Under Armour HOVR Infinite Running Shoes | GADGETHEAD New Products Reviewed & Rated

Surely it makes sense that the tech we use to track our runs should be on our feet, not strapped to our arms, so it was only a matter of time before this tech made its way into our running shoes. The Under Amour HOVR Infinite Running Shoes come with a sensor imbedded into the shoe that digitally connects your feet to your phone. Fear not - this doesn’t have an impact on the weight or comfort of the shoe. It can be synced after your run, letting you take to the streets whilst leaving your phone at home (try it, you will feel liberated). This neutral, road running shoe comes in six designs in Men’s selection and five designs in the Women’s, ranging all the way from subtle to garish. There are also half sizes available throughout the range.

The Record Sensor technology tracks, analyses and stores your running metrics, including your pace, cadence, stride length and distance, via the free MapMyRun app. This is perfect if this is your app of choice anyway but unfortunately it isn’t currently compatible with any other platforms, - Strava or Garmin, for example. We hope to see more options in the future.

Digital technology aside, the HOVR have been crafted for those that like a little flexibility, comfort and cushioning (sounds like my ideal partner), with a 'zero-gravity feel' that maintains energy return and helps eliminate impact. Under Armour claim that as soon as you put these shoes on, you'll feel like you can run forever. They don’t comment of the fact that after five minutes, you might be a wheezing, sweaty mess, but that’s down to you, not the shoes. The HOVR feature compression-mesh Energy Web contains and moulds UA HOVR foam to give back the energy you put in. The engineered mesh upper is lightweight and provides ventilation with strategic support where you need it, whilst the internal heel counter is included for additional support that helps keep the back of the foot locked in place. The die-cut, full-length EVA sock liner moulds to the foot, giving you a firm grip and comfort, and there is an EVA midsole provided.

There are anatomically placed, deep flex grooves to give you the flexibility right where you need it. The solid-rubber outsole covers the high-impact zones for durability, and the carbon-rubber traction pods under the heel of the outsole deliver a reliable traction, plus extra durability at the impact strike zones. There is 360° reflectivity around the shoe for increased visibility, there is an offset of 8mm, and they weigh approx. 10.8oz/306g in the Men’s and 8.8oz/249g in the Women’s.

The Record Sensor is a bonus, but chances are you already have a system in place for your metrics, and it doesn’t provide enough coaching for beginners. The performance is where it’s at for the HOVR Infinite running’s shoes - they are springy and well cushioned, ideal for long training sessions or marathon running. RRP £120

Current Cheapest Price

4 out of 5

Pros

UA's Record Sensor technology tracks, analyses and stores running metrics

Compression-mesh Energy Web

Good ventilation

Full-length EVA sock liner moulds to foot

EVA midsole provides

Well cushioned

Anatomically deep flex grooves

Good traction

360° reflectivity