7 min readUnder Armour splits its shoes into two groups: Velociti (speed) and Infinite (distance). It’s in the name, but right from the get-go you can tell a shoe like the Velociti Pro is meant for quick tempos.
Pros
- Responsive with firm cushioning
- Pebax plate for propulsion
Cons
- Tongue has unnecessary ridges
- Lacing system creates bunching
| Type | Road, speed |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8.9 oz (M9, unisex) |
| Drop | 8.5 mm |
- Who It’s For: Runners looking for a speedwork shoe with some snap and a super foam bounce
- Preceded by: Flow Velociti Elite 2
- For Runners Who Like: Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, Topo Athletic Specter 2
- Midsole Foam: BioPebax (made from castor beans) top layer, Flow bottom layer
- Key Tech: No outsole, Warp knit upper, Pebax plate
The Technology
A Plate But Pebax
Plated shoes are most often thought of as having carbon-fiber, but unlike the Velociti Elite 2 which does have a carbon plate, the Velociti Pro is outfitted with Pebax. The full-length Pebax plate is sandwiched between different foams to promote propulsion. The plate encourages a snappy ride without being as aggressive as carbon-plated shoes. This positions the Velociti Pro more so as a speedwork shoe for tempos and intervals, over racing.
Dual-cushioning
The Pebax plate lies between a top layer of BioPebax and bottom layer of supercritical Flow. The BioPebax foam is derived from castor beans, but don’t let this unconventional form fool you into thinking it doesn’t have a bouncy ride: It’s also used in the Velociti Elite 2, the company’s top race-day shoe. I personally experienced the springiness of the Velociti Elite 2 when I trained and raced a 5K in it at The Running Event 2023. But it’s not limited to just racing—our testers also said the shoe had “excellent pop for speedwork.”
Racing Shoe Upper, No Outsole
Under Armour’s speed shoes have a thin, lightweight Warp knit upper that, according to the brand, has horizontal and vertical tape that web across the top of the foot acting as “seatbelts” for a stable, secure fit.
Also synonymous with the speed line is a rubberless outsole, which our testers found to be effectively tacky as other road shoes with rubber bottoms.
What Testers Liked
- Testers appreciated the Warp upper’s locked-in but comfy fit
- They praised the responsive, stable ride
Bow Arrow, 35 miles/week, 7:30 pace
Medium Arch | Overpronator | Forefoot Striker
“I liked the ride and how easy it was to run fast. I’m in a period where I'm not training for any specific race so I usually run slower this time of year. This shoe helped me maintain my fitness by making me want to throw tempos or intervals into my runs. It feels more like a performance or race day shoe in terms of the upper, the firmness of the sole and much higher stack. It feels more unstable because of that.”
Justin Christein, 20 miles/week, 8:30 pace
High Arch | Neutral Pronation | Midfoot Striker
“I liked the way the shoe fit my foot. It was snug yet forgiving and the breathability was good. The upper was durable and light and it just felt good whether I was walking or running. The thick midsole allowed for stability so that my foot never rolled in or out. It put my foot on lockdown. It’s a sturdy shoe and I’m thinking it will last for many miles.”
What Testers Didn’t Like:
- Testers found issues with the tongue and lacing; many said the tongue’s ridges were sharp and cut into skin while the lacing system felt slippery
Tamra Fisher, 25 miles/week, 9:00 pace
Medium Arch | Neutral Pronation | Midfoot Striker
“The tongue is sharp and it cuts into your ankle.”
Steph Norman, 25 miles/week, 9:15 pace
Medium Arch | Neutral Pronation | Midfoot Striker
“I didn’t like the tongue and lacing system. The tongue made it very uncomfortable. I would say in order to improve, it should have a softer material for the tongue or the tongue didn't have to come up so high on the laces and into the front of my ankle.”
Tester Q&A
I test hundreds of shoes every year, including Under Armour’s other speed models. However, the Velociti Pro sneaked by under my watch so I asked news editor Theo Kahler, who had been one of the shoe’s testers, what he thought of the shoe. The Velociti Pro happened to be the first model by Under Armour he’s run in.
Kahler, who runs 65 miles weekly at 6:30 pace, ran his 26.2 debut at the Indianapolis Marathon last November with a time of 2:27:05.
Amanda Furrer, RW test editor: This is your first Under Armour shoe. What were your initial expectations and impressions? Was there a reason you haven’t run in a shoe by the brand until now?
Theo Kahler, RW news editor: I was a little nervous, if I’m being honest. Under Armour doesn’t have a particularly long history with making high-quality performance running shoes, so I didn't know what to expect. But soon, my apprehensions went away. I really liked this shoe from the start. It’s got a smooth ride and the foam is responsive but not too soft. For a while, I wore it as a daily shoe (i.e., on recovery runs) because it gave me a little pep in my step while still being stable. Similar to a super trainer.
I’m about four years removed from college, and while I was running collegiately, my schools were sponsored by Adidas and Nike. So Under Armour wasn’t an option. And frankly, I didn‘t know a lot of runners who wore them, so they weren't really on my radar. I feel like they really burst onto the scene when Sharon Lokedi won the NYC Marathon in 2022. That showed that they weren’t a step behind anymore.
What shoes do you think are comparable to the shoe’s feel and ride?
The Velociti Pro is somewhere between a super trainer and speed shoe, in my opinion. It can certainly be worn for faster running (I did 5-by-mile at 5:10 pace in them) but I’ve worn them on plenty of easy runs, too. Super shoes can feel strange at slower speeds, but the Velociti Pro feels like any other trainer. It’s stable. Maybe a good comparison would be a cross between an Adidas Boston and Takumi Sen. They’re both fairly firm but still comfortable, and you don’t feel weird running conversation pace in them.
That’s another thing I want to touch on because it has the blueprint of a super shoe but it’s not quite a super shoe because of that Pebax plate. What’s the difference on a run when a shoe has the makings of a super shoe minus carbon? More pointedly: Does it have snap?
I think it does! I’ll say, it feels more similar to a racing flat than a marathon super shoe. Although it’s a little thicker than a traditional racing flat (which is sadly less common these days).
I feel that! Many wear-testers—including yourself—said the cushioning felt firm, some even saying it made the shoe stiff. Did this affect the rebound and make the shoe feel heavier compared to other speed shoes?
The foam is definitely firm. I feel we’re seeing newly-released super shoes getting softer and softer, so these are a bit different. But because of the firmness, I think they could be a valuable addition to someone’s rotation. Not everyone enjoys a squishy feel. And these are much cheaper than most high-end marathon shoes.
I wouldn’t classify these shoes as lightweight, but in my personal experience, it’s hard to notice a few extra grams while you’re running. Especially for training, I wouldn’t say the weight is a hindrance.
How did you fare running on all surfaces and speeds—dry, slick; easy, fast—without an outsole?
I tested these on the local gravel rail trail for a lot of my runs, and they held up very well. As I’m looking at the bottoms, I can’t find any cracked foam. The exposed plate is pretty scratched up (which is expected) but that seems purely cosmetic. Speaking of the exposed plate, I did notice chunks of gravel would frequently get wedged in between the edges of the foam. But I don’t feel like it affected the quality of my runs. Plus, it was kind of satisfying picking them out when I got home. Maybe I’ll start a rock garden.
In addition to handling various surface conditions well, the Velociti Pro can also handle changes of pace. I never felt like I was sliding back when I’d accelerate. I do a ton of strides as a part of my training, so I’m constantly starting and stopping.
Another small detail I’ve noticed: These shoes are very quiet on pavement. No squeaking or slapping sounds. Some super shoes are too noisy.
Almost all of the testers, including you, said the tongue and lacing system were their least favorite features. But it’s not as simple as switching out the laces is it?
Yeah...the lacing system needs some work. I think they tried to make sure the tongue didn’t slide around (an admirable goal), but instead, the top of the shoe feels clunky and over-engineered. There’s big lugs that run down the length of the tongue, which makes it hard to pull the laces and just seems to crowd the upper of the shoe. The laces themselves aren’t my favorite either. They came undone a few times if I didn’t tie a firm double knot. I think they should keep it simple next time.
When is your next marathon?
Grandma’s in June!
Oh, that’s a long way away! Do you have a time goal? Will these shoes fit into your training?
I ran my debut pretty conservatively, so I’ve been joking with my coach that I want to crash-and-burn this time. Low 2:20s would be fantastic.
I could see myself using the Velociti Pros in workouts at some point. I try to save my marathoning shoes for, well, marathoning, so sometimes I’ll use a shoe like this on a threshold session or tempo run. Or, to come full circle, maybe I’ll just throw them on when I want a little pep in my step on a recovery day.
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.
