Under Armour FLOW Velociti Wind Review
Run like the wind in the UA FLOW Velociti Wind
Likes
- Lightweight, responsive midsole
- Stylish aesthetic
Dislikes
- Not very protective
- High price point
- Outdated features
What's New
Given that they are a relatively young brand in the world of elite running shoes, Under Armour is intent on making a major statement with the all-new FLOW Velociti Wind. The FLOW Velociti is a unique take on a performance trainer with an untraditional midsole and outsole design that promises to invigorate your runs with a healthy dose of speed. These shoes also feature a tech-savvy midsole that connects wearers to MAPMYRUN, which will provide the analysis runners need to reach new heights.
The Bottom Line
With the Under Armour FLOW Velociti Wind on your feet, the wind will always be at your back. This is a shoe for runners who want a little pop and a lot of style for their daily training runs. Although great for a variety of runs, the Velociti Wind really shines on tempo runs, or when you want some extra pep in your stride. A couple of features distinguish these trainers from their competitors, the first of which is the UA FLOW outsole. This unique, rubberless outsole design is very lightweight and provides a surprisingly high level of traction. The other distinguishing characteristic of the Velociti Wind is its Bluetooth-friendly outsole that enables runners to connect to MAPMYRUN in real-time, offering personalized running tips that can help accelerate you toward your running goals. Finally, we would be remiss if we didn't mention the Velociti Wind's fit, which is quite shallow in the forefoot; some runners may want to go half to a full size up. Overall, the Under Armour FLOW Velociti Wind is a quality uptempo training shoe, especially considering Under Armour's relatively young age in the world of elite running.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium to Narrow | Height: Medium to Low |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 8.3 oz (size 9) | Women's: 8.0 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 33 mm (Heel), 25 mm (Forefoot) | 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Mark: "This shoe has a significantly firm ride. This helps provide that smooth toe-off pop when the pace gets going."
Kaitlin: "The Velocity Wind has responsive cushioning. When pushing the pace, the underfoot feel is supple with just a hint of spring. At a slower pace, it feels dense and firm when I touch down."
Ride/Energy Returni
Mark: "This shoe has a nice bounce to it, which allowed me to change gears in a heartbeat. I did 6x20 seconds on and 40 seconds off at the end of a 6-mile run, and the transition from my conversation pace to 5K effort was seamless."
Kaitlin: "There are a variety of factors that make this shoe feel snappy. It's lightweight, and the outsole/midsole material has a slight rebound that propels me forward. Additionally, the flexibility of the shoe creates a fluid ride that is undisturbed and smooth."
Underfoot Protectioni
Mark: "I took this shoe on a few runs, and my legs were fending for themselves when it came to impact absorption. This is not a shoe I would throw on for a high-mileage day."
Kaitlin: "You can feel the road at all times in this shoe, which does make it more responsive, but the impact protection is minimal. The underfoot feel is not harsh, but it is firm. There is enough cushioning to provide comfort for my feet and shins, but this shoe may not be suitable for people seeking soft cushioning for high mileage runs."
Flexibilityi
Mark: "The FLOW Velociti has a balanced flex, in my opinion, falling right in between rigid and flexible. The flexibility helps create a smooth ride that has a nice snap to it. There are definitely more flexible shoes, but the flex of the midsole works well in this shoe."
Kaitlin: "This shoe feels very pliable and smooth from landing to toe-off, without feeling sloppy. It's a controlled, almost elastic flex that provides better propulsion for toe-off."
Upper Supporti
Mark: "I enjoyed the wrap of this shoe. It was well structured and held my foot in place without being constricting."
Kaitlin: "The upper is rigid and unforgiving. Due to the toe-box being deceptively shallow, I would recommend most people go half to a full size up. The heel collar is structured but low, making my ankle and heel feel insecure."
Under Armour Women's FLOW Velociti Wind
Under Armour Men's FLOW Velociti Wind
Individual Thoughts
I would recommend that most people size up when they purchase the FLOW Velociti. This shoe runs short and has a shallow toe box. Over time, the upper broke in a little bit, but it still restricted some movement in my toes. I think this shoe is great for tempo running. It feels nimble and allows runners to connect with the road for a responsive ride. I appreciated the lower arch structure and snappy midsole. Due to the restrictive forefoot, I was unable to really enjoy anything over 3.5 miles. Around mile 5, I began to experience some pain on the lateral sides of my feet. I think this is a decent 5K to 10K shoe, but the upper needs some major improvements moving forward. Beyond just running small, it wasn't very comfortable. It did not feel like a shoe that had features equal to other shoes at the same price point.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The Under Armour FLOW struggles to find its identity in today's market of super foams, highly cushioned lightweight trainers, and versatile options. However, the FLOW Velociti is ideal for the runner looking for a shoe that's low to the ground and responsive. It is protective enough to go the distance and bouncy enough to accelerate on your runs.
