Like many other athletic shoe brands, Under Armour has been looking for basketball shoe technologies that aim to bring comfort, great fit, excellent traction and overall superior performance. And recently, Under Armour has unveiled their latest cushioning system, which is known as the Hovr.
The Hovr cushioning – what is it?
As its rivals Nike and Adidas continue to lead the shoe technology race with their own Zoom and Boost, respectively, Under Armour enters the competition with its latest pinnacle cushioning system that it can proudly call and claim their own, the Hovr.
Like many other cushioning technologies, Under Armour’s proprietary Hovr cushioning system is made not just to deliver a smooth and cushioned ride, but also to provide energy return. Under Armour partnered with Dow Chemical to develop and design the Hovr cushioning technology, which was originally used on its running models.
There are two key elements of the Hovr cushioning – the “Energy Web” and the cushioning core. The Energy Web is a mesh fabric that encapsulates cushioning core. When these two components work together, they deliver excellent responsiveness and superior energy return. According to Under Armour, the Hovr cushioning system absorbs shock, provides comfort and reduces leg fatigue.
Under Armour Hovr Havoc
With Under Armour’s new pinnacle cushioning system, the Under Armour Hovr Havoc is touted to be the “smartest” basketball shoe that you’ll ever wear. But is it, really?
The Under Armour Hovr Havoc was first released on August 31, 2018 in both low and mid-cut varieties, at the original prices of $105 and $115, respectively. So let us review the low-cut shoe.
Fans of Under Armour will be definitely happy with the return of the classic herringbone traction. Remember that Under Armour attempted something new with a different traction for the Under Armour Curry 5, which turned out to be sketchy, inconsistent and having the tendency to pick dirt easily. You will find no such problem with the Under Armour Hovr Havoc’s herringbone traction, which gives you every coverage you need. Plus, it is also great on both indoor and outdoor courts, so no need to wipe the bottom of your shoe every so often. For the exception of the Curry 5, it seems that Under Armour has stuck to the basics in terms of traction.
The shoe’s Hovr technology is located from the heel to the midfoot, so it doesn’t look like it would feel comfortable especially for those who move and run on their toes. But a lot of users are pleasantly surprised and impressed with how bouncy enough it feels because of its soft cushion. This will provide a less painful and a more relaxed ride for longer sprints across the court or when your feet need some protection. The Hovr cushioning system is encased by the EVA in the midsole.
The materials on the shoe’s upper are made of the usual combination of mesh and fuse. The two-layer breathable mesh is used all over the upper with fuse overlays on the lateral forefoot and toebox. The soft padding is located along on the heel which helps in improving lockdown and prevents slipping on the heel. The heel counter is made of TPU to protect this particularly vulnerable area from damage.
As for the fit, it is not a big issue as the Under Armour Hovr Havoc fits true to size.
Under Armour has really made a big splash with their new Hovr technology. By the time the Hovr Havoc was released, it generally had received welcoming reviews and has continued to do so. Even basketball shoe pundits swear by the Under Armour Hovr Havoc: they say that this is even better than the more expensive brands on the market today. With such encouraging comments and reviews, there may be no reason for you not to snap up the Under Armour Hovr Havoc and enjoy the benefits of, among all other things, the brand’s newest Hovr cushioning technology in it.
Under Armour Hovr Havoc Low
Release date: August 31, 2018
Color: Midnight Navy/Red/White
Style code: 3020618