The RW Takeaway: Under Armour made minor updates to the second Velociti Wind, continuing its simple formula of a breathable upper stitched to a one-piece Flow midsole.
- Redesigned Warp upper locks in the foot more securely
- Omission of a traditional outsole reduces weight
- Flow midsole is hardwearing and responsive
Type: Road
Price: $160
Weight: 8.4 oz (M), 6.8 oz (W)
Drop: 8 mm
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Introduced in early 2021, Under Armour’s Flow is a foam compound that’s so durable it eliminates the need for an outsole, which can cut two to three ounces from a shoe. The precursor to Flow is Hovr, a foam infused with olefin, which results in a more resilient midsole than one that’s EVA-based. Hovr caters to those with a preference for plush, but for those seeking a lightweight, more flexible option: Go with the rubberless Flow.
Pros
- Rubberless sole has reliable traction
- New UA Warp upper hugs foot, locks it in
Cons
- Less cushioning in the forefoot than the heel
Some runners stress about not having rubber between their sole and the road—the last thing we want to see is a shoe that’s literally grinding away prematurely. However, the absence of an outsole on the 2 didn’t cause any durability concerns, nor lead to any slippage over wet pavement or grass. One tester summarized the Flow Velociti Wind’s traction in a single word: “exceptional.” Credit all those grippy shapes molded into the foam that bite into everything you run over—though they do trap some small pebbles.
A welcome update is the replacement of the original Velociti Wind’s one-piece tongue, which tended to bunch up after tying. The 2’s lacing system now has a detached minimal tongue. In fact, everything about the new Velociti Wind is minimal—if you look past the loud, hi-viz colors on the upper. Wide-footed runners may want to size up, as it’s pretty low-volume and runs just a bit short. “Comfort was good for about three to four miles,” said a tester, “but the shoes started to feel snug and too tight during longer-mileage days.”
Wear-Tester Spotlight
Molly S. | Tester since 2021
Arch: High | Gait: Overpronator | Footstrike: Midfoot
“My first impression of these Under Armour shoes was that they were very lightweight, but I worried about the potential lack of traction. During my first runs, I was surprised that they had good traction, even on wet ground. I enjoyed the shoes’ lightness and flexibility on both short and long runs and during strides. These shoes are not super responsive, but they do not feel flat either. I could feel good support in the arch—maybe even a bit too much for my preference. It bothered me a bit initially until I broke them in.
“Compared to other lightweight trainers and racers I have worn (like the Asics Magic Speed), these shoes do not promote a very fast turnover. My foot lands without much effort, but the midsole shape doesn’t especially support an efficient midfoot-to-forefoot transition or quick toe-off. Due to the narrow platform, I also don’t love the ride of the shoe for going down hills. Overall, I think the Velociti Wind is best suited for shorter runs and 5K races.”
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
