Under Armour Flow Velociti Elite Review
Published: February 13, 2023
UA Aims to Outpace the Competition
Likes
- Ride is bouncy with good snap at toe-off
- Lightweight, race-ready upper
- Fantastic fit and lockdown
- Stylish aesthetic
Dislikes
- Not the most stable shoe
- Could use more stack for marathon distance
What's New
The Flow Velociti Elite is Under Armour's elite marathon racing shoe, and this speedster is loaded with technology designed to produce fast times. The true highlight here is the shoe's dual-layer midsole with supercritical foam and full-length carbon-fiber plate.
The top layer of the Flow Velociti Elite's midsole is a Pebax foam compound designed to protect the body from repetitive footstrikes while also returning a healthy dose of energy to the runner. Underneath is a thinner layer of UA's supercritical Flow foam, and this firmer compound not only helps with energy return but efficiency and stability as well. Combined with the full-length carbon-fiber plate, the Flow Velociti Elite's midsole promises a highly efficient ride that will make maintaining your speed feel effortless.
Keeping you locked down and ready to run is a super lightweight and breathable UA WARP 2.0 upper. Like other top racing shoes, the Velociti Elite's upper hugs the foot closely to ensure that you remain secure while pushing fast paces. At the same time, the practically transparent design keeps your feet cool and irritation-free.
Interestingly, the Velociti Elite does not have a traditional rubber outsole like many of the other super shoes on the market. Rather, Under Armour has left the Flow foam exposed. Worry not, as the shoe does not lack any traction or durability, and without the need for extra rubber, this speedster keeps weight down to a minimum.
The Bottom Line
The Under Armour Flow Velociti Elite has all the makings of a top-tier marathon racing shoe. It has a bouncy, supercritical foam midsole (well, half of it), a snappy carbon-fiber plate, and a lightweight upper that will keep you secure from start to finish. That said, Under Armour's specific formulation of these components might make the Flow Velociti Elite a better 5K to 10K racer than a pure marathoner. Undoubtedly, an elite marathon runner would have no problem maximizing the distance out of this shoe, but for sub-elite runners, additional protection and stability support may be desired.
Do not get us wrong, the Flow Velociti Elite is a fantastic shoe from a brand that has been making huge strides in recent years, and our team was impressed with its responsiveness and overall speedy disposition. Furthermore, the Velociti Elite's UA WARP 2.0 upper lockdown and lightweight feel are competitive with the best of the best. The exposed foam outsole also holds its own against the competition, despite some concerns about durability.
For the 26.2 marathon distance, though, the Flow Velociti Elite has some room for improvement. A couple of extra millimeters of foam underfoot would go a long way, and a more inherently stable platform would elevate the overall experience while making the shoe more accommodating to a wider base of runners. Regardless, for 5K to 10K races, speed training, and short mileage runs, the Velociti Elite will help you reach some of your fastest times, and we at Running Warehouse are excited to see how well runners enjoy this shoe and what will come next from the Under Armour team.
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Unisex: 7.7 oz (size 9) |
| Stack Height | 36 mm (Heel) 28 mm (Forefoot) | 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Kaleb: "The Flow Velociti Elite's upper is lightweight and secure, which is exactly what I am looking for in a racing shoe. I really felt locked in and loaded while wearing these shoes. It was almost hard to do anything but run fast while wearing the Velociti Elite. Furthermore, the UA WARP 2.0 upper was very breathable, helping my feet stay cool, dry, and irritation-free."
Midsole
Kaleb: "I was not sure what to expect when I was assigned to test the UA Flow Velociti Elite, but once I tried these on, I knew they would be fast. The foam is soft and very bouncy underfoot, reminding me a bit of the Endorphin Pro.
The geometry of the shoe is aggressive, promoting more of a forefoot foot strike that transitions very efficiently through the gait cycle. I really enjoyed the ride of the Flow Velociti Elite, but this is not your everyday trainer or easy-day shoe. When the Velociti Elite is on foot, you better be ready to work. Tempo runs, intervals, and pre-race training are all in this shoe's wheelhouse, and I would even choose it for shorter distance races (5K to 10K).
These Velociti Elites are billed as marathon racing shoes, but I personally do not think they provide enough protection for that distance, at least for most ability levels. In other words, I experienced some foot and shin pain after a 10K test run and felt a little beat up throughout the entirety of the testing period. More elite runners will likely love these shoes for any of their faster efforts, and could probably use these for their marathon races without discomfort, but less experienced runners will likely want to find a different shoe for that distance. To end on a high note, I think the Velociti Elite is also a fantastic shoe for those who put in a lot of miles on the track."
Outsole
Kaleb: "The Flow Velociti Elite has an exposed foam outsole, which made me a little nervous at first, as I feared that they would not provide enough traction to confidently maintain speed. Durability was also a concern, given the absence of a more traditional rubber outsole.
Fortunately, I had no issues with either and felt confident and in control whenever I took these shoes out on the road. That said, I did not test out these shoes in adverse weather conditions, so I wonder how they would do on wet surfaces.
I have not noticed signs of wear through 50 miles, but I remain skeptical about how long these shoes will hold up without a layer of rubber. This may be worth considering for some, especially given the Velociti Elite's top-shelf price tag."
Comparable Shoes
Kaleb: "I would compare the Flow Velociti Elite to shoes like the Endorphin Pro and the Takumi Sen. All of these are built for speed and for going after race day PBs, utilizing a bouncy foam compound and a snappy midsole plate.
The Velociti's upper reminds me a lot of the Takumi Sen, as both are super lightweight with a race-day fit. The Velociti's midsole reminds me more of the Endorphin Pro. I think the Endorphin is more protective and better suited for the marathon distance. Like the Takumi Sen, I think the Velociti Elite would serve as a fantastic 5K to 10K racing shoe for most runners. Further, I think this is a great speed-day training shoe, so do not be surprised when you see track athletes training and racing in the Velociti Elite."
Under Armour Men's Flow Velociti Elite
The Under Armour Flow Velociti Elite is a carbon-plated race day shoe that combines speed and comfort.
Under Armour Women's Flow Velociti Elite
The Under Armour Flow Velociti Elite is a carbon-plated race day shoe that combines speed and comfort.
Individual Thoughts
KalebOverall Score: 8.5/10
I have two distinct feelings about the UA Flow Velociti Elite; I love them, but they are not my marathon racing shoe.
Reasons why I like them:
The midsole is energetic and snappy, with fantastic efficiency on the run. The upper is also perfect for speed, delivering an excellent lockdown with an impressively light on-foot feel. Throughout testing, I completed quite a few speed runs and even did a 5K rust buster, and I was impressed by how easy it was to maintain speed. Further, I hit some fantastic times, given my current fitness.
Reasons why I may need a different marathon shoe:
The geometry of the shoe brings you right up onto the ball of your foot, which is great for speed but takes more out of you as the miles pile up. On my longer test runs, I experienced moderate foot and shin pain as repetitive pounding took its toll. Ultimately, I needed more protection and a more stable heel.
Overall, I think UA is onto something here! The midsole foam and upper fit were on point, and I am sure runners will love these shoes for their faster runs and race efforts, but I think their sweet spot is somewhere between the 5K and 10K distances. Again, I think track athletes will benefit from training in this shoe, especially as they prepare their bodies for spikes. Beginner runners can also enjoy the Flow Velociti Elite, but I would keep runs shorter if you have less experience in more aggressive, race-day shoes.
