Under Armour UA Infinite Elite 2 Multi Tester Review: 5 Comparisons

Article by Dominique and Sam Winebaum

Below Armour UA Infinite Elite 2 ($160)

Introduction

Sam: Named the Infinite Elite 2, one would possibly count on a quick large stack peak coach however that’s not what we’ve right here. Fairly the  Elite 2 is a comfortable and bouncy using, broad becoming and pleasant coach with consolation on its thoughts greater than excessive efficiency. And that’s OK! 

It’s cheap in weight at simply over 10 oz US9 and sits on a broad platform at  what’s now a “mini max” stack peak of 36mm heel /  28mm forefoot with a strong  8mm drop to assist it transfer alongside. 

Runs on drained legs, straightforward tempo, lengthy distances outings, walks,  broad increased quantity ft and for all-day consolation. I can effectively see “elites” and the remainder of us reaching for it. Let’s get into the small print.

Execs:

Extraordinarily snug coach: DominiqueSam

Should you like a comfortable bouncy mellow trip you’ll discover it right here: Sam

Roomy toe field and comfy excessive quantity higher: Dominique/Sam 

Shoelace system glides like a attraction: Dominique/Sam

Minimalist outsole manufactured from die-cut rubber smooths the trip: Dominique/Sam

Engaging design and dust resistant in my “Downpour Grey/Fireplace/Gravel/Dominique

Lovely coloration choices within the ladies’s: Dominique

Cons:

Excessive quantity higher not preferrred for our low quantity ft: Dominique/Sam

Broad platform would possibly really feel a bit clunky at first: Dominique/Sam 

Achilles collar is a bit excessive and inflexible however might have to be so as a result of lock the foot given remainder of the higher : Dominique

Heel lock + tight lacing with a purpose to maintain shoe comfortably and securely in place: Dominique

Midsole is on the comfortable facet, lacks pop: Dominique/Sam 

Most comparable footwear 

Hoka Bondi 9

Brooks Ghost Max 2

Nike Vomero 18

Saucony Experience 18

Please discover the testers full run bios on the finish of the article after Comparisons.

Stats

Spec Weight: males’s 10.2 oz / 289g

Pattern Weights: 

males’s       9.98 oz / 283g US8.5

ladies’s  9.4oz / 267g U9S

Stack Top: males’s  36mm heel /  28mm forefoot (8mm drop spec) 

Platform Width: 95 mm heel / 75mm midfoot / 115mm forefoot 

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Dominique: The UA Infinite Elite 2 has been designed as an final snug coach, one thing I’m enthusiastic about, together with being reintroduced to the Below Armour model of trainers.  It’s been nearly 7 years since I reviewed my very first pair of UA – the Sonic Related.  

I are inclined to get intimidated by the time period “Elite” in a shoe as I principally run 20-25 miles per week at a reasonably gradual tempo.  The emphasis with the UA Infinite Elite 2 is consolation  for the long term (pun meant).  This can be a strong coach designed to maximise consolation on lengthy distance runs whereas serving to maintain your legs feeling recent.  

The match is true to dimension although it takes some adjusting given the pretty vast platform and excessive quantity of the shoe.  To compensate for the excessive quantity, I’ve been tying the shoelaces fairly tight.  

On the upside, the shoelaces glide like a attraction by means of the webbing eyelets and the match is extraordinarily snug even with a decent lacing.  Due to the pretty excessive quantity of the shoe, I opted after a couple of runs  to make use of the “heel lock” by threading the shoelace within the further eyelet with a purpose to maintain the heel in place.   Briefly, the match is safe if I exploit each the heel lock and tie my shoelaces fairly tight. 

Look how tight I’ve to lace to get a great match and my ft aren’t that low quantity

The higher is an engineered mesh designed with enhanced breathability and sturdiness.   The padding across the collar is snug, nevertheless, the heel tab extends slightly excessive with out actually locking the heel in place.  

For a comparatively cumbersome shoe, the look is each engaging and streamlined.  The Girls’s UA Infinite Elite 2 is accessible in 7 completely different colours, together with white.  A few of the colours improve the fashionable attraction of the shoe, resembling “Ether blue/ Midnight Navy” or “White/Aero Pink/Comet Inexperienced.”  

The colour of my pair is “Downpour Grey/Fireplace/Gravel” which has the benefit of being fairly dust resistant. 

Sam: The design of the Elite 2 conveys and delivers and I’ll say it once more, “consolation”. Sitting on a broad reasonably excessive platform the higher continues the theme with a comparatively unstructured building with the entrance mesh very open in its exterior major layer.  It’s absolutely lined with a comfortable inside layer which connects to the tongue fairly far ahead to create an abbreviated and never notably supportive gusset. A extra substantial gusset of extra compressive mesh connecting tongue to midsole would, for my part, present extra lockdown within the excessive quantity midfoot space of the shoe.

The  heel counter is semi inflexible however for the decrease half the place some stability is offered by each the inside counter and a stitched on leather-based like overlay which gives the first help. Apparently it’s a stitched on “clip”. Typically such clips are a  extra inflexible plastic piece. I just like the method right here as whereas offering some clear help/stability the rear building is just not over inflexible as say the Puma Eternally Run 2’s is.

Dominique describes the higher match very effectively. I particularly concur that this can be a excessive quantity shoe.  

Whereas I didn’t resort to a runner’s loop lacing,  or really feel that my slim to medium ft have been swimming within the shoe I needed for much less quantity.

I needed to lace them fairly tight and was grateful the mixture of these clean gliding skinny and flat laces and effectively padded tongue didn’t result in lace chunk however it was shut.

Midsole & Platform

Dominique: The UA Infinite Elite 2 has been designed to maximise consolation and the texture of the midsole delivers simply that.  Made with UA HOVR+ foam, the midsole is extraordinarily snug with loads of rebound, nevertheless, it’s a bit on the comfortable facet. 

As described within the specs, the 3D sockliner “cradles the foot” for an enhanced cushiony really feel of the midsole.  Likewise, the vast platform and the pretty excessive stack peak at 36 mm/28mm (8 mm drop) of the shoe heightens the consolation of the midsole and trip.  

Regardless of the comfortable cushioning, the shoe is pretty steady given the width of the platform and the stiffness of the outsole. 

Sam: The midsole  foam is an expanded TPU beads compound, so related in make-up and I discovered in really feel to Saucony’s PWRRUN+ though it appears a bit softer and bouncieryet  right here.

 It isn’t a supercritical foam and thus is much less reactive as say the brand new Bondi 9, an equally comfortable shoe however one with supercritical EVA. UA’s excellent Infinite Mega (RTR Evaluate), additionally a comfortable using shoe has the identical foam as an outer service, however with an inside drop in core of of supercritical EVA foam 15mm-12mm thick which provides that equally “comfortable” shoe noticeably extra punch.

The stack peak of  36mm heel /  28mm forefoot (8mm drop spec) can and be mentioned to be average in as of late of more and more tremendous max trainers heights effectively above 40mm. 

To stabilize the comfortable foam and broad higher, Below Armour correctly goes with a broad on the floor platform of 95 mm heel / 75mm midfoot / 115mm forefoot. I’m glad they went broad on the heel and forefoot whereas preserving the midfoot platform comparatively slim as in any other case I believe the shoe would have been overly mushy and arduous to show over as I discovered for instance the New Steadiness Recent Foam 1080 v13. 

The ensuing midsole and platform delivers, as Dominique says, a comfortable and bouncy trip appropriate for simpler tempo runs however one which as she additionally  says lacks some “rebound” which a shift to supercritical foam in a subsequent version might ship.

Outsole

Dominique: Light-weight die-cut rubber outsole designed for sturdiness.  It’s a bit on the minimalist facet with a purpose to loosen up the shoe however feels lots protecting.  The outsole additionally contributes to stiffening the shoe with a purpose to make it extra steady and provides it some roll.  That is my first time working in a shoe with a die-cut rubber outsole and this minimalist method is certainly rising on me.  

Sam: Dominique is smart to focus on the die minimize rubber outsole. I discover such outsoles sturdy and likewise, as say within the Topo Specter 2, present sufficient stiffness and form to create rockers and stabilize comfortable foam midsoles. That’s the case right here within the Infinite. The shoe is stiff to bending in hand with a contact of flex and a gentle rocker. I believe a but extra accentuated rocker would speed up transitions to toe off and take higher benefit of the narrowish midfoot platform and 8mm drop.  

Experience, Conclusions and Suggestions

Dominique:I’ve been having fun with the trip of the UA Infinite Elite 2l; certainly the depth and the width of the midsole generate an all encompassing consolation really feel, although it could possibly be a bit firmer.  Regardless of the excessive and fairly stiff achilles collar, I’ve skilled zero friction when working or strolling.  

Though I’ve remediated the excessive quantity of the shoe through the heel lock and a decent tying of the shoelaces, the shoe could be higher tailored to male runners who are inclined to have wider ft than ladies. After all, feminine runners can have vast ft too, so I really feel this shoe could be effectively suited to them as effectively.  The UA Infinite Elite 2 is a strong and comfy coach designed for lengthy distance working, and would particularly suggest the shoe for runners who’ve wider increased quantity ft versus slim ft.   

Dominique’s Rating: 9/10

😊😊😊😊

Sam: Comfortable, roomy and comfy, UA clearly got down to create a “pleasant” using coach.

Don’t come anticipating an uptempo quick really feel right here however a extra mellow and on the similar time fairly full of life and bouncy trip from its TPU foam.  I think about Below Armour elites attain for this Elite for his or her straightforward, straightforward runs.

With so many manufacturers shifting to supercritical foams (SCF) in 2025 with their extra reactive really feel even when comfortable and lighter weights, I do want for such a foam right here to increase the Elite 2 to extra normal each day coaching.  At round $160 as right here,  aggressive footwear such because the Bondi 9 and Vomero 18 have no less than some SCF foam and in lots of circumstances additionally with but excessive stack heights and equal weights so worth right here is affected.

The higher will favor increased quantity ft however can adapt to decrease quantity ones. It might use extra construction at mid foot resembling a full gusset and a few underlays/overlays to lock the foot extra securely for me with out having to over tighten the laceswhile the heel maintain is superb. Its comfortable foam and higher clearly make it a impartial shoe whereas its broad platform does present some help, notably on the heel.

The Infinite Elite 2 is a really strong and nice trip alternative if you happen to desire comfortable and bouncy rides. It additionally feels nice as a strolling shoe. With some “tuning” of its higher for a safer decrease quantity ft match and its trip for extra spring and fewer of a comfortable and considerably sinking in really feel, it might turn into a extra throughout versatile each day coach. As is, it’s a high-quality slower paces straightforward and restoration run possibility  fpr me and one effectively price contemplating.

Sam’s Rating: 8.8 /10 

😊😊😊 1 / 2

Experience (50%): 8.9 Match (30%): 8.7 Worth (15%): 8.5 Type (5%): 9.3

5 Comparisons

UA Infinite Mega (RTR Evaluate)

Sam: UA’s Mega is increased stack, so extra cushioned. It additionally has a properly reactive inside core of supercritical foam with its outer service the identical HOVR+ as within the Infinite. The result’s an equally comfortable trip however a extra dynamic one extending its vary of paces and makes use of. The higher is equally giant in quantity however as a result of its implausible BOA system with distinctive rear wrap and broad midfoot straps,  even our testers with very low quantity ft (the gals,  had a safe, very effectively locked down and comfy match. I did too, and relatively fairly a bit safer and comfy match  than within the Infinite.  The rub… the Mega is $250 vs. $160 right here with Mega the present final in consolation cruisers.

Saucony Experience 18 (RTR Evaluate)

The Experience could be very related in stack peak to the Infinite at  35mm heel / 27mm forefoot, is barely lighter at 9.7 oz / 275g in a US9, and pretty priced at $140 ($20 lower than the UA. The  Saucony is a extra conventional flex primarily based each day coach to the Infinite extra inflexible rocker sort profile . It rides on a really related TPU primarily based midsole foam so it’s equally comfortable and fairly bouncy. Its higher is considerably extra structured and safe in addition to decrease quantity (so extra appropriate for low quantity ft and fewer so for top quantity ft). Its trip and makes use of for me lean extra throughout each day coaching than the Infinite though each as a result of their softness (and TPU foam) are softer than I desire.

Brooks Ghost Max 2 (RTR Evaluate)

Sam: Clearly heavier at 10.8 oz / 306g US9, the Max is one in all my favourite straightforward days,  large footwear of the final yr or so. Its DNA Loft v3 supercritical foam is considerably denser and fewer bouncy in really feel however nonetheless nice with its midfoot platform significantly broader so it’s extra steady. Its higher is clearly not as ethereal because the Infinite’s however si extra supportive. Total it’s not as a lot “enjoyable” because the UA however is extra dependable and regular when legs are drained.

Nike Vomero 18 (RTR Evaluate)

Sam: The $150 Vomero 18 has a significantly increased stack peak at 46mm heel /  36mm forefoot but weighs solely 0.15 oz extra. Its midsole combines an inside core of supercritical ZoomX foam with an outer service of ReactX which is considerably firmer than the Hovr+ within the UA.  The result’s a extra cushioned if a bit firmer and considerably extra reactive large shoe trip. Its higher is analogous in consolation to the Infinite however considerably extra dialed in quantity, so safer. Total, The Nike is extra performant whereas nonetheless a consolation centered large shoe. 

Hoka Bondi 9 (RTR Evaluate)

Sam: A direct competitor,  the Bondi noticed large modifications for the ninth version. It will get as a comfortable and reactive supercritical EVA midsole dropping its weight dramatically to 10.45 oz / 296g US9 so a couple of tenths heavier than the UA. 

It sits on a significantly increased stack peak of  43mm heel / 38mm forefoot and with a  decrease 5mm drop so has extra forefoot cushion. Its platform is extra “equal” in dimensions alongside its size  at  100mm heel / 85mm midfoot / 100 mm forefoot so broader on the heel and midfoot and significantly narrower up entrance. The result’s a extra steady shoe on the rear than the UA with a extra agile and versatile toe off upfront and particularly so for its greater forefoot stack peak. Its higher is roomy and considerably safer. 

Enjoying in the identical consolation cruiser class,  the Hoka leans extra each day coach than earlier than ue to its weight drop and new foam and considerably extra so than  the UA with nonetheless clear utility for straightforward runs as effectively..

Index to all RTR evaluations: HERE

The UA Infinite Elite 2 is accessible at Below Armour HERE

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Tester Profiles

Dominique has run for over 45 years, persistently about 25 miles per week at paces between 11 and 12 minute miles and as soon as per week down within the mid 9 minute miles. She races hardly ever, however at all times surprises extra arduous core runners in her age group when she does. She has a 1985 marathon PR of three:16 in her second marathon which on the time put her on the highest 10 Swiss ladies’s lists. An avid hiker and trekker, she has been round Mont Blanc 3 instances, hiked Chamonix to Zermatt, and accomplished the 48 New Hampshire 4000 footers. She is the mom of two grown youngsters, each runners put up faculty, and likewise enjoys nordic and alpine snowboarding, tennis, and gardening. 

Sam is the Editor and Founding father of Highway Path Run. He’s in his 60’s  with 2024 Sam’s 52th yr of working roads and trails. He has a a long time outdated 2:28 marathon PR. Today he runs halves within the simply sub 1:40 vary if he will get very, very fortunate. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week principally at average paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, climbing or on nordic skis. He’s 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he’s not having fun with too many high-quality New England IPA’s.