pUnder Armour (UA) and Speedland have teamed up for the first time, and let’s be honest—our first reaction to the UA x Speedland Infinite Mega was, “yikes.” But as every runner knows, looks can be deceiving. Sometimes, the wildest designs bring the smoothest ride.
I’ve been running in UA shoes on and off for six years, and am always curious to see what they’ll come up with next. I’m not a trail runner, so Speedland wasn’t on my radar. But after hearing friends rave about the brand, I was excited to give them a try.
After a few runs in the UA Infinite Mega, this was the best ride I’ve had in a UA shoe in a long time.
As a fun bonus, the shoe is created by two former UA designers who now work at Speedland, which makes this a fun collaboration.
So, is this the kind of shoe that keeps you coming back for more? Keep reading to find out.
Who Is It Good For?
Who is UA x Speedland Infinite Mega a good fit for? Let’s break it down with some common categories:
- Wide Feet: The BOA locks help to make the shoe as tight or loose as you need it
- Heavier Runners: Even though your foot won’t sink in, the foam may be a little too much and lack stability
- Long Runs: Probably max out around 6-7 miles and too heavy for a recovery shoe
- Front of the Pack: Not your go-to speed or PR shoe by any means.
If you’re looking for a big plush running shoe that you can feel locked in to for easy runs, this is a winner. You’ll also be the talk of run club and who doesn’t love to chat shoes!
UA x Speedland Infinite Mega Review
We’re not going to sugarcoat it- this is not the most fashionable running shoe. Or maybe it is??? I guess that’s going to depend on just how trendy you are and as long time run coaches, well we often aren’t as thoughtful of trend as we are “how does it work?”
With the wide fit, netted fabric, and straps across the upper, I wasn’t exactly jumping to take these out for a test run. Not to mention the outsole looks like a Styrofoam cup. Let’s just say there are a lot of weird design choices going on with the UA x Speedland Infinite Mega.
And yet, we conceed that’s exactly what’s going to excite a lot of you!
It checks the box for being a max cushion daily trainer or a very fly lifestyle shoe. You could easily run a few miles and then carry on the rest of your day without changing shoes. Now we don’t recommend that because it’ll shorten the lifespan of the shoe but you get the gist.
That said, this shoe delivers on its promise of max cushion, meaning there’s plenty of soft foam underfoot to absorb impact. This will help reduce stress on your joints and make each step feel smoother, especially on longer or easier runs.
Some max-cushioned shoes can feel overly soft, but this one still has a good amount of bounce, so you don’t feel like you’re sinking into the foam.
One unique feature is the dual BOA lock system, which completely replaces traditional laces. If you’ve ever used BOA locks on cycling shoes, the setup will feel familiar.
The thicker, more durable wiring tightens the upper from the sides rather than the middle, which creates a different fit. I noticed it caused my feet to roll outward slightly more than usual, but the toe box stayed true to size and felt breathable
I experienced some discomfort and pressure in the forefoot when tackling some uphills. This probably happened because the shoe made it harder to push off with my big toe, slamming my whole forefoot down for some stability. That’s something to keep in mind if you do a lot of hilly running.
Unlike the NB 1080 v 13 (another shoe with a big stack), I felt relatively stable, despite not feeling the ground.
The BOA locks did a good job of locking my foot in the shoe; however, I think the placement of the locks forced me to weight shift more laterally than I’m used to, especially when running uphill.
The lateral placement of the locks, essentially cinching the shoe away from midline, combined with the stack height, made running hills a bit more unstable. I couldn’t find the footing I needed to propel forward. My heart rate was higher on runs in this shoe versus other daily trainers.
So, what kinds of runs would the UA x Speedland Infinite Mega be good for ? Think easy short runs, like 6 to 7 miles on mostly flat terrain. It delivers on comfort, but for me, the weight makes it a little too much for recovery runs.
Of course, every runner is different, so if you like max cushion with a bit of extra flair, this one might be worth a try.
UA x Speedland Infinite Mega Specs
This shoe is best for a midfoot or heel striker who is looking for a reliable trainer to add to their rotation.
We would not recommend these to newer runners. Although soft to run on, most max cushion shoes increase load and impact, putting runners at risk for injury, these are no different.
- Weight: 10.8 oz Unisex
- Heel drop: 8mm
- Stack Height: 43mm
- Usage: Daily trainer
- 2 colors
- Not available in wide
- Available on Underarmour.com for $250
The Good
It’s roomy and well-cushioned. This shoe runs true to size, but it might feel bigger at first because the upper isn’t very structured. You’ll need to tighten both BOA locks to get a secure fit, but once you do, it adjusts nicely to your foot with just a few quick turns.
The open heel was a bit concerning at first, but the heel lock does a great job of keeping everything in place. Once adjusted, the fit feels stable and secure.
This shoe does fit true to size; however, and this is a big however, the shoe will feel too big until the BOA locks are tightened.
The Bad
“Hate” feels too strong, but this shoe won’t work for everyone.
Would it be the first pair to grab for a run? Probably not.
Would it be the first choice to impress a run crew? Also no, although I’m sure someone would ask, “what are thoseeee?’
This is a very cushioned daily trainer that provides a stable ride, nothing more, nothing less, and sometimes that’s all you need. If there’s anything we’re not sure about, it’s the shoe price point. At $250, a non-plated daily trainer, just doesn’t sit well with my soul or most runners’ budgets.
The Bottom Line
This shoe performs exactly as its intended. It gives a comfortable, cushioned stable ride, with a fair amount of energy return. Can you head out for a quick run and grab coffee after without changing your shoes? Sure.
Is having a multifunctional daily trainer/lifestyle shoe worth the steep $250 price tag? That’s between you and your bank account.
Who Tried It
Hi! I’m Alison, a lover of group runs, city runs, long runs, and black coffee. I started running a little over a decade ago as part of a charity team for people living with spinal cord injuries, and haven’t looked back! When I’m not running, or coaching, you can find me at Trader Joe’s perusing the snack aisles.
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