TRIED & TESTED
Flowing Like the Wind
Sometimes a shoe ’ s name just seems so appropriate , as you soon find out when you head out in a pair of the Under Armour Flow Velociti Wind , and getting to the bottom of this shoe shows you why . – BY SEAN FALCONER
Each year the various shoe brands bring out new shoes with new technology in the form of new midsole materials , new upper construction , a new midfoot shank design to provide better structure between heel and forefoot , a plate to provide better spring-back at toe-off , and the like . But the basic parts of the shoe usually stay the same … upper , midsole and outsole .
The new Under Armour Flow Velociti Wind bucks that trend , with the elimination of the traditional outsole . Instead , the midsole , made from Flow blown rubber , doubles up as the outsole , and that makes the shoe slightly lighter and provides a smoother ride that would have been the case with traditional outsole rubber added .
Rigorously Tested
It has taken Under Armour three years of research and development , including nearly 18,000km of wear-testing by their elite and seeded athletes , to come up with this design , which they say is meant to make the shoe lighter . The shoe does indeed feel lighter , and what I really liked is how quiet the shoes are . I know , that may sound a bit strange , but outsole rubber can sometimes ‘ slap ’ the ground , depending on your running style and the surface you ’ re running on , but this Flow outsole seems to kiss the ground quietly .
The stack height of the shoe is 26mm in the heel , 18mm in the forefoot , so the drop is a pretty standard 8mm , but the starting height is ever so slightly less than most shoes on the market . The good news is that this does not mean the shoe is less cushioned than other shoes . Sure , it does feel a bit on the harder side when you first put them on , but once you get running , I found that the shoes actually feel more cushioned , thanks to there being no harder rubber outsole . that move in unison with the foot to support you through each stride , providing a comfortable and dynamic fit . The main component is a transparent , airy mesh with thin reinforcing strips of material and lines of stitching added to give it strength and structure , while still allowing the upper to mould to your foot and avoiding pinching as the forefoot flexes .
A thin lining of material under the mesh covers the whole of the forefoot , which in turn is also connected to a gusseted tongue , providing a snug but comfortable sock-like feel , which even my slightly wider left foot found comfy . The padded heel is also super-comfy , and the overall result is still super-ventilated , allowing cool air to flow through and heat to dissipate , keeping your feet cool , even when racing flat-out .
Another of Under Armour ’ s technologies built into the shoe is the Bluetooth sensor in the midsole that connects to the Under Armour MapMyRun app , which records your run or activity without you needing to carry a phone – you can simply download the info after your run – which is a real bonus if you run in an area where carrying a phone could make you a target for criminals .
In Short , I Like Them
The bottom line with this shoe – if you ’ ll excuse the cheesy pun – is that it delivers on its promise and lives up to its name . You do feel like you ’ re flowing at a fast speed , like the wind , and I think they ’ re well worth a try if you ’ re looking for a fast , lightweight shoe .
The ride also feels more nimble , responsive , faster … precisely because you feel closer to the ground , as is often the case with lightweight trainers with a lower profile . That said , I found that the shoe can still handle slower jogging , when you tend to heel-strike more than when midfoot-striking as you go faster .
Images : Courtesy Under Armour
Further to that , Under Armour has built very specific geometry into the bottom of the sole , based on extensive analysis of runners ’ strike patterns and loading , so it has circular shapes under the metatarsal joints , just behind the toes , and the heel is noticeably rounded . This is designed to make the landing more cushioned and the transition to toe-off smoother . When I ran in them , I particularly enjoyed the stability of the landing when I did heel-strike , and the transition to the forefoot felt really smooth . I also found the grip of the shoe to be very good , even on looser surfaces , like sandy grit . You may think that coarser outsole rubber would be necessary to ensure grip , but this Flow sole does the job very well .
Comfort for the Feet
So , after all that talk about the bottom of the shoe , let ’ s look at the upper , which features Under Armour ’ s WARP tech , which encompasses various design elements
GET THEM HERE
Available at a recommended retail price of R3499 online at www . underarmour . co . za or at Under Armour stores at East Point , Canal Walk , Mall of Africa , Menlyn , Somerset West , Sandton , V & A , Gateway and Fourways .
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