It is quite remarkable that Under Armour only entered the golf shoe market in 2016, with Jordan Spieth as their flagship athlete following his win at The Masters in Augusta in 2015.
They offer a wide range of spiked and spikeless models and have forged a reputation for making innovative shoes at a reasonable price. Here we test the Hovr Fade 2 SL shoe in a wide fitting.
Under Armour Hovr Fade 2 SL golf shoes review: NCG Summary
NCG SUMMARY
This shoe works well for players who have wider feet and want something that fits better.
It is an incredibly lightweight golf shoe with good grip that performs well on the golf course.
PROS
- Extremely lightweight.
- Off course friendly.
- Good value.
CONS
- Not waterproof.
Under Armour Hovr Fade 2 SL golf shoes
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First Impressions
The first thing that struck me about this shoe was how incredibly light it is. The two pairs of Under Armour golf shoes I tested last year were spiked, and both weighed around 350 grammes per shoe. The Hovr Fade 2 SL, admittedly a spikeless model, came in at extremely svelte 285 grammes, which is almost 20% lighter.
So how do UA achieve this? Well, there’s a very lightweight microfibre ‘leather’ upper which offers water resistance but is not waterproof. There is a very lightweight spikeless outsole, featuring over 100 little nubbins and 11 small triangular lugs, which Under Armour describes as offering ‘Rotational Resistance for lockdown traction.’ In between the upper and the outsole we have the midsole which contains Hovr foam technology to aid comfort, motion and energy return.
What this all looks like is quite a pleasant and athletic-looking shoe. I tested the white/black version, which is essentially white with some black trim and also some flashes of lime green in the two upper eyelets of the lacing system and part of the outsole. And did I tell you how light it is?
This model also comes in three other colours; black, grey and white/blue. The white/black version I tested looks a little more appealing than the darker models and will be best suited to summer golf in dry conditions.
There is a decent amount of padding around the collar and the shoe’s interior – everything does feel a little pared back.
I was pleased to see and feel a substantially firm heel cup. There is the usual prominent logo stuff going on. I’m not really a fan but it’s down to personal preference. I feel it looks a bit cheap.
The UK size 7.5 (Euro 42) E (which means wide) fitted my usually sized 7.5 (Euro 41) wide foot rather loosely out of the box. The shoe felt slightly long and was definitely a wide fit. Now for most shoe manufacturers, Euro 41 is a 7.5 UK fitting. That usually fits me just fine in most manufacturers. In the world of Under Armour, 41 is a 7 and 42 is a 7.5. I think I am probably just in-between sizes. 41 is a little close-fitting, and 42 is a little loose. So I think you’re better being guided by the European size here, and those with wide feet will enjoy the roominess of the toe box.
On Course Testing
Testing was carried out over one round in damp but not rainy conditions on my home heathland course. I had to lace the shoe tightly and wear thick socks to manage the rather loose fit. The Hovr midsole ensured a comfortable walk. And if you can get a good fit, then this shoe would be fine for 36 holes.
And how about performance? I don’t really feel that this shoe is about performance. My foot didn’t feel particularly secure when swinging hard. This could be a downside of the light weight nature of the shoe but could also come down to the sizing.
One other point was that the microfiber upper did crease quite noticeably when the shoe was flexed. f course, there are the benefits of cost and easier care to consider, so I guess it’s a question of personal preference.
The 19th hole
The athletic style, comfort and spikeless outsole makes this shoe ideal for use beyond the golf course. It still looks a bit more like a golf shoe than some alternatives, so I don’t think it’s one for wearing when you’re out on the town but works perfectly well in the clubhouse.
This shoe will work well for the golfer who doesn’t swing too hard at the ball and prefers to play in dry conditions. It is quite unusual in not being waterproof. However, it is comfortable and lightweight with a reasonable choice of colours and will be easy to care for. When one considers that this shoe is priced at under £100, then I have no doubt that it will be a popular choice for a wide variety of golfers.
Buy Now
Fit: True to Size/Small/Large/Wide/Narrow
Style: Athletic/Traditional/Off Course Friendly/All Weather/Casual
Out of Box Comfort: 9/10
Stability: 7/10
Value for Money: 8/10
The Details
Available: Now
RRP: £95
Sizes: UK 7-12 (Half sizes to 11)
Colours: White/Black, White/Academy, Black, Grey.
More info: Under Armour website
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