Details
Brand
Under Armour
Heel To Toe Drop
7 mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• EVA midsole• Micheline rubber outsole• TSS rock plates• Synthetic overlays in the upper
Upper
Under Armour does a great job of hitting the two key elements for the upper of a trail shoe: durability and breathable protection. The primary material of the upper is a breathable mesh. This gives that perfect level of ventilation to the shoe. For protection against the debris and elements on the trail, they also included polyurethane overlays. These keep the fit snug and protect the shoe from wear and tear and the runner from painful debris.;The heel of the shoe features added cushioning and a secure lock-down feature. This eliminates unwanted friction which can lead to painful blisters and hot spots. The upper is prepared to take some serious abuse. Reviewers raved that even after long, intense hikes over some intense terrain, the shoe looked and felt new. A small detail that runners mentioned about this shoe was that the lacing system was great. The laces are flat and stay securely tied.
Midsole
An EVA midsole runs the length of the shoe. This midsole foam provides superior cushioning for the runner and keeps its shape mile after mile, adding to the overall high durability of this shoe. The midsole also features Under Armour’s patented Charged Cushioning. This material is designed to absorb the harmful shock of each footfall and return that energy to the runner, which keeps him or her from fatiguing too soon. Runners reported that this midsole material was energizing and allowed them to keep going.
Outsole
The outsole of this shoe is designed to tackle some extreme conditions. A highly durable rubber is the secret to the protection and extra gripping underfoot is the secret to the superior grip offered by these shoes. The outsoles are actually made out of a Michelin rubber so you know they can hold up against wear and tear. The lugs on the bottom of the shoe come in a horizontal bar pattern. This creates a feeling almost like a cleat that can grip on to the ground and hold tight. The direction of the lugs is designed to slow the runner down on steep downhills and propel the foot forward off of the toe.
Breathability
The upper of this shoe is very breathable. The first layer of the upper is made from a breathable mesh that keeps the foot cool and the second layer is made from synthetic overlays. While the breathable mesh does keep the foot cool, because of the added protection features in this shoe, runners reported that this shoe can get hot inside while hiking in temperatures that exceed 80 – 85 degrees. This isn’t a deal breaker, but just something to think about.
Comfort
Hikers raved about the comfort provided by these shoes. One of the key attributes to the comfort of the shoe is the sewn-in liner which is actually attached to the tongue of the shoe. It provides just the right amount of padding and is nearly seamless in its construction to help eliminate unwanted friction. The overall structure of the shoe is also a huge plus. The toe box is roomy without feeling too loose. The heel counter helps secure the foot in place and eliminates unwanted friction. The midsole of the shoe features a full length foam EVA layer, which is key for cushioning and works wonders at absorbing the shock of each footfall. This means the runner can go longer without feeling prematurely fatigued.
Style
The thing that runners really liked about the styling of this shoe is that it looks more like a fashionable running shoe than it does an outdoor hiking shoe. This shoe can be purchased in four different color options ranging from tame (black and gray) to vibrant (neon orange). The upper of the shoe also feel look very sleek and hide the added cushioning and stability features well. The toe box is wider, but the shoe looks very narrow once it is on.
Durability
This shoe offers a lot in the durability department. This should come as no surprise because Under Armour is notorious for creating products that last for a long time even up against the toughest training conditions. The Horizon RTT offers durability to the runner in all three design layers of the shoe. In the upper, the runner can find synthetic overlays. The midsole features an EVA midsole that is known to keep its shape, and the outsole is made from Michelin rubber. To further increase its longevity, the shoe also comes with a toe guard and heel counter ward off premature wear and tear.
Protection
This shoe does a super job of protecting the runner from the elements on the trail and protecting the shoe against wear and tear. It features an ESS plate for protecting the forefoot of against rocks, roots and other elements on the trail. This material is a thicker foam that is designed to deflect debris from the trail to not only protect the runner from getting injured but also protect the shoe from wearing down.
Responsiveness
Although this shoe offers a good deal of cushioning and support features, runners loved how surprisingly responsive it is on the trails. The 7 mm drop certainly helps. While runners reported that they felt comfortable and protected on their runs, they also noted that although the outsole and midsole are durable, they are still thin enough that runners can feel the trail below them. This helped keep runners safe because if they can feel the road, they can more accurately respond to changes in terrain and direction.
Support
This shoe offers support for the runner in all the right areas. In the upper, synthetic overlays create a snug fit. The overlays and the heel counter work to keep the foot in place and reduce friction that can lead to painful blisters and irritation. The charged cushioning found in the midsole supports the runner by returning energy in each footfall. Runners found this midsole element to help propel them forward and keep them energized throughout their runs.
Terrain
The question isn’t which terrain this shoe is appropriate for, so much as it is which terrain it isn’t appropriate for. The answer? None! Runners across the board reported that this shoe is versatile enough to go from the road to the trail to the gym easily and effortlessly. This shoe is certainly designed for an adventurous trail, but it can still work well as a road running shoe and the traction also makes it a great cross trainer. The only area that runners commented that this shoe should not travel is through streams or on very muddy or wet trails. This shoe doesn’t drain water well, and runners caution against taking this on wet runs.
Price
Runners love the affordability of these shoes. Since trail shoes generally require more technology to keep runners safe and secure, they tend to be on the higher end of the pricing spectrum. These shoes manage to say affordable which is perfect for the runner on a budget who doesn’ t want to sacrifice a quality shoe for a low cost.
Drop
Runners felt that the 7 mm heel drop on the Under Armour Horizon RTT is the perfect balance of support, stability, flexibility and cushioning. The 7 mm drop pushed this shoe closer to a natural heel drop, but still affords the runner the cushioning and support that many of us have come to rely on. This is a good middle ground for many runners. Reviewers said they still felt close to and connected to the ground below them, but they appreciated the stability features too.
Stability
Although this shoe is marketed as a neutral running shoe, many runners commented on the added stability features. Since an increase in stability is key to a safe run in a trail shoe, Under Armour made sure to include some stability features. Runners reported that the midsole of the shoe and the heel counter helped the foot feel locked into place and kept the runner from dangerously rolling their ankle.
Flexibility
One of the things that runners noticed right off the bat about these shoes is that they didn’t require any breaking in. The outsole, although durable and protective, still supported a natural movement in the stride. The runners who commented on this shoe said they never felt like the shoe was too boxy or stiff. The upper of the shoe is also flexible due to the breathable mesh material used in its construction.
Traction
These shoes provide superior traction. Testers of this shoe really put this shoe through the ringer when they were trying it out, and regardless of the trail conditions, this shoe provided superior grip. This can be attributed to the bar-shaped lugs that line the under sole. The under sole also offers a dual material that provides two different levels of traction. Whether you are heading up hills, rocky downhills, or over slippery rocks, the traction on these shoes leaves runners feeling protected and confident.
Bottom Line
The bottom line on the Under Armour Horizon RTT is that it is a technologically advanced shoe made for the adventure-seeking runner. Under Armour knows how to make quality road shoes, exercise clothes, and equipment, and now they are proving that they make quality trail shoes as well. These shoes offer excellent stability control and the perfect amount of comfort and cushioning. The EVA midsole absorbs shock and helps protect the runner. The style is trendy and eye-catching, and runners loved that affordability of this shoe. A 7mm drop gives this shoe the perfect mix of cushioning and natural running. Finally, runners raved about the traction. There wasn’t a terrain that these shoes couldn’t handle.
