Details
Brand
Under Armour
Breathability
7.7/10
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• UA Storm technology repels water while maintaining breathability• UA SpeedForm technology gives distraction-free running• Seamless Heel Cup has Silicone Grip to lock in the foot• TPU heel counter adds stability• Micro-perforated upper with ultrasonic seal makes the shoe breathable yet durable• Ultrasonic Welded Seaming makes the shoe fit next to the skin• Molded 4D Foam footbed creates a perfect fit and eliminates slippage• Micro G foam cushions landings and creates explosive takeoffs• Traction lugs on the outsole and midsole give off-road grip and stability
Upper
The upper is made of perforated mesh and micro-perforated synthetic material. The UA Storm technology makes the shoe durable and water-repellent: it takes about five miles of steady rain to soak the shoe. The perforated mesh isn’t as breathable as open mesh, but it still provides decent ventilation. The SpeedForm XC has a seamless silicone heel cup for a locked-in fit and a TPU heel counter for stability. There is a good amount of room in the toe box. The SpeedForm XC also uses Bemis tape with ultrasonic welded seaming for a comfortably close fit. Its laces help hold the foot in place, although the lack of overlays make it challenging to obtain a snug fit. The collar is padded for comfort.
Midsole
The midsole is made of a Molded 4D Foam Footbed and full-length Micro G foam. The firm yet flexible footbed eliminates slippage by conforming to the foot’s exact shape, creating a personalized fit. The soft Micro G foam cushions the landings, absorbs the impact and returns that energy to create explosive takeoffs. The outsole’s traction lugs extend to the midsole, improving off-road grip and stability. There is a neutral amount of arch support. The UA SpeedForm technology cuts the weight of the sole in half compared to similar shoes, resulting in a lightweight, no-distraction racing shoe.
Outsole
The outsole is made of rubber with lugs designed to give grip on a flat or uneven terrain. The design uses two colors in an aggressive trail tread pattern that provides durability and stability. It provides enough flexibility to go over hills or uneven terrain. The lugs allow runners to tackle light trails or fly downhill without slipping or losing control. The outsole is anatomical, giving a natural fit and superior performance. Its landings are quiet, providing virtually no feedback.
Breathability
The perforated mesh material in the upper provides superior breathability. Although not quite as breathable as open mesh, multiple reviewers stated that the shoe breathes well. The UA Storm technology repels water without sacrificing breathability. The micro-perforated upper uses an ultrasonic seal for breathability. These features make it possible to run in adverse weather conditions and also reduce the risk of hot spots, sweating, overheating, or blisters.
Comfort
The SpeedForm XC delivers comfort in two ways: a personalized fit and a decent amount of cushioning. The upper has a padded collar and a seamless heel cup and uses an ultrasonic seal, ultrasonic seaming, and Bemis tape so that the shoe fits perfectly and without irritation or hot spots. The toe box has a good amount of room for movement. In the midsole, the Molded 4D Foam footbed fits the foot’s exact shape and the Micro G foam cushions landings while absorbing shock and converting the energy into explosive takeoffs. The anatomical outsole also gives a natural fit. Many users noted how comfortable the shoe is, giving it either the maximum comfort rating or the one just below it.
Style
The Under Armour SpeedForm XC shoe comes in bright, vibrant colors that are popular with younger runners. Many young runners used the SpeedForm XC for racing, daily running, or on roads and paths. Men can choose between aluminum/ blue jet/white, yellow/white/charcoal, black/grey/camo, and greenhead/hyper green/white. Women can pick from pink shock/twilight purple/strobe, snorkel/faded ink/Caribbean blue, lead/dark grey, and neo pulse/bright pink. Unfortunately, the shoe is either sold out or discontinued in many retailers, so not all colors and sizes are available at this time.
Durability
The shoe’s durability is provided by the outsole and the upper. The outsole’s trail tread lug pattern gives a durable ground grip. The upper’s water repellent UA Storm Technology makes the shoe water and abrasion resistant and better able to withstand the elements. The SpeedForm XC received mixed reviews on durability. Some users reported going 150+ miles without any sign of wear or deterioration, while others started to experience loosening and deterioration in the upper after just three or four runs. The biggest problems seemed to be when users would go over technical terrain, the users who ran on roads or paths did not seem to have these issues.
Protection
The SpeedForm XC protects runners in a variety of ways. The UA Storm Technology makes the shoe water-repellent and protects the shoe against the elements. The heel cup with its silicone grip keeps the heel in place and protects the ankle from rolling. The covered seams protect against irritation and hot spots. The Molded 4D Foam footbed eliminates slippage by conforming to the foot’s shape. The Micro G foam cushions and absorbs shock in order to protect joints. Although most reviewers complimented the level of protection, some of them reported a lack of stability and shock absorption when going over technical terrain.
Responsiveness
In a running shoe, responsiveness is important because runners need to be able to move quickly and easily, whether they are out for their daily run or competing in a race. The SpeedForm XC is like a minimalist shoe because of its light weight that allows the shoe to be carried more easily and the runner to maintain his or her energy over a longer period of time. The main technology that gives the shoe responsiveness is the full-length Micro G foam in the footbed. It cushions landings, absorbs the shock and returns that energy in the form of an explosive takeoff.
Support
The Under Armour SpeedForm XC gives a good amount of support for neutral runners. The TPU heel counter stabilizes the foot and the seamless heel cup locks it in place. The midsole provides a neutral level of arch support, ideal for runners who have high or medium-high arches and do not normally require additional arch support. Runners who require additional support will need to use arch supports or add an insole. The micro-perforated upper with ultrasonic seal provides some lateral support, but it is flexible and not structured enough to securely hold a foot on unstable footing. This is why going over rough trails and technical terrain is not recommended, and over-pronators might want to consider another shoe.
Terrain
The ideal terrain for this shoe is paved roads, dirt roads, or groomed footpaths. The lugs provide a decent amount of bite for going on uneven surfaces, but not so much bite that running on a flat surface is a chore. The shoe is flexible enough to go uphill and has enough traction to quickly and safely go downhill. Problems arose from lack of durability, lack of stability, and lack of shock absorption when runners tried going over technical terrain, which is why only flat or slightly irregular surfaces are recommended. It also does not have the necessary spikes for slippery or icy terrain. The shoe could be used for a daily run and is light enough to use for racing or speed training. It is also comfortable enough to use on a treadmill.
Price
The price is about average for a running shoe. It is light enough to be great for speed, has enough grip to go over some uneven terrain, but is lacking in durability and stability to go over technical terrain, so an average price seems fair. The shoe was initially released in 2014, so some sizes and colors are discounted, but most stores that still have the shoe in stock are charging full price due to lack of availability because the shoe has been discontinued.
Drop
The heel height is 18 mm and the forefoot height is 10 mm, giving the SpeedFormXC a drop of 8 mm. A standard drop is around 12 mm. Lower drops allow the shoe to be more evenly padded as well as keep the foot closer to a natural/barefoot level where runners use the forefoot more. Some runners reported feeling less pain with smaller drops, noting sore muscles and knee pain for larger drops. Runners who normally run on the forefoot do not seem to be affected by different drop levels.
Stability
The SpeedForm XC has a few features that stabilize neutral runners. The traction lugs in the outsole and midsole are engineered to stabilize the foot on off-road surfaces. The TPU heel counter keeps the heel in place. The Molded 4D Foam footbed eliminates slippage by conforming to the foot’s shape. The upper does not use overlays, which helps with flexibility but does not offer stability. Although the shoe’s support is listed as “stability,” the SpeedForm XC really only provides enough stability for neutral runners over roads or light trails and is not sturdy enough for over-pronators or going over any kind of technical terrain.
Flexibility
While the Under Armour SpeedForm XC’s outsole and midsole are flexible enough to move with the foot over uneven terrain, its main flexibility features come from the upper. The upper is made from a micro-perforated synthetic material that is both flexible and lightweight. It does not use overlays, which improves flexibility due to lack of structure. Some reviewers really liked the flexibility of this shoe because it does not restrict movement, while others thought it was too flexible, lacking stability and fitting too loosely after the first few runs.
Traction
The SpeedForm XC’s traction is provided by the outsole’s lugs. It gives a decent amount of bite for going on roads and light trails, and allows the user to quickly and easily run downhill. However, because the lugs are closely spaced, they do not grip dirt well during lateral moves. The terrains it could be used on are paved or dirt roads, groomed footpaths, light trails, or treadmills. It does not have the necessary traction spikes to work well on snowy, icy, or slippery terrain.
Bottom Line
Under Armour SpeedForm XC is true to its name. Its light weight allows for speed and maneuverability, and the midsole and upper use technologies to really conform to the shape of the foot. Its upper repels water and the color choices make it a popular shoe for younger runners. Areas for improvement are durability and stability, Under Armour advertises the SpeedForm XC as a trail shoe, yet it cannot be used over any kind of technical terrain for more than a few runs. Overall, the SpeedForm XC is a great shoe for racing, speed training, running on roads and paths, or quick daily workouts.
