Under Armour HOVR Infinite
Following the 2018 roll-out of the Sonic and Phantom models, the HOVR Infinite is Under Armour’s latest smart shoe for the HOVR Connected Series in 2019. Ideal for high-impact, long-distance runners, the Infinite uses sensors and the MapMyRun app to give customers real-time data on the distance, stride, and form. The app also includes a personalized gait-coaching feature, which analyzes your stride helps you make adjustments to get to your ideal running form with suggestions.
This neutral shoe enhances the experience of the brand’s proprietary HOVR technology – with every foot strike its cushioning platform, featuring a special foam compound, absorbs the shocks and relays it back in the form of energy giving the feet a natural boost.
All in all, the HOVR Infinite is well-suited to its name as it is a durable, well-built neutral running shoe that relieves you of cumbersome tech while still giving you vital stats.
-Great value for money at $120 for plush premium trainers with a built-in sensor to measure distance, cadence, stride and form coaching
-Soft HOVR foam is sandwiched under Charged Foam which makes for a comfortable and firm experience
-Stylish design with many color options
-360 reflectivity for increased visibility on low-light runs
-Only links to the MapMyRun app, which doesn’t sync runs to Strava or other popular run-tracking apps
-Considerably stiffer than other similar neutral shoes
Outsole
It also holds the chip that can sync with Map My Run and it’ll give you the pace, distance traveled and also the cadence. The tech does not come at the expense of comfort and it doesn’t interfere with any kind of running routines. The sensor also claims to be ‘weather-proof’ and many reviewers agree that splashing through puddles did not affect the data.
Midsole
It’s further protected in a layer of Charged EVA foam because it is too delicate and soft to be bared to the terrain. This carrier is cored out, for one, to highlight the HOVR foam and also to increase flexibility and lessen the weight.
Upper
A plush collar is imperative in ensuring that there are no cuts or soreness in the ankle area and the Infinite’s collar design does an admirable job. Additionally, the sockliner molds to the feet based on whether the runner is male or female. The shoe comes in two colorways–pink and orange in women’s sizes and green and orange in men’s.
Weight
Breathability
Comfort
Style
They are available in four colorways featuring shades of pink, orange, yellow, and black in the men’s category in both bold and mild colors and have one of the more attractive profiles for a marathon-distance shoe in the market. Another noteworthy fact is that the design includes reflective patterns on the toe box, heel, and tongue to maximize visibility in low-light conditions or on night runs.
Durability
Protection
Responsiveness
Though the shoe has comparatively less padded heels than competitors, the lack of a bulky cushion actually adds to the responsive feeling of the shoe.
Support
The heel padding is generous and adds to the ankle support without compromising mobility, which is much appreciated in sneakers that are designed for long training sessions.
Terrain
Price
Traction
Flexibility
Stability
It’s easy to get caught up with technology added to the shoe but the experience can go downhill if the heel cup provides poor fit. But this Under Armour shoe gets it right with a seamless 3D molded heel. The external heel counter adds a well-placed structure helping you feel secure.
Drop
Key Features
• 3D Molded Sockliner for comfort
• Dynamic mesh Energy Web to create a zero gravity feel + energy bounce
• Carbon rubber at the heel that extends durability
• Deep Flex grooves for efficient movement
• Engineered Mesh Upper that makes the shoe breathable
• The sensor connects to that provides running metrics
• Blown Rubber in the outsoles for responsive take-offs
Bottom Line
You would think being designed for long-distance marathon running, the Infinite would not do great in terms of speed. But the shoes surprisingly deliver in terms of speed. While not the best choice for runners in a 5K or 10K (there are faster, more responsive options out there), this shoe meets the mark for half and full marathon runners. If you’re looking for a neutral running shoe that can meet the basics and then some, the HOVR Infinite is a great pick.
While not all non-MapMyRun users will want to switch apps just to use the shoes, Under Armour is working on a feature to sync data to your smartwatch. Another great feature is that the shoe will still track your data even if you don't have your phone with you on your run. Keeping in mind that the Infinite costs $30 to $40 less than shoes with similar functions, so these are a few compromises that can be worth the savings.
Ultimately, does anyone need a tech-enabled sneaker? If you’re a novice with little knowledge about correct cadence or stride, it’s a great investment that’ll save you grief in the form of shin splints and sprained ankles. The same can be said for a casual runner looking to improve their training. But if you’re a pro, you have a lot more options to choose from.