I was excited to try the Under Armour HOVR DS Ridge TR. Under Armour has made great strides in the running department, so I was excited to see how their latest trail shoe compares. With its full-length Vibram Sole, the Under Armour HOVR DS Ridge TR is designed for technical terrain. The reinforced upper keeps moisture out.
Under Armour HOVR DS Ridge TR Quick Facts:
Weight: 11 oz
Heel to Toe Drop:
Cost: $140
Under Armour HOVR DS Ridge TR Fit:
The UA HOVR DS Ridge TR upper is reinforced with 3D-printed elements. This sounds fancy, but what does it mean? It’s designed to give more strength where strains are likely to be the greatest. I like this idea because no one wants to rip a running shoe upper. Another positive is that UA has started used with recycled materials. You can see the speckles on the reinforced heel and toe.
I’m all for recycled materials, especially when the upper feels “normal.” Occasionally I’ve run into brands using recycled materials, and the upper doesn’t stretch, or the midsole feels very firm. This is the case with the Under Armour HOVR DS Ridge TR, and there isn’t a ton of give in the upper. If you have a wider foot, you should likely go up a half size. With the 3D-printed upper, I don’t find the UA HOVR DS Ridge TR to breathe exceptionally well, which can be a problem on flooded trails. It’s also a problem on super hot days in the desert. Hopefully, in the next version, they can give the shoe more breathability.
Unlike many trail shoes, the UA HOVR DS Ridge TR has a lot of padding in the upper. I can appreciate that, especially for spending more time on your feet. The best running shoe uppers disappear off your feet and for the most part, the UA HOVR DS Ridge TR does just that. The extra padding is comfortable and there are no major hot spots.
Typically, I wear between a size 10-11 wide in running shoes. I’ve found the size 11 best fit in the Under Armour HOVR DS Ridge TR. If you have a wide foot, I suggest going up a half size because there is no give in the upper.
Under Armour HOVR DS Ridge TR Ride:
The Under Armour HOVR DS Ridge TR is designed for technical trails. It’s been an exciting journey using them on different trails in the desert as well as the Los Angeles area. UA uses the Responsive UA HOVR cushioning. Under Armour says this helps reduce impact, return energy, and propel you forward. I’ve found it soft and well-cushioned on the trail. I feel like I can run long distances without touching the ground. I appreciate the softness. It’s not “too soft” that you don’t feel ground, but soft enough that it feels well cushioned.
Traction and Durability:
In trail shoes, this is one of the most important categories. The HOVR DS Ridge TR traction is designed to grip any trail. The Under Armour HOVR DS Ridge TR uses a full-length Vibram outsole with a unique traction lug design for ultimate grip, traction, and durability.
This traction design was the first thing I noticed. After running in it, I wonder if the design is the best option. We will start with the positive and then the negative. The outsole grabs rocks well. When needing extra grip, the shoes provide it, but only if the trails are dry. When the trails are wet and muddy, I’ve found them to hold onto mud even more.
Pretty soon, the shoes weigh a pound with all of the mud stuck to them. Some areas of the Mojave Desert trails have thick, sandy mud, and these lugs carry as much as possible. That gets heavy, and I’ve had to stop and scrape mud off my shoes a few times.
The Under Armour HOVR DS Ridge TR is best used on dry technical trails. It is a shoe you can run fast in, and when needing that extra grip, it provides, but it will carry a lot of mud. It’s been great for climbing steep dunes without fear of falling down a sand dune. I do really like the ride because it’s soft and cushioned. My only thought is that it should be used for dry trails only. It’s pretty ideal for west coast trails in the summer and fall.
Under Armour HOVR DS Ridge TR Conclusion:
The UA HOVR DS Ridge TR is an excellent shoe for dry, technical trails. I enjoy the ride’s softness and the traction to climb routes easily. I hope they make improvements so it doesn’t hold as much mud. The other positive is that I’ve seen them on sale often and sometimes well under $100. UA is a rare brand that often puts its current models on sale.
Who should buy the Under Armour HOVR DS Ridge TR? If you have a narrow foot or are looking for a trail shoe for dry, technical terrain.
Who should not buy the Under Armour HOVR DS Ridge TR? If you are running in muddy conditions or have an extensive foot.
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Antepes Muscle Runners, Tracksmith Eliot Runner, New Balance 1080v12, Newton Gravity 12, 361 Degrees Centauri, ASICS Superblast
Speed Work: Hoka Solimar, Altra Vanish Carbon, 361 Flame, Nike Tempo Next%, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike ZoomX Streakfly
Long Runs: ASICS Superblast
Trail Running/Hiking: UA HOVR DS Ridge TR, 361 Futura, Brooks Caldera 6, Hoka Tecton X2 Shoe Review Speedland SL: PDX,
Races: Nike ZoomX Streakfly, New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Reebok Run fast Pro, Nike Vaporfly 3 Hoka Rocket X 2 ASICS Metaspeed Edge+
You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.
Are you looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths about running shoes.
Questions for you:
Have you tried the UA HOVR DS Ridge TR?
What is your favorite trail shoe?