Details
Brand
Under Armour
Heel To Toe Drop
8 mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Heel strap ensures a secure fit throughout a run• Dual-layer midsole provides both comfort and responsiveness• Flex grooves on the outsole encourage a natural stride• Breathable upper mesh keeps the foot cool and dry• Very lightweight for all a shoe with so much tech included
Upper
Under Armour wanted to make a trainer that is secure and snug but never feels too tight and never abrasive against the runner’s skin. Towards this purpose, the Fortis Vent’s upper is constructed out of their proprietary ArmourVent™ mesh, a lightweight material that’s comfortable against the skin that lets the runner’s foot feel free and natural inside the shoe. This highly breathable material allows air to enter the shoe seamlessly, keeping it cool and dry throughout a run. Perhaps the most notable feature of the upper, if not the shoe itself, is the adjustable heel strap that’s connected to a lacing system which keeps the heel firmly in place and preventing slippage or shoe removal during a run. In conjunction with the heel strap, a seamless heel cup also assists in keeping the back of the foot firmly in place.
Midsole
To make the Fortis Vent as comfortable a trainer as possible, Under Armour constructed its midsole from a dual-layer foam that employs Charged Cushion technology and the Micro G® foam system. The upper layer is made of the Charged Cushioning technology, which absorbs shock from impact during footfall while returning energy to the runner to enable each step. The Micro G ® foam comprises the bottom half of the midsole and provides great cushioning upon landing, aiding in toe-off with each stride. In addition, the midsole also has an embedded sock liner into the cavity, which further adds to the cushioning and protects the foot from moisture.
Outsole
The SpeedForm Fortis Vent’s outsole is constructed with durability and flexibility in mind. Made of a solid rubber compound that’s resistant to wear and tear, the outsole unit is durable without adding too much weight to the overall shoe. Placed in areas of the outsole most vulnerable to high impact and abrasion, this compound rubber shields the outsole from damage even after many miles have been put on this trainer. Meanwhile, flex grooves in the forefront of the outsole allow the foot to move freely and naturally during a run. This makes the outsole more pliable to the natural movement and shape of the foot, assisting in take-offs.
Breathability
Thanks to the ArmourVent™ mesh, the Fortis Vent is a highly breathable trainer. Allowing for air to enter the upper with little blocking its passage, this mesh material keeps the foot cool and dry. And while your foot may feel firmly in place, this mesh allows for natural movement and comfort without irritation.
Comfort
While keeping the foot secure is a major priority of the Fortis Vent, its other priority is the comfort. From its dual-layer midsole with a layer of Micro G® foam for cushioning and Charged Cushion technology for impact shock absorption, a runner’s sole is kept comfortable during a run, while the flex grooves on the outsole aid in allowing for natural movement of the foot and to maximize toe-off. The upper’s ArmourVent™ mesh has a next-to-skin comfort that does not irritate and is highly breathable to ensure the foot stays cool and dry throughout a ride.
Style
While runners surely care more about performance and comfort over style in their trainer, the SpeedForm Fortis Vent delivers an appealing look that comes across just as breezy and lightweight as the shoe itself. With a low-cut sleek design, the upper’s mesh on the forefoot is smartly hidden by a foam overlay while the solid heel and its adjustable heel strap help balance out the shoe’s overall look. Its outsole is similarly smart-looking, particularly in profile, as the heel’s outline, complete with raised lines for an added aesthetic bonus, rises and cuts into the upper just past the midfoot. Available in a number of color combinations, the Fortis Vent is a slick-looking running shoe that states its purpose in bold colors and with a minimalist aesthetic.
Durability
With all of the Under Armour proprietary technology in the Fortis Vent, the company build a highly durable shoe. Its ArmourVent™ mesh upper is built to last, made of both comfortable and sturdy synthetic materials, while the dual-layer midsole made of Micro G® foam for cushioning and Charged Cushion technology are made of similarly strong synthetic materials. Its outsole is covered in durable rubber, as well, to provide the runner with a pair of trainers that will last a long time.
Protection
Security is one issue that the Fortis Vent has down pat: the foot is held firmly in the shoe after lace-up thanks to its adjustable heel strap. As for protection, the durable outsole provides a fair amount of protection to the foot on normal running surfaces while the dual-layer midsole protects against the impact shock of footfall. However, this is a lightweight running shoe and will not provide a large amount of protection against harsher elements or colder climes.
Responsiveness
The two key points in the Fortis Vent’s construction–its outsole and midsole–provide a great amount of responsiveness for the runner. The outsole’s forefoot features numerous flex grooves for a more natural feeling while running and providing excellent toe-off, while its dual-layer midsole, with its layer of Charged Cushion technology, is designed to provide a great amount of energy return with each impact and a bit of spring with every step. With its heel strap lock that guarantees a firm fit, the runner will feel a great amount of responsiveness with every move they make while wearing this trainer.
Support
With its dual-layer midsole comprised of Charged Cushion technology for greater responsiveness and Micro G® foam for cushioning, along with is sturdy outsole with flex grooves in the forefoot, the Fortis Vent provides both comfy support and performance. However, this is a shoe made for those with neutral pronation and only offers standard arch support.
Terrain
Take to your favorite roads and tracks in the Fortis Vent: the outsole will protect and perform well on these standard running surfaces. However, don’t expect the same experience if you head out to the trail, these are lightweight running shoes, not trail runners. If you stick to asphalt and pavement, however, you’re ensured with a comfortable and safe ride.
Price
With a great amount of technology included in its construction and staying lightweight, the SpeedForm Fortis Vent is a well-crafted trainer. As such, the price is steeper than some trainers and this shoe is for relatively serious runners looking to invest in a lightweight shoe that still provides comfort and security. Although not prohibitively expensive, it’s also a bit of an investment.
Drop
With a hardy outsole, the heel-to-toe drop in the Fortis Vent is 9mm, which makes it a trainer with a standard drop. Most neutral runners will find this drop works well for their style of running, but those adjusted to either zero-drop or maximalist shoes should look elsewhere.
Stability
A well-balanced trainer from front to back and with an external heel lock mechanism to ensure a firm fit, the runner will feel secure in the Fortis Vent. And for the runner with a neutral pronation, this shoe is specifically designed to encourage a natural running gait. However, this is not a stability shoe, and those with over= or under-pronation may find this shoe lacking in addressing their needs.
Flexibility
As its upper is mostly comprised of a thin mesh and its outsole is outfitted with flex grooves on the forefoot, the SpeedForm Fortis Vent is a relatively flexible shoe. Although its heel strap will secure the foot firmly inside, the runner will also find the fit comfortable and allows for natural movement of the foot.
Traction
Featuring a number of pods that cover the outsole, the Fortis Vent provides a fair amount of traction. The more high-impact areas of the outsole are also covered with a durable rubber so that it retains its traction even after heavy use. The flex grooves on the forefoot of the outsole also aid in toe-off.
Bottom Line
For the runner seeking a new pair of trainers that provides both comfort and security and encourages a natural running stride, the Under Armour SpeedForm Fortis Vent is a perfect fit. With highlighted features such as its heel strap that locks the foot firmly in place, its flexible and breathable upper that’s comfortable against the skin and makes the foot feel free inside of the shoe, and the flex grooves on the forefoot of the outsole that allows the runner to move their foot naturally and aids in toe-off, the Fortis Vent is a serious running shoe loaded with features but retains its light weight.;Although the price may be slightly higher than some runners would desire, it’s the many benefits of the Fortis Vent that drive its cost up: after all, a lightweight shoe with these many features isn’t going to come in a budget trainer. For the runner needing a little extra–or wanting a deluxe lightweight trainer that encourages a natural stride–the Under Armour SpeedForm Fortis Vent is a great fit.
