The UA Velociti Elite 2 is a maximally-stacked Race Day Shoe, but is it for You?

Construction:

There are some relatively significant upgrades to this version than the original.

• It is heavier. A Men’s 10 comes in about 9.3 ounces – which is not exactly minimalistic for a racer.
• The stack was raised. This shoe comes in at the tallest legal height – 39.5mm (up from 36mm).
• The drop was reduced. It measures just a 2mm drop – which can definitely be a new world for some runners (and their calves).

Upper:

The upper construction of this shoe is relatively similar to the initial version, featuring a low-volume UA Warp 2.0 (nylon/mesh) that fits closely across the top of the foot. There are additional overlays that resemble a see-through breathable web, providing light structure.

The heel is decently cushioned, with a collar that offers a nice hold, in contrast to the ultra-thin design seen in other speed shoes. This design transitions into a snug heel with a posterior thin counter and mild heel collar cushioning. Additionally, the tongue is gusseted and provides mild padding.

One surprising feature is the wide anatomic toe box, particularly given that this is a racing speed shoe. For those in need of a wider forefoot platform, this design could open up new possibilities in racing. The midfoot and heel are narrower, offering a snug fit through this part of the shoe. The shoe also has reflectivity across its surface, making it a good option for low-light runs to stay safe.

Midsole:

With its substantial stack height and “elite” moniker, this shoe aims to be a super shoe. It’s quite comfortable, although the 2mm drop takes some getting used to for a runner like me. However, I’m not sure it fits alongside the “super shoe” category dominated by the major brands known for their record-breaking models. The weight and midsole construction are partly why it falls short.

The PEBAX on top and EVA Flow on the bottom provide bounce and spring, but I found them firmer than expected. That said, the shoe is definitely designed with performance and speed in mind. The faster you push, the more responsive they become, which is evident. At normal paces, they don’t perform as well, which makes sense since this is marketed as an “elite racing shoe” meant for pushing the pace.

That being said, it definitely operates with performance, and speed, in mind. The faster you push, the more these respond – that’s absolutely evident. At normal paces, it doesn’t seem to perform as well (which makes sense – this is their “elite racing shoe” – they expect you to be pushing pace!).

The launch in these is pretty aggressive if/when you can get through the 2mm drop.  We recommend wearing these out and about – or maybe doing a few more casual runs – to prepare yourself for the drop prior to just launching into them on race day.

Thought I can’t verify it, I would hypothesize that those who prefer lower drops and who strike on their forefoot will absolutely love these out of the box, while the rest of us may need some practice first.

Outsole:

Generally speaking, I don’t typically have a lot of significant comments on the outsoles of most running shoes. I find it is pretty rare for an outsole nowadays to be completely out of step with the rest of the shoe. I’m sure elite level runners and reviewers can nitpick an outsole difference as they look to shave seconds off their personal records. However, for the average runner in the Pacific Northwest – as long as we aren’t sliding around all over the place, the outsole is generally going to be functional.

The foam outsole in the V2 remains pretty identical to the V1, and that’s a good thing. The grip is solid and the non-rubber construction handles the road with class. I have hundreds of miles in my V1 (though lots with speed work on the treadmill), and it looks like I have hardly worn it. I had my reservations in our review of the V1 version, but these have surpassed my expectations and continue to do so.

Overall:

The Velociti Elites have the price tag of an elite shoe ($250) and definitely handles speed well – for those who fit a mold. We feel it is best suited for runners who prefer a wider toe box (60% of our blogging crew require a wide-fit) and a low-drop racing shoe. Also, being OK with a bit of extra weight might be necessary as well. Overall, we really like the shoe and I know one of bloggers fits this mold and is absolutely here for this shoe!