The RW Takeaway: Though the Hovr Infinite 4 lacks slipper-like comfort for long runs and a zippy ride for demanding speedwork, it’s a very capable training companion for daily jogs and tempos.
- UA lightened the midsole by nixing its previously used fitness-tracking chip
- Hovr foam offers fairly firm, protective, and resilient cushioning
- Great value option that will last a high school cross country runner’s full season
Price: $120
Type: Road
Weight: 10.5 oz (M), 8.2 oz (W)
Drop: 8 mm
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We’ve had Under Armour running shoes in our test rotation for more than a decade. But it wasn’t until the end of 2018 that the brand doubled down on the most crucial element—a good midsole foam. That foam was called Hovr. UA brought in the engineering brains at Dow Chemical to formulate an Olefin-based material that was softer and more responsive than the EVA they had been slinging on trainers like the popular Charged Bandit. Among the first models to get the new midsole were the cushioned Phantom and the budget-friendly Sonic, shortly followed by the workhorse Infinite.
UA Revamps the Hovr Midsole
In those early models, UA wrapped the entire Hovr foam midsole in a fishnet-like mesh called Energy Web. The webbing limits how much the foam expands, so when the foam compresses, more of that pent-up energy returns back to your stride. We found it improves the liveliness and bounce of the shoe compared to other UA models we’ve tested. Now, the Infinite uses only a small patch of the webbing around the Hovr foam on the lateral edge, with a thinner layer of EVA carrier foam sitting right above. The carrier foam cradles the foot and helps smooth out the shoe’s ride. However, since that firmer EVA layer meets your foot first, you don’t get an exceptionally luxurious step-in feel.
Rides Smoother...but Still Pretty Stiff
“The cushioning is soft and plush, but dense—it definitely did not feel overly soft,” one tester said. “While this shoe had more cushioning than what I’m used to in the heel, I would have liked to have more of that cushioning spread out beneath the forefoot.” Heel-strikers will likely notice that additional rearfoot bulk upon landing more so than those who touch down closer to the forefoot. However, the 4 rides a touch smoother than the third version, regardless of where your foot hits the pavement first. The flex grooves are chiseled more deeply into the outsole than in prior models, creating both horizontal and vertical channels along which the shoe can bend more easily.
Good Traction for Rainy Runs
A secondary benefit of the severely carved-out rubber is that it also functions much like the lugs on a trail shoe. During testing, the Infinite gripped pavement well and offered exceptional durability from its outsole’s blown/carbon rubber combo. “These are probably the grippiest road shoes I’ve worn! The outsoles use quite a bit of thick rubber for grip; it almost felt like overkill to be honest, but they really do have great traction and durability,” one tester said. “However, because of the extra rubber, the shoes seem heavier than most of the others I’ve tried.”
Two Testers’ Takes
Lisa K., Lenhartsville, PA
Arch Height: Medium | Pronation: Neutral | Footstrike: Midfoot
Weekly Mileage: 25
“I run mostly in Topos and Altras, so these were a bit of a change for me. It had great cushioning throughout—pretty firm at first, but it’s softened up a bit with the miles. It absorbed a lot of shock and was comfortable to run in for runs up to seven miles. The firmer ride meant I didn’t get the leg fatigue I sometimes experience when running in really soft shoes. They aren’t the quickest shoes I’ve run in, but they were quick enough when pushing off for easy runs. I didn’t love the combination of the stiffer sole and stretchy upper material; the sole didn’t flex enough along with the fabric, so my foot could move around inside the shoe a lot. On the plus side, I liked the freedom in the toe box. Since the material was so forgiving I didn’t feel like my toes were pinched or crammed into the shoe.”
Dave A., Allentown, PA
Arch: High | Pronation: Neutral | Footstrike: Heel
Weekly Mileage: 43
“While this shoe doesn’t compare to the Saucony Ride 14 or Mizuno’s Wave Rider series, the Infinite 4 is extremely durable. It handled rolling terrain on both pavement and bridle paths well and provided solid cushioning with a fairly smooth ride for everyday runs. For speed days, consisting of both repeat miles and tempo-ish runs, I did notice the heavier weight of the shoes. I would definitely not use this shoe on the track. For runs up to 10 miles, the cushioning worked out just fine—dependable enough that I thought of my form, pace, or something else entirely, and not the shoe. But overall, this shoe was just average for me. I experienced some rubbing and bleeding on my right foot where the collar is sewn into the shoe. It rubbed the same spot on my foot for three or four days but has since caused no further problems.”