Introduction
The Under Armour Sonic 6 can be considered to be the entry shoe to access the brand’s HOVR midsole foam. Priced at just under SGD190 and at USD 120, it is slightly cheaper than many other daily trainers in the market today at retail. Under Armour has positioned the Sonic 6 as best for everyday running. Aside from the standard version, the brand has also introduced a Breeze version. The Breeze version introduced a translucent upper with open mesh panels to help reduce the heat trapped within the shoes.
We have also previously reviewed the Under Armour HOVR Sonic 5 and found the versatility of the footwear to be excellent. While Under Armour has moved away from the connected footwear feature, it does not make it less appealing. If you like to find out more about more about the Sonic 5, the link to the post is just below.
Product Specifications
- Price: USD120 or SGD189
- Size: US 12
- Weight: 325 grams (11.5 oz)
- Midsole Type: UA HOVR Foam
- Stack Height: 20 mm to 27 mm (7 mm drop)
- Insole: EVA based insole (3mm thickness)
- Forefoot Width: 11 cm
- Midfoot Width: 7.5 cm
- Heel Width: 8.5 cm
Runner’s Profile
Prior to the review, it is important to establish my runner profile to better gauge my opinions on the shoes. For example, a lighter runner will experience differently the effects of midsole compared to a heavier runner. I am on the heavy side for a runner (75kg – 80kg) range and stands at 1.75m tall. My average weekly mileage ranges from 25km to 35km. I am a mid-foot/fore-foot strike with a neutral foot. I am normally a US size 11, with 2E foot width, although it varies depending on brands.
UA HOVR SONIC 6 BREEZE FIVE KEY TAKEAWAYS
Pointer 1 – Upper Brings Breeze on Hot Summer Days
After running with the UA Sonic 6 during the hot summer days, the Breeze upper does help to ensure less overheating in the shoes. To be clear, the Breeze upper is not the same as airy as those in the race days running shoes but does traps lesser heat than the engineered mesh upper.
However, one portion which Under Armour can improve is the tongue. I believe the tongue is the same as the standard which is still quite padded. To keep in line with the Breeze upper concept, Under Armour can look to redesign the padding for extra breathability.
Pointer 2 – Unexpected Ride w/ HOVR Midsole Foam
In the current era of super squishy and compressive super foam, I was not super what to expect from the Under Armour HOVR foam. What I found after my run is that the HOVR foam provides a resilient cushion with a subtle amount of rebound. What I meant as resilient cushion is that it does compress slightly and provide cushioning but not overly compressive like the super foams.
I found this type of midsole surprisingly reassuring and comfort especially when I know I am going out for quite a distance. If I can draw comparison, the feeling I get from Under Armour’s HOVR foam is similar to that which I get from other EVA based foams (e.g., from New Balance – Fresh Foam or Nike – Cushlon).
Pointer 3 – Excellent Stability Achieved with Design
The Sonic 6 is a neutral shoe but the design taken by Under Armour has made it quite a stable platform. This is contributed by the heel counter and the rubber coverage across the entire outsole. The stable platform is further enhanced by the width and lower stack of the Sonic 6. Personally, I appreciate the stable platform for running as I can focus my effort on turning over each gait cycle.
Pointer 4 – Generous Amount of Outsole Rubber & Improved Flexibility
In comparison to Sonic 5, I found that the flex zone for the outsole is better in the Sonic 6. This translates to a better ride experience compared to a stiffer ride in the Sonic 5. Another good point is the generous amount of outsole rubber provided which ensure greater durability for the footwear.
Pointer 5 – Surprising Versatility of the Sonic 6
Overall, I found the Sonic 6 to be very versatile in various type of runs. During my initial run, I pushed the pace towards 4.30 minutes/km pace gradually and found the Sonic 6 to be up to task. While the weight does not make it the perfect pair but if a runner needs to, the Sonic 6 can support faster pace workout. But these faster workout does not include track sessions.
Concluding Remarks
The Sonic 6 continues to deliver on versatility and a reliable pair of footwear. In terms of price, the Sonic 6 is slightly more budget fairly especially with the typical discounts provided by Under Armour or 3rd party retailers. For now, there needs to be more runs to test out of the Sonic 6 and also test the durability. Till my full review, just keep running.
