'Ready, Set, Flow

Lighter, Faster, Better

The running world has dramatically changed over the past few years in terms of footwear technology. With the advent of carbon-plated ‘super shoes’, world records have been broken, rewritten and shattered at every competitive season. Around the world, athletes are getting faster and the qualifying standards for major races are becoming more demanding.

It is in this era of ultra competitive racing that Under Armour (UA) has unveiled their latest and greatest creation - the Flow Velociti Elite. Answering athletes’ calls for shoes that are higher stack, more cushioned, and more propulsive, the Velociti Elite has been specially tuned for maximising speed and responsiveness.

Your Fastest Marathon

Designed as a contender to the top shoe competitors in the market, the Velociti Elite is a marathon-specific shoe aimed to optimise running efficiency while also providing sufficient flexibility and cushioning for the long run. The shoe weighs approximately 215g (US8.5) and has a heel-to-toe offset of 10mm. Competitive runners should note that the Velociti Elite’s 36mm stack height does adhere to the World Athletics’ standards for road racing.

For the first time ever, UA has incorporated a full-length carbon fibre plate that is sandwiched between two different types of midsole foams. Closer to your feet on top is a cushioned, springy Pebax layer while underneath it is wedge of UA’s proprietary Supercritical Flow foam. Notably, the Velociti Elite does not have a rubber outsole, opting instead to rely on its nitrogen-infused midsole for durability and traction. This unique all-in-one solution lightens the overall weight of the shoe and also provides better ground feel. The Velociti Elite also utilises a TPE sockliner for enhanced resilience and bounce on every footstrike. When these elements are combined with the semi-rigid carbon fibre plate that compresses and springs back when loaded, the Velociti Elite delivers explosive lift-offs with every stride.

The shoe’s upper features UA’s dynamic WARP 2.0 technology that optimises breathability and lightweight containment. This thin mono-mesh material comprises of stitched vertical and horizontal tape lines to create an exoskeleton over your foot to keep it secure. A lightly padded tongue mitigates lacing pressure when laces are cinched up. Due to the materials used, the WARP 2.0 upper is unlikely to stretch (though it does flex when in movement) and should maintain its structural integrity over time. The toe box is relatively roomy for a racing fit; wider foot runners should be able to run in the shoes comfortably without having to worry about blisters or bruised toenails. The Velociti Elite’s moulded heel cup is relatively thin, but smoothly finished and strategically padded for a secure heel lockdown. Unlike the roomier forefoot, the heel cup fits snug and narrow. Overall, while the Velociti Elite’s last is less aggressive compared to other racing shoe models, its engineering ensures a stable, connected stance that is comfortable at all speeds.

Built For All

The Velociti Elite leverages on technologies that UA has been refining over many years with other shoes in their line. It also capitalises on what the apparel company is best known for: creating a comfortable fit.

Though specifically designed as a marathon racing shoe, the Velociti Elite also performs well across the speed spectrum - high intensity intervals, tempo and threshold runs - thereby marking it as a versatile shoe for faster sessions. Its accommodating fit and speedy, propulsive ride distinguishes the Velociti Elite from other shoes in UA’s Flow lineup.

Today, the Velociti Elite finds itself in the company of high-stacked, carbon-plated racing shoes. Unlike the earlier generations of ‘super shoes’ that demand a level of experience from their users due to their aggressive geometry and stiff carbon plates, runners who don the Velociti Elite would be pleased to find its ride comfortable and familiar. Those who dislike the unstable hyper-bounciness and prescriptive rocker of other ‘super shoes’ would also appreciate the neutral engineering of the Velociti Elite. Alas, this factor works both ways; runners seeking more aggressive propulsion may find the shoes lacking sufficient ‘pop’, especially towards the tail end of the marathon.

The UA Flow Velociti Elite is now available online and in Under Armour Brand Houses.