Details
Brand
Under Armour
Heel To Toe Drop
8mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• The outsole is constructed with rubber which runs the full length, providing both traction and more durability.• Cushioned and responsive Charged Cushioning System in the midsole.• MicroG foam for shock absorption• 360º reflectivity allows you to remain visible in low-light conditions.• The heel cup Has added silicone, which provides a more secure heel fit, allowing more control• lightweight, and breathable ArmourVent™ mesh
Upper
The upper of the SpeedForm Fortis is comfortable, soft, and seamless. It is comprised of smoothly welded seam tape, called Bemis Tape, for next-to-skin support and comfort. Bemis tape is said to be a critical link in the chain of waterproof protection.;When manufacturers want to keep a sewn garment watertight, Bemis Seam Tape will cover up the needle holes. Without it, even the most waterproof fabrics will leak through. Many runners appear to appreciate the next-to-skin support of the upper and feel this enhances the comfort of the run. The upper also features 360º reflectivity. This 360º reflectivity allows you to remain visible in low-light conditions.
Midsole
The Charged Cushioning midsole is both cushioned and responsive. Most midsole foam is one or the other, but the Under Armour SpeedForm Fortis is both. And, both = better. It is firmer below the heel, and softer below the forefoot, for comfort and support.;You know you are getting the Charged foam Cushioning when you see the custom logo and bolt-inspired midsole graphic. Below, the Charged Cushioning midsole is a second layer of foam, called Micro G®. The lightweight Micro G® makes your landing so wonderfully cushioned and shock absorbing then turn it into an explosive toe-off. This type of cushioning is important, not only for comfort but also to reduce strain on the body, as well as to protect knees and ankles.
Outsole
The Under Armour SpeedForm Fortis features an outsole that is constructed with full length rubber. This allows for optimal traction as well as a reduced breakdown in areas which are affected more by higher wear. Depending on your gait pattern, the high-wear areas may include the outer side, the inner side, the heel, under the big toe, or the ball.;Have you ever heard the salesman’s pitch, “Spend money on what comes between you and the ground”? Well, with the greater durability of the SpeedForm Fortis, you are likely to replace your shoe less often, saving more time and money. The solid rubber outsole not only offers coverage of high impact zones with greater durability, the SpeedForm Fortis offers this with less weight than traditional running shoes.
Breathability
Under Armour has introduced a durable, stretchable, lightweight, and breathable mesh called ArmourVent™. This technology is Under Armour’s line of moisture and heat management. It’s fast-drying with jacquard knit fabric, giving you the boost you need to keep working hard. Jacquard is a style and category of fabric weaving that allows the loom to systematically raise independent threads and create a textured pattern.;Traditional mesh jerseys use layers of uniformed holes to wick away moisture and provide ventilation. These holes must be relatively small and do not really disperse much heat. On the other hand, ArmourVent™ utilizes a pattern of variable sized holes on a single-ply sheet of polyester. This allows for the use of larger-sized holes, making it lighter and trapping less heat.
Comfort
The Charged Cushioning System and the MircoG midsole allows these to conform to the feet, providing more customized comfort. There is also a Molded 4G Layer embedded within the sockliner for added cushioning and moisture wicking capabilities, so runners report feeling like these have a fit similar to slippers, as far as the overall comfort goes.;These also have a portion of silicone rubber that has been added around the ankle part of the heel cup, which helps a lot to keep the feet locked in place where they belong. These have such adequate flexibility they really don’t seem to need much effort when breaking them in. It also helps that the additional cushioning in the heel and well-placed flex grooves under the forefoot allow you to maintain your natural stride. However, if you’re using custom insoles or need a shoe with extra support, the Fortis might not be the right one for you.
Style
The SpeedForm Fortis followed the basic design and form of the SpeedForm Gemini and the SpeedForm Apollo. The Fortis shares the same upper as the Apollo but has considerable more cushioning. The cushioning in the Fortis (Under Armour Charged EVA) is the same as the Gemini, but with a more flexible forefoot. The obvious cutback of EVA and heavier rubber in the build of the shoe’s outsole noticeably reduces the overall weight of the shoe.;The Fortis is a full ounce lighter than the Gemini. In addition, they feel like they have a design that is a bit leaner than the Gemini, although both of them have a drop of 8mm. The Fortis has set the pace for a few other performance designs from Under Armour, including the Fortis 2, TXTR, the Fortis Twist, Fortis Vent, Fortis Atom, Fortis Night, Fortis Pixel, Fortis Graphic, and also the Fortis Burst.
Protection
The footbed of the SpeedForm Fortis features the embedded sockliner with moisture wicking capabilities. This equals protection when your feet get sweaty. We know that sweaty feet can lead to fungal and bacterial problems. During the wicking process, the liner draws the moisture from the foot and passes it to the outer layer. And, Voila! Your foot will be dry and free of bacterial buildup.;The durable rubber found around the high wear areas of the Speed-Form Fortis protects the shoe from wear and abrasion. It also protects your pocketbook from a high rate of shoe replacement.
Responsiveness
The Charged Cushioning System in the midsole absorbs the impact energy from your landing and converts it to an energy that is returned to you. This shoe has a very forgiving forefoot with a lot of flexibility in that area, providing more control for the speedier miles. However, this shoe may lack the structure for longer marathon training miles.
Support
The support of the SpeedForm Fortis begins with the external TPU heel counter. This, Under Armour’s first ever molded seamless heel cup, combined with the cushioned collar and silicone grip, provides enhanced stability and lockdown support. While some runners feel that the heel area isn’t quite supported because they feel a little discomfort, others report that this shoe feels like an extension of their own foot.;The heel cup is designed to provide shock absorption for people with heel pain, especially heel pain related to the heel-strike phase. (Note* Heel pain is the most common type of foot pain and may be a symptom of heel spurs or plantar fasciitis. Consult a physician for further information.) In addition to the seamless heel cup, the 4D Foam molds to the natural shape of your foot.
Terrain
The SpeedForm Fortis is built for running on road surfaces as well as running around the office all day or the gym.
Price
While some shoe prices may climb high, Under Armour is generally known for their reasonably priced footwear. The SpeedForm Fortis is no exception. You can find these kicks moderately priced online and in retail stores.
Drop
The drop of a shoe refers to the difference in height between the heel and the forefoot. An average shoe drop is 10mm. The Under Armour SpeedForm Fortis features an 8mm drop, which some believe is the “sweet spot”. The cushioning is distributed more evenly between the heel and forefoot in a shoe with 8mm. This appears to result in your body staying more balanced and comfortable.
Bottom Line
We have come to expect precision fit, feel, and comfort from the Under Armour Brand. That is why Under Armour continues to craft each SpeedForm Fortis in a clothing factory that allows them the room and design support to create durable, stretchable, lightweight, and breathable, performance apparel. The fortified technology that comes together to form this shoe, makes me a believer in their motto;”After all, this is what fast feels like!™
