UA HOVR Rise 2 Review | An Underrated Cross-Training Hero

The UA HOVR Rise 2 training shoes are seriously an underrated model. This shoe is not necessarily a game-changer in any one performance category, but they’re consistent across the board and come with a great price point

They’re awesome training shoes for recreational lifters who vary their training regularly on a week-to-week basis. Since its release, I’ve used the UA HOVR Rise 2 training shoes for a variety of lifts and have narrowed down the scope of who this shoe is best for.

Who Should Buy the UA HOVR Rise 2?

If you’re a recreational lifter who wants a training shoe that provides a decent amount of stability and a responsive midsole for plyometrics and agility training, then this model will be a good fit for you.

With a price point of $100 (and often on sale, too!), this model is a great shoe for versatile training and it can accommodate a moderate amount of loading.

UA HOVR Rise 2 Pros

In my opinion, there are three big pros that come along with the UA HOVR Rise 2 training shoes.

1. Lightweight Construction
2. HOVR Midsole
3. Rigid Rubber Outsole

The first pro that I really with the UA HOVR Rise 2 training shoes is their lightweight construction. This model has a breathable and lightweight upper and the midsole and outsole are both lightweight as well. I think this model does a really solid job at accommodating recreational lifting, classes, agility work, and plyometric training for this reason.

Another pro worth mentioning in this model is how Under Armour utilized its HOVR tech in the midsole. The HOVR midsole in this model is responsive and does a fairly good job of accommodating various loads. Since this model’s midsole is a bit thinner than traditional HOVR midsoles in UA shoes, I think most lifters will really like this aspect.

The final pro and aspect that I like about this shoe is the rigid rubber outsole. This outsole accommodates forward, lateral, and backward movement really well and provides a good level of traction on multiple surfaces. Personally, I think this outsole construction works really well with the HOVR midsole to provide a unique blend of stability and versatility.

UA HOVR Rise 2 Cons

I’ve only really found two potential cons with the UA HOVR Rise 2 that I think will apply to some lifters with specific performance needs and preferences.

1. Not the Most Stable
2. Bootie Construction

The first potential con is that this model is not going to the most stable option on the market. While the midsole and outsole do a decent job of accommodating various loads, they’re not going to be the best for maxing out barbell lifts when sets exceed 425 lbs.

Another con is that this model has a bootie construction which means there is no separate tongue. If you’re someone that loves having a separate tongue with their training shoes, then this could be an issue for you. However, I do think this model’s bootie construction walks a good line between form-fitting, yet not too tight.

UA HOVR Rise 2 Performance

Across the board, I think the UA HOVR Rise 2 does a fairly good job at supporting performance. It’s not going to be the most niche trainer in certain categories, but it does a really good job at being solid in a variety of activities.

Lifting

From a lifting point of view, the UA HOVR Rise 2 does a solid job of supporting a variety of loads in various exercises. It’s stable when performing unilateral lower-body work due to its rigid rubber outsole and allows you to grip the floor.

As for poundage, I’d say limit loading to around ~400 lbs in this shoe. When deadlifting heavy over that weight, I did notice some compression, so that’s worth noting if you want this model for heavy training. In addition, this model also has an 8mm heel-to-toe drop so if you want a more grounded trainer, then that is something also to consider.

Agility and Plyometrics

I enjoy this shoe for agility and plyometric training, especially for recreational training. It’s not going to be the most niche model for this style of training, but for the recreational trainee, I think this model is great.

The HOVR midsole is lightweight and responsive so it provides a great level of responsiveness during bounding activities and does a good job of providing some support for landing. Additionally, the lightweight upper also makes this model a good choice for this style of training.

Day-to-Day and Shorter Runs

For day-to-day wear, I like this model a lot. It’s comfortable and does a really good job of being comfortable all day. If you need a shoe for running errands, wearing to work, or rocking to walk the dogs, then I think you’ll enjoy how this shoe feels on your feet.

As for shorter runs, this model does a pretty good job. I haven’t run over 3 miles in them in any one bout of activity, so I can’t speak to longer runs here. However, for shorter runs, the overall construction of this is great for recreational running before or after training sessions.

Sizing and Fit

When it comes to sizing and fit, most lifters will be safe going true-to-size in this model. I haven’t had any issues with room in the toe box in this model and its length is true so there’s no toe bunching when running, walking, or jumping.

Price

For the UA HOVR Rise 2 training shoes, you can expect to pay around $100 USD. The good thing that I’ve noticed about this model is that it’s often on sale on Under Armour’s site depending on what promotion they’re running. I think if you shop around or look on Amazon, you can probably find a model for even less than the original asking price.

Construction Details

Below, you’ll find the construction details for the UA HOVR Rise 2 which Under Armour provides on their site. If you want a visual breakdown of these details, then skip to 4:35 in my video above!

• UA HOVR™ technology provides ‘zero gravity feel’ to maintain energy return that helps eliminate impact
• UA HOVR™ foam is contained within firmer EVA midsole for perfect blend of comfort & performance
• Lightweight, abrasion-resistant mesh upper with 3D print is durable & breathable for any workout
• Stretch-bootie construction for easy on/off
• External strap helps lock your foot in place
• Full rubber outsole to enhance multi-directional traction & durability
• Offset: 8mm

Overall, I’m a fan of the construction that Under Armour has used in this model. They did a good job at creating a recreational trainer that uses UA proprietary construction traits to boost performance.

Takeaway Thoughts

If you’re on the market for a training shoe to tackle a variety of tasks and rock on a day-to-day basis, then I think the UA HOVR Rise 2 will be a good option for you.

This model is consistent across the board and has a very fair price point for what it delivers.