Details
Brand
Under Armour
Heel To Toe Drop
6 mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Cushioned
Key Features
• Rubber outsole with areas featuring additional protection from wear• Micro G foam midsole is extremely responsive• EVA sock liner is soft and comfortable• Breathable mesh upper
Upper
The upper of the Under Armour Speed Swift 2 is made of a breathable mesh. Inside the shoe, there’s a soft EVA sock liner for added comfort. Reviewers felt that the shoe fit well but sizing up was required. That the shoe ran small was one of the most common complaints from reviewers. The upper isn’t super supportive, which some reviewers did not appreciate. This may have something to do with the fact that the shoe is built quite wide. Narrow-footed runners will likely run into issues with support and stability because of this. The front of the shoe also has a fairly short instep, which makes the toe box seem smaller than it really is. Some runners found the toe box so shallow that they were unable to wear the shoe at all. The short height of the forefoot area is not fixed by sizing up, either, so those with a high instep should opt for another shoe. Compared to the original version of the shoe, the Under Armour Speed Swift 2 doesn’t have the same amount of overlays which helps with breathability but reduces the amount of support the wearer receives.
Midsole
The midsole of the Under Armour Speed Swift 2 features Micro G foam. This material is super responsive and is well-liked by reviewers. The cushioning is comfortable and provides excellent energy-return. A few reviewers did point out that the shoe was not as well cushioned as they might have liked and said they would have preferred a thicker midsole for a more comfortable ride and better impact protection. The moderately cushioned midsole is best suited for shorter distances and less intense workout routines. Under Armour did not change the midsole construction since the first iteration of the shoe, utilizing the same foam material.
Outsole
The Under Armour Speed Swift 2 has a traditional rubber outsole. The outsole features some areas with thicker coverage and protection than others, as well. This protects common high wear areas from degrading too quickly. The outsole on the whole, however, lacks durability. It’s not a good option for long distance training and is better suited for indoor gym workouts, treadmill runs, and occasional outdoor training. The outsole does provide good traction, though, which reviewers appreciated. It also hasn’t changed significantly since the original version of the Under Armour Speed Swift 2.
Breathability
The Under Armour Speed Swift 2’s mesh upper is quite breathable. Because the shoe is constructed with lightness in mind, the upper is not overly thick and suffocating. Instead, the mesh ventilates easily and doesn’t contribute to heat build-up. Reviewers were happy with how breathable the Under Armour Speed Swift 2 felt on runs and during workouts.
Comfort
The Under Armour Speed Swift 2 is a fairly comfortable shoe, according to reviewers. Most reviewers had to size up to get the right fit, but once in the right size shoe, it fits well. The midsole Micro G foam cushioning was also well-liked by users who appreciated the responsive material. Wide-footed runners also liked the wider construction of the Under Armour Speed Swift 2 but some users complained that the instep of the shoe was too short to accommodate their forefoot area comfortably. A few reviewers wanted more cushioning in the midsole but otherwise, the lightweight design was well received by users. The fit issues remain the same compared to the original version of the Under Armour Speed Swift 2. It seems this issue was not addressed by Under Armour with this update.
Style
The Under Armour Speed Swift 2 features a sleek modern design and is available in plenty of colors including dark grey, blue, grey with neon accents, black, light grey and red, white, and more. On the side of the shoe, there’s a large visible Under Armour logo. Reviewers liked that there were many options to choose from. The design of the Under Armour Speed Swift 2 is also a great choice for those who are looking for a versatile trainer that can be worn casually. The stylish look of the Under Armour Speed Swift 2 makes it a popular choice for wearers who want an athletic looking sneaker to wear for errands, walking the dog, or otherwise.
Durability
The Under Armour Speed Swift 2 is not the most durable shoe available. The outsole especially lacks durability say, reviewers. The material has a tendency to wear down easily and the Under Armour Speed Swift 2 won’t last as long as other neutral trainers. The cushioning in the midsole of the Under Armour Speed Swift 2 also tends to squish down and compress easily so it doesn’t stay as bouncy and responsive as it feels, to begin with. The shoe is, however, quite lightweight, so some users may gravitate towards a lighter shoe and be happy with sacrificing durability.
Protection
The Under Armour Speed Swift 2 offers decent protection mostly in the form of impact protection and traction to help runners avoid unsteady footing. The midsole contains Micro G foam which offers energy-return and pads underfoot to absorb impact. The Micro G foam tends to compress down after a few runs so bounce diminishes over time but impact protection isn’t negatively impacted. The outsole, although not super durable, does offer decent traction, which helps keep runners for losing confidence in their footing when the ground is uneven or wet.
Responsiveness
The Under Armour Speed Swift 2 is super responsive thanks to the Micro G midsole foam. Reviewers were impressed at the responsiveness of the Under Armour Speed Swift 2. Although, it should be noted that the material in the midsole squishes down quickly so some bounce is lost over time. Still, the lightweight design, energy-return, and rebound make for a smooth ride.
Support
The Under Armour Speed Swift 2 isn’t super supportive which reviewers didn’t like at all. The wide fit of the shoe contributes to a feeling of sloppiness, said some reviewers. The shoe really isn’t meant for long distance training and is better suited for indoor workouts or short runs outside once in a while. Reviewers felt the shoe was better suited for walking or standing for long period of time.
Terrain
The Under Armour Speed Swift 2 is meant to be used on the roads or indoors at the gym. It’s just not built to handle much else. The outsole is already prone to wearing down easily when used outside, so don’t expect to take the Under Armour Speed Swift 2 out on the trails. The lugs underfoot are suited for providing grip on indoor treadmills, or on dry pavement. The shoe is capable of handling wet ground but otherwise, it’s not built with aggressive conditions in mind.
Price
The Under Armour Speed Swift 2 is reasonably priced which is what makes it a popular shoe for even non-runners. Its stylish look is appealing even to those who aren’t looking to train for a race. It’s a great shoe for the fashion conscious gym goer who doesn’t have time to change shoes to and from the studio. It’s a good workout shoe that offers versatility in a nice looking, lightweight package.
Drop
The Under Armour Speed Swift 2 features a 6mm drop which helps with ground feel. The combination of responsiveness and ground feel helps improve the ride feel of the Under Armour Speed Swift 2. It makes the lightweight shoe a good candidate for short speed sessions or HIIT workouts.
Stability
The Under Armour Speed Swift 2 doesn’t offer any stability. The wide fit is not super snug so there’s a lack of support when it comes to the upper and it caused some reviewers to feel quite unstable. Thankfully, the grip on the outsole is fairly good so wearers get some stability from underfoot. Otherwise, it’s minimal and makes the shoe a poor choice for long distance running. It’s also not a great choice for runners or any kind who require support and stability.
Flexibility
The Under Armour Speed Swift 2 isn’t very flexible which disappointed some reviewers. A flexible construction paired with the super responsive midsole material would have been a great combination and pairing. The shoe still delivers a smooth ride but feels fairly stiff when moving from heel to toe.
Traction
The Under Armour Speed Swift 2 actually provides decent traction which some reviewers were surprised by. The outsole, however, isn’t built to handle a lot of wear, so outdoor runs on pavement will likely wear down the soles quite quickly. Indoor use is your best bet to getting the most use out of this shoe.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Under Armour Speed Swift 2 is a decent choice for beginner runners who want a basic neutral trainer or folks who are looking for a versatile fitness trainer with a stylish design. Durability is a definite issue with the Under Armour Speed Swift 2 and sizing run small, but the cushioning – although there could be more – is super responsive and comfortable. The shoe is an excellent option for high-intensity interval training, sprints, or indoor training at the gym. There’s a lack of support, so runners with biomechanical issues beware. The Under Armour Speed Swift 2 is probably best suited for average-sized wide footed runners who fall into the neutral category who want an entry-level shoe for training or working out.
