Under Armour Infinite Elite 2 Review

Comfort trainer sheds its knit upper

The Under Armour Infinite Elite 2 is the second version of the brand’s cushioned daily trainer, and it exists to do one job well: absorb impact over easy miles. Under Armour has never been a serious contender at the performance end of running, and the Infinite Elite is honest about being a comfort shoe rather than a fast one.

The midsole is HOVR+, Under Armour’s cushioning foam, which is built around absorbing impact rather than returning energy. Underfoot it reads as soft and protective, the sort of feel that suits recovery running and long slow efforts. There is 36 mm of it at the heel and 28 mm at the forefoot, giving an 8 mm drop.

The meaningful change in this version is the upper. The first Infinite Elite used a knit upper that was comfortable and heavy, and swapping it for a lighter engineered mesh has cut the weight substantially without altering the platform underneath. It is a targeted fix rather than a redesign.

Specs

Here are the specifications for the Under Armour Infinite Elite 2:

Pros

These are the strengths worth knowing:

• HOVR+ absorbs impact well, so hard pavement is well insulated on easy runs
• Substantially lighter than the first version thanks to the new mesh upper
• The 8 mm drop and deep heel suit heel strikers and slower paces
• Comfortable, well-finished upper with no break-in period
• Durable construction that stands up to daily use and walking
• Works as a crossover shoe for running, walking and standing

Cons

These are the shortcomings:

• Still heavy at just over 10 ounces, so it never feels quick
• HOVR+ prioritizes absorption over energy return, giving a flat rather than lively ride
• Nothing here helps at faster paces, so it is a one-purpose shoe
• Standard width only
• At $160 it costs the same as lighter and more capable rivals

What is new versus the first Infinite Elite

Under Armour left the midsole unchanged and fixed the upper. The original Infinite Elite used a knit construction that felt plush in the shop and added a great deal of weight on the run, which was the single most common criticism of the shoe.

Replacing it with an engineered mesh cuts that weight sharply while keeping the fit comfortable. Mesh also breathes better than knit, which matters on a shoe likely to be worn for long slow efforts in summer, and it holds the foot more securely because it stretches less under load.

The stack height and the HOVR+ midsole carry over unchanged, so the ride is the same as before. That is a reasonable decision, since cushioning was never what people complained about. Anyone who liked the first version and wished it were lighter gets exactly that.

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Who should buy the Infinite Elite 2

Buy the Infinite Elite 2 if your running is steady and your priority is comfort. It is a straightforward, well-cushioned trainer that makes easy miles easy, and it does not ask anything of you in return. Runners building base mileage or coming back from a break are well served.

It also works as a crossover shoe. The cushioning depth and the 8 mm drop suit walking and standing as well as running, and the mesh upper is comfortable enough for all-day wear. For runners who want one shoe that covers the gym, the commute and an easy run, it does all three jobs.

Heel strikers benefit most. The deepest cushioning is at the back, and the 8 mm drop means a rearfoot landing meets foam early rather than jarring.

Who should avoid the Infinite Elite 2

Avoid it if you want a versatile trainer. At just over 10 ounces with a foam tuned for absorption rather than rebound, the Infinite Elite 2 does not respond when you ask it to go faster. Runners doing tempo work or intervals should keep a lighter shoe for those days.

Avoid it if you are sensitive to weight. The upper change helped considerably, but the shoe remains on the heavy side for a daily trainer, and several rivals (Puma Deviate NITRO 3, adidas Adizero Boston and the Cloudsurfer 2) at the same price weigh an ounce or more less.

Runners who need stability features will find nothing here designed to limit inward roll, and there is no wide fitting. Anyone with persistent pain should seek a professional assessment rather than expect footwear to resolve it.

How does the Infinite Elite 2 fit?

Here is how the Infinite Elite 2 fits and feels.

Fit and sizing

The Infinite Elite 2 fits close to true to size, with a secure midfoot and a toe box that gives adequate room. Swapping knit for mesh made the fit more definite, since mesh stretches less, so runners who found the first version loose will notice the improvement.

There is no wide fitting. Runners between sizes generally do better going up, particularly if the shoe is intended for long slow runs or all-day wear where feet swell.

Upper and step-in comfort

Step-in comfort is good without being remarkable. The mesh is soft, the collar is padded and the heel counter holds the rearfoot firmly. There is no break-in period, and the shoe feels ready to use straight from the box.

Breathability improved with the material change, which is a real benefit over the knit version in warm weather. The overall construction is solid rather than luxurious, which suits a shoe built to take daily mileage.

How does the Infinite Elite 2 perform?

Let’s look at performance and ride.

Midsole and cushioning

HOVR+ is designed around absorbing impact, and it does that convincingly. With 36 mm under the heel there is a substantial layer of foam between you and the road, and on concrete over an hour the difference against a firmer shoe is obvious.

Energy return, the share of impact energy the foam gives back at push-off, is modest. That is the fundamental character of this shoe: it protects the legs rather than helping them move. Runners looking for bounce should look at a PEBA-based trainer instead.

Ride and running performance

The ride is smooth and unremarkable at easy paces, which is exactly what a recovery shoe should be. The deep heel handles a rearfoot landing, the transition is even and there is nothing about the shoe that intrudes on the run.

Ask for pace and it declines politely. The weight is felt, the foam swallows force rather than returning it and there is no rocker or plate to sharpen the toe-off. Buy it knowing that easy running is the entire point.

Stability and support

The Infinite Elite 2 is a neutral shoe with no support features. What steadiness it has comes from a moderately wide platform and a firm heel counter rather than anything designed to control the foot, and because HOVR+ is a fairly firm cushioning foam rather than an extremely soft one, the platform does not collapse unevenly.

Runners who need genuine support should choose a stability shoe, and persistent or worsening pain deserves a professional assessment rather than a change of footwear.

Outsole, grip and durability

Under Armour covers the high-wear areas with rubber, and grip on dry and damp pavement is dependable without being a standout. As with any road shoe, wet painted lines and metal covers deserve caution.

Durability is a strength. HOVR+ holds its feel well rather than flattening quickly, and the mesh upper and rubber coverage are built for daily use. The usual 300 to 500 mile guideline is a broad range, and this shoe typically sits comfortably within it.

Is the Infinite Elite 2 good for walking?

Yes, and walking suits it better than fast running does. The features that hold it back on a quick run barely matter at walking pace: weight is less noticeable when your feet leave the ground gently, and what you feel instead is a deep, absorbing layer of foam under the heel. The 8 mm drop matches a heel-first walking stride, the forefoot flexes naturally and the mesh upper is comfortable for hours without pressure points.

The reservations are minor. There is no wide fitting, which limits who it suits, and the outsole grip is dependable rather than exceptional on wet tile. For anyone who wants one shoe for easy runs, the commute and standing around, it is a sensible and comfortable choice.

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Infinite Elite 2 vs. the first Infinite Elite

Here is how the two versions compare:

Buy the Elite 2 unless the price gap on the older model is large, since the weight saving is the improvement the shoe needed. Buy the first version while discounted if you specifically preferred a soft knit upper and the extra weight does not bother you.

Similar Under Armour Shoes

Here’s a useful same-brand comparison table for the Under Armour Infinite Elite 2. Include both previous generation plus models that are alternatives.

Under Armour Infinite Elite 2 Alternatives

Runners who want the same easy-day comfort in a lighter, better-refined package should compare the Brooks Ghost 18. It is the benchmark cushioned daily trainer and costs less, which makes the Infinite Elite 2 a harder sell at full price (check price | read review).

Where the flat ride is the objection, the ASICS Novablast 6 delivers a far bouncier feel at a similar weight, which makes easy running considerably more enjoyable and adds some range at faster paces (check price | read review).

For walkers and runners who want more cushioning and a wider, more stable platform, the Brooks Ghost Max 3 is the natural upgrade. It is roomier, better for standing all day and available in wide fittings (check price | read review).

Runners who want maximum plushness for long slow miles should look at the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28, which is softer underfoot and available in more width options than any of the above (check price | read review).

Price and value

The Infinite Elite 2 launched at $160, which places it against the best cushioned daily trainers on the market. That is a difficult position, because at this price runners can buy shoes that are lighter, livelier and available in more width options. What the Under Armour offers in return is durability and a comfortable, uncomplicated ride, and it is discounted often enough that the value case improves considerably below full price. Runners who already like Under Armour’s fit will be satisfied; runners shopping purely on merit have better options at the same money.

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Final verdict

Best for: easy runs, recovery days, base mileage and walking, particularly for heel strikers who want protection over pace.

Avoid if: you want a versatile trainer, you are sensitive to weight, you need stability features or you need a wide fitting.

Fit: close to true to size, secure midfoot, adequate toe box, standard width only.

Verdict: Swapping knit for mesh fixed the one thing wrong with the original, leaving a comfortable, durable easy-day trainer. It is still heavy and still flat underfoot, so it earns its place on merit only at a discount. You can check online prices before deciding.

Frequently Asked Questions for Under Armour Infinite Elite 2