Whether your weather is finally in a place where you are not drenched in sweat just from stepping foot outside, or just ready to get back into running, it's the perfect time to invest in a new pair of shoes.
That's where this guide comes in handy.
We gathered testers from all over the country, including veteran runners at ACTIVE, to extensively test the shoes in this guide. All of our testers put their shoes through a minimum of 20 running miles while paying attention to comfort, fit, weight, breathability, flexibility and ride.
From updates of old favorites that had our feet singing to new releases that will ensure you'll find something to motivate your miles well into summer, you're guaranteed to find a shoe you'll love. We know money might be tight, but if you can, treat yourself! You deserve it.
Fall Shoe Guides
Asics | Brooks | HOKA | New Balance | Reebok | Skechers | Under Armour | Vimazi
Under Armour Velociti 3
About:
Under Armour has made a name for themselves by being a bit different, and their third iteration of the Velociti running shoe fits their brand ethos to a tee. It's got the high-performance feel, forward-thinking running tech and the modern, sporty look that fans of UA have come to expect. And based on the popularity of the Velociti 2, expectations were high. Let's start with the outsole -- there is none, in a traditional sense. It's an extension of the one-piece midsole, with a unique tread pattern designed to promote a natural footstrike. The midsole is a stand-out feature of the shoe -- the UA's Flow foam is springy, responsive and has that coveted "already broken in feel" right out of the box. The Velociti 3 has a higher stack height than the previous version which provides a bit more protection for longer efforts, but it doesn't sacrifice the quick underfoot feeling required for interval work or targeting a PR on race day. The flat knit uppers aren't just stretchy in all the right places, they breathe really well, too. The shoe is so light and flexible that the stretchy, compressive sock-like upper added to the overall stability and confidence. If you're tired of the "max-cushioned" hype and want a quick-yet-cushioned trainer, the UA Velociti 3 is a worthy candidate.
Things We Liked:
“It’s so nice to have comfortable shoes that helps my long term foot injury painless while running due to the support.”
“I'm a big fan of the Flow midsole -- it's light, has great energy return and almost encourages you to up the tempo.”
Areas for Improvement:
“This is hard, I do not have a good answer, I love this shoe.”
“While I loved the knit upper, the new reinforced heel feels a tad too tall and put some additional pressure on the Achilles.”
Final Thoughts from our Testers:
The shoe provides cushion comfort for long distance runners. While the inside sole supports your foot with the cushion support they are light in weight to run.
The comfort of the shoe can be used for multi-purpose workouts not just running. The support in the shoe will also help with a functional/intense weight lifting gym work out. The shoe laces and tongue fit perfectly around your foot for the support needed.
Specs
Type: Road
Support: Neutral
Cushion: Mid
Fit: True to Fit
Weight: 7 oz
Drop: 8mm
Price: $130.00
Buy:
Under Armour Project Rock 6
About:
The new Project Rock 6 features upgrades developed and put to the test by Dwayne Johnson. This new version of a community favorite is more supportive, comfortable, and stable than ever before. UA Clone upper provides an ultra-precise fit that expands & contracts for seamless comfort & support. External TPU heel clips add stability & connect to uppermost lace webbing for optimal lockdown. Responsive UA HOVR™ cushioning reduces impact, returns energy & helps propel you forward. Durable outsole rubber with toe cap wraps up for support & protection through planks & other HIIT training.
Things We Liked:
“These shoes are perfect for those cross training and strength days that can have everything from jogging, sprints, heavy lifts, plyos, and more.”
“These shoes are my GO TO shoes for cross training. Anything you can throw at them, they are ready for… even a light run”
Areas for Improvement:
“I would lower the ankle collar slightly, as the rest of the shoe already provides great support and security so lowering it would not compromise that feeling of security but would prevent the uncomfortable rubbing.”
“The upper seemed a big snug, but not uncomfortable, just something you notice after a long gym session”
Final Thoughts from our Testers:
Under Armour Project Rock 6 is wonderful "go-to" gym shoe. It appears relatively bulky, however once on, the shoe has a cloud-like, "hug the foot in all the right places" feel, to the point it's easy to forget you're even wearing a shoe. The shoe provides a lot of stability, from the sole, as well as a supportive upper. This is a great feature for heavy lifting, or jumping around doing HIIT or plyometrics.
The upper material, while soft and supportive, is also impressively breathable. The shoe is a good candidate for outdoor use both in hot and cold temps, however probably would not be great in the rain, due to the smooth sole and cushioned, softer materials that would likely hold onto moisture. Perfect for in the gym!While not the best option as a pure running shoe or longer miles due to the relative bulkiness, the shoe is suitable for short distances up to 3 miles, or HIIT that include sprints. A forefoot/midfoot striker would likely find this shoe more comfortable and the bulkiness less problematic than a heel striker.
Overall, this is a great shoe to take you on a short jog to/from the gym for a strength session or workout class, or short, casual runs where speed and distance aren't a priority.
Specs
Type: Training
Support: Stability
Cushion: Mid
Fit: True to Size
Weight: 11 oz
Drop: 6mm
Price: $160.00
Buy:
Under Armour Charged Bandit Trail 2
About:
The Under Armour Charged Bandit Trail 2 Running Shoes were specially built for trail running. They feature crazy cushioning, traction that grips even muddy terrain, and the extra protection trail runners need to keep going. Lightweight, engineered two-toned mesh upper construction for increased ventilation. Strategic overlays for added durability & protection in high-abrasion areas. Molded sockliner forms to the foot, eliminating slippage & providing ideal underfoot comfort. Charged Cushioning® midsole uses compression molded foam for ultimate responsiveness & durability .Durable outsole with technical trail lugs for ultimate traction when going up & down the trails.
Things We Liked:
“The shoe fits like a glove directly out of the box. Very comfortable.”
“Amazing shoe that is ready to go for a long trail run”
Areas for Improvement:
“The white colorway with the pink underlay was dirty almost immediately. While beautiful, maybe switch the pink to the top and white to the underlay.”
Final Thoughts from our Testers:
If you looking for a trail shoe that is light, comfortable, can handle technical terrain, and doesn’t break the bank, look no further than the UA Charged Bandit 2 trail runner. This shoe is the perfect addition to your trail collection. Comfortable straight out of the box thanks to the molded sock liner, responsive thanks to the Charged Cushioning midsole, and a well made outsole able to tackle any terrain. The Charged Bandit 2 runs true to size, but if you prefer a thicker sock size up a half size and prepare to enjoy a fun ride!
Specs
Type: Trail
Support: Neutral
Cushion: Mid
Fit: True to Size
Weight: 11 oz
Drop: 8mm
Price: $90.00
Buy:
Fall Shoe Guides
Asics | Brooks | HOKA | New Balance | Reebok | Skechers | Under Armour | Vimazi
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Why Trust Us?
ACTIVE.com's editorial team relies on the knowledge and experience of fitness and wellness experts including competitive athletes, coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified trainers. This helps us ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools in order to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature products that are highly rated.