Under Armour HOVR: The Evolution of Athletic Innovation

2025-04-05

Launched in 2018, the Under Armour HOVR seriesHOVR (Hover)

The Birth of a Game-Changing Midsole

Under Armour initially experimented with responsive materials to challenge brands like Nike and Adidas. By pairing a proprietary foam core with a woven mesh web, UA crafted a self-aware15% more energy return

Under Armour HOVR Midsole Cutaway
The HOVR midsole combines foam and a mesh web for responsive strides

Smart Shoes for the Data-Driven Athlete

Early HOVR models, like the Phantom and Sonic, embedded UA’s Record Sensor™ technology, syncing with the MapMyRun app. This gave runners real-time feedback on pace, cadence, and stride length. Though later versions phased out the chip, the data-driven design philosophy remained.

"Our goal was to blend soft landings with explosive takeoffs—HOVR rewrote the script." — UA Lead Designer

HOVR Today: Styles for Every Discipline

Today’s lineup includes:

  • HOVR Machina: Marathon shoes with CarbonSpeed plates
  • HOVR Infinite: Long-distance cushioning
  • HOVR Guardian: Stability-focused trainers

A detailed comparison spreadsheet

Why Athletes Love HOVR

User reviews praise the locked-in fitSpeedForm 2.0 heels

Under Armour’s Vision Ahead

Rumors suggest UA is testing a biodegradable HOVR foam

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