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Under Armour’s HOVR Infinite is designed as a high-mileage running shoe, making it an excellent choice for marathon training. With the latest technology and a focus on comfort, this shoe is built to support you through those long runs, without compromising on performance. Here’s my experience after running 64 kilometres in these shoes, and everything you need to know.

Connected Technology for a Smarter Run

One of the standout features of the HOVR Infinite is its built-in technology. If you’ve ever been frustrated by waiting for your GPS watch to connect, this shoe will make your life much easier. The shoes come equipped with a sensor embedded in the insole, allowing the shoes to connect to your phone in the same way you’d connect wireless headphones. The sensor tracks key metrics like speed, distance, cadence, and stride length, and automatically uploads this data to the Under Armour MapMyRun app as soon as your phone is in range.

While the shoe’s chip doesn’t use GPS on its own, it’s easy to calibrate to your stride for accurate data. If you’re caught without your watch, or if it dies during a run, the HOVR Infinite serves as a reliable backup. The chip doesn’t require recharging and will continue to work for the life of the shoes, updating with new features as the app is updated. One of its most useful functions is tracking the total mileage on your shoes, helping you monitor their wear and tear over time.

Performance Features and Comfort

The HOVR Infinite is built to deliver a cushioned and responsive ride, similar to other popular neutral running shoes like the Asics Gel Nimbus or Brooks Glycerin. The shoe uses Under Armour’s proprietary HOVR foam, designed to provide a high energy return. When you first step into the shoe, the cushioning feels firm, but as you log more kilometres, it becomes extremely comfortable and supportive, making it a solid choice for long-distance running.

The midsole is wrapped in a fishnet-like fabric to limit the foam’s expansion when compressed, which helps maintain stability. Additionally, the engineered mesh upper keeps the shoe lightweight and breathable, with reflective elements for visibility during early morning or evening runs.

Gender-Specific Design for Better Fit

Under Armour has designed the HOVR Infinite with gender-specific construction based on research into the anatomical differences between men and women. For example, women tend to have shorter heels and more sensitive arches, so the shoe’s sock liner and tongue are softer and higher to accommodate these differences.

Durability and Support

The HOVR Infinite features a robust outsole with thick rectangular pods to provide support, along with deep grooves for flexibility. While the shoe is built for high-mileage running, the rubber outsole adds some weight, though it doesn’t feel heavy underfoot. The outsole design ensures that the shoe can handle the rigors of marathon training without sacrificing flexibility or comfort.

My Experience After 64 Kilometres

After running 64 kilometres in the HOVR Infinite at the start of my marathon training, I’m impressed by the comfort and cushion it offers during long runs. Despite being a heavy-footed runner, the shoes felt light on my feet, especially when I was doing speedwork on the track. The cushioned ride provides a smooth experience, and the support in the midsole is excellent, helping to absorb impact during longer runs.

Final Thoughts

The Under Armour HOVR Infinite is a fantastic shoe for high-mileage runners. With its responsive cushioning, connected features, and durable design, it’s built to handle the demands of marathon training. The added benefit of tracking shoe life and providing performance data through the MapMyRun app makes it a great tool for serious runners looking to improve their training and performance.

In a recent interview with Chris Derrick, I was struck by his thoughts on heart rate monitoring during training. When asked about whether he tracks his heart rate, Derrick responded, “We don’t; it’s all by feel. Jerry [Schumacher, his coach] doesn’t like relying so much on data. We do monitor our response to altitude through testing, but he doesn’t want us to be restricted by numbers. He wants us to feel it, and sometimes you just need to run hard.”

This quote resonated with me because, as someone who’s been meaning to write about the latest in wearable fitness tech, I’ve been looking at gadgets like the Stryd wearable power meter. This device claims to be the running equivalent of a cycling power meter, measuring your stride in three dimensions—vertical, lateral, forward, and braking force—to give an external measure of your effort, no matter the terrain or conditions. Another device, made by Kenzen, monitors hydration, lactate, and glucose levels through a disposable patch that analyzes sweat.

Both of these devices seem fascinating, yet I keep putting off writing about them. It’s partly because I don’t have enough information to fully verify their claims, but there’s another reason: I’m hesitant to turn running into a data-heavy, regimented activity. While tracking data undoubtedly provides insights, it also takes away from the raw, intuitive aspect of running.

In another interview with Janet Bawcom, a Kenyan-born athlete, she discussed her experience training in Kenya and how different it is from the more structured approach often seen in the U.S. She said, “People here are much more relaxed about their training—no one really seems to have it mapped out to the microsecond. I’m just doing all my workouts on dirt roads, and I know that if I’m keeping up with the right people in my group, I’ll be fine on race day.”

Bawcom’s approach to training highlights an important point: sometimes, the focus on perfect conditions and meticulous tracking can detract from the joy of running. In places like Kapsabet, where she’s currently training, the lack of a track doesn’t stop her from pushing herself during workouts. The key is to focus on the effort, not necessarily the numbers.

As someone who loves data, I can relate to this idea. I used to keep detailed logs of my training, tracking every mile, heart rate, and other metrics. But eventually, I realized that focusing too much on the data made me more analytical, which changed the way I approached both training and racing, often not for the better. Now, I don’t keep a log at all because it started to affect the joy I get from running. For others, however, data can provide structure and motivation that they may otherwise lack.

There’s no right or wrong answer here. It all depends on how you relate to data in your running journey. For some, it’s a tool to enhance performance, while for others, it can become a barrier. The key is to find a balance—one that lets you enjoy the process of running while still gaining useful insights when needed.