Under Armour HOVR Sonic 6 review

We believe that the Under Armour HOVR Sonic 6 is a great option for:

• Runners seeking a shoe with a long-lasting outsole and a comfort-focused upper at a reasonable price.
• Beginners wanting a firm, stable ride for their first running shoe.
• Weekend warriors needing a reliable pick for easy runs and long walks.

We believe that runners seeking a plush ride at a budget-friendly price will be disappointed with the HOVR Sonic 6. Its firm midsole lacks the soft feel found in shoes like the Nike Winflo 11, which offers a more pleasant underfoot feel while maintaining strong value.

Additionally, we think the midsole stack height may be a bit thin by today’s standards, which may not provide enough protection for heavier runners. If you're looking for a highly-cushioned yet affordable alternative, the ASICS Gel Pulse 15 and the Saucony Axon 3 are far better options for you.

When we measured the midsole, we found a 30.2 mm stack height in the heel. While this might not match today’s ultra-high trends, it still provides a good level of impact absorption.

The forefoot sits below average at 23.2 mm—sufficient for short, easy runs but likely lacking for longer sessions. That said, we believe this isn’t a major drawback, as the shoe isn’t designed for extended distances anyway.

Through our evaluation, we measured an actual drop of 7.0 mm from heel to forefoot—slightly lower than the advertised 8 mm by Under Armour.

In our view, this moderate offset provides a well-balanced ride that accommodates various footstrikes, though it feels slightly less beginner-friendly than the higher drop geometries we typically see in cheap running shoes.

The Under Armour HOVR Sonic 6 boasts a dual-density midsole, combining two different foams. The primary blue layer is in the heel and midfoot, while the secondary white layer is placed in the forefoot.

Pressing our durometer against the main layer of UA HOVR foam gave us an average reading of 27.0 HA. That’s on the firmer side, and in our experience, it translated into a dense underfoot feel with minimal give.

For runners craving a plush, pillow-like ride, this shoe won’t deliver. Instead, it’s designed for those who appreciate a secure platform.

We tested the secondary foam layer and recorded a firm 30.0 HA on our durometer—an exceptionally high result. In our view, Under Armour likely chose this firmer EVA material to offset the lower stack height in the forefoot.

It's also worth noting that, being a basic EVA formulation, high energy return is simply out of the equation. We found that the shoe lacks the lively bounce found in more advanced foam technologies.

After placing the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes, the midsole only became 8% firmer. That's quite good for an EVA-based foam, although it's heavily influenced by the fact that this foam is not plush at all.

We found the insole to be slightly thinner than average at 3.6 mm, which aligns well with this shoe’s modest stack height.

Unlike many modern running shoes, we found that Under Armour stuck with a classic, non-rockered profile for the HOVR Sonic 6, opting for a more traditional shape that works well for easy running and walking alike.

This was clear from the start, but we confirmed it by measuring the toe spring.

How does the HOVR Sonic 6 fit? When we first slipped our feet in, we found it snug—definitely not on the roomier side. To get precise numbers, we turned to our signature gel mold test.

After solidifying in the fridge, the mold revealed a 94.2 mm measurement—slightly narrower than what we typically record in the lab.

Our second measurement in the big toe area showed a pronounced taper at 71.1 mm, reinforcing that this shoe is best suited for narrower feet. And we can confirm that it won't accommodate wide-footed runners comfortably.

We also measured the toebox height, a crucial factor for runners needing extra vertical space. At 27.2 mm, the HOVR Sonic 6 falls within the average range, providing sufficient clearance without causing any fit issues.

In our view, one of the standout advantages of the HOVR Sonic 6 is its great stability, even without a wide platform. The blend of firm foam and a huge plastic heel cup works really well especially for heel strikers needing extra support.

Another stability boost comes from the shoe’s high torsional rigidity, which we rated 4/5. That’s impressively firm for a daily trainer, adding extra support for those who need a more structured ride.

The heel counter sits at a moderate 3/5 stiffness, aligning with most neutral running shoes. Given the firm midsole and torsionally rigid build, additional reinforcement in this area wasn’t necessary for stability.

With a narrow 107.0 mm forefoot, this shoe is better suited for runners who don’t need extra width rather than those who prefer maximalist designs.

The heel maintains the same narrow design at 86.7 mm. Instead of widening the base, Under Armour focused on adding rigidity and a firmer underfoot feel to ensure adequate stability for neutral runners.

While it offers notable torsional rigidity, its longitudinal flexibility stands out, making it a solid choice for daily wear or even as a walking shoe.

Bending it to 90 degrees required just 19.6N of force.

When it comes to weight, we believe Under Armour could make some improvements. Considering the cushioning level of the HOVR Sonic 6, its 10.10 oz (286g) build feels somewhat excessive even for a shoe in this budget-friendly category. However, it's not quite bad enough to be a dealbreaker.

Upon unboxing the HOVR Sonic 6, we observed the presence of ventilation holes in the upper. However, some inner layer seemed to obstruct them, raising concerns about their effectiveness. To assess this, we conducted our standard smoke test.

Regrettably, the test revealed limited airflow, leading us to assign a 2/5 ventilation score. While this design may not be ideal for summer runs, individuals in cooler climates might appreciate the added warmth.

Our digital microscope analysis confirmed that the mesh is on the thicker side and that the ventilation holes present throughout the midfoot and heel are not fully open due to a secondary black layer.

Despite these ventilation shortcomings, we must say that, for a budget-friendly shoe, the upper offers impressive comfort.

In fact, many runners might find the trade-off between reduced breathability and enhanced coziness acceptable.

We put the upper through our rigorous Dremel test. The result? A respectable 3/5 score—outlasting many running shoes in its price range.

On the downside, we found the heel padding to be quite underwhelming, scoring just 2/5.

While this might not be a real issue for most runners, those prone to wearing down this area should consider more durability-focused options readily available in the market.

The outsole incorporates a "High Abrasion Rubber" compound that, while not the grippiest we’ve tested, performed as expected given its firm 89.0 HC durometer reading. This isn’t surprising for a budget-friendly shoe, where longevity often takes precedence over traction.

Coverage is quite extensive, with most areas well-protected except for a small section on the medial side. However, we believe that this is not a concern, as the design still ensures reliable wear resistance across high-wear zones.

We tested the rubber with our Dremel and discovered outstanding durability—just 0.5 mm of wear!

We had been wondering why this shoe felt heavier than expected, and after testing, we found the main reason—Under Armour opted for an ultra-thick 4.5 mm rubber outsole, which is significantly above average.

The upside is obvious—this outsole is built to withstand countless miles. However, the trade-off is a noticeably firmer underfoot feel and added weight. In our opinion, a slightly thinner rubber layer—somewhere between 2.5 and 3.5 mm—would have struck a better balance between durability and weight.

For runners who enjoy a firm, stable ride and don’t prioritize energy return, we believe the HOVR Sonic 6 offers solid value with its long-lasting outsole and comfort-driven upper. However, we also think that some of its drawbacks are significant enough that, regardless of price, it simply won’t work for everyone.

The HOVR Sonic 6 boasts full 360-degree reflectivity.

While many shoes lack any reflective elements, this one outshines even several high-end models across major brands, making it a superb choice for running in low-light conditions.

We found a straightforward lacing system with punched eyelets that does the job well, featuring an extra eyelet for those wanting a more locked-in feel around the ankle. There's also a much-needed tongue loop to keep everything securely in place and prevent unwanted shifting.

One of the standout features of the HOVR Sonic 6 is its ultra-plush tongue, which we absolutely loved. With 9.8 mm of thick padding, it delivers a comfort-driven feel over the instep.

At this price point, a gusseted tongue would be a welcome addition, but in our experience, shoes like the HOVR Sonic 6 rarely include one. As expected, the tongue isn’t fixed to the sides here either.

We found no heel tab on the HOVR Sonic 6, but slipping our feet in was effortless. In our experience, the design works fine without it. However, a cool-looking pull tab in v7 wouldn’t hurt.

We found the insole easily replaceable, and in our experience, it’s a basic insert with average comfort—nothing worth holding onto if you prefer an upgrade.