Under Armour has expanded its footwear apparel range with innovative performance UA HOVR sneakers. Known for their connected fitness™ platform, which powers the world’s largest digitally connected health and fitness community, Under Armour’s latest sneaker tech styles- the UA HOVR Sonic and UA HOVR Phantom- been designed with a new pinnacle cushioning system that promises to deliver not only a cushioned ride but also energy return.
Sneaker Tech For the Healthy Running Sneakerhead
The key component of the UA HOVR cushioning system is the ‘Energy Web’. It is a mesh fabric that wraps the cushioning core to deliver strong responsiveness and energy return. The midsole, which is made of a proprietary foam compound, in partnership with the innovators at Dow Chemical, ensures that the sneakers possess a super-soft durometer with incredible cushioning and shock absorption for every single foot strike.
“When designing UA HOVR, we set out to create the perfect combination of cushioning plus responsiveness and energy return.”
The main advantage of UA’s latest sneaker that is they are capable of making runners feel and perform better with less fatigue. “The development of UA HOVR was inspired by the insight that every step a runner takes has the impact of 2-4x their body weight, holding them down. When designing UA HOVR, we set out to create the perfect combination of cushioning plus responsiveness and energy return – to essentially lift you up,” said Dave Dombrow, Under Armour’s Chief Design Officer. “The HOVR underfoot returns that energy and makes every stride feel light and effortless. I could not be more proud of this product and for HOVR to usher in a new chapter in the Under Armour design and innovation story.”
With a high fidelity sensor embedded in the shoe, the UA HOVR Sonic and UA HOVR Phantom styles mean that these sensor-enabled versions are digitally connected to the newest evolution of the MapMyRun app, which gives you access to the world’s largest digital health and fitness community of 225 million registered users. Designed to make all athletes better, the UA HOVR Sonic has a light, and responsive ride for runners who put distance first and the UA HOVR Phantom has a plush and responsive ride for runners who want all-around cushioning.
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For us, one of the best tech perks was that the sneakers could also provide you with added benefits of an untethered run while tracking detailed data including stride length, cadence, pace, distance and shoe life. “Under Armour is focused on delivering runners around the world – from world champion Natasha Hastings to runners completing their first 5K – innovative solutions that provide an unparalleled running experience,” said Topher Gaylord, General Manager of UA Run. “We obsess over every detail in our running footwear to ensure supreme comfort, unrivalled performance, and the ultimate underfoot ride. With beautiful design converging with state-of-the-art digital capabilities, HOVR technology empowers athletes everywhere, at all levels of the sport, with performance advantages previously available only to the world’s most elite athletes. Put simply, Under Armour and UA HOVR make you better.”
Both styles are now available for purchase on UA.com, at Under Armour Brand Houses and at sport speciality stores across the globe. The UA HOVR Sonic will retail for $100 USD and $110 USD; the UA HOVR Phantom sneakers will retail for $130 USD and $140 USD for non-connected and connected, respectively.
Founding editor-in-chief of FashNerd.com, Muchaneta is currently one of the leading influencers writing about the merger of fashion with technology and wearable technology. She has also given talks at Premiere Vision, Munich Fabric Start and Pure London, to name a few. Besides working as a fashion innovation consultant for various fashion companies like LVMH Atelier, Muchaneta has also contributed to Vogue Business, is a senior contributor at The Interline and an associate lecturer at London College of Fashion, UAL.