The Under Armour Infinite Elite is a fresh, high-cushion shoe that maintains the firm, unyielding feel typical of UA. What sets it apart is its extremely thick midsole and subtle rocker, enhancing the speed of transitions.
However, it excels mainly in leisurely runs, as its weight and limited energy rebound make it less ideal for intense workouts. Considering its hefty $160 price tag, it may not be the best investment for those seeking a training partner solely for slower runs.
Do you deserve UA Infinite Elite?
If you admire Under Armour and desire a shoe with a well-padded midsole that offers no sensation of the ground beneath, then the Infinite Elite is the perfect choice for you. Additionally, if you require stability and a long-lasting shoe, it will also fulfill your requirements.
If you're in search of a shoe that's light and swift for speed training, the Infinite Elite won't meet your needs. Additionally, if your feet are wide or you require a spacious upper, the Infinite Elite won't be suitable for you either.
UA Infinite Elite Brief Introduction
Under Armour, being one of the largest sports brands globally, possesses the financial resources to secure contracts with renowned long-distance runners such as Sharon Lokedi, who emerged victorious in the New York City Marathon in 2022 and achieved third place last year. With such substantial funds, Under Armour should have the means to develop top-notch running shoes. Surprisingly, this has not been the reality.
Over the past few years, I've had the opportunity to try out several pairs of Under Armour trainers. Unfortunately, they all shared a similar experience for me: they felt firm, lacked responsiveness, and had a bulky design. Out of all the trainers I tested, the $250 Velociti Elite was the most disappointing.
The Velociti Elite, tested last year, proved to be a letdown among super shoes. With its firmness, high cost, and lack of durability, it fell short in comparison to other super shoes in terms of speed assistance. Now, the Infinite Elite becomes the second Under Armour running shoe to bear the "Elite" name.
Under Armour has introduced the Infinite Elite as a companion to their newly released Velociti Elite 2, the top-tier marathon shoe. This training shoe is specifically designed to enhance endurance and provide a rejuvenating experience for the legs. While it lacks a plate, it boasts Under Armour's latest midsole foam, Hovr+, which is known for its exceptional springiness.
I eagerly anticipated trying out the Infinite Elite, with high hopes that UA's innovative midsole foam would revolutionize the game.
The Infinite Elite, with its 8 millimeter drop, carries a price tag of $160 and tips the scales at a hefty 11.5 ounces (326 grams), making it significantly weightier than its contemporary counterparts offered by other manufacturers.
UA Infinite Elite Running Performance
A few days before my marathon, I decided to go for a leisurely jog. To be honest, I wasn't too thrilled with how it went. Surprisingly, the ground felt quite solid beneath my feet, even though I was expecting a softer experience. The shoe I was wearing had a thick cushion in the middle, so I had anticipated a more cushioned ride.
The ride lacked significant bounce-back and reminded me of the EVA foams UA utilized in their previous trainers. However, I appreciated the substantial midsole that provided a comfortable cushioning sensation, as well as the gentle forefoot rocker that enhanced smooth transitions.
The upper material had a substantial thickness, yet remained pleasant to wear. Additionally, the midsole provided a strong sense of stability. It instantly brought to mind the Adidas Adistar model from a couple of years ago. These two shoes share similar characteristics, such as a firm ride, rigid midsoles, slight rocking motion, and the absence of a plate.
UA Infinite Elite Upper/Vamp
The upper of the Infinite Elite differs from a typical minimal speed trainer upper, resembling instead a cozy daily trainer upper. Crafted from a dense, insulating knit fabric, it provides a snug fit without excessive stretch. This makes it particularly suitable for running in chilly winter conditions, as it offers a pleasant warmth that enhances overall comfort.
The tongue of the shoe has some padding and is securely attached, preventing any shifting. The padding around the collar and heel also ensures that the heel stays in place. When using a runner's knot, the overall fit of the shoe is excellent. The shoe has a thick internal heel counter and a heel clip, which provide additional support and stability. However, these features also contribute to the shoe's increased weight.
The size of the fit is accurate, but the design is quite slim, making it unsuitable for those with wider feet who enjoy running.
UA Infinite Elite Sole Units
The Infinite Elite possesses several positive attributes: a comfortable ride, seamless transitions, and an efficient energy-saving rocker. However, two factors hinder its chances of becoming a top contender: its rigid ride and substantial weight.
Do not be deceived by the appearance of the midsole foam in the Infinite Elite shoe. While it may resemble the TPU, beaded foam found in Adidas' Boost or Saucony's Pwrrun+, the Hovr+ foam in the Infinite Elite offers a noticeably firmer feel and does not compress significantly.
In order for the ride to become more captivating and in line with contemporary foams, it is necessary for it to be at least 25 percent more gentle and pliable. Hovr+ does not possess the liveliness and rebound of present-day foams; it gives off a sense of being flat and somewhat uninteresting.
The Infinite Elite's weighty structure paired with its unyielding ride creates an unfavorable fusion, resulting in a lackluster and unenthusiastic running experience. I reserve this shoe solely for leisurely jogs, as it fails to inspire excitement. When it comes to my easy runs, I gravitate towards cushioned trainers that provide a more indulgent sensation. Additionally, for my speed training, I require a shoe that is lighter in weight.
The Infinite Elite boasts a generous amount of cushioning in its bulky midsole, making it an ideal choice for those seeking maximum support. It is suitable for long-distance training of up to 25 kilometers, as speed is not a concern. Additionally, its gentle rocker design facilitates smooth transitions, reducing the strain on your feet.
The Infinite Elite lacks a plate, but it doesn't require one as its midsole possesses ample rigidity on its own. With a thick forefoot and dense foam, the forefoot becomes stiff, enabling the rocker mechanism to operate effectively. Surpassing the Endorphin Speed 3 and Mach X, both of which incorporate plates, the Infinite Elite boasts an even higher level of stiffness.
The firm ride of this shoe provides excellent stability, particularly for individuals with flat feet who will appreciate the added under arch support. Initially, the arch support feels quite prominent, but after running approximately 20 kilometers, it becomes softer and less noticeable.
The durability of the Infinite Elite's outsole is better than average. The rubber on the outsole is thick and the Hovr+ foam that is exposed is also long-lasting. Up until now, it has remained in good condition and I do not anticipate any problems with its durability. I tested the Infinite Elite on a day when it had rained and the traction was decent: it performed well on most surfaces but was slippery on stone paths.
UA Infinite Elite Summary
The Infinite Elite from Under Armour is undeniably a top-notch running shoe in my experience. However, it does not quite measure up to its competitors and does not serve as an ideal training partner for the Velociti Elite 2. Unfortunately, it does not possess the transformative qualities that I had anticipated from Under Armour.
I find pleasure in the forefoot rocker and generous stack height of this shoe. However, its usefulness is limited to leisurely and unhurried runs, lacking versatility. It suffers from two major drawbacks - excessive weight and a firmness that hampers its performance.
Although marketed as a training variant of the Velociti Elite 2, it falls short in comparison, being significantly heavier and lacking the Elite's carbon plate. Maintaining a swift pace becomes quite challenging when wearing the Infinite Elite.
Infinite Elite by simplifying its upper design, as it is excessively cushioned and its knitted fabric is overly thick. Additionally, enhancing the midsole foam to make it more supple and responsive is necessary, as it currently lacks an enjoyable level of comfort.
When considering the cost, it should be $130 instead of $160. For the same amount, you can acquire a superior training partner at $160.
The Puma Deviate Nitro 2 offers enhanced weightlessness, enhanced flexibility, and includes a built-in plate. Likewise, the ASICS Magic Speed 3 provides increased lightness and swiftness.
- Price: $160
- Styles & Colors: (3027189)
- Black / Sonic Yellow / High Vis Yellow
- Black / Anthracite / Castlerock
- Black / Red Solstice / Metallic Gold
- White / Distant Gray / Halo Gray
- Halo Gray / Hydro Teal
- White / Photon Blue
- Viral Blue / Photon Blue / Black
- Usage:
- Leisurely runs
- Long distance running up to 25 kilometers
- Constructions & Features:
- UA IntelliKnit upper
- TPU heel clip
- Asymmetrical pull tab to help with easy entry
- 3D-molded sockliner
- UA HOVR™+ cushioning
- Lightweight Thinweb rubber outsole
- Heel drop: 8mm
- Weight: 11.5 oz.
- True to size
