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Under Armour Infinite Elite 2: two-minute review
New for 2025, the Under Armour Infinite Elite 2 is UA’s second crack at the Infinite Elite, a cushioned, comfortable shoe for long distances.
The second iteration features a softer HOVR+ foam underfoot that’s also a lot lighter. On the flip side, the upper has been engineered to be more lightweight and breathable.
So how does the Infinite Elite 2 stack up as a longer-distance shoe that’s great for slower runs, recovery, or even a daily trainer for those who want a bit more cushioning?
Out of the box, my feelings about the Infinite Elite were a little mixed. I was really enticed by the prospect of adding a larger, more comfortable shoe for long distances to my rotation, but I have to say these won’t be winning any design awards anytime soon.
Flashier options from the likes of Nike might scream form over function to some, but I still really value a good design in a pair of trainers. Under Armour’s aesthetic generally is a bit divisive, but I’m not sure anyone could describe these as head-turners.
The stack looks imposing, but the overall vibe is pretty bland and uninspiring. This is a shame because, as we’ll see later, they perform well. The colorway reviewed here is the Ares Red / Castlerock, which is probably one of the nicer options on offer.
I also didn’t love the feel of the materials. While not too disconcerting, the foam that makes up the sole feels uncannily like the polystyrene you’d find in the box of your new OLED TV. The mesh upper is more pleasant and feels more quality, but generally, the Under Armour Infinite Elite 2 isn’t the most stylish option out there.
Slip the Infinite Elite 2’s on, however, and things start to pick up quickly. The Infinite Elite 2 has a 3D-molded sock liner to help cradle your foot, and I found the shoe overall to be extremely comfortable.
The edges of the shoe around the heel took a little softening up (the collar is high and firm), so it wasn’t until my third or fourth run that the experience was blister-free, but overall the on-foot experience was extremely pleasant.
I’m happy to report that Infinite Elite 2 runs true-to-size, while the toe box is generous and comfortable, without feeling too roomy or too tight. Those looking for a comfortable fitting shoe are well-catered for here, with no slippage or movement as you run.
The Infinite Elite 2 is all about that big heel stack, an impressive 36mm (the forefoot is 28mm, giving an 8mm heel-to-toe drop) allowing the HOVR+ foam to absorb impacts with ease.
From the first stride, I was impressed with how soft the landing was on concrete terrain and sidewalks, especially given my larger frame.
The feel underfoot is delightful, especially on smooth ground, and they deliver mile after mile in terms of caring for your joints and reducing fatigue.
While you don’t get carbon-plated energy return, the rocker motion gently propels you forward. 8mm is quite generous, so the rocker is more pronounced than you’d find on the likes of the Altra FWD Via, but I loved it. Naturally, these generally aren’t a shoe for tempo runs or breaking your PBs, and while you can push the pace in them, you’ll find a lot of your energy going to waste.
Best to stick to the longer, slower runs Under Armour is targeting here.
Thanks to the massive stack, heel strikers will love these, but there’s also a generous amount of forefoot cushioning that should see nearly all running styles served well.
Naturally, these are a little on the unsteady side when it comes to stability. If you tend to overpronate or you’re running over a lot of broken or uneven ground, the very large stack might betray you on occasion.
I had to catch a couple of wobbles that wouldn’t have caught out my Nike Pegasus 41 shoes. As such, I definitely wouldn’t recommend this as a shoe for runners who over-pronate, or anyone looking to kick up the dust around tight bends.
The stability isn’t bad by any stretch, but the extra give simply comes with the territory of having such a larger, comfortable underfoot structure. If you stick to the slower, comfortable miles, however, the stability is commendable.
Overall, I’ve been really impressed with the Under Armour Infinite Elite 2. They’re extremely forgiving over pretty much any distance, and after a little breaking in are extremely comfortable to wear. These are now my go-to for longer, slower runs, I just wish they were a bit more stylish.
Under Armour Infinite Elite 2: price & availability
- $160 / £145 / AU$220
- Men’s and women’s options, limited colors
The Under Armour Infinite Elite 2 running shoes are available from Under Armour’s website and a host of third-party retailers. Prices start at $160 / £145 / AU$220, although I’ve seen this discounted in Australia to as little as $132, almost half price. Depending on the territory, you can find up to nine colorways for men and seven for women, with sizes from 7-15 (US) and 5-12 (US) respectively.
That puts the Infinite Elite 2 almost squarely in the bracket of our current long-distance favorite best running shoes, the Altra FWD Via, which retails at $160 / £145 / AU$249.
Under Armour Infinite Elite 2: specifications
|
Weight (per shoe): |
306g (US 10) |
|
Heel-to-toe drop: |
8mm |
|
Colors: |
Women’s: 6, men’s: 9 |
|
RRP: |
$160 / £145 / AU$220 |
|
Upper: |
Mesh |
|
Midsole: |
HOVR+ foam |
|
Outsole: |
Rubber |
Under Armour Infinite Elite 2: scorecard
|
Category: |
Comment: |
Score: |
|---|---|---|
|
Price |
Bang on the price of the enjoyable Altra FWD Via, and good value for the performance. |
4/5 |
|
Design |
Disappointing aesthetic, limited and uninspiring color options, some materials feel a bit cheap. |
3/5 |
|
Performance |
Very good cushioning and responsive rocker, extremely good over long distances. |
4.5/5 |
|
Overall |
I love the underfoot feel and comfort of these shoes, I just wish they looked a little sexier. |
4/5 |
Should I buy the Under Armour Infinite Elite 2?
Buy if it…
Don’t buy it if…
Also consider
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
Under Armour Infinite Elite 2 |
Altra FWD Via |
|
Weight (per shoe): |
306g (US 10) |
269g (US size 10, UK size 9) |
|
Heel-to-toe drop |
8mm |
4mm |
|
Summary |
A brilliant long-distance shoe for slower runs with plenty of cushioning, but not the most stylish option. |
An arguably less stylish option, but with a more neutral heel-toe drop and considerably lighter. |
|
RRP: |
$160 / £145 / AU$220 |
$160 / £145 / AU$249 |
|
Upper: |
Mesh |
Mesh |
|
Midsole: |
HOVR+ foam |
Altra EGO FLO |
|
Outsole: |
Rubber |
Rubber |
How I tested
I used the Under Armour Infinite Elite 2 as my primary running shoe for multiple runs of varying pace and distance, but primarily for longer, slower runs. I tested them on a variety of outdoor terrains.
First reviewed: March 2025
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stephen.warwick@futurenet.com (Stephen Warwick)
