Under Armour Strive 7 Fully Reviewed & Compared
Under Armour is an American-born company that was founded in the mid-’90s and was born out of the need for moisture-wicking clothing. As the company grew, so did the line-up of clothing and accessories that they offered their consumers. Though the brand isn’t as big as Nike or Adidas in the footwear realm, they have carved themselves a name in the cross-training and athletic shoe world and are consistently putting out well-made, well-received and highly-praised footwear.
We’re going to take a look at the Under Armour Strive 7 today. This is the seventh iteration of this silhouette and this version only builds upon its predecessor. With its comfortable midsole, breathable upper and traction-providing outsole, the Strive 7 really has a lot to offer gym-goers, weightlifters and short distance runners at a relatively low price point. Let’s take a bit of a closer look at what these shoes can do for you.
-Very lightweight and comfortable
-Provides enough support and stability for HIIT workouts
-Full-length sock liner for added comfort and moisture-wicking
-Provides a low-to-the-ground ride
-A relatively low price point
-Wide sizing doesn’t fit as wide as one would expect
-Sizing is off in general
-Some concerns from reviewers about the overall durability
- High quality materials and workmanship are praised by buyers. There are no reports of early defects.
- Most buyers find these to be a good value for the price.
- These can be found at discounted prices from some sellers.
- Positive reviewers say these are great for walking, running, or workouts.
- These provide good stability for weight lifting.
- The design of the outsole prevents rocks and mud from sticking.
- Stylish for working out and casual wear.
- The design and colors are simple yet classic.
- Many buyers use these for casual wear and say they look good with jeans.
- There are positive reviews from teenagers for the comfort and style.
- Both coaches and referees who have worn these give positive reviews.
- There are no reports of foot fatigue.
- The midsole is firm enough to provide support, but also padded to add comfort.
- These provide decent lateral support.
- There are some featured improvements from previous versions.
- Good grip for gym floors.
- Some reviewers who had never tried Under Armour shoes before are impressed by the design and performance.
- Sizing runs small. Most buyers recommend sizing up a half to full size.
- The design is a little narrow.
- There are limited wide sizes.
- Some break-in time may be required to get the fit right.
- The overlays on the upper feel restrictive for some people. If you like an upper with a lot of flexibility these may not work for you.
- There are reports of heel rub and blisters from issues with inconsistent sizing.
- These do not provide much ankle support.
- There are no reviews from avid or long distance runners.
- The heel feels flat for some buyers.
- There are very few reviews on the long term durability.
- There are mixed reviews on the breathability.
Outsole
Midsole
Upper
The upper also features stitched leather overlays that help to add superior support. There is something to be said about the webbed lacing feature on the upper as well, which helps to provide wearers with a customized fit every time.
Weight
Breathability
The synthetic leather which makes up some of the supportive overlays in the upper, however, is not a very breathable material. We felt this was worth mentioning, though we didn’t read any negative comments concerning the breathability or the leather material during our research.
Comfort
Some reviewers found that the Strive 7 fit small, however, and that even the wide versions felt a little too snug for folks with wider feet. This is worth noting if the availability of wide sizing was a selling point for you. Some customers found that sizing up fixed these size issues for them. We suggest trying these shoes on in person or at least making sure the online supplier you’re purchasing from has a fantastic return policy if you decide to buy online.
Another aspect of the Under Armour Strive 7 that lends itself well to the comfort level is the full-length EVA sock liner. The sock liner is the part of the shoe that your feet sit directly on top of. This particular liner is not only comfortable but also helpful in providing a custom feeling fit.
Style
Overall, however, the Strive 7 is a very nice-looking shoe. The leather overlays add a bit of an elegant touch to the aesthetic and Under Armour fans will love the sporty look of these shoes.
Durability
One review mentioned the material surrounding the heel is breaking down already, just six months in. Another said their teen son’s pair of Strive 7’s has stitching coming apart less than two months after buying them.
Other reviews, however, mentioned the reliability that comes from buying a pair of these shoes.
They are often referred to as a trusty pair of shoes for standing, walking, exercising...you anme it. Whether or not the Strive 7’s last long for you will likely depend on how well you take care of them and what sorts of activities you’re doing while wearing them.
Protection
Responsiveness
Support
One reviewer felt that there wasn’t enough ankle support available to wear these at the gym, but did note that they were able to wear these shoes for long shifts on their feet all day without any issues.
Terrain
Price
Traction
Flexibility
The Under Armour Strive 7 is a surprisingly flexible shoe. The flexibility found here is due in part to the flex grooves that are found in the forefoot area of the outsole. These grooves are anatomically-correct and because of this, help to encourage natural movement. You won’t have a problem gaining a good sense of underfoot feeling with these on your feet.
Stability
Drop
Key Features
-Breathable mesh upper
-Improved traction thanks to the rubber pods in the outsole
-Flex grooves in the forefoot help to encourage natural motion
Bottom Line
The only negative comments we read about this shoe were when it came to the fit. It seems that most of these issues were easily solved by simply ordering a size up from your usual size, but if you’re worried about the shoe not fitting properly, we suggest finding a store that carries them and trying them on there first. You can always find out what size works best for you and then order the shoe online when you find a great price point for it. Although, that said, at an MSRP of only $70, the Under Armour Strive 7 is already a great priced shoe for all of the value you’re garnering from them.