Triple Threat Triathlon: Under Armour SpeedForm Shoe Review

Triple Threat team member Matt Kucharski (Maryland) recently had the privilege of testing out two of Under Armour’s newest lightweight running shoes, the SpeedForm Apollo and the SpeedForm XC.

Full disclosure: Although the shoes were provided at no cost, Under Armour did not require this review, nor did they influence it in any way.

Living in Baltimore, I’m always interested in the products coming out of the UA juggernaut, and these shoes are no different. In fact, half of my afternoon training runs take me right through their downtown campus, which was graced for a few weeks with a giant advertisement for the SpeedForm Apollo hanging from this footbridge.

If you’re a fan of bold colors like I am, and/or like being able to easily spot your transition area on race day, then you will love the look of these shoes. Whereas the Apollo comes in a lineup of more solid colors, the XC reminds me of a cross between some kind of vicious reptile and the fastest cheetah in all of Namibia. In short, a great combination that is sure to intimidate the competition!

The SpeedForm line is an innovative new type of running shoe, made in a factory that makes women’s (ahem) brassieres, leveraging manufacturing processes to create a one piece shoe construction. The appeal of this technology is that you end up with a lightweight shoe that is devoid of stitching and made from a single piece of material. This is a big win for triathletes who not only are looking for a lightweight race shoe, but are also often running sockless and need to worry about rubbing and blisters.

Tale of the tape:

Under Armour SpeedForm Apollo

A slimmer, athletic cut that delivers better mobility by eliminating the bulk of extra fabric
Innovative UA SpeedForm™ technology delivers zero distraction while running
Seamless heel cup with silicone grip for a locked-in, anatomical fit
Smooth, ultrasonic welded seaming with Bemis tape for next-to-skin support & comfort
Perforated upper with ultrasonic seal for durable breathability
Molded 4D Foam® footbed conforms to your foot's exact shape, eliminating slippage
Full-length Micro G® foam turns cushioned landings into explosive takeoffs
TPU curve at midfoot for extra support & stability
Anatomical outsole for natural fit & performance
Offset: 8 mm
Weight: 6.5 oz.

Under Armour Speedform XC

A slimmer athletic cut that delivers better mobility by eliminating the bulk of extra fabric
UA Storm technology repels water without sacrificing breathability or adding weight
Innovative UA SpeedForm™ technology delivers zero distraction while running
Seamless heel cup with silicone grip for a locked-in, anatomical fit
TPU heel counter adds stability without piling on weight
Smooth, ultrasonic welded seaming with Bemis tape for next-to-skin support & comfort
Micro-perforated upper with ultrasonic seal for durable breathability
Molded 4D Foam® footbed conforms to your foot's exact shape, eliminating slippage
Full-length Micro G® foam turns cushioned landings into explosive takeoffs
Anatomical outsole for natural fit & performance
Traction lugs extend onto midsole, engineered for unrivaled off-road grip & stability
Offset: 8 mm
Weight: 8.5 oz.

After testing both pairs out over several training runs, here are my main findings:

Pros:

Shoes look awesome and definitely attract attention (this could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on the person, I suppose)
Although the shoes have a minimalist look to them, they provide just enough support that I was very comfortable in them
Super light (Apollo tips the scales at 6.5 oz while the XC weighs in at 8.5 oz)
The heel cup in both shoes definitely provides a “locked in” feel which keeps your foot stable with each strike
You notice the uniqueness of the one-piece construction immediately. The shoe feels super light and without any noticeable rubbing or pinching on the foot.
An additional feature of the XC is the UA Storm technology which repels water, creating a more “all conditions” shoe. This is even more impressive considering they didn’t sacrifice the weight or breathability of the material as a whole.

Cons:

While not an issue for me, those with wider feet may have trouble with the fit. The shoe worked great for me, but just a fair warning to those who can trace their family tree back to the Shire… this may not be the shoe for you.
From a sizing perspective, I actually think the shoes run about a ½ size big (if you prefer a snug fit like I do). I say this mainly in regards to the toe box. While my heel felt locked in and was stable laterally, I had just a bit of empty space between my toes and the end of the shoe. As with all shoes, sizing opinions will vary based on personal preference.
Lastly, due to the one piece construction, the tongue is pretty thin and can get folded over or bunched up if you’re not careful when lacing up

The Verdict:

In my opinion UA has a real winner with the SpeedForm line. These shoes out of the box are a top performer for true runners, both road and trail.

I would be interested to see if in the future, by making a few minor adjustments, a SpeedForm triathlon specific model could be offered. With the addition of a strap on the heel (for easy slip on access), some speed laces, and maybe tweaking the tongue, UA would have a race shoe targeted specifically at the multisport community. That said, triathletes everywhere will be very happy with these shoes in their current form.

I’d like to thank Under Armour for providing me with these shoes to test out. Post review, I am really looking forward to putting them to use in a race environment.