The Under Armour TriBase Reign 4’s release has a lot of lifters and athletes wondering if they should opt for the latest and greatest model, or go for the TriBase Reign 3 especially as a lot of colorways are regularly on sale. Both of these shoes are good Under Armour training shoes for tackling CrossFit, lifting, and cross-training.
As a fan of the Under Armour TriBase Reign 4 and TriBase Reign 3, I wanted to compare how each shoe performs, fits, and feels. This way, you as a consumer can hopefully pick the best cross-training shoe per the context of your needs. In the TriBase Reign 4, there are some carryover construction features from the Reign 3, but as a whole, this shoe has received a few notable upgrades.
In the UA TriBase Reign 4 versus TriBase Reign 3 article, I’m going to break day all of the key details that you need to know about these two cross-training shoes.
Contents
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UA TriBase Reign 4 Vs TriBase Reign 3 Performance
To discuss the performance of the UA TriBase Reign 4 and TriBase Reign 3 in this head-to-head battle, I’m going to discuss how each model performs in a variety of contexts.
UA TriBase Reign 4 Vs TriBase Reign 3 for CrossFit and Lifting
When it comes to lifting and CrossFit, the TriBase Reign 4 and 3 are both pretty comparable and they’ll provide you with a similar level of stability and versatility. Both shoes feature Under Armour’s signature Micro G Foam midsole and TriBase outsole construction. When training heavy, the blend of these two construction features helps to increase each shoe’s stability.
In both shoes to test stability, I’ve squatted over 365 lbs and have deadlifted over 455 lbs and I didn’t notice any glaring stability issues in either model. I think for the context of lifting and CrossFit, most lifters and athletes will be well on their way with each shoe’s stability. The one tiny nitpick with the midsole constructions between each shoe is that the Reign 4’s midsole is slightly thicker.
This isn’t a huge issue by any means, but it does slightly increase the stack height for this for movements like deadlifts. The upper constructions on both models do a fairly good job at abrasion resistance and I haven’t had any ripping issues yet from friction caused by rope climbs and dragging the toes when doing burpees and prone-to-sprint training.
If you’re on the fence between both models for lifting and CrossFit, then I’d suggest going with the TriBase Reign 4. This shoe’s separate tongue construction and slightly wider width make it a bit more comfortable for a wider range of foot anatomies, which could translate to your performance in the context of giving you more room to splay the toes.
Winner: I give the edge to the TriBase Reign 4 model due to it being slightly wider which will make it a more comfortable lifting and CrossFit shoe for a wider range of lifters and athletes.
UA TriBase Reign 4
$120
Best For
- CrossFit and Cross-Training
- Recreational Lifting
- Athletic-Focused Training
Falls Short
- For Wider Feet
- For Longer Runs
UA TriBase Reign 4 Vs TriBase Reign 3 for Versatile Training
For versatile training, both of these shoes are pretty neck and neck with their performance and how each shoe’s construction assists this context of training. The Micro G Foam midsole provides this shoe with a fair amount of ground feedback and the forefoot grooves help make each shoe good explosive-style exercises.
The midsole construction in both models isn’t the plushest, so if you do prefer a softer midsole for versatile training, then it may be worth looking into the Under Armour shoes like the HOVR Rise 3 or HOVR Apex 3. Personally, I like that the midsole is a bit more stable in these shoes because I think it feeds well into the variety of activities you can do in the Reign model.
The full rubber outsole that features Under Armour’s TriBase tech is also a nice touch for balance and traction purposes. These shoes both work well on wooden gym floors, rubber gym mats, track, and concrete which increases the range of training settings in which each shoe can be used and excel.
I think the main differentiators for versatile training with each shoe include their uppers, boot construction, and weight. In the TriBase Reign 4, you get a breathable layered mesh upper and separate tongue construction. The TriBase Reign 3 features a 3D mesh and a bootie-style construction. That being said, the Reign 4 has a more “traditional” training shoe fit to it.
The weight of each shoe is also slightly different. My size 10 TriBase Reign 4 has a weight of 13 oz while my size 10 TriBase Reign 3 has a weight of 11.1 oz. I think the weight difference is due to the fact that the Reign 4 has a slightly thicker midsole and it’s a wider shoe.
Winner: Tie. Both shoes work pretty well for versatile training.
UA TriBase Reign 3
$120
Best For
- Heavy Training
- Agility Workouts
- HIIT Training
- CrossFit Style Workouts
Falls Short
- For Running Long Distances
- For Having a Higher Heel-to-Toe Drop
UA TriBase Reign 4 Vs TriBase Reign 3 for Short Runs and Daily Wear
For running, the TriBase Reign 4 and TriBase Reign 3 can work, but they’re definitely not going to be your best bets for longer runs. If runs are programmed in your WODs or you’re wanting to tack one 1-2 miles before or after your workout, then these shoes will work.
However, with their overall stability, you might find them uncomfortable when running and that’s also why I recommend limiting them to shorter runs, specifically. On a daily wear basis, I like the UA TriBase Reign 4 due to its slightly wider last and separate tongue. I’m not the biggest fan of the TriBase Reign 3 for daily wear due to its narrower construction.
If you’re planning to wear either model for daily wear, then I’d suggest keeping an eye on the exposed midsole in the forefoot grooves of each model especially if you’re walking outside and it’s raining or excessively muddy.
Winner: Tie.
UA TriBase Reign 4 Vs TriBase Reign 3 Construction
To compare the construction between the TriBase Reign 4 and TriBase Reign 3, I’m going to break this section into a few different parts. This way it’s easy to compare each model’s construction features.
Outsole
Both shoes feature a full rubber outsole construction with Under Armour’s TriBase technology built-in. The two subtle differences between the outsole constructions of each model revolve around the heel and forefoot in the TriBase Reign 4.
In the Reign 4, the heel has a slight lip on the back which I actually like and think helps add to the versatility of this shoe. In addition, the forefoot grooves have been reworked and are bigger on the TriBase Reign 4 so you get a bit more toe box maneuverability.
Midsole
The Micro G foam used in the midsole of each model is pretty consistent across the board. In fact, the midsole hasn’t really seen many major changes in the TriBase Reign line since their initial debut.
Both shoes feature similar midsole builds with outsole wraps around the midfoot for rope climbing support. The only small difference between each shoe’s midsole construction is that the TriBase Reign 4’s midsole is slightly thicker.
Upper
Despite the midsole and outsole both being similar in each TriBase shoe, the upper construction for each model is very different. The TriBase Reign 4 features a layered mesh throughout the forefoot and midfoot that offers a nice amount of breathability.
The boot in the TriBase Reign 4 has slightly thicker material and offers a nice cup for additional structure and stability. In addition, the Reign 4 has a separate tongue construction which is new for the TriBase Reign shoe line.
The TriBase Reign 3 features a layered mesh throughout the forefoot and midfoot and a knit bootie-style construction. The knit helps provide the boot with a bit of stretch and additional comfort.
Laces and Tongue
I touched on this above, but the TriBase Reign 4 is the first model in this shoe line to feature a separate tongue construction. The tongue in this model is lightweight and features a loop to prevent the tongue from rolling while training. There are five core eyelets on the Right 4 with the sixth eyelet for lace-locking.
The TriBase Reign 3 features a bootie-style construction so there is no separate tongue with this shoe. There are five main eyelets on the TriBase Reign 3.
Insole
Both shoes come with a thin removable insole. If you have customer inserts and orthotics, then I’d highly suggest looking into the TriBase Reign 4 over the 3. The Reign 4 has a greater forefoot and midfoot volume which will make them a better bet for those who plan to use their own inserts in these shoes.
Weight and Heel-to-Toe Drop
The heel-to-toe drop for the UA TriBase Reign 4 and TriBase Reign 3 is 2mm. This is a fairly low heel-to-toe drop, especially for cross-training shoes. If you like having a lower drop, then you should enjoy how this shoe feels and performs.
The weight of each model varies a bit and the TriBase Reign 4 is slightly heavier and I believe this is due to the shoe being slightly wider than the TriBase Reign 3.
- UA TriBase Reign 4 Weight: 13 oz (for my size 10 model)
- UA TriBase Reign 3 Weight: 11.1 oz (for my size 10 model)
UA TriBase Reign 4 Vs TriBase Reign 3 Sizing
The sizing and fit between the UA TriBase Reign 4 and Reign 3 are somewhat similar, but with one small change in the Reign 4. Both shoes have a length that fits true-to-size. The widths of each are slightly different and this is a pretty big deal especially since the TriBase Reign shoe line has notoriously run pretty narrow.
In the UA TriBase Reign 4, Under Armour widened the midfoot and forefoot slightly which helps this model accommodate a wider range of foot widths. Plus, with the separate tongue construction, the overall volume through the forefoot and midfoot are bigger in the Reign 4.
- UA TriBase Reign 4 Sizing Thoughts: True-to-size.
- UA TriBase Reign 3 Sizing Thoughts: True-to-size, but these run pretty narrow so they may not be a great option for anyone with wider and flatter feet.
If you have additional sizing and fit questions about the UA TriBase Reign 4 and 3, drop a comment below and I can try to help you out accordingly.
UA TriBase Reign 4 Vs TriBase Reign 3 Durability
In the context of durability, I think both the Under Armour TriBase Reign 4 and TriBase Reign 3 provide a good amount of durability. Both of these shoes are constructed with upper materials that are designed to be abrasion-resistant from things like rope climbs and burpees. I have yet to experience either model’s upper ripping while training.
In addition, both shoes feature a rubber outsole that protects the Micro G Foam midsole fairly well when training indoors and outdoor. The only small durability concern that I have with both shoes and their outsole constructions entails the exposed midsole grooves in the forefoot.
Outside of the exposed midsole with the forefoot grooves, there are not a ton of glaring durability issues with either TriBase model. They both work really well in the context of CrossFit, recreational lifting, classes, and more versatile training.
I don’t think you’ll run into too many huge durability issues with the UA TriBase Reign 4 and 3, however, if you plan to train a lot outdoors in either model, then I would definitely keep an eye on the forefoot in each shoe and its midsole construction.
Price Comparison
For the Under Armour TriBase Reign 4, you can expect to pay $120 USD. Similarly, most colorways will also cost $120 USD for the UA TriBase Reign 3. However, when new models get released, generally various colorways for the old models will be marked down.
That being said, while I like the UA TriBase Reign 4’s construction and performance a bit more than the Reign 3 if you can find an awesome deal on the Reign 3 and you want to save some money, then you should be safe opting for the older model. Both shoes will perform similarly and if cost is a big factor for you, then definitely shop around for the best deals.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q:Are the UA TriBase Reign shoes good for CrossFit?
Q:Are UA TriBase Reign shoes good for running?
Q:Do UA TriBase Reign fit true to size?
Takeaway Thoughts
The UA TriBase Reign 4 and TriBase Reign 3 are both strong performers in their own right. Each shoe performs fairly strong for CrossFit, recreational lifting, and athletic-focused training.
Personally, I like the UA TriBase Reign 4 slightly more than the 3 and that’s due to the reworked upper construction and separate tongue build. However, the Reign 3 is still a strong shoe to look into especially if cost is a factor for you.
If you have any additional questions on the UA TriBase Reign 4 or UA TriBase Reign 3, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly).
I personally test every product featured on That Fit Friend using a regimen of training tests that I’ve developed over years of testing training gear. I buy the gear I test and may earn commissions on sales made through links on my site.
Great review! However, I recently ordered the Tribase Reign 4 and found it to fit slightly more width and tons of room in the toe area. When I tried on the 3’s at an Under Armor Outlet near me, the 3’s seemed to fit much better in the width measurement. I had to pull on the laces in the 4’s to get a solid fit, but it resulted in too tight if not using the heel lock/lock laces, and, even then, it was too tight at the tieing point than the rest of the shoe.
I’ve sent back the 4’s 10.5’s for a size 10 to see if that helps with the width issue as I fit between neutral to slim width. With up to 2 weeks before I get the size 10’s, I will comment back on how they feel compared to the ones I just sent back.
Thoughts?
Makes total sense! If you have a narrower foot, then you’ll likely resonate more with the 3. That model is a lot snugger than the 4. IMO, I would stick with the 3 if the size 10 in the 4 still feels too loose. It (the 4) may just be a model with a last construction that doesn’t align with your foot anatomy because UA did change it pretty drastically between these models.