Sonic BOOM! Product Review – UA HOVR Sonics

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Under Armour’s HOVR Sonic running shoes to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro(ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

In my current injured state, thoroughly reviewing shoes as well as I’d like to has turned out to be quite a challenge. However, Under Armour running shoes and I have quite a history.

I was at a packet pickup/health expo for the 2009 San Diego RnR Marathon (my first marathon) and UA was just getting started with their entry into the running shoe market. They had me try on a pair and give my first impression, in exchange for a pair of socks and 50% off of 3 items. Sweet deal!

I ended up using that sweet deal to get a pair of UA Mirages. They were quite different from anything that I would run in now. They were EXTREMELY comfortable, but they were heavy and bulky (over 13 ounces, I think). I looked back to find them in race photos and turns out I wore them quite a bit. This was before I even knew to track how many miles I’d put on my shoes. I really didn’t know anything, other than RUNNING WAS AWESOME.

The Mirages at Richmond Marathon and Lynchburg Half Marathon. I must have loved them!

I dabbled in all kinds of shoes after that, mostly sticking to the light and minimal types. UA introduced their SpeedForm Apollo line and although they weren’t the trendy minimal type shoe, they were pretty light and had excellent “road feel”. I wore them for anything from speed work to half marathons.

They are retired, but I still wear them. Who doesn’t want blue and silver shoes?

I followed those up with the UA SpeedForm Apollo 2s. They did not disappoint. They had everything I liked about the first ones, but with all of the right tweaks to improve them. There’s nothing worse than changes to a model just to make changes. UA seemed to listen to comments and only work on what needed work. I still run in these. They might be my favorite shoe of all time.

The SpeedForm Apollo 2s after a half marathon. Yeah, it was a PR!

I was SUPER excited to have a chance to test out a brand new line of UA running shoes in the HOVR Sonics. Unfortunately, a torn achilles has kept me from really breaking them in. Not only was I going to get to test out the shoes, but also how the shoes work with the MapMyRun app to provide some much desired data to feed my inner runner nerd.

Sadly, it was a big ol’ goose egg for my total miles. My time will come though.

First Impression

I may not have been able to run in these, but I could certainly walk around the house in them and dream. My initial impression was that they have a fit very similar to what I liked about the SpeedForm Apollos. I don’t think any shoe company makes a better fitting heel than UA. I also love the way the tongue wraps firmly around my foot. The treads have an impressive amount of grip and traction and all of these things are great, but what I really like is that THEY LOOK COOL. Who says running shoes can’t look cool? Not Under Armour.

I was SO EXCITED to finally take these to the gym.

A workout at the gym isn’t exactly a run, but it was enough to make me pretty happy. I felt confident that I’d be able to point out any The Sonics might have. I found them to be as light as my old favorite Apollos 2s (the Sonics weigh 9.6oz), but with noticeably more cushioning, or at least BETTER cushioning. According to UA’s website:

• UA HOVR® technology provides ‘zero gravity feel’ to maintain energy return that helps eliminate impact step after step
• Compression mesh Energy Web contains & molds UA HOVR® foam to give back the energy you put in

There are certain aspects to the Sonics that I wish I could provide more insight on but won’t be able to until I get some miles on them (durability, responsiveness, etc.). I have quite a bit of faith in UA products, as they’ve proven to me time and time again that they do their homework with shoes and apparel.

It’s nice to have these waiting for me when I finally get the green light to pound the pavement again. Until then…

Here are some other BibRave Pro reviews of the Sonics that may be helpful.

Lissa |     Casey     |     Amy S     |     Amanda L     |     Gina     |     Amy W