Under Armour TriBase Reign 6 Review: Sneaky Great Trainer?

Who Shouldn’t Buy the TriBase Reign 6?

• If you don’t typically resonate with shoes with drop-in midsoles then I’d save your money and explore different models. This drop-in midsole squeaks less than some of its peers, but it’s still a drop-in midsole.
• If you want a more casual training shoe for walking and running and you’re not super worried about stability and durability then you may want to explore more responsive training shoes.

Sizing Advice

• Width: Regular/Medium
• Sizing: True to size
• Width: Medium/Wide(ish)
• Narrower Feet Sizing: True to Size
• Wider Feet Sizing: True to Size, 3E+ Width Pass On These
• Flatter Feet Sizing: These tend to work pretty well for flatter feet.
• Relative Sizing: Go with your Nike, Adidas, and Reebok size.

Performance Assessment

Testing the UA TriBase Reign 6 for Lifting and CrossFit

In the context of lifting, the UA TriBase Reign 6 has performed exceptionally well. If you’re buying these for recreational strength sessions then you’ll enjoy the stability that you get from them even though the drop-in midsole runs a little plusher.

Thus far some of my max lifting tests in this shoe include a deadlift set with 405 lbs for 11 reps and a Hatfield squat triple at 415 lbs and I didn’t have any glaring issues with this shoe’s drop-in midsole giving out or compressing.

I think if you’re squatting 400+ lbs you will notice the drop-in midsole a bit — especially through the heel — but not to a point that will hinder your performance, in my opinion.

The TriBase Reign 6 has been solid for dumbbell split squats and lunges and machine work. Its increased flexibility is great for foot articulation, and its outsole has a nice grip for single-leg and machine exercises.

When it comes to CrossFit, I see the TriBase Reign 6 as a very viable top CrossFit shoe in 2024. This model’s reinforced sidewalls and layered mesh upper give this shoe more rigidity and protection against the abrasion you’ll run into in most WODs.

On top of this, I like that this shoe’s drop-in midsole feels bouncy and comfortable enough for high-volume box jumps and double-unders while being stable enough for heavy WODs with clean & jerks, squats, and deadlifts.

Testing the UA TriBase Reign 6 for Versatile Training

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the TriBase Reign 6 for my athletic sessions, which involve HIIT, plyometrics, and multi-directional exercises. This shoe’s more flexible feel and grippy outsole are stay players in this performance vertical.

When doing broad jumps and sled work on turf, I never ran into slip issues in this shoe and I like that the forefoot’s tread is a lot more aggressive than the TriBase Reign 5’s smoother outsole.

The reinforced upper has also done a great job at locking my foot down when doing lateral work. For example, I paired a Cossack squat with a skater stride in one workout and I didn’t have any glaring spillover issues in this shoe.

The heel counter in this model feels soft and doesn’t rub a ton on the ankle which I also enjoyed for my versatile training sessions. If you notice that the heel tab rubs, then you should be able to cut that off without messing up the shoe, too.

I think my only concern with this shoe for versatile training revolves around its volume for thick feet. For this type of foot anatomy, you may find that the toe box feels a little too low-profile especially when doing forward explosive exercises like broad jumps.

Testing the UA TriBase Reign 6 for Short Runs and Walking

While the UA TriBase Reign 6 is more comfortable for running compared to the TriBase Reign 5, it’s still not going to be your training shoe for pure hybrid workouts where you’re running and lifting.

To add context here, for sprints and short interval runs, the TriBase Reign 6 has been fine. I hit a few workouts where I had fast 400 and 800-meter runs programmed in on a curved treadmill and this shoe felt fine — comfort-wise.

The drop-in midsole is a lot more forgiving compared to the Micro G Foam in the 5 and this is why I also like the Reign 6 comparatively speaking for WODs where you’re running throughout. For runs over 1 mile, you may find this shoe uncomfortable.

For walking and daily wear, the TriBase Reign 6 can be an okay shoe. Is it going to be the most comfortable model if you’re on your feet all day or doing long walks? Not necessarily, but it’s better than models like the Metcon 9 and Adidas Dropset Trainer 2.

Something I’ve been playing with in the Reign 6 is swapping out its drop-in midsole for thinner insoles from models like my Haze Trainer and Reign 5. This has been cool because you get an even more minimalist feel with this shoe.

If you’re transitioning from traditional shoes to barefoot shoes and you want a trainer that has a highly minimalist feel then you may want to try this out. It’s been a fun experiment and something unique that I’ve enjoyed with the Reign 6.

TriBase Reign 6 Performance Overview

• For lifting, this shoe has been stellar due to its flexibility and stability.
• If you like “athletic-feeling” shoes then you’ll enjoy this model’s performance for cross-training.
• Mark my words, the Reign 6 is going to be a strong contender against some of the market’s top CrossFit shoes in 2024.
• For sprints and short interval runs, the Reign 6 works well, but you’ll want to pass on them for longer runs.

TriBase Reign 6 Sizing

• TriBase Reign 6 Sizing Thoughts: True to size for most.

The Under Armour TriBase Reign 6 should fit true to size for most foot anatomies. For example, if you have narrow, regular/medium, and even slightly wider feet then you’ll be fine going TTS in this model.

If you currently wear Under Armour training shoes then I’d stay with the same size in the Reign 6. For context, this shoe fits similarly to other training shoes like the Dropset Trainer 2, Metcon 9, and Inov-8 F-Lite G 300.

My One Sizing Concern…

This model’s upper feels a little more snug compared to the Reign 5’s spacious WARP upper, but I don’t think that will be a major issue for most. Plus, you can remove the drop-in midsole to get more volume out of this shoe if you’re okay with a minimalist feel.

Outside of its upper volume, this shoe may lack in the toe box for EE-width feet and wider. If you have notably wide feet, I’d buy these with the thought in mind that you may have to return them so keep them in good condition.

If you have additional sizing and fit questions about the TriBase Reign 6, drop a comment below and let me know what shoe you currently wear and in what size.

Construction Breakdown

Outsole

The Reign 6 features TriBase tech throughout its outsole, but this shoe’s TB tech has been reworked. The TriBase triangle in this shoe is a TPU and it sits right in the middle of the model.

This doesn’t seem to hinder grip or articulation which is nice and if you like a more balanced midfoot then you’ll likely resonate with this change.

The forefoot, midfoot, and heel all have a deep grooved tread. This has proven to be solid for grip, and thus far, it appears to be more durable than prior Reign outsole treads.

Midsole

This shoe does not feature a separate midsole layer, instead, it comes with a drop-in midsole. This means that the insole is thicker and is used as the midsole in this model.

The heel of the drop-in midsole is a little denser compared to the midfoot and forefoot. I found this to give this shoe a nice blend of responsiveness with forefoot work and stability for lifting.

Upper

The medial forefoot of this model features Under Armour’s WARP material, and the lateral side is built with chainlink mesh. I like this blend of materials, and it gives this shoe a secure and durable feeling.

The midfoot and heel have overlays, and the heel has a separate internal heel counter, which has done a good job of promoting security and general comfort when breaking this shoe in.

To date, this has been my favorite upper used in the Reign shoes. It feels of a higher quality compared to the first five shoes and its durability seems to have received a lift — but time will tell there!

Who Should Buy the TriBase Reign 6?

• If you’re an Under Armour fan and want a shoe for lifting and CrossFit, you’ll love how the Reign 6 performs in the gym.
• If you like flatter-feeling shoes then the Reign 6 can be a good option to explore. This shoe’s 2mm heel-to-toe drop puts them on the lower end of drops for modern training shoes.
• With the ability to remove the drop-in midsole in this shoe, you can use it as a transitional shoe to barefoot shoes. While it’s not built for this, it’s a nice perk I’ve found with this shoe.

Who Shouldn’t Buy the TriBase Reign 6?

• If you don’t typically resonate with shoes with drop-in midsoles then I’d save your money and explore different models. This drop-in midsole squeaks less than some of its peers, but it’s still a drop-in midsole.
• If you want a more casual training shoe for walking and running and you’re not super worried about stability and durability then you may want to explore more responsive training shoes.

Final Verdict

The UA TriBase Reign 6 has come out swinging and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite training shoes in 2024. This model’s updates feel strategic and well-curated giving it a much more versatile feeling.

For lifting, this shoe has delivered a strong level of stability even when deadlifting and squatting over 400 lbs. For athletic sessions, this model’s articulation and security have been stellar.

If you have additional questions about this shoe before you invest, please don’t hesitate to reach out and drop a comment below!