Details
Brand
Under Armour
Heel To Toe Drop
10 mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Threadborne upper provides a compression-like fit• Two-piece Charged Cushioning midsole• Molded Charged Cushioning sockliner• Molded heel adds stability• Ribbed ankle collar for a snug fit• Multi-surface outsole pattern adds traction and durability• Flex grooves enhance flexibility• Reflective mesh material provides increased visibility
Upper
The upper section of Under Armour’s Highlight Delta has a very unique look to it. At first glance, this shoe looks as though it was meant for a basketball court. That is because Under Armour uses its trademark Threadborne molded, or ribbed, ankle collar in order to give runners a secure and snug fit, providing runners with unmatched support. The molded collar hugs your ankle and will keep it and the foot locked in with added security, support, and preventative measures against ankle injuries. The mesh material is a breathable and reflective fabric that allows the runner’s foot to breathe through high temperatures. The reflective surfaces add an advantage as the shoe is safe to use in low-lit areas and even during night-time jogs. Additionally, the shoe’s lacing system features deeply cut eye stays for an increased movement that does not allow the foot to move within the shoe – something runners have received well after multiple uses of the shoe.
Midsole
Under Armour uses its trademark Charged Cushioning in the midsole of the Highlight Delta. The Charged Cushioning is a dual-layered system where the soft foam is placed on top of foam that is more firm. It is designed in such a way so that when the runner’s feet land, the soft cushioning takes the brunt of the impact while the more firm material provides an enhanced response. With this, Under Armour offers its runners with a unique blend of support, comfort, and impact resistance.
Outsole
The Under Armour Highlight Delta’s outsole is solidly built with ample amounts of rubber in order to cover high impact zones and offer great durability. The rubber is a mixture of hard and blown rubber and improves the traction of the shoe and protects the midsole, all while keeping the overall weight at a minimum. The outsole also contains deep grooves in the rubber that are meant to improve the overall flexibility of the shoe. Both sides of the Highlight Delta, medial and lateral, contain unbroken rubber. In doing so, runners will feel better transitions during the landing and take-off stages of their strides.
Breathability
The upper mesh of the Highlight Delta provides excellent breathability. The mesh fabric is built seamlessly and remains lightweight and durable. Other reviews and users thought that this was one of the best aspects of the Highlight Delta – albeit at a cost. The shoe does not feature any type of waterproof mechanism and might give way during wet conditions.
Comfort
The features and mechanics of the Highlight Delta make it a very comfortable ride, according to most reviews. The midsole two-piece Charged Cushioning system assures that the foot is protected from rough and repeated impact while the ankle collar provides a snug, bootie-like fit. This shoe is thought to be so comfortable that users thought it served well enough to be incorporated into strength-training drills as well as endurance training.
Style
For some of you, running is all about style. This is a very stylish shoe, as some reviewers proclaim it, “has the look.” It can be mostly attributed to the reflective surface in the mesh along with the high-top upper thanks to the shoe’s ankle collar. The construction is not meant to provide to the shoe’s look, however, as the ankle collar does a good job by providing soft foam for added comfort and protection.
Durability
The main features of the Under Armour Highlight Delta all included added durability factors. From the outsole all the way up to the upper ankle collar, durability is not a cause for concern when it comes to this shoe. The impact resistance qualities of the Charged Cushioning midsole makes it possible for the shoe to retain its comfortable feel long down the road. The compressional fit that is provided by Under Armour’s Threadborne upper offers directional durability. And finally, the Highlight Delta’s outsole lengthens the lifetime of the shoe with its multi-surface pattern. Designed to improve traction, the hard and blown rubber also improves durability as it lasts longer against frequent contact zones.
Protection
The Highlight Delta protects the foot through a variety of factors. To begin, the tough rubber outsole protects the midsole from wearing down after long use. The more firm layer of the midsole, underneath the soft foam, protects the top layer by absorbing most of the impact from each time the foot strikes the ground. Further adding protection is the ankle collar that aids in supporting the runner’s ankle through lateral movement.
Responsiveness
Runners want responsive shoes that return energy through each step in order to keep them going longer and faster. They find just that in the Under Armour Highlight Delta, a shoe that is given energy in return for power. The trademark Charged Cushioning built and incorporated by Under Armour is meant for higher response. Runners found that this multi-layered midsole adequately converts each step into a responsive jolt of power. Generally, shoes with a lot of soft cushion like the Highlight Delta, do not supply as much response as others that may not have as much cushion. But runners did not find this to be true with the Highlight Delta as they felt the responsiveness of the shoe was very noticeable.
Support
Under Armour’s Delta Highlight is constructed seamlessly and supportive, so the runner will be able to train without wearing down physically in large part by the high-top upper design of the shoe. In addition to the ankle collar, the shoe is built to provide enough arch support for runners with specific conditions and injuries and serve as an orthotic to those who need it. Runners should keep in mind that the more arch support given in a shoe, the more expensive the product becomes. The amount of support given in the Highlight Delta has been met with mixed reviews as some customers felt the shoe was too soft and not enough support was given despite the mechanisms added into the shoe.
Terrain
The Under Armour Delta Highlight is best suited for daily running on roads and tracks. Users thought the blown rubber located on the outsole did a great job in gripping hard, dry surfaces like running tracks and asphalt. The soft and flexible cushioning of the upper ankle collar may not provide enough support to the ankle well enough to handle technical terrains such as outdoor trails. Another drawback to the Highlight Delta is that the rubber did not do so well in wet conditions. On slick surfaces, runners found that the outsole of the shoe did not provide enough traction to safely enjoy their workouts. Runners looking for a shoe that will handle tougher conditions might look to Reebok’s All Terrain 2.0.
Price
On Under Armour’s website, the Highlight Delta sells for $120, a relatively high price. However, the shoe can be found for much less on different retailer’s websites such as Amazon. The best deal runners will find is at 6pm.com, where a pair of Highlight Delta’s sell for $59.99. So buyers shouldn’t be deterred by the high price, as they can find the shoe elsewhere as low as $60.
Drop
At 10mm, the offset of the Highlight Delta places it among other traditional running shoes with 10-12mm offsets. With a 10mm drop, this shoe is ideal for runners who battle frequent or chronic injuries such as plantar fasciitis or tendonitis in their ankles. A good point for frequent runners to remember is that shoes with larger drops, such as the Highlight Delta, generally lead to lower injury rates. Shoes with lower, and even zero drops, are more suited towards runners who seek a more natural feel during their workouts.
Stability
One of the main features of the Highlight Delta is its heel cup. Meant to provide a stable ride, it wraps the foot securely and gives a snug and comforting fit. The heel cup also does a good job by keeping the foot from slipping inside the shoe, according to other reviews and user feedback. The construction of the outsole further increases the shoe’s stability features by adding more surface area in order to provide more ground contact. Within the upper section of the Highlight Delta, runners will find an interior molded heel counter that adds even more stability. A firm and thick heel counter is meant to reduce over-pronation by cradling both the heel and arch. With this mechanism, Under Armour’s Highlight Delta’s construction successfully locks the foot into the shoe and anchors it to the midsole.
Flexibility
Despite the thick cushioning in the midsole of the Highlight Delta, its flexibility characteristics are sufficient. The outsole’s deep flex grooves give the shoe the ability to manipulate to uneven surfaces and allow it to be flexible in areas where this trait is needed most. Transitions become easier with unbroken rubber on the inner and outsides of the outsole as well.
Traction
Under Armour incorporates an outsole structure meant to provide maximum traction with its deep grooves in the rubber material. The blown rubber coupled with the hard rubber material located in most of the underfoot is placed specifically to provide runners with enough traction to safely encounter multiple surfaces. Additionally, the pattern of the outsole adds durability. However, users and other reviews found that the shoe did not hold up well on wet surfaces.
Bottom Line
To conclude on Under Armour’s Delta Highlight, this is a stylish looking trainer that falls in line with the rest of Under Armour’s great looking products. This shoe delivers plenty of comfort and as much cushioning as runners can get without getting bogged down with added weight and limited energy return. With the heel counter and constructed arch, the shoe feeds runners with plenty of support. Its look, function and durability make this shoe great various activities apart from just running – think gym workouts as well as middle to long-distance running. And its breathability and flexibility will satisfy nearly any runner’s needs.
