The Under Armour Velociti Elite 3 Review: A Super Shoe That Feels a Step Behind
- FORDY RUNS
- Nov 5
- 3 min read
The Under Armour Velociti Elite 3 has earned some serious attention this year — after all, it’s the shoe that won the women’s 2025 Boston Marathon. Naturally, that headline alone is enough to turn heads. But beyond the marketing hype, how does this £225 racing shoe actually perform for everyday runners? I’ve been testing it out and, as always, here’s my honest take.
What’s New
The Velociti Elite 3 features a full-length carbon plate and a dual-layer foam setup, pairing Under Armour’s beaded HOVR+ midsole with a lightweight supercritical compound. It has a 37.5mm stack in the heel with a very low 2mm drop, weighing in at around 250g (UK 9.5).
The upper is made from a new Leno Weave stretch mesh, which is both breathable and supportive. I have to say, I really like the design and feel of this upper — it’s sleek, comfortable, and locks in well without being restrictive. The laces even have little shark-tooth grips that help with cinching them down securely. The tongue isn’t gusseted (which can be a bit annoying), but there’s some padding that makes it more comfortable than you might expect from a pure racing shoe.
Fit-wise, it’s true to size with good breathability and room in the toe box. On foot, it feels a touch lighter than the scale suggests.
On the Run
I’ve been using the Elite 3 for a range of sessions while recovering from my last marathon — nothing all-out yet, but enough to get a real sense of the ride. At easy paces (7–12 min/mile), it feels fine but not particularly lively. Pick things up to around 8–8:30 min/mile, and the shoe starts to come alive a bit, though it still feels on the firmer side compared to most modern super shoes.
The carbon plate feels somewhat muted — not as propulsive as what you’d get from a Nike Vaporfly, Saucony Endorphin Pro, or Puma Fast-R. You have to work a bit to engage the foam and plate, which made me wonder whether this shoe is simply better suited to faster, more efficient runners than me.
It’s certainly stable, which is a plus, but that stability comes with a firm ride that doesn’t deliver the soft bounce or energy return we’ve come to expect from “super” foams in 2025.
Performance and Comparison
And that’s really the crux of the issue: the Velociti Elite 3 doesn’t feel particularly super. The midsole compound feels dated — more like something from 2022 than 2025. It reminds me of the Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 in its density and firmness.
If this shoe had launched a few years ago, it might have been a contender. But in today’s world — where we’ve got the Vaporfly, Adidas Adios Pro 3, Puma Fast-R 3, and a host of others with cutting-edge foams — the Elite 3 feels a step behind.
Even with its Boston Marathon pedigree, the performance just doesn’t justify the £225 price tag. It’s hard to recommend when there are so many lighter, bouncier, and more energetic options available for less money.
Race Day Worthy?
Here’s the telling part: after several runs in the Elite 3, I just didn’t feel inspired to race in it. There’s nothing wrong with it per se — it’s solid, stable, and nicely built — but it doesn’t give you that “race-day spark” that a true super shoe should. For me, it feels more like a super trainer than a super shoe.
If you’re after that snappy, propulsive sensation for PB efforts, you’ll likely find more excitement in other options. And for £225, excitement should absolutely be part of the package.
Verdict
The Under Armour Velociti Elite 3 is a beautifully designed, well-constructed shoe that just doesn’t quite deliver where it matters most — underfoot performance. It’s firm, a bit dated in feel, and lacks the energetic rebound that defines the best modern racing shoes.
However, once it inevitably gets discounted (and it will — given Under Armour’s track record), it becomes much more interesting. At £150 or below, it transforms into a capable super trainer — ideal for faster training sessions, 10Ks, or even half marathons if you prefer a firmer ride and extra stability.
Final Thoughts
Price: £225 (expect discounts soon)
Weight: ~250g (UK 9.5)
Drop: 2mm
Best for: Faster training runs, 10K efforts, and runners who prefer a stable, firmer feel
Avoid if: You want soft, bouncy energy return or max race-day pop
