Under Armour Infinite Elite 2 Review: The Most Underrated Max Cushion Trainer of the Year?

Introduction

Under Armour is listening to feedback and iterating quickly, and the Infinite Elite 2 is the clearest evidence of that. This second version resolves just about every issue the first version had, and it may well be the most underrated running shoe of the year. It is a max cushion shoe that is comfortable enough for recovery days, light and springy enough for daily training, and capable enough to handle tempo work and long runs with speedy miles mixed in.

In this review, we cover the specs, what changed from version one, how it performs, where it sits in the Under Armour lineup, and how it compares against two strong rivals: the Nike Invincible Run 3 and the New Balance Balos.

Under Armour Infinite Elite 2: Specs and Design

The Infinite Elite 2 is a 36 mm stack height shoe with an 8 mm drop, putting 26 mm of foam under the forefoot. The midsole uses a single component: an updated version of Under Armour’s HOVR Plus, reformulated to feel lighter and airier than before.

The outsole follows a similar pattern to last year’s model, with exposed midsole foam in places to cut weight, and thick rubber placed only in high wear areas. The result is a shoe roughly an ounce lighter than its predecessor. A US men’s size 9 came in at a measured 10.4 oz, or 294 g.

What Changed from Version One

Under Armour stripped away everything that was not necessary. The TPU heel clip at the back of the shoe is gone, the pull tab is smaller, and the upper has been redesigned from the overstructured, over-knit upper of version one into something far more streamlined and simple.

The neoprene tongue is comfortable and, refreshingly, quite thin. Padding in the heel collar and heel cup is modest rather than over-puffy, which is a welcome change in a class of shoes that often goes overboard with cushioning around the ankle. The mesh up front is breathable and comfortable, and the branding, while present, mostly stays tucked away in tonal color-matched form.

Put together, these changes make version two feel like a genuinely new shoe rather than a minor refresh. If you own version one, this is a substantial enough update to consider the switch.

How It Performs on the Road

On the road, the updated HOVR Plus delivers a great amount of cushioning that feels comfy underfoot while staying airy and springy. As a max cushion shoe, it is ideal for recovery runs when you just want to be comfortable and not worry about pace. Because the foam is springy and the shoe is now light enough, it can also serve as your daily trainer for most runs most days of the week.

The real magic, though, is how well it picks up the pace. This is not a shoe trying to replace carbon-plated racing shoes, and it is not the pick for your hardest road or track workouts. But for strides at the end of a run, a tempo run, or a long run with speedier miles built in, it is certainly up to the challenge. That makes it an excellent long run option, especially for runners building long-run mileage outside of carbon-plated shoes.

Fit and Sizing

Fit is forgiving. Going true to your normal running shoe size worked well. The overall feel of the upper is baggy and loose, a drastic change from version one. It is very streamlined and simple, almost too simple in places, and some may feel like it is a foot in a bag.

If you want a little more precision and a more tailored, intentional fit, this may not be it. But if you prefer your uppers a bit loose and stretchy, the Infinite Elite 2 will feel really nice. The main complaint worth flagging is aesthetics: from a top-down view, the design can look awkward and almost clownish. Performance easily makes up for it, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Where It Fits in the Under Armour Lineup

Within the broader Under Armour range, the Sonic 7 remains the daily trainer: a nicely cushioned, responsive shoe at $110 that works especially well for shorter mileage weeks. The Infinite Elite 2 sits above it as the max cushion option and the natural long run pick for higher mileage weeks where you want more comfort and road protection.

For racing, the Velocity Elite 2 uses beaded PEBA foam and a Flow midsole, a rubberized EVA that removes the need for outsole rubber, paired with a carbon fiber plate. It is durable enough to double as a workout shoe. The Velocity, a firmer and very durable option, can slot between the Sonic and the Velocity Elite to save a shoe in a three-shoe rotation.

Infinite Elite 2 vs the Competition

At $160, the Infinite Elite 2 is priced extremely competitively for what it delivers. Version one is still available at third-party retailers, often discounted to around $120, but these are substantially different shoes, and unless you are a bigger or taller runner who may benefit from the more stable feel of version one, skip it and go straight to version two.

Nike Invincible Run 3

The Invincible Run 3 is the shoe Under Armour most likely had in its sights. Both are highly cushioned shoes that look super squishy and chill but hide resilient, springy midsole compounds capable of speedier long run workouts. The Invincible Run 3 feels a bit firmer, and its angle of attack pushes you up onto your toes, a very different ride position.

The Infinite Elite 2 handles everyday and recovery paces better, while the Invincible Run 3 still edges it for long runs with fast miles. At $180 retail, it is pricier, though it can often be found at third-party retailers for as low as $130, which is compelling.

New Balance Balos

The Balos targets a similar use case in a very different way. It is intended for longer runs with some speedy miles, not straight recovery-day max cushion duty. The ride is softer and more squishy, yet somehow it feels like there is less cushion underfoot, with a sensation of getting closer to bottoming out than in the Infinite Elite.

Bigger and taller runners should favor the Infinite Elite 2 here. But if you want something more comfortable and just as peppy, and you value that structured, tailored-but-not-tight upper fit, the Balos is an interesting option. It carries a premium: $200 retail.

Buying Advice

The Infinite Elite 2 is an excellent long run shoe that can handle everything from recovery runs and daily training up to speedy long-run workouts. It may be the most significant shoe Under Armour has made to date, and if the brand keeps this momentum, it can make a real impact in performance running. At $160, it undercuts both major rivals while doing the everyday and recovery job better than either.

Conclusion

The Infinite Elite 2 is a dramatic improvement: lighter, airier, simpler, and more versatile than version one. It is not the flashiest shoe on the shelf, and the styling divides opinion, but for runners who want one cushioned shoe that covers easy days, daily mileage, and faster long runs, it is one of the strongest values in the category right now.