line opened doors to significant orders and an extensive product variety by the end of that year.
Product Placements — The Big Break
By 1999, the company was receiving positive reviews from athletes across the country and had gained some visibility through various contracts with Division 1 football teams. Their most significant break came when they outfitted two feature films produced by Warner Brothers.
The following year, they became the outfitter for the new XFL football league, which brought the company national visibility when the league debuted national TV.
In November 2005, the company went public trading at NASDAQ to raise capital, which helped the company expand. By 2008 the company was ready to venture into the footwear market with its line of performance footwear.
SpeedForm Apollo
The introduction of the SpeedForm Apollo running shoes into the market put Under Armour at league with the big brands. The success of the Apollo shoe is due to the expertise and innovation of the Under Armour apparel division.
Performance and Connectivity
In price and quality, Under Armour brings fierce competition to the top brands, and in innovation and aesthetic design, it’s in a class of its own. And through the acquisition of various fitness apps such as MapMyRun, the company has built the world’s largest digital fitness community in the world.
Conclusion
Under Armour’s venture into the athletic footwear market came after 12 years of building a top brand in the apparel market. The SpeedFoam running shoes helped to cement its position in the footwear industry and compete with the top brands.
The company has developed running shoes for every athlete with comfort, improved performance, and durability as the most significant selling point. These Under Armour running shoe reviews will hopefully lead you to footwear that will give help you perform better.
Our top choice Under Armour HOVR Machina is an all-rounded shoe that is versatile and flexible for any terrain. It is the best Under Armour running shoe for daily training and features all the comfort, performance, and excellence that you’d expect from this top brand.