It’s important for me to point out my foot type and personal preference before we go into the wear trials, since this directly impacts my experience and opinion of each shoe model. In terms of those key shoe specs, you’re looking at a shoe with a high 8mm heel-to-toe drop sitting at 31mm at the heel and 23mm at the forefoot. So this is one to cater for midfoot strikers. At 309g for a men’s UK size 8.5 and 257g for a women’s UK size 5, it’s not the lightest of shoes, and it shows once you get moving in them. The idea behind the HOVR™ cushioning emerged during the development process, discovering that the “the foam compound underfoot needed to be contained.” UA remedied this by developing an energy web that contained the foam. UA claims that, “the soft cushion core of UA HOVR with the energy web containing the foam resulted in a more durable foam that provides a premium cushioned feel, and energy return for the runner.” To boil this technology into a digestible paraphrase, the cushioning UA developed provides the runner with more durability,bounciness, and comfort. If you are seeing quite a bit of discrepancy with distance yourself, there’s a great troubleshooting article on MapMyFitness that will walk you through the steps on proper calibration. 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.

The Machinas and Infinite series are heavier shoes with a bit too much cushioning for my foot type and personal preference. However, I do still wear the Machinas and Infinites on occasion but can only manage to run 5 miles or less before the shoes start to hurt my feet.When I grabbed the shoes out of the box, I noticed immediately how lightweight they were (at 8.3 ounces) and after trying them I could immediately tell the difference in the level of cushioning compared to the Infinites. They fit a bit more snug for me and my feet felt a lot closer to the ground. The upper felt breathable and the tongue felt cushiony against the top of my foot. Aesthetically, I also really enjoy the simple and sleek look the shoe provides. The Infinites were the first shoe UA I trialed under their HOVR™ line. This model was designed for distance running and provides a “consistent underfoot feel”. The Infinite’s are also the heaviest in weight and provide the most cushioning out (next to the Machinas) in contrast to any of the other shoes. Unlike other pairs of running shoes, these ones felt really comfortable and adapted to my feet on the very first run, with the upper shoe working its magic. Honest review

And, as always, you can count on Under Armour’s signature durability. I’ve had mine for months, and the outsole rubber shows only minimal wear. While it’s not a supremely bouncy trainer, it has plenty of cushioning and staying power for daily training runs. But most importantly, this material is designed to adapt to your foot’s shape and movements as you run, for optimal fit and support. With its relatively low weight, tough outsole, and smooth ride, it’s a standout choice for everyday training and walking, too—and you won’t have to spend a fortune to get a pair. 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.Select “Search for shoe” to begin the Bluetooth scan. You will then be prompted to lay your shoe on one side or gently move it to let the sensor be recognised by the app. If you’re like me and prefer a lighter-weight, low cushioned shoe, I would go with the Velociti 2 or Sonic 3. I would say that if you prefer the heavier and cushioned trainers, definitely go with the Machinas or Infinites. And just like Under Armour’s other running shoes, the Elite’s Flow midsole is designed to be durable, so there’s no need for a separate rubber outsole. Cutting the rubber out of the design makes the shoe substantially lighter, giving it an edge over racers from other brands (including the Endorphin Elite and the Vaporfly). The ultralight upper on top provides a close wrap around the foot and maximum breathability, so your feet stay cool even when you’re really cranking. The Mega 2 Clone are my very first pair of UA running shoes, so I didn’t know what to expect. My first thought was “they might feel heavy” as the textured upper shoe does make them look slightly bulky, but I was pleasantly surprised when I realised that they are much lighter than they look!