UA Halo Trainer Review: Good for Classes and HIIT?

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I’ve really enjoyed seeing some of these larger shoe companies build shoes that are a bit more niche than “general training.” Nike did it with their Free Metcon 6 and ON did it with their Cloud Pulse, shoes built specifically with HIIT-style training or classes in mind. It’s refreshing to see these companies pay attention to what their consumers want and respond.

When Under Armour released the Halo Trainer, their entry into that HIIT and class market, I had to find out if it stood up to the competition. I have to be honest, I did not expect their Halo Trainer to be nearly as responsive and poppy as it was when I first put it on. After a solid week of break-in, they felt even better.

This shoe has a unique combination of higher stack height, plush bounce, and a lower heel-to-toe drop, giving you a flatter, more natural feel. They nailed the HIIT-focused design and delivered a shoe that actually stands out.

That said, it’s not perfect. It can feel a little short, the upper lacks structure, and slipping them on and off can be a chore. If you love a soft, responsive ride and prefer something with a lower drop and higher stack, this could be a solid training option.

UA Halo Trainer

$150

4.1

Stability

4.0

Versatility

4.2

Durability

4.0

Quality

4.1

Pros

• Bouncy HOVR midsole
• Good outsole grip
• Breathable upper

Cons

• Lacks lateral support
• Not the widest
• Can feel a little thick

Best For

• HIIT & Classes
• Cross-Training
• Interval Runs

Specs

Heel-to-Toe Drop	2mm
Weight	13.45 oz
Width	Medium
Lifting Threshold	~225 lbs
Run Distance Threshold	<3 mi (at one time)

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Who Should Buy the UA Halo Trainer?

• If you love Under Armour shoes and are already a fan of the Reign 6, this is going to be right up your alley, especially if you’re looking for something with a bit more cushion and bounce for classes or HIIT training.
• If you’re looking for a shoe with a higher stack height and more bounce for plyos, conditioning, and power-focused exercises, the HOVR midsole delivers incredibly well.
• If you train in hotter climates or you tend to run a bit hot during training, the Speedform upper is very lightweight and breathable.

Who Shouldn’t Buy the UA Halo Trainer?

• If you’ve got wide feet, think 3E or 4E widths, or flat feet, these are going to be a pass for you.
• If you’re looking for a shoe with good upper structure and solid lockdown, the Speedform upper doesn’t deliver either of those.
• If easy on-and-off matters to you, skip this one. It’s not going to be your best travel-friendly training shoe.

Fit and Sizing Thoughts

About My Feet: I have a normal arch/instep and my feet come in at an E/EE width. The length of my left and right foot are consistent with one another, and I size as a true US 10 for most companies’ sizing charts. 

Fit Suggestions:

• Narrow (<D) feet: True to size. 
• Medium (D) width: True to size.
• E and EE: True to size.
• 3E+: Skip entirely.

I’d heard a few people comment on how these ran short. I got my standard size 10US and found them to be on the edge of too short. That has more to do with the upper construction and how much the toe tapers than it does with the actual length of the shoe.

If you’re used to UA sizing and already have a thumbs-width at the toe, you’ll probably be fine staying true to size. If your current UA shoes are already snug and you have less than a thumb-width at the end, I recommend going up a half size.

Width-wise, these are best suited for narrow to medium feet. Slightly wide feet may still work, but if you have a 3E or 4E width foot, or if you have flat feet, you’ll want to steer clear. The forefoot is snug due to the aggressive taper in the toe box and there’s a considerable arch that will be problematic.

It took me about a week of regular use for the midsole and upper to really soften up and feel more natural. Expect them to feel a bit stiff and crispy at first, especially in the toe box and underfoot.

Performance Breakdown

I put the Halo Trainer through my normal string of lifting, cross-training, running, and walking tests, even though it’s a HIIT/hybrid-focused shoe. My big questions revolved around just how versatile this shoe could be for someone who buys them as a “do all” style of shoe.

Lifting: 8/10 (okay for what it is!)

For strength training, these shoes fall in the same category as the On CloudPulse or Nike Free Metcon 6. They’re not built for heavy strength training. They’re fine for moderate barbell or dumbbell work but I wouldn’t load anything beyond 225 lbs.

Once you start getting heavier than that, the midsole begins to compress and feel less stable. For reference, I started to feel it bottom out during some box squats with 185 lbs.

That said, they offer solid grip for machine work, provided you’re not loading the leg press up too heavy. If you want to get a lighter strength workout in, with some accessories and machines, these will be perfectly suitable.

Cross-Training: 8.6/10

For cross-training, HIIT, and class-style workouts, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this shoe and how responsive they feel once they’re broken in. This is where the UA Halo Trainer truly shines — and thank goodness because that’s what these are built for (haha). The outsole has fantastic grip for sled pushes and plyometrics.

The upper, though, is lacking in overall structure and security, especially for harsh lateral cuts, but it should have enough lockdown for most, and what I like to do during my cross-training and athletic-focused sessions.

The HOVR midsole is the real star of the show for cross-training. It’s soft, responsive, bouncy, and flexible. If classes are your thing, especially ones with a strength, sled, or dynamic movement bias where you’re on the forefoot, this shoe does a fantastic job.

The only real knock against them as mentioned above for cross-training and HIIT is the lateral security. The lack of structure in the Speedform upper can be an issue for aggressive side-to-side work. The heel has some added TPU layers that attempt to give it more lockdown, but it falls short of the mark in the forefoot.

Short Runs: 8.4/10

This shoe is designed to be more hybrid-esque, and while it did a decent job with short 400 and 1,200 meter intervals, it’s not going to be my pick if your workouts involve a lot of running.

That said, it does have a few things going for it, especially if you want to mix in some shorter intervals. The 2mm drop, heel bevel, and toe spring allow for a natural stride, and the HOVR foam keeps things bouncy without feeling overly squishy. The Speedform upper is very lightweight and breathable, a huge plus for short runs.

When push comes to shove, I wouldn’t take these out for regular 5ks or use them for workouts that have a TON of running with only a few light exercises. However, if you’re in a pinch or need a pair for the casual 5k here and there, these will suffice.

Daily Wear: 7/10

These weren’t my favorite shoes for daily wear. The narrow midfoot and forefoot made long hours a bit uncomfortable for my foot shape. However, if they fit you well and you like a breathable, lightweight option for errands or casual wear, you’ll enjoy them more than I did.

The HOVR foam does offer some underfoot plushness, and the upper is so lightweight it practically disappears after longer wear cases.

Something to note from a quality of life context with these is that the tongue can fold when trying to slip your foot in, so this will definitely be one of those shoes that you’ll have to lace and re-lace for each daily wear context. If you’re big on convenience and being able to slip your shoes on, keep this in mind.

Construction Details

The UA Halo Trainer weighs in at 13.45 oz and features a 2mm heel-to-toe drop, which gives it a flatter feel than most HIIT shoes with this much stack.

The HOVR foam midsole runs throughout the shoe, providing next-level cushioning and responsiveness. Underneath, there’s a full rubber outsole with breaks in the heel and forefoot to improve flexibility. The tread pattern on the outsole provides excellent grip on nearly every surface you’ll find in the gym. The outsole extends up the front of the toe box for added durability.

The upper is a Speedform synthetic mesh that’s extremely breathable. It has TPU overlays on the forefoot, midfoot, and heel for a bit of durability and structure. There are heavier TPU pieces on the lateral and medial heel, plus an additional wrap around the back for extra lockdown. 

The tongue is thin, gusseted, and features a loop to keep it in place, not that you need it with a gusseted tongue. It features 5 core eyelets with no additional eyelets for lace lock. They’re easy to lace up, which makes the chore of untying them to get them on and off a little more bearable.

The lack of structure in both the heel and upper can be problematic. They’re thin enough that when you try to slip them on, the heel and upper fold in on themselves. A problem that’s only worsened if your feet are already sweaty.

Final Thoughts: Would I Buy Again?

Would I buy these again? If I was after a flatter feeling training shoe for cross-training, I would. I enjoyed this shoe and I think the Halo Trainer is a solid shoe and new type of offering from UA.

They’re made for class-based and HIIT training where breathability and responsiveness are more important than anything else. It’s not going to work for everyone, and that’s okay. 

The Halo Trainer is a narrow, low-drop shoe with a class-first focus that will perform for the right foot and the right training style. Just know what you’re getting into. This isn’t a do-everything shoe, it’s a do-this-specific-thing-well shoe.