A popular shoe brand has done something it’s never done before for its running shoes – and there’s a big reason why.
I would like to run, but I don’t.
Well, I have a love/hate relationship with her. If I can get into a “flow state”, that’s fine. But it takes a lot of focus to get there, which is to say, it’s a constant battle between trying to focus on enjoying what’s around me and trying to ignore that burning sensation that takes over my whole body.
I want to take advantage of it, because it’s really fun to go for a run with friends and it’s a decent way to do some cardio.
For me, it also depends on the type of shoes I wear. If the shoes are uncomfortable, too small or too bulky, it’s even harder to enjoy the process because that’s all I focus on.
And on top of that, it’s hard to know which brand to choose because they all claim to have the “best” shoe when it comes to running – and when you’re dropping a few hundred bucks, you want to make sure it delivers.
Saying that, Under Armor just released their new UA Flow – UA Velociti Wind 2 shoes, and they sent me a pair to test.
Let’s just say the shoe definitely made the process a whole lot easier. Has he converted me? Keep reading to find out.
For $200, you hope the product delivers, especially with all the tech packed into it.
In a nutshell, they’re unlike any other pair of running shoes I’ve owned – and amazingly, they actually do what they’re designed to do – make your feet feel light.
Basically, there’s a reason they called it “wind.”
Insane function
What the UA team has done is eliminate the rubber outsole from running shoes, which automatically makes the shoe lighter. It removes two to three ounces of weight that rubber would typically add to a traditional running shoe. Pretty cool.
This makes the shoe lighter and, as Under Armor says, “helps you run faster.”
Obviously, there’s no magic button to make you run faster, but the strategic design behind the shoe lets you pick up your pace and pace with much more ease.
“Running fast isn’t just about making the shoe light (although that matters), it’s more informed by holistic design and engineering,” Douglas Smiley, Global Product Line Manager, tells me. from Under Armor for performance.
“Feel-wise, the UA Flow Velociti Wind 2 doesn’t have a rubber outsole, so there’s less between the runner feeling the ground.
“The ultra-flexible Flow midsole is smooth, fluid and moves with the runner’s foot in motion, allowing for a quick roll if the runner wants to pick up the pace.”
Mr Smiley said the shoe was something new and unique in UA’s running range and filled a blank space where the brand lacked as a “fast everyday trainer”.
“It’s unique in that it combines two new UA Run technologies – the Flow midsole unit and the WARP upper – for an unforgettable running experience,” he said.
Another rather cool feature is that the shoes connect to the MapMyRun app, which provides personalized coaching.
Cool integrated technology
To be fair, all shoes in the UA running shoe line now have a chip in the shoe that can be synced to the app. It gives you access to all your running metrics, so you can track your progress.
When I asked Mr. Smiley if the new shoe would help non-running enthusiasts (i.e. me) enjoy it more, he said, “Great question.”
“What I can say is that every runner really loves the fast feel the UA Flow Velociti Wind 2 was created for,” he said.
“We all want our next run to be the best one and to feel smooth, effortless and energizing.”
I tested the shoe on a 5km outdoor run. At first I thought, “that doesn’t look any different from my other coaches at all.”
But once I started picking up the pace, I noticed a big difference.
I felt my foot and the shoe become one, allowing me to think less and enjoy my surroundings more.
I mean, it didn’t get rid of that horrible burning sensation you get when running, but because I felt lighter, it made the process more enjoyable.
Before I knew it, I was 1km away without constantly trying to talk myself out of running. And for me, it’s a victory.
“The Wind 2 is really about the lack of feel to not even hear your foot hit the ground or notice the upper. But to really focus and be in time with your race,” Mr. Smiley said.
“If you think about your shoes during a run, we haven’t done our job as product designers.
“But if we can eliminate all distractions and allow you to go into a ‘state of flow’ throughout the race, then we’ve delivered something special.”
Eventually I got there. However, if you ask if it converted me, the answer is always no.
It made the process easier though, and I think it comes down to wearing the right shoes.
“You’ll feel like the shoe is working with you, not against you — and it’ll feel more like a natural extension of your body than something you put on,” Smiley explained.
“No shoe does everything perfectly, so it’s really about creating the right quiver of products that allows you to reach your goals faster and with more purpose.”
The new shoe also has a pretty funky style.
Mr. Smiley tells me it was designed to be sleek and aerodynamic and so far “the feedback has been outstanding”.
“I just got a note this weekend from a UA teammate in Baltimore (USA) who set a marathon personal best in the UA Flow Velociti Wind 2,” he said.
“It may seem small, but any time a runner has the confidence and confidence to run that distance in a new shoe like the UA Flow Velociti Wind 2, it’s a point of validation that we’re on the right track. .”
#Crazy #details #shoe #run #faster