The RW Takeaway: The Flow Velociti Elite may have the usual tech (i.e., nitrogen-infused foam and a carbon plate) but a rubber-less bottom, monomesh upper, and tape-lined exoskeleton make this super shoe UA-original.
- Preceded By: New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer, The Best Under Armour Running Shoes
- Key Tech: Flow midsole foam infused with nitrogen and carbon dioxide, Pebax foam, full-length thermoset carbon-fiber plate, Warp 2.0 monomesh upper
- Racing Roster: Sharon Lokedi, Hapalua Hawaii Half Marathon (1st place women’s division), 1:09:20; Weini Kelati, USATF 5K Championships (1st place women’s division), 15:15.3
- Type: Racing
- Weight: 7.7 oz (M), 6.2 oz (W)
- Drop: 8 mm
Available: April 13, 2023; $250
Under Armour had a problem. Its pro runners kept falling behind the lead pack, working harder than their competitors who seemed to have a footwear advantage. After some self-reflection and reevaluation, the shoe development team fast-tracked production to show they were a worthy adversary in the super-shoe soup.
The product creation cycle is usually 18 months, said UA’s global product director Doug Smiley on a video call with RW. The Flow Velociti Elite was produced within a year. A prototype for the follow-up was similarly fast-tracked: UA athlete Sharon Lokedi won the women’s division at the 2022 Running in the Cold wearing the v2 before v1 was even released.
“We dissected every component of the shoe, saying, ‘What is absolutely essential to keep the runner on the platform,’ and ‘What can we reduce or take away?’” Smiley said.
Most noticeable is the rubber-less bottom, which cuts down on weight. UA’s Flow foam is infused with olefin, making it resilient against wear. I tested the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer model and ran in it long after that testing cycle was over. Despite the absence of an outsole, the shoe has grip on slick surfaces. It felt like a track spike with the support of a moderately cushioned trainer.
That’s how it feels to run in the Velociti Elite, but its rubber-less midsole is a lighter Flow compound infused with nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The midsole also has a full-length thermoset plate with an angular scoop to provide a nice roll-off.
Smiley’s team minimized the upper, called Warp 2.0, by replacing its base mesh with a thin monomesh. Vertical and horizontal tape lines create an exoskeleton over your foot to keep it secure.
As a wide-foot runner, I was surprised how the Velociti Elite’s fit wasn’t too narrow. The shoe’s maneuverability on the road is like sprinting on the track. I wore it for a five-mile race, confidently cornering several turns.
Testers’ Feedback
Alex P. | Tester since 2021
Arch Height: Medium | Pronation: Neutral | Footstrike: Midfoot
“I have run in more than half a dozen different carbon-plated shoes from various companies. After multiple workouts and hard efforts in this shoe, I would place it in the middle of the pack of carbon-plated racing shoes. The shoe is lightweight and has a nice spring to it. It reminds me of the How Many Miles Do Running Shoes Last, but with cushioning closer to the Published: Mar 29, 2023 6:05 PM EDT+. (While I was not the biggest fan of the New Balance Pacer, I loved the Endorphin Pro+.) For me, the Flow Velociti Elite is best for races no longer than a half marathon.”
Dannah J. | Tester since 2021
Arch Height: Flat | Pronation: Overpronator | Footstrike: Forefoot
“Compared to the Nike Vaporfly, this shoe feels less bouncy and less responsive. However, it is significantly faster than normal racing flats. It is super lightweight and still has good energy return. I tested it on the track (very good traction) at 7:00-mile pace, the road (still good traction, but it was a little less grippy on the roads) at 7:30-mile pace. I loved how the upper material was super thin and comfortable—I didn’t have to wear socks. But I wish the forefoot had some more cushioning.”
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
