(c) Runner’s Tribe

The Under Armour Flow Velociti Wind – that is one long name – is a fun, lightweight trainer. Designed for those who enjoy some ground feel. With no outsole rubber, just a one-piece midsole (with a rubberised bottom), it saves weight, and is fun. A shoe in the same class as say the Saucony Kinvara or the New Balance Beacon; awesome for tempo runs, thresholds and shorter training sessions.

Runner’s Tribe took these shoes through 80km of mostly road and light trail running.

 

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Specs

• Km’s run during testing process: 80km.
• Testers: Two road/track runners.
• Surface: Road.
• Purpose:  Lightweight everyday trainer.
• Pronation: Neutral.
• Stack Height: 26mm heel. 18mm forefoot.  See the table below for brand comparisons.
• Heel-to-toe-drop/pitch: 8mm
• Weight:
  • Men: 9 US:  235g.
  • Men: 11 US: 259 grams.
• Midsole: EVA foam.
• Upper: Mesh.
• Outsole: Exposed EVA rubberised foam (feels just the same as the midsole).

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• Heel cushioning: Moderate.
• Flexibility: Moderate.
• Density of midsole: Moderate.
• Durability: Average. Any EVA based midsole has pretty average durability.
• Forefoot cushioning: Moderate.
• Heel counter: Pretty soft, collapses easily.
• Fits: Runs true to size.
• Marketing Hype: Low.
• Does it live up to the hype: Yes.
• Price: $220.00 AUD at UA Australia.

Against Some Rivals

Cool Things About the Under Armour Flow Velociti Wind

• Side Rails: The midsole is connected to side rails that wrap around your feet. It provides for quite a stable ride, when compared to shoes such as the New Balance Beacon for example, that do not have the same level of medial and lateral stability control.

• Honesty: I love it how UA publish their stack heights on their sock liner/insole/footbed. Other brands should follow; New Balance rarely publish the info at all, with Nike it is hit and miss. No other brand is as reliable and accurate as UA in terms of reliably stating the correct stack heights.

• Looks Cool: UA do cool well.

• Supportive Mesh: UA call it their ‘Warp’ upper. It is unique for sure, looks great and feels thin and flexible, yet somehow extraordinarily strong. Incredible quality upper. Kudos UA.
• Bluetooth Tech: UA really are leading the way in terms of smart running shoes. It connects to MAPMYRUN™ and tracks & analyses your running metrics if you wish.

Neutral Ponderings

• • EVA Foam: Like New Balance with their Beacon, and Hoka with their Rincon, UA have used a  EVA foam for their midsoles. They do it well and it provides for a lightweight, bouncy, but it wears out pretty fast.
  • Narrow Toe Box: UA is simply not the brand for people who enjoy some space in the toe box.

A Buy?

UA’s shoes are getting better and better. Durable, lightweight, tech savvy, and with perhaps the nicest uppers on the market. At $220, It costs not much less than most high mileage trainers; but the quality is there.

 

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