Details
Brand
Under Armour
Heel To Toe Drop
6 mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Racing
Key Features
• Charged Cushioning midsole• Flexible mesh upper• Blown rubber outsole• Dual layered midsole• Lightweight• Stylish design
Upper
The Slingride’s upper is made of a seamless mesh. Mesh is a very nice choice for uppers because it is inherently breathable and flexible thanks to the way it is woven. This mesh has a special material called Dyneema woven into it as well, to help limit tears and improve durability overall. The tongue of the shoe is also very well padded, making it a bit more comfortable than other tongues might be. Additionally, the upper makes use of Under Armour’s Speedform technology, which helps the shoe to fit more securely and comfortably. It does this while also not restricting movement, or irritating the skin, which can sometimes happen when a shoe is fit snugly. Finally, the heel features a special cup which helps to stabilize and keep the foot in place while running. The upper is pretty impressive and is a strong aspect of the Speedform Slingride.
Midsole
The Under Armour Speedform Slingride’s midsole is a special dual-layer design, called Charged Cushioning. This dual layer makes use of a lighter and softer foam on top, with a thicker and more sturdy foam beneath. The top layer allows for greater comfort because it is a bit softer, while the bottom layer provides necessary protection from impacts as well as support. These work well in tandem, making the foot both protected and comfortable. The material itself is called MicroG and is present in many of Under Armour’s shoes. The overall traits of this foam are similar to many other popular foams. It is responsive and provides good cushioning for the feet while running. A key difference is its weight, which Under Armour claims is 30 percent lighter than competing foams. Overall, the midsole of the Speedform Slingride is decent. The dual layer midsole is nice, but it is a bit lacking in any other useful features.
Outsole
The Under Armour Speedform Slingride employs an outsole that is made of blown rubber. Blown rubber is frequently used for outsoles due to its ability to resist wear and tear and also for its traction. Notably, blown rubber is often a bit less durable than other blends, such as carbon rubber. Blown rubber offers better flexibility and comfort however, as a tradeoff. This makes the outsole and shoe as a whole a bit more comfortable at the cost of a bit of durability. The outsole also makes use of grooves, which also add some extra flexibility, allowing the shoe to bend properly to accommodate each step. Overall, the outsole in the Speedform Slingride is pretty good in terms of flexibility, comfort, and traction, though a bit lacking in the durability aspect.
Breathability
Breathability generally is very dependent on a shoe’s upper, and that is the case for the Speedform Slingride too. The mesh is the key component of this, as it is the part that encapsulates the foot. The mesh does a great job of allowing air to flow in and out of the shoe because of the holes woven into it, and the material used. Apart from this, not much applies to breathability within the Speedform Slingride, but honestly, nothing else needs to. The breathability of the Speedform Slingride is more than adequate, and excessive sweat or odor buildup likely will not be an issue.
Comfort
Comfort is pretty good in the Speedform Slingride. The main parts that influence this are the outsole, the upper, and the midsole. The outsole contributes slightly to comfort with its blown rubber and flex grooves. The blown rubber is a bit softer than some other rubbers, and also provides a bit more room for flexibility. The flex grooves also contribute to flexibility. Together, these pieces make the shoe a bit more comfortable overall through the outsole. The upper’s comfort comes from the mesh and the padded tongue. Mesh is usually quite comfortable, as it flexes well and also is light and airy. The tongue is comfortable because it prevents unnecessary abrasions on the foot. Finally, the midsole helps comfort with its dual-layer cushioning foam. The combination of two layers, with the softer foam on top, makes for a very comfortable cushioning feel.
Style
Under Armour shoes have gotten more and more popular in terms of style as of late. Though they aren’t as big as some of the other major brands, Under Armour’s shoes are definitely pretty stylish. The Speedform Slingride is a great example of this. The shoe has a very clean design with different accenting heels for different colors. The choices available allow for a more discreet and casual look, or a more flashy and bright look. The Speedform Slingride is definitely a shoe that can double as an everyday shoe, which is definitely a nice plus, and is a stylish shoe overall.
Durability
Durability is decent in the Speedform Slingride, though not exceptional. The main pieces that influence durability are the outsole, upper, and midsole. The outsole’s blown rubber heavily influences the durability of the shoe, because it is constantly making contact with the ground. As such, if it wears out, the shoe is pretty much not useable. Blown rubber is pretty durable overall, but it is definitely not as durable as some rubbers blend like carbon rubber. Overall, the rubber used is not bad at all, just not as durable as it could be. The upper’s durability stems from the Dyneema material woven into it. This material is touted as being extremely strong, allowing the upper to function for a long time without any rips or tears. The midsole comes in with its dual-layered Charge Cushioning once again. While it is lightweight and responsive, there isn’t too much separating it from other foams in terms of durability.
Protection
The main components that provide protection in the Slingride are the upper and the midsole. The mesh of the upper wraps and protects the feet from the outside elements very well. The special box in the heel also protects the foot from missteps and any wobbles. Protection in the midsole stems from the dual-layered cushioning foam once again. This foam protects the feet by mitigating shocks and impacts, allowing for a smoother ride.
Responsiveness
Responsiveness in the Speedform Slingride is largely dependent on the midsole, as it tends to be in most shoes. The midsole in this case is made up of the dual-layered Charged Cushioning. As mentioned before, this does a great job of providing comfort, but when it comes to responsiveness, it is a bit less effective than some other material combinations.
Support
The main sources of support are the midsole and the upper in the Speedform Slingride. The midsole helps to support the feet via its dual-layered foam. This foam does an excellent job of reducing shocks and impacts to the feet, which makes strides more stable and supported. The upper adds support via the snug design of the mesh which holds the foot in place comfortably. This allows the upper to support the foot from above.
Terrain
In terms of terrains, the Speedform Slingride should be adequate on most commonly ran on terrains. The main factor in this is the outsole, which is blown rubber. Blown rubber should definitely excel on roads, sidewalks, and other city terrains in particular. Blown rubber is a bit less effective on harsher terrains than other rubber blends, but it still manages decently.
Price
When it comes to cost, the Speedform Slingride is pretty average for a running shoe. It fits right around the average price point of many popular shoes on the market. For what is received in return, the shoe isn’t really a good value or overpriced.
Drop
The Speedform Slingride’s drop is 6 mm. This is pretty low compared to many popular shoes on the market, and leans more towards a minimalist style shoe. This could be a good transition shoe for runners that want to move to a minimalist or zero drop shoe but have never run in one before.
Stability
Stability in the Speedform Slingride is pretty decent, and is again mostly dependent on the upper and the midsole. The upper contributes through its mesh once again. The mesh is very snug and secure, and does a great job of keeping the foot in place while not limiting flexibility. This makes for a very stable and comfortable stride overall. The midsole adds to stability through the nice cushioning of the dual-layered foam. The combination of these foams mitigates a lot of the shocks from running. These features all culminate in a very stable shoe overall.
Flexibility
The key contributors to flexibility within the Speedform Slingride are the upper and the outsole. The upper plays a huge role thanks to its mesh design. The mesh adds a lot to flexibility, as it is essentially the piece that secures the entire top part of the foot. The woven mesh allows the top part of the foot to flex and move very comfortably, which is important for limiting twists or sprains. The outsole contributes a bit with its blown rubber. As touched upon earlier, blown rubber is a bit softer and more flexible, allowing for more comfortable steps. The outsole also features flex grooves, which are grooves that allow the shoe to bend more freely. This increases the flexibility of the shoe while running as well. Flexibility in the Speedform Slingride is pretty good overall, thanks to these features.
Traction
As explained previously, the blown rubber on the outsole does a good job of preparing the Speedform Slingride for different types of running terrains. Traction will, of course, be best on city-like terrains like concrete and asphalt, but it should still fare well on trails or grass. Overall, most terrains shouldn’t give the Speedform Slingride any trouble, though caution should be exercised in rain or on more intense terrains.
Bottom Line
The Under Armour Speedform Slingride is a pretty solid shoe overall. It offers decent features and good quality materials. While it isn’t a bargain for the price, it definitely is not overpriced either. It can be found in a variety of stylish choices as well, making it easier to find a color for pickier runners. For those seeking a clean and effective lighter shoe that also is stylish, the Speedform Slingride is not a bad choice.
