Under Armour Womens Charged Bandit 4 Running Shoe Reviews

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Under Armour, originally a sportswear company founded in 1996 past University of Maryland football player Kevin Plank, didn't make its move into running shoes until 2009. V years later, the brand began to gain traction with runners post-obit the release of the SpeedForm line of shoes. Put simply, this lineup proved that Nether Armour could produce a well-crafted running shoe to rival the success of its athletic wearing apparel.

The SpeedForm technology capitalized on UA's clothes expertise and brought innovations from wearable manufacturing into running shoes. For example, the upper of the SpeedForm Apollo was actually constructed in a bra factory—an odd move at beginning glance, but the visitor's experience with textiles helped UA develop a material with a nearly seamless stop that provided a snug fit and great durability. Though much of the conversation today centers effectually midsole foams and cushioning, other parts of the shoe also have a significant event on performance. This makes Under Armour's ability to craft comfy and breathable uppers a key skillset.

red, orange, footwear, shoe, leg, human leg, athletic shoe, high heels,
A Bluetooth-enabled sensor in the midsole of the right shoe tracks metrics like altitude, speed, and cadence for yous to review on UA'southward MapMyRun app.

Lakota Gambill

From Your Foot to Your Phone

In addition, Under Armour has worked to see increasing demands for operation and connectivity. While Nike has been a dominant force in fettle tracking since the 2006 launch of Nike+, Under Armour has embraced software more than than well-nigh other shoemakers and has get a leader in continued kicks. UA purchased fettle tracker company MapMyFitness in 2013 and proceeded to create an empire of mobile apps, like MapMyRun. For runners, the company's move into software has led to shoes that seamlessly integrate with tracker apps, which ways easier access to stats and more than feedback on your performance.

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Not Only Running, Hovr-ing

In 2018, Under Armour launched a proprietary cushioning platform called Hovr, which has now replaced the company'southward older EVA-based Charged foam in many of its models. To make it, UA worked with Dow Chemical to create a new cream formula using olefin wax. The result was a more durable foam that hits the sugariness spot between a cushioned ride, light weight, and a house feeling at toe-off. (This unique conception stands out from other brands' new foams, which often incorporate thermoplastic blends instead.) Hovr cream comes hand-in-mitt with Energy Spider web, a mesh textile that surrounds the foam cadre to help it maintain its shape and preserve energy return. In early 2021, UA unveiled Flow cream, the company'due south lightest cushioning material yet. It'southward durable enough to serve as both midsole and outsole, so there's no need for boosted heavy rubber on shoes like the Velociti Air current.

under armour hovr infinite
Energy Spider web mesh wraps a Hovr foam midsole for long-lasting bounce underfoot.

Trevor Raab

How We Tested and Selected These Shoes

The shoes beneath are the top running models from Under Armour available correct at present. To select them, we consulted the make's pattern squad, reviewed feedback from our squad of 225 wearable-testers, and used our own cognition and experience in both running and the running shoes marketplace. We likewise clarify data from mechanical tests inside our Shoe Lab, where we've checked and re-checked the energy return of Free energy Web netting, measured the softness of Hovr cream, and assessed the accurateness of UA'southward built-in midsole tracking. We've included shoes for a broad diversity of preferences—from speed trainers to stability options—and have linked to full reviews where nosotros have them.


—MOST VERSATILE—

Hovr Sonic four

Hovr Sonic 4

  • Built-in run tracking and analysis via MapMyRun
  • Versatile for speedwork and daily runs
  • Lighter than the Hovr Sonic 3
  • May not provide enough support for overpronators

Since its debut, the Sonic has won praise for its winning combination of soft cushioning and lively energy render, and the latest iteration stays truthful to that formula. A compressive mesh called Energy Web tightly wraps the Hovr foam midsole, limiting its expansion, so more energy returns to you with each step. (It'south nevertheless the aforementioned structure that's been used since the shoe'southward second version for a cushy nevertheless responsive ride with "bounce factor that pops right off the tarmac," co-ordinate to one of our testers.) An external TPU heel counter adds support while a mix of blown rubber and high abrasion prophylactic on the outsole ensures adept traction and durability. In the Sonic 4, a revised stretchier engineered mesh upper breathes well and comes with built-in "wings" that wrap your foot for a snug fit. Overall, the Sonic feels comfortable for long runs but peppy enough for speedwork—a true do-it-all road shoe.

Buy Men'south Buy Women's


—Most CUSHIONED—

Hovr Phantom 2

Hovr Phantom two

  • Built-in run tracking and assay via MapMyRun
  • Ample cushioning and underfoot protection for long runs
  • Varied upper stretch zones help breathability and support
  • Heavy
  • Less flexibility through the midfoot

The Hovr Phantom is the cushier, slightly heavier sibling to the Sonic, and it's engineered for a costly experience. Like the Sonic, the Phantom'due south midsole is fabricated up of Hovr cream wrapped in an Free energy Web mesh, so the soft cushion retains its shape and provides plenty of energy render as y'all run. UA made some tweaks up top for improved support and breathability by switching the upper'south cloth to a stretchy apartment knit and calculation a sturdier midfoot saddle. Paired with a contoured gender-specific sockliner, the Phantom now has a more sock-similar fit that snuggly wraps the foot. On the lesser, a total rubber outsole still provides good grip and should hold upward well through loftier mileage.

Buy Men's Buy Women's


—Near AFFORDABLE—

Charged Bandit 6

Charged Brigand half-dozen

Under Armour amazon.com

$89.95

  • Versatile for uptempos and daily runs
  • Light and snappy ride
  • Improved plush collar padding
  • Firm heel cushioning

Skechers isn't the only brand proving that you tin can become a good running shoe for less than $100. Under Armour's Brigand has been an affordable favorite since its debut back in 2015, and the latest version upholds the shoe's reputation every bit a versatile depression-toll trainer. The Charged foam is designed to soak up bear on forces (though may feel especially firm to heel strikers), and provides boosted back up from a TPU insert sandwiched inside the midsole. The latest version features added padding around the collar—a significant improvement over the thinner, irritation-prone material used on the Bandit 5.

Buy Men's Purchase Women's


—Best DAILY TRAINER—

Hovr Machina 2

Hovr Machina ii

UnderArmour underarmour.com

$114.99

  • Soft Hovr foam midsole offers ample heel cushioning
  • Forefoot plate delivers snappy toe-off
  • Some testers found the rocker-style sole slightly clunky

Under Armour has entered the increasingly crowded field of "fast yet cushioned" midsoles with the Hovr Machina. The 2nd iteration stays close to the first: A generous slab of Hovr cushioning wrapped in Energy Web gets a boost from a two-pronged Pebax plate in the forefoot that ups the responsiveness at toe-off. Testers reported that the philharmonic provided a nice balance betwixt cushioned softness and lively energy return on their long runs. The Machina's sequel now has a new mesh upper that improves breathability, and carbon safety pods on the outsole serve upwardly additional grip with excellent vesture resistance. If you prefer a responsive experience in your everyday trainer, the Machina ii makes a good pick.

Purchase Men'southward Buy Women's


—BEST FOR MARATHON TRAINING—

Hovr Infinite 3

Hovr Infinite 3

Under Armour amazon.com

$119.99

  • Congenital-in run tracking and analysis via MapMyRun
  • Extremely durable outsole
  • Aplenty cushioning has moderate softness; non overly squishy
  • Stiff
  • Less suited for speedwork

Based on a generous slice of Hovr foam, the Space is Under Armour's flagship distance shoe that's exceptionally plush for maximum comfort on long runs. (Our tests from the RW Shoe Lab showed it's actually firmer than the Sonic, but testers raved about the cushioning afterward long road runs.) The usual combo of Hovr cushioning with an Energy Web wrap provides proficient shock absorption and energy return, without feeling overly squishy or packing out at the finish of college-mileage efforts. Underfoot, the outsole is studded with safe from heel to toe for reliable grip, while deeper grooves under the forefoot assist the shoe retain some flexibility, besides. A molded EVA sockliner adds a plusher feel overall, making it a competent and comfy trainer for runners planning to log a ton of miles during their next marathon training cycle.

Buy Men's Buy Women's


—Best FOR STABILITY—

Hovr Guardian 2

Hovr Guardian 2

Under Armour amazon.com

$120.75

  • Durable outsole withstands high mileage
  • Very supportive, moderately firm midsole
  • Less energy return

The Guardian takes UA's Hovr/Free energy Web cushioning formula and adds in actress stability features for overpronators. The chief addition is the medial mail in the midsole, but at that place'southward also a beefed-up external heel counter to lend extra support and go on your heel in place. Similar the Infinite, the cushioning is somewhat firm, merely an EVA sockliner offers enough step-in plushness for condolement as the mile count grows. The downside? All that tech atop a sturdy safety outsole makes these shoes relatively heavy and strong.

Buy Men's Buy Women'southward


—All-time FOR SPEEDWORK—

Flow Velociti Air current

Catamenia Velociti Wind

UnderArmour underarmour.com

$160.00

  • Built-in run tracking and analysis via MapMyRun
  • Breathable, airy upper
  • Cushioning is adequately firm, but feels responsive and nimble with splendid ground experience
  • Rounded midsole felt less stable to some testers
  • More expensive than similar daily trainers

An of import new release for Under Armour, the Flow Velociti Current of air is designed for speed, and it feels fast mainly because of what the pattern leaves out: a heavy protective rubber outsole. Instead, the shoe utilizes UA's new Menses cushioning compound, which is durable enough to serve as both a midsole and an outsole material. It'southward too topped with a new Warp upper that'south made with tape-like overlays in central areas for added support without backlog bulk. Peppy and lightweight, the Velociti Wind is well suited to speedwork and fifty-fifty longer races, too. "Well-suited for tempo runs, the cushioning is soft just doesn't feel sluggish. Information technology provides not bad rebound, and the overall the shoe has a slimmer, less bulky profile than more cushioned shoes similar the Hoka Mach 4," one tester said. "The Velociti Air current had a great balance of cushion and responsiveness, fading into the background and assuasive me to just relish running."

Purchase Men's Buy Women'southward


—BEST FOR Wet TRAILS—

Charged Bandit Trail Gore-Tex

Charged Bandit Trail Gore-Tex

Under Armour amazon.com

  • Waterproof upper
  • Affordable all-atmospheric condition protection
  • Charged cushioning feels less responsive than Hovr foam

This trail version of the Charged Brigand takes the versatile low-cost trainer and soups it up for the dirt. You'll go the same Charged midsole and grooved outsole as the road version, so await a firm heel and skilful flexibility. The main differences are found on the upper and the outsole: A Gore-Tex upper blocks out h2o and TPU overlays add durability, while a lugged high-chafe rubber outsole provides grip when y'all go off-road. Non worried about pelting? At that place are non-GTX men's and women'due south versions available that are even more affordable.

Buy Men'due south Purchase Women'south


—BEST TRACK SPIKES—

Sprint Pro 3

Sprint Pro iii

UnderArmour underarmour.com

$120.00

  • Added cushioning for a more than comfortable experience
  • Snappy Pebax plate
  • Not designed for longer distances

An update to the SpeedForm Sprint 2, one of our favorite track spikes, the Sprint Pro iii comes with several primal new features for shorter races on the oval. This third iteration rides on a Pebax plate for explosive energy return, and UA added a thin layer of midsole cushioning and a Hovr cream sockliner—which should brand it a bit more than comfortable than the Dart 2. The contoured SpeedForm upper creates a dialed-in fit, and a structural TPU film overlay on the forefoot stiffens the cloth for added support and protection.

*Since this shoe is unisex, add one.5 to the listed men'southward size to get the women'south size. (Ex: A men'southward 7.v is a women's 9.)

Michael is a freelance writer with years of experience covering gear and the outdoors for Runner's World and other publications; when he's not writing, he's commonly biking, hiking, and running in the mountains around Los Angeles, where he lives.

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Source: https://www.runnersworld.com/gear/a22800440/best-under-armour-running-shoes/

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