UA Flow Velociti Wind 2 review: smarter, faster running shoes

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When you search for "best running shoes", you won't find Under Armour at the top of many lists. It's usually reserved for brands like Nike, New Balance, and Hoka. There is a line of connected running shoes that Under Armour has. The $160 Under Armour Flow Velociti Wind 2 is meant to help you run faster.

Under Armour's all-in-one flow foam is used in the Velociti Wind 2. It shaves 2 ounces off the shoe's overall weight. The Flow foam is supposed to be sticky for better traction. The upper is made of knit, nylon, and mesh and is adapted to the runner's foot throughout their stride. This is a fancy way of saying it is a lightweight shoe that can handle different terrain.

I don't know how it differs from the original Velociti Wind. The same shoe, with some minor adjustments to the logo placement on the upper, is what it is. It's not the worst thing if you like the original shoe, but it's a little disappointing.

I have tested three of the connected sneakers from Under Armour and they all have the same basic features. There is a sensor in the shoe that gathers data about your running form. You can get insights and audio coaching from the sensor in the MapMyRun app. It is fairly straightforward. Unlike other smart devices, the Velociti Wind 2 doesn't need to be charged. Ever. Once you pair the shoes to your phone, you have to update the firmware.

The smart coaching features are the main reason to get these over traditional running shoes. Feet strike angle, stride length, ground contact time, and how many steps you take in a minute are some of the metrics tracked by the shoes. The metrics can give you a big picture view of your running form. You can see graphs after each workout in the MapMyRun app. I've run hundreds of miles in Under Armour shoes over the years, so I know I've had a good run when my pace is between 170 and180 steps per minute. I know my foot strike angle is between 7 and 9 degrees, but that doesn't tell me much other than I land on my midfoot.

The first company to make this kind of product was Under Armour. The Altra Torin IQ was the first smart running shoe I ever tested. They were not great. The smart coaching was buggy due to poor internet. You don't have that problem with the shoes. I've never had an issue with a shoe failing to connect with the app, because setup is almost instantaneous. You can get real-time audio feedback from the MapMyRun app, where it tells you if your pace is too high or low. Sometimes laggy, but they have been helpful reminders for me when my form starts to slip.

My favorite feature is that these shoes will let you know when it's time to replace them. You can track your gear mileage in apps like Runkeeper, but it is limited to activities recorded in that app. The Velociti Wind 2 is comparable to your average running shoe. Even if you don't sync right away, the smart shoes will still track your mileage even if you haven't recorded a run. Is it weird to get an email from your shoes? Absolutely yes. I don't have to worry that I accidentally wore my running shoes on a walk.

The smart features are nice, but under armour is promising faster performance with this generation I have to give credit where it's due, because I hit my fastest mile split since I started half-marathon training while wearing these shoes.

The Velociti Wind 2 is light. When I put them on for the first time, it was what I noticed most. It felt like I was flying through the neighborhood. I shaved off 30 seconds off my average pace on one run. I didn't think I'd put in a lot of effort. I mostly run on concrete sidewalks and roads, so I can speak to how the Velociti Wind 2 handles trails, and I also make a point of avoiding snow and ice. On my runs, they were grippier than my Hoka Rincon 3.

Picking a running shoe is more than just how fast you can run in it. Everyone has different running goals, feet, and preferences. If you run on a lot of dirt roads and gravel, you'll want a trail shoe for better traction. If your feet roll inwards, you might want stability or motion control shoes. Maybe you run long distances and want more protection. There is no extra support or cushion in these shoes. The Velociti Wind 2 aren't the right shoes for me at the moment.

I want to build up my endurance so that I can run my first half marathon without getting injured. The terrain on my regular route is hard on my ankle. I have had a year of injuries. I want a shoe that will allow me to run longer distances without getting injured again. Speed is not on my list of priorities.

I had to cut a few runs short because I was a speedier runner. I burned out faster than I should have because I wasn't used to the lighter weight. I felt every bit of the ground shoot up my knees because it has less cushion than my Hokas. I felt a twinge in my shin at 2.5 miles into my 5 mile run, my worst fear since shin splints caused me to miss two months last year. At the three-mile mark, my toes became numb. I called it quits out of an abundance of caution.

I decided to try again with insoles. I had a better experience after that. I set a new PR after completing my runs. At around the 4-mile mark, I noticed the beginnings of shin and knee pain. I was not going to risk running my weekly long run in these. I wouldn't use these shoes for a run longer than 10K.

This is specific to me, my goals, and my feet. If you like lighter, speedier shoes, the Velociti Wind 2 might tick off a lot of boxes, but you won't know until you run in them.

A pair of running shoes can cost as much as $160. You can buy an excellent, non-smart pair for less than $100. Running shoes are cheaper to buy online and frequently on sale. You're paying a lot for the smart features, and that makes me pause.

The people who would benefit the most from gait coaching are beginners, but it is a lot for someone to invest if they are not sure they like running. I have since outgrown Under Armour's gait coaching. I'm not learning much anymore because my statistics are so consistent. I'm not getting a complete picture of my running form since the sensor is only in the right shoe. A couple of years ago, I had my running form analyzed by Asics, and it showed that I am a bit of an asymmetrical runner. These shoes won't help me fix that. I had a more in-depth experience with the Nurvv Run insoles, which can tell you whether you're over or under-pronating. The Nurvv Run had its fair share of limitations and was expensive at $300.

If you have been running for a while, you know what works for you. If you are new, I recommend you go to a running specialty store first. If you don't mind the price and want the extra form feedback, Under Armour's connected shoes are the best option.

Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it. It is impossible for us to read and analyze all of these agreements. We're going to start counting how many times you have to use devices when we review them since they are agreements most people don't read.

You have to use the MapMyRun app on your phone if you want to use the smart coaching from the Flow Velociti Wind 2. That includes agreeing to your phone's privacy policy and Terms of Service. Creating a MapMyRun account is what it means.

You are agreeing to this by using the Flow Velociti Wind 2.

• Under Armour’s Terms and Conditions of Use
• Under Armour’s Privacy Policy

If you integrate your MapMyRun data with other health apps, you must also agree to the terms of service and privacy policies of that app.

There are two mandatory Under Armour policies and your phone.