Under Armour HOVR Phantom 2
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By Tara Summerville Editor’s Conclusion
What I love most about this build of this shoe is that while it provides a bit of cushioning and stability while running, it’s also a great shoe to wear when cross-training, weight lifting, or engaging in quick and snappy sets. The build of this shoe gives your feet plenty of room to breathe while the upper really locks your feet in place.
One of the biggest changes made to the updated version of this shoe is that UA slimmed down a lot of the boxy and cumbersome features of this shoe to provide runners with a smooth and flexible ride. The outsole is incredibly flexible, yet still retains rugged durability to last for well over 300 miles.
Plus, it even has a microchip built into the heel that connects to Map My Run, or other health apps on your phone to track your daily training session as well as provide guidance to help you become a better runner.
Below, I wanted to take a look at all of the advanced features that make the UA HOVR Phantom 2 an incredibly versatile daily trainer that's worth checking out.
One of the biggest changes made to the updated version of this shoe is that UA slimmed down a lot of the boxy and cumbersome features of this shoe to provide runners with a smooth and flexible ride. The outsole is incredibly flexible, yet still retains rugged durability to last for well over 300 miles.
Plus, it even has a microchip built into the heel that connects to Map My Run, or other health apps on your phone to track your daily training session as well as provide guidance to help you become a better runner.
Below, I wanted to take a look at all of the advanced features that make the UA HOVR Phantom 2 an incredibly versatile daily trainer that's worth checking out.
The UA HOVR Phantom 2 is a great daily training shoe that shines on and off of the track.
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Microchip tracks your progress and sends it to Map My Run
UA IntelliKnit contours to the shape of your foot
Very responsive midsole
External TPU heel counter
Breathable knit upper
Cons
Minimal cushioning in the forefoot
Narrow toe box
Heavier than expected
Key Features
Key Features
MIDSOLE
There is a lot to love about the midsole of the UA HOVR Phantom 2. The midsole is made from a blend of materials that work together to provide runners with a cushioned yet responsive ride. Inside the foam cage of the midsole is a super soft and squishy layer of EVA foam. Without the cage system around this layer of foam, this running shoe would be considered just a little bit too soft.
The cage around the EVA layer is made from a substance called Olefin. Olefin is incredibly strong and durable and gives this shoe its patented bounce that runners really seem to love. It’s the Goldilocks of midsoles- it’s soft, but not too soft.
While the midsole of this shoe is great, UA spent a little too much focus on the heel counter and not enough focus on the forefoot. Runners found that while the heel is super soft and responsive, their forefoot didn’t receive the same amount of cushioning.
While this shoe is designed for quick and speedy toe-offs (which is why there is little cushioning as you navigate towards the front of the shoe) this lack of cushioning can be pretty brutal on your toes.
OUTSOLE
UA made some pretty big improvements to the outsole of this shoe, and these improvements really make this shoe sing!
This updated outsole boasts a cobblestone-like design that allows for more flexibility and agile movements. The full-length rubber outsole works great at gripping sidewalks or modest trails, and it has a slightly tacky finish that is ideal for slick sidewalks.
It also has exposed EVA foam on the inside of the foot to boost flexibility as well as cut down on the overall weight of the shoe.
The overall design of this outsole makes it a great shoe to take out for zippy runs on modest trails, and it’s even built for long-distance runs on treadmills or slick sidewalks.
No matter how or where you like to run, the UA HOVR Phantom 2 is built to tackle almost whatever you can throw at it.
UPPER
The upper of this design is made to contour to the shape of your foot. It is free of bulky padding and instead utilizes an extremely stretchy mesh to lock on to your feet to prevent rubbing and chafing. In fact, the stretchy nature of this shoe allows users to slip on their running shoes without the need to untie the laces!
It is composed of UA IntelliKnit that is super soft and feels like a second pair of socks and is incredibly lightweight and breathable. This fabric contours to the shape of your foot to feel like you're not wearing anything at all!
Another impressive feature of this shoe is that the TPU heel counter is mounted on the outside of the shoe rather than the inside. This super-smart design prevents the stiff heel counter from rubbing up against your foot and causing chafing. Your feet are securely locked in place while still surrounded by 360 degrees of comfort.
PERFORMANCE
Overall, I would recommend this shoe for runners that need something that is cushioned and supportive without hindering your full range of motion. It provides just enough cushioning and support for running long distances, and the flex grooves in the outsole of the shoe are also great for agility work or cross-training.
It’s important to note, however, that this shoe is heavier than expected. If you are looking to reach high speeds, this shoe may slow you down a bit.
What makes this shoe stand out from other daily trainers out there on the market is the addition of the small microchip built into the heel of this shoe.
This small microchip is able to pair with your Map My Run app or other health apps on your phone. It sends information from your run straight to your phone so you can keep track of your progress, and it even offers tips on how to get the most out of your run.
Having Map My Run active on your phone can really drain the battery and this little microchip saves phone juice so you can focus more of your phone’s energy on a killer running playlist!
FIT
The UA HOVR Phantom 2 runs true to size. If you are a size 9 in other UA shoes, the same can be said for this running shoe. If you are unsure of what size you need, be sure to take ample measurements of your feet and compare them to UA’s detailed sizing chart.
The construction of the upper is designed to contour to the shape of your foot and it is designed to fit most sizes and shapes of feet without issue.
It’s important to note, however, that there are some runners that found that the toe box of this shoe is just a little narrow. If you can, head down to your local shoe store to give these shoes a test drive before you make a purchase.
If you feel that the toe box is just a little too narrow, you may want to buy a half size larger than you would typically wear.
PRICE
The price of this shoe runs fairly par for the course. It is not the most expensive running shoe out there on the market, but it isn’t necessarily considered to be budget-friendly. I feel that the features offered in the UA HORV Phantom 2 make it well worth every penny.
The responsive midsole and durable rubber outsole are designed to last for up to 300 miles (or more depending on your running style), and the addition of the tracking microchip helps you to monitor your progress and make changes as needed.
There is a lot to love about the midsole of the UA HOVR Phantom 2. The midsole is made from a blend of materials that work together to provide runners with a cushioned yet responsive ride. Inside the foam cage of the midsole is a super soft and squishy layer of EVA foam. Without the cage system around this layer of foam, this running shoe would be considered just a little bit too soft.
The cage around the EVA layer is made from a substance called Olefin. Olefin is incredibly strong and durable and gives this shoe its patented bounce that runners really seem to love. It’s the Goldilocks of midsoles- it’s soft, but not too soft.
While the midsole of this shoe is great, UA spent a little too much focus on the heel counter and not enough focus on the forefoot. Runners found that while the heel is super soft and responsive, their forefoot didn’t receive the same amount of cushioning.
While this shoe is designed for quick and speedy toe-offs (which is why there is little cushioning as you navigate towards the front of the shoe) this lack of cushioning can be pretty brutal on your toes.
OUTSOLE
UA made some pretty big improvements to the outsole of this shoe, and these improvements really make this shoe sing!
This updated outsole boasts a cobblestone-like design that allows for more flexibility and agile movements. The full-length rubber outsole works great at gripping sidewalks or modest trails, and it has a slightly tacky finish that is ideal for slick sidewalks.
It also has exposed EVA foam on the inside of the foot to boost flexibility as well as cut down on the overall weight of the shoe.
The overall design of this outsole makes it a great shoe to take out for zippy runs on modest trails, and it’s even built for long-distance runs on treadmills or slick sidewalks.
No matter how or where you like to run, the UA HOVR Phantom 2 is built to tackle almost whatever you can throw at it.
UPPER
The upper of this design is made to contour to the shape of your foot. It is free of bulky padding and instead utilizes an extremely stretchy mesh to lock on to your feet to prevent rubbing and chafing. In fact, the stretchy nature of this shoe allows users to slip on their running shoes without the need to untie the laces!
It is composed of UA IntelliKnit that is super soft and feels like a second pair of socks and is incredibly lightweight and breathable. This fabric contours to the shape of your foot to feel like you're not wearing anything at all!
Another impressive feature of this shoe is that the TPU heel counter is mounted on the outside of the shoe rather than the inside. This super-smart design prevents the stiff heel counter from rubbing up against your foot and causing chafing. Your feet are securely locked in place while still surrounded by 360 degrees of comfort.
PERFORMANCE
Overall, I would recommend this shoe for runners that need something that is cushioned and supportive without hindering your full range of motion. It provides just enough cushioning and support for running long distances, and the flex grooves in the outsole of the shoe are also great for agility work or cross-training.
It’s important to note, however, that this shoe is heavier than expected. If you are looking to reach high speeds, this shoe may slow you down a bit.
What makes this shoe stand out from other daily trainers out there on the market is the addition of the small microchip built into the heel of this shoe.
This small microchip is able to pair with your Map My Run app or other health apps on your phone. It sends information from your run straight to your phone so you can keep track of your progress, and it even offers tips on how to get the most out of your run.
Having Map My Run active on your phone can really drain the battery and this little microchip saves phone juice so you can focus more of your phone’s energy on a killer running playlist!
FIT
The UA HOVR Phantom 2 runs true to size. If you are a size 9 in other UA shoes, the same can be said for this running shoe. If you are unsure of what size you need, be sure to take ample measurements of your feet and compare them to UA’s detailed sizing chart.
The construction of the upper is designed to contour to the shape of your foot and it is designed to fit most sizes and shapes of feet without issue.
It’s important to note, however, that there are some runners that found that the toe box of this shoe is just a little narrow. If you can, head down to your local shoe store to give these shoes a test drive before you make a purchase.
If you feel that the toe box is just a little too narrow, you may want to buy a half size larger than you would typically wear.
PRICE
The price of this shoe runs fairly par for the course. It is not the most expensive running shoe out there on the market, but it isn’t necessarily considered to be budget-friendly. I feel that the features offered in the UA HORV Phantom 2 make it well worth every penny.
The responsive midsole and durable rubber outsole are designed to last for up to 300 miles (or more depending on your running style), and the addition of the tracking microchip helps you to monitor your progress and make changes as needed.
Comparisons to Previous Versions
Comparisons to Previous Versions
Many of the performance features in the OG HOVR Phantom are very similar to the HOVR Phantom 2. UA kept the same midsole and upper construction, but simply shaved down the overall bulk a bit.
While the frame is more sleek and nimble, it’s important to note that the updated version is heavier than the previous. The original weighed in at 10.6 ounces, while the updated version weighs 11.5 ounces.
Even though technically heavier, the added cutouts in the outsole and overall shape of this shoe make it more nimble and agile when compared to the previous design.
While the frame is more sleek and nimble, it’s important to note that the updated version is heavier than the previous. The original weighed in at 10.6 ounces, while the updated version weighs 11.5 ounces.
Even though technically heavier, the added cutouts in the outsole and overall shape of this shoe make it more nimble and agile when compared to the previous design.
Verdict
Verdict
If you are in the market for a great daily trainer that is perfect for the track or the weight room, the UA HOVR Phantom 2 is a great choice. It’s packed with thoughtful features to keep you light on your feet while the supportive midsole keeps your joints protected.
I love that the upper is composed of super stretchy materials that really help improve overall lockdown, and the exterior TPU heel counter is a really smart design choice. The upper of this design walks that fine line between agility and support.
What I also love about this running shoe is that it boasts a built-in microchip that tracks your progress as you run. Whenever I hit the trails, I fire up Map My Run to track my distance traveled as well as my time. It’s a great app that’s insanely helpful, but it really drains the battery on your phone.
This little microchip tracks all of your progress and sends that information right to your phone without the need of running the Map My Run app during your training session.
Overall, this is a shoe that is perfect for nice and easy tempo runs, long-distance running, or even cross-training or weight training in the gym.
I love that the upper is composed of super stretchy materials that really help improve overall lockdown, and the exterior TPU heel counter is a really smart design choice. The upper of this design walks that fine line between agility and support.
What I also love about this running shoe is that it boasts a built-in microchip that tracks your progress as you run. Whenever I hit the trails, I fire up Map My Run to track my distance traveled as well as my time. It’s a great app that’s insanely helpful, but it really drains the battery on your phone.
This little microchip tracks all of your progress and sends that information right to your phone without the need of running the Map My Run app during your training session.
Overall, this is a shoe that is perfect for nice and easy tempo runs, long-distance running, or even cross-training or weight training in the gym.
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