Going the Distance | Under Armour HOVR Sonic Review

Disclaimer: I received Under Armour HOVR Sonic running shoes in exchange for my review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

When I find a good thing, I stick to it — that's true in both running and every day life — and I'm back to tell you about my experience with my latest running shoes!

As a BibRave Pro, I received Under Armour HOVR Sonic running shoes to review. If you have been following me for a while, you may remember that I reviewed HOVR Sonic shoes back in January, too. So what's the difference now?

HOVR Sonic in Graphite/Metallic Silver

These shoes are the "not connected" edition (meaning they do not pair with my smart phone), they are  in this fancy grey color that I love, and I have put mega miles on this same style of shoe over the past seven months.

I trained for and ran the Grandma's Marathon in my last pair of HOVR Sonic shoes and now I'm back for more in the HOVR Sonic as I train for my next race. After all that training time, I feel like I now know the "in's and out's" of this shoe.


These shoes have been through everything from speed work to long runs, treadmills to road running, stroller pushing and strength training. Through miles in the snow with Yaktrax strapped on this winter and now hot, humid miles on the road this summer, these shoes have been comfortable and gotten the job done.

As this pair of shoes not being connected to Under Armour's smart phone app, I haven't been disappointed as I found I rarely used the app with my earlier connected pair (my Garmin tracks all the data I need). The "not connected" edition is fine with me!


My Favorite Features of the HOVR Sonic:


Breathable Material

The soft knit upper dries fast and provides a breathable, compression-like fit that has kept me comfortable even on those extra hot, humid runs. I credit the breathability of this shoe as one of the reasons I had ZERO blisters or black toenails after the Grandma's Marathon in June! 26.2 miles and I walked away without even one hot spot or sore on either foot. Over ten marathons, that's a first for me.

Energy Return

The HOVR Sonic shoe weighs 8oz, which isn't the lightest shoe I have ran in, but the UA HOVR™ technology provides a ‘zero gravity feel’ to maintain energy return that helps eliminate impact step after step. The UA HOVR™ foam makes these shoes feel like a lightweight shoe.

Neutral Fit

These are a great fit for runners who need a balance of flexibility and cushioning. As a neutral runner, the HOVR Sonic's fit feels natural for me.

Color

Can I just say I love this Graphite and Metallic Silver color scheme? The "Static Blue" color scheme looks really sharp, too. (Check the color options out on the Under Armour website!)


The HOVR Sonic running shoes (not connected edition) are available for $100 on the Under Armour website. I liked these shoes the HOVR Sonic shoe the first time I tried them back in January and now I appreciate them even more after putting them through the marathon training paces.

Though I am reluctant to retire my old pair as they are hitting that "mileage retirement age", I look forward to covering the miles in these new HOVR Sonics.

I've found a good thing in these shoes and I'm sticking to it!


What is a "must" for you when it comes to running shoes?

GF Marathon Training W2

Follow my journey as a I train for the Grand Forks Marathon coming up at the end of September. This is my 11th marathon but first time using Hansons Marathon Method for training!


SUNDAY:

W2D1 Easy Run 5.04 mi, 00:47 @ 09:14 pace with double stroller and my husband pushing our oldest in the single. They stuck with us for a few miles and then headed home.

MONDAY: 

W2D2 Speedwork 6.02 mi, 00:43 @ 07:10 avg pace, with 5 x 1k with 400m recovery with interval goal of 4:00-4:06. My intervals ended up at 3:52, 3:58, 3:56, 4:09, 4:07. Undershot the first 3 intervals and felt it in the last 2. Overall it went well as this was an evening workout. The temp was a comfy 75°F but I still tend to lose my “zing” in the evening.

TUESDAY: 

W2D3 Off

WEDNESDAY: 

W2D4 Tempo with goal pace of 7:26... 5.01 mi, 00:38 @ 07:35 pace. I covered the miles but zero were done at goal pace! I struggled to find my groove for the first two miles, so they were too slow, then the last three were 7:12-14, which is too fast. If I were actually a Hansons runner, I would have been doing a lot of pushups for my pacing issues! Apparently that’s the consequence they used to encourage the runners to stay on pace (per the book). Makes sense!

THURSDAY

W2D5 Easy Run 5.11 mi, 00:45 @ 08:48 pace down the gravel near my parents' farm.

FRIDAY:

W2D6 Easy Run 6.01 mi, 00:53 @ 08:52 pace on the gravel at home.

SATURDAY:

W2D7 Long Run 10.01 mi, 01:19 @ 07:53 pace with goal pace of 8:00/mile but I forgot that part and started at tempo pace for the first couple miles. My in-laws from CA just arrived and my mind was focused on other things!

TOTAL MILEAGE: 37.20 miles


Let's Connect!



Linking up with Holly and Wendy's Weekly Wrap Up.

Comments

  1. I like the look of those shoes! You cannot have too many pairs right? :)

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    Replies
    1. I love the color too! The blue ones are super sharp - check those ones out too. And I totally agree. One can never have too many shoes!

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  2. Sounds like a very solid week! I've been intrigued but the UA HOVR.

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    Replies
    1. The HOVR Sonics have been really great shoes! Carrying me through marathon training cycle #2 :)

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  3. I love new shoes, but had trouble letting go of old ones too. Those look really nice!

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    Replies
    1. SAME! I "demote" my running shoes to either lawn mowing shoes or casual every day shoes if they are super cute (after a washing machine round).

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  4. I"m so glad you like those shoes! I still am having trouble getting my head around brands like UA and Sketchers making running shoes. I seriously need to get over it--people are doing great things in these shoes!

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    Replies
    1. It's taken me a while too! I know have THREE pairs of UA running shoes and didn't realize they made running shoes til last year.

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  5. Those shoes look nice, although I'd probably need more support. And a great week's running, well done!

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    Replies
    1. True - they are geared towards neutral runners BUT you could use supported insoles in these!

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  6. I like the neutral color of those shoes as I'm getting a bit tired of all the neon color choices. Around here, gravel would big large loose rocks that nobody would want to run in. I assume you have something different than that? Enjoy your visit with the inlaws! Thanks for linking.

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    Replies
    1. I have seen a whole lot of neon in style these days! I'm a fan of neutral colors in general, then I can add a wild color here or there as I feel necessary. I have been able to wear these shoes on the gravel and no rocks have snuck in!

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  7. I've been loving the shoes as well. Great review.

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  8. Great review! It's good to hear from someone who has been wearing them for a while now. I've put about 50 miles in with these Sonics and really love them so far. I tend to stick with a good thing when I find it too so I think these may be my new go-tos!

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    Replies
    1. Right?! If it ain't broke, don't fix it! These are working great - glad they're working well for you, too, Jenn!

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