The UA Velociti Elite 3 uses a sandwich of two “soft” foams (HTPU + HOVR+) to deliver a direct and explosive kind of responsiveness. One you’ll want to experience.
- The Velociti Elite 3 isn’t your typical soft super shoe — it feels unmistakably snappy and direct.
- It combines a carbon plate with a dual-layered midsole (HTPU and supercritical HOVR+ foam).
- It has an almost-zero drop: just 2 mm (37.5 mm heel / 35.5 mm forefoot).
- Responsiveness is instant — the shoe minimizes energy loss and delivers push-off without delay.
- Not for carbon first-timers — it’s built for experienced runners seeking an honest, explosive ride.
- The outsole brings back real rubber panels for grip and durability, moving away from the “Flow” concept.
The (Snappy) Exception to the Rule
When you hear “new race shoe,” your mind automatically kicks into checklist mode: carbon fiber plate? Check. Super-tall, ultra-soft midsole? Check. Whisper-light upper? Check. The result? A shoe that makes you bounce like you’re on a trampoline — sinking in, then springing forward.
That’s how you might describe the Under Armour Velociti Elite 3: a shoe with a carbon plate and a TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) midsole.
Technically accurate — but also misleading.
Because if you’re picturing that mostly soft feeling that defines many super shoes, you’re on the wrong track. Let’s be clear: those shoes are responsive, absolutely. But they use softness as part of the energy return equation. Under Armour, on the other hand, seems to have filed that rulebook away — and written a new one. Because the Velociti Elite 3 plays a different game.
What’s Under the Hood (and Inside the Midsole)
Before we get into how it feels, let’s look at the tech sheet — because this time, it’s worth the read.
The Velociti Elite 3 is a race-day shoe built for neutral runners chasing top performance — from marathons to shorter, faster races. It’s featherlight: around 220 grams (US size 9).
The drop is nearly nonexistent: just 2 mm, coming from a stack height of 37.5 mm at the heel and 35.5 mm at the forefoot. Still under the 40 mm limit, but fully in the “super shoe” category — with a deliberate choice on drop: 2 mm is almost nothing, nudging your stride forward to get maximum propulsion.
The upper is made from Leno Weave fabric, a material now proven in high-performance shoes: lightweight, breathable, and designed to secure your foot where needed — without over-constraining it.
But the real heart of the shoe is the midsole. It’s a complex structure — a dual-foam sandwich with a full-length carbon plate in between.
- Top layer (right under the TPE insole): This is HTPU (high-performance thermoplastic polyurethane), a Pebax-like material designed to deliver softness with dynamic rebound.
- Bottom layer (closest to the road): This is the new supercritical UA HOVR+ foam. It’s significantly lighter and softer than the original HOVR, and its job is to maximize energy return and cushioning.
And finally, the outsole. And yes, this is news if you’ve followed the brand. For years, Under Armour has stuck with the “Flow” philosophy: outsole and midsole basically one unit, with a sacrificial rubber layer acting as tread. That’s over. The Velociti Elite 3 now has actual durable rubber panels placed strategically to provide grip and durability — without adding unnecessary weight.
The Feeling That Catches You Off Guard
Now here comes the fun part. I just told you the midsole has a “soft” top layer (HTPU) and an “even softer” bottom layer (supercritical HOVR+). So logically, you’d expect the ride to feel… soft, right?
Wrong.
As soon as you put them on, forget the cushiony feel. The first sensation you get — and it stays with every stride — is how snappy they are. Not “hard” in a punishing way — just precise and immediate.
How’s that possible? The magic lies in the combination of these materials. Those foams aren’t there to cradle you — they’re built to return energy as fast as possible.
The HOVR+ midsole doesn’t feel like it wants to welcome your step — it wants to launch it forward. Under Armour seems to have engineered a formula that minimizes every bit of energy loss during compression. Not a single millisecond wasted. Ground contact is sharp, impact is stable, and the entire ride is centered on release. The sensation — almost unreal — is that the shoe gives back more energy than you put in during landing. Physically impossible (hi, First Law of Thermodynamics), but perceptually spot-on. It feels like a shoe constantly in overdrive — always ready to explode.
Unfiltered Responsiveness
In a market that leans heavily on “max reactive softness + plate,” Under Armour carved its own lane. Not a shoe that’s less responsive — one that’s differently responsive.
And let’s be clear — that doesn’t mean it’s uncomfortable. The 37.5 mm of stack height is doing its job, filtering out road harshness. Protection? Absolutely. But here’s the twist — the midsole doesn’t feel like a buffer between you and your stride. There’s no padding layer dulling the link between you and the ground.
You feel the force you put into the road come back to the ball of your foot just as powerfully — but without the “noise” of pavement texture. It’s a direct line to propulsion. This isn’t old-school responsiveness (where every asphalt crack punished you); this is modern responsiveness: protected, but brutally honest.
Who It’s For (And Who It’s Not)
This isn’t a shoe for someone just getting into carbon. If you’re coming from a traditional trainer (no plate, standard midsoles), the difference will be noticeable. Carbon-plated shoes don’t flex easily — they force you into a forward roll, subtly steering your stride mechanics.
The Velociti Elite 3 is for runners already comfortable with plates — and maybe curious about a new kind of ride that, while filtered through a relatively tall midsole, feels razor sharp. It’s for those seeking immediacy — who want push-off without that moment of foam compression lag.
It’s a race-day shoe — ideal for distances from 10K to the marathon (if your legs and technique are up for it). It also shines in fast long runs and intense quality sessions. Like all top-tier shoes in this class, its biggest benefit isn’t just speed (though it brings that too) — it’s reducing muscle fatigue. By improving energy return, it cuts down vibrations and helps you run longer, with fresher legs.
Wrapping It Up
The Under Armour Velociti Elite 3 stands apart in the world of racing shoes. If you’re looking for plush, couch-like comfort — this isn’t it. But if what you want is explosive, direct, almost aggressive responsiveness that doesn’t waste a watt of your power, then this just might be your next go-to.
The retail price is €250. You can find it in preview at select specialty running stores, on Under Armour’s official website, and starting February, at Under Armour stores — like the brand-new one in Corso Buenos Aires 56, Milan.
