Review: Running on Air with Under Armour Flow Velociti Wind Running Shoe
“Believe it or not, I’m walkin’ on air, I never thought I could feel so free.” An oldie, but a goodie, Joey Scarbury’s, Believe It or Not, was a 1980s sensation. The song was the theme tune for the TV series The Greatest American Hero and spoke to a generation of young adults who loved the idea of an ordinary man suddenly being given superpowers, most notably the ability to fly. The once-popular song and TV show may be old hat now, but our desire to have the power of flight has never waned.
Just imagine that feeling of light effortless speed, the feeling of the wind at your back as you glide through the air. Humans may never be able to fly, but we can get somewhat close to the feeling on a good run. The peaceful solitude, the wind in your hair, the feeling of weightlessness. Sounds like a runner’s dream, doesn’t it? Now meet the shoe that’s going to take you there. The Under Armour Flow Velociti Wind may not be able to give you the power of flight, but you’ll sure as heck love the feeling of running on air that this running shoe offers.
No rubber outsole needed
For this ultra-comfortable, super lightweight running shoe, UA Flow disrupts the design of a traditional running shoe by completely eliminating the rubber outsole. The shoe’s all-in-one cushioning system eliminates the need for a rubber outsole and gives it lighter-than-air properties. This bold move helps to reduce the weight of the shoe by as much as 86grams, making it significantly lighter than a traditional running shoe.
Now, when I say this shoe is light, I mean featherlight. The UA Flow Velociti Wind feels almost weightless on your feet and is the lightest running shoe I have ever had the privilege of reviewing. When you slip them on, it’s almost as if there’s nothing there. The UA Flow Velociti Wind offers the lightest midsole technology in UA’s current running line-up, bringing unparalleled lightweight cushion and long-lasting technology to the run category as a whole. To achieve this, the foam used to make the shoe has naturally sticky traction, so traditional bulky overlays of the past aren’t needed.
Under Armour says, the lightweight performance running shoe is designed for runners who seek a neutral platform with a go-to fast feel. With the men’s size 9 weighing just 214g and a women’s size 7 weighing 227g, this shoe is a solution for runners looking for speed and support in their tempo workouts, fast-paced long runs, and longer road races.
The midsole isn’t overly cushy, but actually feels kind of firm. Firm might not be the word that comes to mind when you think comfort, but, on a run, it’s the right kind of firm. The density of the foam is just right to create a great, comfortable ride.
Hit a flow state with UA
If you’ve heard runners talk about ‘hitting a flow state’ during a run, and have always craved achieving that feeling, then this is the type of shoe that can get you there. During a state of flow, running does not hurt, no matter how great the demands of the run. You feel a clear sense of control of your movements without having to focus on gaining control. Of course, hitting flow state in a workout is much easier when you have a shoe that moulds really well to your foot, is responsive to the ground, and is super lightweight, with no distractions.
This shoe is crafted to help runners achieve their personal best, whether they’re out on a training run or are lacing up for race day. The shoe features UA Warp, an over-achieving upper that moulds perfectly to the form of your foot to unlock performance. It features supporting tapes that act like seatbelts on the foot, placed precisely where UA’s biomechanists found them to be most helpful for a runner. The tapes are in tension when you need them and relax when you don’t — eliminating any buckling and pinch points from traditional uppers built with continuous materials.
The UA Warp upper then moves in unison with the foot, supporting it in each step to help unlock performance by improving the efficiency of the foot to shoe interface in each stride. UA Warp locks you onto the UA Flow midsole without getting in the way of the foot’s natural movement. This Velociti Flow was designed for the ultimate in comfort and performance, and boy does it deliver. The shoe offers really great lockdown in the heel and I didn’t feel any slipping while wearing them. If you get the correct size, they will fit like a glove.
The shoe features a 26mm heel, 18mm forefoot, and an 8mm offset, making them ideal for runners who land heel first, or who have issues with their Achilles tendon giving them grief during long runs (*raises hand*). While the upper looks like a knit, it’s really a sort of TPU mesh that works to wrap around the foot perfectly. There’s also ample support in the heel collar, and the tongue is padded at the top for added comfort.
The UA Flow Velociti Wind has quickly become my favourite shoe to reach for on hump days, where I feel like I needed an added boost to get me through my workout. Like your most-loved oversized hoody or your favourite ultra-soft-feel T-shirt, these shoes wrap you up in a warm embrace and make you feel oh-so-comfortable during even the longest run.
Get a grip
The shoe also boasts impressive grip and traction. Under Armour says, the UA Flow Velociti Wind is designed to help runners grip the surface better and run with confidence, with unparalleled traction. Flow’s rubberless outsole offers the added benefit of providing higher traction than traditional compounds to grip the surface better. Even without a traditional outsole, wear-testers found that UA Flow performed in any condition they faced — from wet cement to uneven gravel and variable roads.
I tested the shoes on a variety of surfaces, including an indoor rubber track, indoor carpet-lined track, and wet tarmac and I found that the shoe performed like a champion on all surfaces. The grip on these babies is truly impressive, making them ideal for runners who love to train on a variety of surfaces.
New beginnings
According to Josh Rattet, Under Armour Vice President of Global Footwear, the Flow Velociti Wind model is just the beginning for the UA Flow running category. The brand says UA Flow is a leap forward in the brand’s quest to building an authentic and credible run brand over the past few years, with the UA Flow Velociti Wind being a true testament to the UA’s team’s commitment to creating solutions to make all runners better.
But, they’re not stopping here. The Velociti Wind is merely a precursor for what’s to come from the UA Flow line-up and Rattet says this exciting model will open up the possibilities for future models and seasons. I personally can’t wait to see what they come up with next. Until then you’ll find me outside, enjoying a state of flow in my Velociti Winds.
While these running shoes are by no means cheap, they will prove to be a worthwhile investment for a serious runner or anyone who is willing to pay a little bit extra for supreme comfort for a daily running shoe. The Velociti Wind is certainly a model to consider for someone who’s looking to only purchase one shoe for all of their training. It’s a very minimal, neutral shoe so it may not be the ideal choice for someone who needs a little more support or tends to overpronate.
The UA Flow Velociti Wind is now available online from the Under Armour website as well as in Under Armour Stores across South Africa at R3,499.
