Under Armour HOVR Rise 4 Review | Better But Durability Is Still An Issue

UA HOVR Rise 4 Pros

Throughout my testing and review process with the Under Armour HOVR Rise 4, I’ve found multiple pros to like with this training shoe.

1. HOVR Midsole Is Responsive for Jumping
2. TriBase Outsole Is Grippy On Different Surfaces
3. Good General Training Shoe for HIIT

The first thing to like about the Under Armour HOVR Rise 4 is the HOVR midsole and its level of responsiveness. This model features two types of midsole foams. There’s an internal HOVR foam and external slightly more stable EVA foam.

For plyometrics, jump rope, and multi-directional workouts, I really enjoyed how the HOVR midsole interacted with the ground. The UA HOVR Rise 4 feel very springy and if your training involves a lot of jumping and power work, then I think you’ll enjoy their performance.

I also feel as though this model is a bit more mobile through the forefoot and midfoot compared to the HOVR Rise 3, which is odd because their midsole and outsole construction are virtually similar. Whether it’s a placebo or not, I like this aspect.

Another thing to like about the Under Armour HOVR Rise 4 is its outsole construction. This model features TriBase tech on the outsole and this gives the midfoot a nice stable base to balance on and plant on the ground with.

Regarding performance, I like how the outsole construction performs for indoor workouts slightly more than for outdoor workouts. For indoor sessions, the forefoot grips rubber gym floors and turf really well for things like heavy sled pushes, so I don’t think you’ll experience slip issues with this shoe when training indoors.

For outdoor sessions, the outsole is okay and it will work outdoors, but the durability issues with the forefoot midsole still bother me. I’ll discuss this more in detail below in the cons section.

Another subtle thing to like about the outsole construction in the HOVR Rise 4 is the slightly bevelled heel. I like this because it gives this model a bit more comfort and versatility for short runs.

The last thing to like about the UA HOVR Rise 4 is their performance for HIIT workouts, athletic training, and class-style workouts. For the most part, I think the UA HOVR Rise 4 can be a really strong general training shoe.

Plus, I feel as though the price point is fair for what this model offers with its performance. To be honest, this model is somewhat frustrating in terms of its performance. It has so much potential.

I thought the UA HOVR Rise 1 and HOVR Rise 2 were awesome and the HOVR Rise 3 was a step backwards for this shoe line. The Rise 4 has some promising changes and is better, but there are still durability issues that the 3 had which I’ll touch on below.

UA HOVR Rise 4 Cons

I feel as though the Under Armour HOVR Rise 4 is a step in the right direction for the UA HOVR Rise training shoe line, but there are still a few cons to note about this shoe.

1. TPU Eyelet Can Run Into Durability Issues
2. Midsole Around the Toe Box Lacks Protection
3. Upper Overlap Occurs When Tightening Laces
4. Not the Best Option for Flat Feet

The first drawback that I have with the Under Armour HOVR Rise 4 is the same drawback that I had with the HOVR Rise, HOVR Apex 2, and HOVR Apex 3, and that is the TPU eyelet lacks long-term durability.

In this model, there is one TPU eyelet that serves as the fifth eyelet to lock down the foot. I’ve already experienced some rub with the eyelet and while I do think it’s better made than previous models, I’m not sold the TPU will last for others.

More specifically, if you’re doing a lot of harsh cutting/agility workouts and plan to run in the UA HOVR Rise 4, then this could be an issue that you experience faster than others due to the laces causing excessive friction on the TPU.

The second drawback that I have with this model is that still has the midsole and outsole construction around the toe box, which can be very hit or miss. In my UA HOVR Rise 3, I experienced some midsole breakdown around the toe box after training outdoors.

This is due to the outsole not protecting the midsole. The midsole in the HOVR Rise 4 sticks out further than the rubber outsole material, so if you’re cutting a lot of training on concrete, then you may run into midsole durability issues. Outdoor athletes, be warned.

Another drawback that I experienced with the HOVR Rise 4 that won’t impact everyone was the upper overlap at the base of the laces. If you have narrow feet and have to tighten this model a lot, then I could see this bothering you more than someone with wide feet.

The final drawback to note about the UA HOVR Rise 4 is their overall fit and how they can fall short for lifters and athletes with flat feet. If you like training shoes that have more width in the midfoot and less arch, then you’ll want to steer clear of this model.

The medial midfoot of this model has a fairly rigid arch, so flat feet may find this shoe uncomfortable as this could press into their foot. I have a fairly high arch and I found this model pretty comfortable, however, I don’t think this will be the case for flat feet.

Performance

To discuss and break down the performance of the Under Armour HOVR Rise 4, I’m going to talk about how these shoes perform in different contexts. I’ll cover how the HOVR Rise 4 perform for lifting, versatile training, short runs, and daily wear.

This way, if you’re considering these shoes as your next pair, then you can better understand if they’ll fit your individual training needs and wants well.

Testing the UA HOVR Rise 4 for Lifting

The Under Armour HOVR Rise 4 does an okay job for recreational lifting, but it’s not going to be your best for heavy training. If you want an Under Armour training shoe for lifting specifically, then I’d suggest looking into UA TriBase Reign 6.

That being said, the HOVR Rise 4 will work for more light to moderate lifting. I started to notice compression with the HOVR midsole when trap bar deadlifting around 405 lbs and I’d suggest capping your loading to around that threshold in this model.

I think the HOVR Rise 4 will work best for more athletic-style lifting sessions where you’re moving lighter weight fast. In this context, the HOVR midsole and TriBase outsole do a fairly good job.

Outside of its stability lacking for heavier lifts, I’m also not the biggest fan of the sole construction in this shoe. This shoe has a fair amount of toe spring so it can be a little tough to ground the full foot when hitting heavier lower body sessions.

I think if you plan on investing in the HOVR Rise 4 and plan to lift in them, then it can be wise to make sure you understand their limitations. This shoe will lack if you want them for serious lifting and CrossFit-style training.

Testing the UA HOVR Rise 4 for Versatile Training

The UA HOVR Rise 4 performs well for versatile training and it’s definitely going to be best served in this training context. There are three things that I really enjoy about the HOVR Rise 4 for versatile training and there’s one drawback that I’ve noticed.

The first thing to like is the midsole construction and I discussed this above. This shoe has a nice level of “pop and bounce” to it and when doing different types of HIIT workouts and plyometrics, I didn’t feel beat up when wearing this model.

The second perk of this model for versatile training is its upper and bootie-style construction. The mesh upper with the 3D print breaths well which makes this model a viable option for training in hotter settings.

This shoe also features a bootie-style construction, which can be hit or miss. Personally, I like bootie-style constructions in shoes, so I enjoy the snug fit that comes with this model. If you’re not a fan of bootie constructions, then definitely note this about this shoe.

The third and final reason why I like this model is the TriBase outsole. This feature gives this model a nice blend of stability and it helps you feel planted when doing single-leg work like skater strides, jumping lunges, and single-leg hops.

My main gripe with this versatile training model is the TPU eyelet. It can wreak havoc on this shoe’s laces, and even though Under Armour reworked the TPU and used different laces in this shoe, I’m not sold on them. They’re void of breakdown due to friction.

Testing the UA HOVR Rise 4 for Short Runs, Walking, and Daily Wear

For running, the UA HOVR Rise 4 does a pretty good job, especially when compared to other training shoes. If you plan to use this model for runs that range from 1-3 miles, then I think you’ll enjoy the fit and comfort of this model.

For long runs, I’d suggest passing on this model and that’s solely due to durability concerns that I have with this shoe’s laces and forefoot midsole. Regarding sprint work, this shoe is okay, and it should work for most recreational sprinters.

When it comes to daily wear, this shoe is okay and there are things to like and things to dislike. For example, this shoe’s comfort is pretty solid and I like its breathability. I think this could be a good model to wear out and about when running errands before the gym. 

They’re also pretty comfortable for walking if you have the foot anatomy that aligns with this shoe’s last construction. More specifically, if you like a bit more arch support and higher drops, then I think you’ll like this shoe for walking.

The things to dislike about this model include its durability on certain surfaces and in different environments. This won’t be the model for rocking on a rainy day. I also think this shoe will be a miss for those with flat feet.

UA HOVR Rise 4 Sizing

For most lifters and athletes, you should be safe going true to size in the Under Armour HOVR Rise 4. This model has a neutral width and the length is what I would describe as true, however, it does run a little long.

To get a little more granular on the sizing, for neutral width and wide feet, go true to size. I wouldn’t size up in this model since they run a bit longer compared to other true-to-size models.

Now, if you have a notably narrow foot and typically have a fair amount of room at the end of your toe box, then you may want to size down a half size in this shoe, but even then, I think this will be a small population that needs to do this.

• UA HOVR Rise 4 Sizing Thoughts: Go true to size. Notably narrow feet, size down a half size.

If you have additional sizing and fit questions on the Under Armour HOVR Rise 4 or how they compare to other training shoes, drop a comment below.

Construction Details

The Under Armour HOVR Rise 4 has a few key construction details to note that gives this shoe a more techy feel. Below, I’ve outlined some of the key construction details to know about the UA HOVR Rise 4.

• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm
• Weight: 11.1 oz (for my size 10 model)
• Removable Insole: No
• HOVR Midsole Foam With EVA Foam
• TriBase Outsole
• Bootie-Style Construction
• External Heel Tab
• Mesh Upper With 3D Print
• TPU Midfoot to Heel Wrap
• 5 Core Eyelets

If you have additional questions on the construction of the UA HOVR Rise 4, drop a comment below and I can answer whatever you have.

Takeaway Thoughts

For me, the Under Armour HOVR Rise 4 is an interesting training shoe. They feel more mobile than the previous model and their lightweight build gives them a nice “bouncy” feel when tackling versatile workouts.

At the end of the day, I want to like this model because I do feel as though the construction updates make this model better than the HOVR Rise 3.

However, there are still things that bother me with the UA HOVR Rise 4. For example, the TPU top eyelet can be prone to durability issues and I still think the outsole and midsole need to be reworked at the toe box.

For those with additional questions on the UA HOVR Rise 4 and their overall performance, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend).