While you line up initially of any race—whether or not it’s a small neighborhood occasion or a World Marathon Main—chances are high, you’ll see “tremendous sneakers” on a complete bunch of toes. These carbon-plated, cushioned trainers assist you to decide up the tempo by boosting vitality return, and so they merely make racing a complete lot of enjoyable.

Most working shoe manufacturers now have their very own model of them, and after I realized Beneath Armour was coming into the fray with its new Stream Velociti Elite, I used to be keen to offer them a attempt. I examined out a pattern pair for SELF’s 2023 Sneaker Awards—and ended up having fun with them a lot that I laced them up for the primary 10K I’ve raced in a number of years. Listed below are my ideas on the shoe.

Who it’s for

The Stream Velociti Elite is a racing shoe, made particularly for runners who wish to push the tempo at longer distances, like half marathons or marathons. Principally, in the event you’re in search of a PR, you’d gravitate to this type of shoe.

Out of the field

I’ve to confess: Once I opened up the field and took out these sneakers, my first thought was skepticism. The sneakers seemed so fairly that I used to be afraid they had been going to be extra about look than operate. They’re a good looking seafoam inexperienced shade (with popping lime accents) with an virtually dainty, see-through mesh higher that appears very cool. Look-wise, they seemed extra like a conventional working shoe—they lacked the tremendous excessive stack top and futuristic particulars of different tremendous sneakers I’ve tried. Plus, they felt tremendous gentle (weighing 7.5 oz).

Match and Really feel

I attempted these in my regular avenue shoe measurement, and so they match positive. Usually I go up half a measurement in trainers (to permit for motion and slight swelling with exercise), however I nonetheless had a bit of further room on the prime, so these would possibly run a bit massive. The shoe additionally has a streamlined, svelte look, and runs a bit slim within the toe field. Whereas I used to be okay with my regular shoe measurement, I feel a half measurement up might have additionally labored, too (particularly for runs longer than an hour).

The shoe laces up securely (no heel slippage!) and the padded tongue and heel add a bit of further TLC. For tremendous sneakers, they didn’t really feel overly cushiony—they’re positively extra of a agency help—however they certain did really feel gentle. It obtained me excited to take them out for a quick run and put their pace chops to the check.