I still have my pair of Under Armour Flow Velociti Wind from 2021. It’s a precursor to the brand’s racing shoe, the Flow Velociti Elite, which has a similar Warp upper as the Flow Velociti Wind 2, as well as the same rubber-less outsole construction the Flow line is known for. When I took the Velociti 4 out for a first run, I was pleased with how consistent UA has been with Flow Velociti line’s ride. The brand may have simplified the name, but the fourth iteration has the same feel that made me fall in love with the original shoe. The Velociti 4 is structured like a racing flat but offers more support. It won’t trash your legs on harder, speedier efforts.
Pros
- Flow midsole has a rubber-less outsole; still grippy and responsive, less weight
- Lightweight
- Sleek flat knit upper
Cons
- Runs short; narrow toebox
- Some testers didn’t like the flat tongue; wanted more cushioned over their instep
- Flexible; some testers wanted more snap
| Type | Road |
|---|---|
| Weight | 6.6 oz (W), 7.7 oz (M) |
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Heel Height | 30 mm |
| Forefoot Height | 22 mm |
- Who It’s For: Runners who want the lightweight ride of a racing flat in a firmly cushioned trainer
- Preceded By: Flow Velociti Wind, Flow Velociti Wind 2, Velociti 3
- For Runners Who Like: Saucony Sinister, Brooks Hyperion 2
- Midsole Foam: Flow
- Key Tech: Rubber-less outsole, flat knit single layer upper
It still feels like I’m in on a secret when a runner approaches me and says their favorite shoe is Under Armour. I found this out three years ago during my first dance with Flow. I felt a spring in my step, and experienced faster turnover while testing the Flow Velociti Wind—and felt the same sensation running in the Velociti 4.
Flow Midsole
Running in the Velociti 4, our testers noted how it isn’t in any way a max-cushioned shoe; the shoe’s thin slab of Flow foam provides supportive but firm cushioning. One tester compared the shoe’s cushioning to Saucony’s “speed line.”
Depending on wearer preferences, some testers found the shoe too light for anything beyond speedwork and short distances.
“The shoe itself does not provide much support, and as such is not something I would consistently reach for for longer runs and longer fartlek workouts,” said tester Justin Brown, who compared the Velociti 4 to the Nike ZoomX Streakfly. “I’ll use them for shorter, faster things like hill repeats and short tempo runs. I have worn other shoes similar to these in that they do not provide a large amount of support but are meant to provide a snappy responsive feel.”
Other testers like Luann Heller, who previously tested the lightweight Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 10, found the Velociti 4 extremely versatile.
“This shoe had cushion perfectly placed throughout,” said Heller, an overpronator and heel striker. “No matter the distance I ran, my feet didn’t become fatigued.”
Tester David Fisher shared the same sentiments as Heller, saying “Great level of well-balanced cushioning throughout the shoe. It was comfortable without being spongy—it allowed for a good balance of firmness for speed, but soft enough for longer runs.”
I ran in the shoes for two- to three-mile tempos and a six-miler at about 7:30 pace, and I still didn’t feel wrecked. No sore knees or lower back, as sometimes seems to be the norm if I wear lightweight shoes for middle distances and speedwork.
Sleek Flat Knit Upper
The Flow series used to have a Warp knit upper that looked like cobwebs securing your foot. Beginning with the Velociti 3, the shoe now has a sleek flat knit upper, which provides a locked-in, hotspot-free fit, according to our testers.
“The material stretched with my stride,” said Fisher. “It has a nice snug fit from my heel to my toes. I like the narrow toebox as it felt really locked in.”
Unlike Fisher, tester Sean Phillips, whose training pace averages 7:30, wasn’t a fan of the narrow fit in the toebox.
“The shoe kept my foot dry and cool with no blistering and no irritation at the heel,” he said. “Beyond that, the shoe fits small. The toebox compressed my foot and caused some irritation to the tips of the toes. I wish the Velociti 4 had slightly more rigidity for a snappier feel.”
Compared to previous Flow Velociti trainers I’ve tested, the toebox is narrower and the Velociti 4 does run a little short in the toe area. Going half a size up, however, would make the rest of the shoe fit looser and less secure.
The narrower toebox didn’t diminish the speedy joy I felt running in the shoe, but it did keep me mindful of trimmed toenails lest I develop a black nail during training.
Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
