This year, Under Armour has been making waves in the running scene with its Infinite Elite shoe offering an innovative solution to the demanding runs of both casual and professional runners. Now, in a close-up look at the technicality of the shoe, Hypebeast spotlights three individuals in a new campaign that documents how they use the Infinite Elite to push the limits of their performance.
The first leg of the series began by delving into the runners’ ultimate city circuits, touching base in Manchester, London and Liverpool. Having lived in these places for most of their lives, each go-to route comes as a product of their time in the city where they have turned familiar landmarks into a playground for new challenges. Putting the Infinite Elite through the paces of these circuits – from commuter zones to tourist hotspots – Hypebeast now examines how the shoe met the demands of their runs through a detailed post-run breakdown.
Driven by achieving personal bests, long-distance runner Hermen Dange is no stranger to taking on high-intensity workouts in his hometown. As seen in the previous feature, Dange set off into the busiest areas of Manchester where he surmounted an incline stretch on Market Street. “The Infinite Elites came through,” says Dange in a breath of relief from completing his run. “It felt like the shoe was giving energy back to me which is useful when going uphill”
The brand’s new HOVR+ cushioning is a key factor to this responsive feeling, made up of tiny foam beads that add to the light and soft foundation. When paired with the rubber sole, it gives the shoe a comfortable yet firm base for runners going uphill. In his final verdict, he says, “The Infinite Elites help me to push through my run because it’s a comfortable shoe. The more comfortable my feet feel, the quicker I can go.”
As Dange took on intense inclines, in London, Yaz Johnson tested her agility, staying light on her toes through the chaos of Liverpool Street. “I think that is always the most challenging part of the run,” says the runner. “But, with the right equipment and right training, I know I can get it done. That’s what I need in my footwear.”
Having already expressed her instant gratification with the shoe during her run, Johnson expands on why she thinks the Infinite Elite is now her most reliable shoe. “I can throw them on for my 10ks, my 5ks, my 15s all the way through to my halves,” she adds.” “They’re such a versatile shoe.” Her favorite feature? It all comes down to the light and breathable IntelliKnit upper saying, “It’s soft and flexes with your foot as you’re moving up and down.”
At its core, the Infinite Elite is designed to go the extra distance for runners who crave to push their endurance on any given day. No statement of its unmatched functionality is more telling than Rubi Deschamps’ run. After recovering from an injury, she has been training to get back to peak performance and took on one of her longest runs across Liverpool.
“The Infinite Elite has helped me feel fresh during this run,” she explains. “When I feel pain, sometimes my structure or your form will alter slightly. Even during these times, I’ve still been comfortable while running.” The runner commends a series of features in the silhouette including the sloped heel, foam tongue, and supportive sock liner. Ultimately, she says, “It’s given me a lot of confidence to push myself again, to try longer, harder runs, and get back into a routine of running. Not many shoes can do that.”
With its technical features tailored towards different running styles, Under Armour has proved to deliver a shoe that elevates performance in a variety of ways. Through the lens of three dedicated runners, it has proven to be a reliable footwear choice as their performance grows and personal bests continue to level up.
Check out the post-run snapshots of the Infinite Elite in the campaign featured above.
To find out more and shop Under Armour’s new Infinite running shoes, head to its website now.
