UA Project Rock BSR 2 Review | Best BSR Training Shoe Yet?

The Under Armour Project Rock BSR 2 is the second training shoe to debut in the popular Project Rock BSR shoe line. This model features a lot of the same core construction details that the original BSR delivered.

However, there are a few changes that I think help to make this a better and more evolved training shoe. I like the fact that Under Armour has built the UA Project Rock BSR 2 to provide athletes and lifters with a more budget-friendly training shoe option.

As a whole, this shoe has performed consistently well across the board and I think a lot of lifters will resonate with this shoe’s performance. However, there are a couple of cons to note about this shoe which I’ll discuss below.

Who Should Invest In the UA Project Rock BSR 2?

The UA Project Rock BSR 2 is a really solid budget-friendly cross-training shoe option for anyone who loves the UA Project Rock shoe line.

I think if you’re someone who wants a cross-training shoe for recreational lifting, classes, HIIT workouts, and some shorter runs, then the UA Project Rock BSR 2 is a good model to look into.

This shoe features UA’s signature Charged Cushioning tech in its midsole and TriBase tech in its outsole. For the athletic-focused individual, these are both awesome features for promoting ground feedback and stability.

In addition to the above, I think these features help this shoe perform really well in the context of athletic-focused training. If you’re debating between the UA Project Rock BSR and the UA Project Rock BSR 2 the prices are similar.

UA Project Rock BSR 2 Pros

Overall, I like the changes that Under Armour implemented in the UA Project BSR 2 and I think it’s a slightly stronger performer than the original BSR.

1. Decent Budget-Friendly All-In-One Style Shoe
2. Reworked Mesh and Tongue Construction Increase Comfort
3. TriBase Outsole and Charged Cushioning Midsole Work Well Together

The first pro with the UA Project Rock BSR 2, and this is why I like this model line as a whole, is it’s a good budget-friendly training shoe for doing a little bit of everything. If you want this model for recreational lifting, HIIT training, some classes, lighter runs, and even daily wear, I think this shoe will work really well for you.

In terms of lifting, this shoe supports up to 315 lbs on squats and 455 lbs on trap bar deadlifts without having too much compression, and the midsole provides a good amount of ground feedback for versatile training, classes, and HIIT. For the price, I like what this shoe delivers and it saves you a little money if you like the UA Project Rock shoe line.

Another thing to like about this shoe is that Under Armour reworked this model’s upper construction and its tongue. This shoe features a breathable mesh throughout the midfoot and forefoot and I think it helps this shoe break in faster compared to the original BSR. Plus, the mesh breathes a lot better as a whole in this model.

I also like that Under Armour used a traditional tongue construction in this shoe. The Project Rock BSR features a bootie-style construction similar to the main Project Rock shoe line and I liked it, but I think a tongue at times can give a wider range of lifters and athletes a better fit which is great for the inclusivity of this shoe per different foot anatomies.

The last aspect to like about the Project Rock BSR 2 is the TriBase outsole tech blended with the Charged Cushioning midsole. I think these two components working together provide this shoe with a nice blend of stability and versatility per different training tasks. The outsole grips the floor well and the midsole gives this shoe a nice “pop” when training.

If you’re a fan of these features in other Under Armour models, then I think you’ll enjoy them in this shoe as well. Blended with the reworked upper construction, I really enjoy these construction traits.

UA Project Rock BSR 2 Cons

As a whole, I really enjoy the UA Project Rock BSR 2, but there are a couple of cons that I could see others having with this model.

1. Not the Best for Heavy Training and CrossFit

The first drawback of the UA Project Rock BSR 2 is its midsole and upper construction, which affect its performance with heavy barbell work and CrossFit. Like most budget-friendly training shoes marketed as “all-in-one” shoes, the Project Rock BSR 2 will fall short for more niche training activities.

Two areas where this model comes up short are with heavier barbell training and with CrossFit. The Charged Cushioning midsole does an okay job for stability, but it’s not the best for heavier working sets and I started to notice compression around 335 lbs in squats.

Additionally, while I like the upper construction in this shoe, I think it’s going to lack durability for things like rope climbs in CrossFit and other high-abrasion activities. This is to be expected though since this model is not technically designed for being a hyper-focused performer in the context of CrossFit, but I wanted to make this known to anyone that might use these shoes for CrossFit.

Performance

To discuss the performance of the UA Project Rock BSR 2, I’m going to talk about how this performs in a variety of contexts. This can then hopefully help you contextualize if this is a good shoe for your training needs.

UA Project Rock BSR 2 for Lifting and CrossFit

In the context of lifting, I like the UA Project BSR 2. I think it will be a good model for anyone that wants a budget-friendly training shoe for recreational lifting. The stability in this model is okay and it supported my trap bar deadlifts up to 455 lbs, and it worked well for my accessory exercises and some clean at 225 lbs.

The full rubber outsole in this shoe is also a nice touch for providing a good amount of traction on different surfaces. Whether you’re tackling machine work, working out on turf floors, wooden platforms, or rubber gym floors, I don’t think you’ll have an issue with traction in this shoe at all.

For CrossFit, the Project Rock BSR 2 is okay, but it’s going to be limited in its functionality due to it lacking core construction features great CrossFit shoes have. For example, for rope climbs, this shoe isn’t going to offer much support and the upper construction may have some long-term issues with abrasion since this model is not technically designed for this style of training.

UA Project Rock BSR 2 for HIIT, Classes, and Versatile Training

If you plan to use this BSR 2 for versatile training, HIIT workouts, and classes, then I think you’ll really enjoy the performance that this shoe offers. The Charged Cushioning midsole with the TriBase outsole provides a nice base to tackle multi-directional work on and they support power-focused exercises really well.

As mentioned above, the outsole on this grips the floor well and I like the reworked upper construction because it helps the feet stay cooler in hotter training settings. The Project Rock BSR 2 is fairly lightweight and it’s a good budget-friendly option for athletes and anyone that wants a model that can perform pretty strongly in a variety of training settings.

The 8mm heel-to-toe drop also feeds well into this style of training and I could see it working well and resonating with a wide variety of lifters and athletes. Additionally, the lightweight nature of this model also helps them to excel for this style of training.

UA Project Rock BSR 2 for Running and Daily Wear

For running short and mid-range distances, I like the UA Project BSR 2. The Charged Cushioning midsole does a pretty good job at providing enough cushion and ground feedback to make these a good recreational shoe for running. So, if you like to tack on a couple of miles before or after your workout, then you should be fine doing so in this model.

I thought the BSR 2 broke in slightly faster than the original BSR and the sole as a whole doesn’t feel as stiff, but this may just be a placebo in my personal experience. For mileage that ranges from 1-4ish, I think you’ll like this model as a whole. For longer runs, I’d suggest looking into running-focused shoes.

For daily wear, I like this model and it’s comfortable for walking, standing for long periods, and wearing out and about. The mesh breathes really well and I like that there’s a full rubber outsole for durability purposes when wearing these outdoors. I think these could be a good viable option for serving as a daily driver.

UA Project Rock BSR 2 Vs Project Rock BSR

When it comes to the topic of comparing the UA Project Rock BSR vs the UA Project BSR 2 this is a pretty tough call. Both the Project Rock BSR and Project BSR 2 have similar core constructions. They both feature UA Charged Cushioning midsoles, TriBase tech on their outsoles, and have mesh uppers.

Additionally, the last and fit of each model also feel pretty similar despite having somewhat different builds (bootie construction vs traditional), so they perform consistently across the board in the contexts of stability and versatility.

When it comes to performance, I think both models will be super similar for most athletes and lifers that want to use them for recreational lifting and versatile training.

Two big differences between these two models to note are their upper constructions and the fact that the UA Project BSR 2 has a separate tongue construction traditional. The upper construction in the Project Rock BSR 2 has a much more lightweight fit and feel and it breathes better than the original BSR’s upper construction.

Another major difference is the fact that the Project Rock BSR 2 has a traditionally separated tongue construction compared to the bootie construction featured in the BSR. I personally like this because it gives the BSR 2 a wider range for accommodating different foot anatomies and I think it plays better into the reworked upper construction.

If you’re looking at both models and the prices are the same, then I’d suggest opting for the BSR 2. However, if the prices are different and the BSR has a huge deal on them, then they’re a viable option for saving a little money and they perform strongly.

UA Project Rock BSR 2 Vs Project Rock 4

Outside of comparing this shoe to the original Project Rock BSR, you might also be sizing them up compared to the UA Project Rock 4. The first and major difference between these two models is obviously their price points. The UA Project Rock 4 comes in at $150 USD while the Project Rock BSR 2 comes in at $100 USD.

The higher price points on the original Project Rock shoe line is why the BSR exists and why it’s an awesome budget-friendly option, in my opinion.

Another big difference is that the UA Project Rock 4 has a bootie-style construction and additional mid-foot support whereas the Project BSR 2 has a traditional tongue and slightly more standard midfoot construction details. Both models feel secure on the feet though and I think this is more of a personal fit and feel preference to consider.

The midsole construction is also different in each model. The Project Rock 4’s midsole features UA’s HOVR midsole while the Project Rock BSR 2 has a Charged Cushioning midsole. I like the HOVR midsole slightly more and it does feel of higher quality, however, I don’t think their performance differences will be that noticeable for most lifters and athletes.

In regard to midsole stability and versatility, both shoes are pretty comparable. Both shoes feature a mesh upper and the Project Rock 4’s upper has a bit more structure to it through the midfoot and boot compared to the BSR 2.

The UA Project Rock 4 and BSR 2 also both feature TriBase tech on their outsoles and their tread patterns are different but feel similar when training. They provide a good amount of traction and are pretty durable for outdoor training.

If you’re worried about the price, then I don’t think you’ll be upset opting for the UA Project Rock BSR 2. It doesn’t come with all of the bells and whistles that the UA Project Rock 4 does, however, it’s a strong comparable performer and I don’t think they should be overlooked by any means especially if $150 USD is a turnoff for you.

UA Project Rock BSR 2 Sizing

For most lifters and athletes, you should be safe going true-to-size in the UA Project Rock BSR 2. The length of this shoe fits true-to-size and this model has a “regular” fit per Under Armour’s specs so it should work well for narrow, neutral, and slightly wider feet.

• UA Project Rock BSR 2 Sizing Thoughts: Go true-to-size.

If you have additional sizing questions on the UA Project Rock BSR 2 or how they fit compared to your other training shoes, drop a comment below and I can try to help accordingly.

Construction Details

The UA Project Rock BSR 2’s construction is relatively simple in nature and that’s somewhat to be expected based on their price point and on the previous Project Rock BSR shoe. Check out the construction specs for the UA Project Rock BSR 2 below.

• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm
• Weight: 11.95 oz (for my size 10 model)
• Removable Insole: No (but you technically can since it’s a light adhesive)
• Charged Cushioning Midsole
• Breathable Mesh Upper
• TriBase Tech On Outsole
• 5 Main Eyelets With a Sixth for Lace-Lock
• Additional Midfoot Support

If you have additional construction questions on the Project Rock BSR 2, drop a comment below.

Takeaway Thoughts

Overall, I’ve enjoyed the UA Project Rock BSR 2’s performance and I like the construction changes Under Armour implemented in this model. If you’re on the fence between the original Project Rock BSR and the Project Rock BSR 2, then I’d suggest going for the BSR 2 because it’s a superior model.

This isn’t to say that the BSR is a poorly made shoe by any means and if you find them for a really good deal, then they’re also a very viable training shoe option.

If you have additional questions about the UA Project Rock BSR 2, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly).