A lot of rubber is used in the design of the outsole of this shoe, particularly, in the forefoot. The shoe caters to those who struggle with overpronation. The front of the shoe has a wide fit that gives the shoe an hourglass shape. Trail shoes have a similar design.

The material used in the outsole is more responsive and springy than that used for trail shoes. The shoes are perfect for soft surface running. They have extra cushioning that supplements the outsole and the shoes work well on terrain that is somewhat tougher than soft surfaces.

Most of the weight and material in these shoes are found in the midsole. Customers may be surprised by the gratuitous amount of cushion. The standard running shoe does not have the cushioning that is usually found in heavy duty mountain running shoes.

The extra weight provides a level of cushion and stability that makes the UA Speedform Europa ideal for casual fare and tough running surfaces. The insoles are not a favorite of some testers. They would like to take them out and customize the shoes with other insoles, but that is not possible with these shoes.

When the Speedform Europa was designed, Under Armour emphasized high stability, rear foot protection, and ventilation. Mesh fabric implementation accomplished ventilation in the tongue and front of the upper along with a small stripe near the rear.

Extra heel protection was achieved by adding additional material on the heel at the back. UA managed high-stability by using several taut straps in the middle of the upper along the shoelace hooks. The design elements make for a competent running shoe.

The listed weight of these shoes varies from ten to 12 ounces. That is a high running shoe weight. Typically, shoes of this weight are off-road trail shoes designed for harsh terrain and steep inclines. The weight makes the shoes more durable than standard running shoes, but the shoes are intended for standard running environments like a grassy field or a track. Due to the increased weight, the shoes are not as suited for those surfaces as others running shoes that weigh less.

Runners’ preferences range from minimalist to shoes that have more of a drop. The shoes are neither lightweight or heavy. They do not cause legs to become fatigued, but they are not speed shoes. In terms of weight, they are in the middle of the spectrum when ranked against other road running shoes.

Ventilation is a primary focus in the construction and design of the Speedform Europa. Observing the upper makes the focus most apparent. Most of the back, tongue, and front is made from mesh fabric that is highly breathable. Several long straps along the middle and some extra reinforced material used at the rear of the heel are the only things that interrupt the mesh. Some design caveats make the running shoes a little less breathable.

The high weight of the shoes is detrimental to comfort. Sore calves are likely to result after a long period due to the extra weight. Some of the weight is put to good use with the insane level of midsole cushioning.

Tightening the straps along the lateral and medial sides of the shoes helps to offset the discomfort caused by the extra weight. It secures the shoes snugly to the feet. The manufacturer does not want the foot to turn inward which means the shoe does not have a lot of compression.

There is more compression on the outside of the shoe. The shoes are made for overpronation. Others may not like them. The shoes cause a bit of weird pain and funky actions in the knees and joints. Before jumping into a stability shoe, a runner needs to be assessed at a running store for feet, posture, and walking.

The Under Armour running shoe appearance is different than nearly every other shoe of its kind on the market. The unconventional style features several long straps that run alongside the medial and lateral sides. Some runners who prefer a more straightforward style may view the feature as a turn-off.

A stylish aspect of the shoes is the multiple color options. There are approximately ten color schemes which make coordinating them with a wardrobe easy. The Under Armour Speedform Europa offers an expectedly beefy style which makes it perfect for long-distance running on the road.

A generous amount of cushion results in the UA Speedform Europa being highly durable. Considerable reinforcement has also been added to the upper with several extra fabric straps on the side. The shoes are built like an ‘armored’ truck. They will be long-lasting if properly maintained. That is a feature some find worthwhile even if it comes at the cost of extra weight.

The bottoms of the feet receive unparalleled protection when these running shoes are worn. An obscene amount of cushion in the midsole is responsible for the protection. The level of cushion can be compared to hardcore trail shoes, but the protection is not on the level of trail shoes. They cannot be used comfortably on the same type of terrain as trail shoes. The UA Speedform Europa lacks weather resistance and traction.

Runners who are not used to wearing heavy running shoes will go through an adjustment process. The shoes take a hit in the responsiveness category when compared to running shoes that weigh less. Tight-fitting fabrics and energy efficient material implementation for the insoles compensate for the overbearing weight which makes the running shoes relatively responsive when running on tracks or roads.

The UA Speedform Europa is among the best running shoes providing the support needed to run comfortably on sidewalks and asphalt roads for long periods. The cost of support is extra weight. It allows the shoe to facilitate long running sessions without wearing down the soles. Runners prone to heel striking like the impressive heel support. It is coupled with an eight-mm heel drop UA offers in the running shoe.

The weight of the shoes is about the same as a pair of trail shoes, but they do not work in similar environments. There is enough cushion for harsher trails, but the shoes are not viable for that type of terrain. The shoes lack water resistance and traction which impair solid footing on slippery rocks or inclines.

Runners may be successful when running on trails that are flat. It is best to stick to tracks or roads. Looking at the tread, lets the runner know the shoes are not going to be worn on rough terrain. They will not be taken on training tracks or the trail. Runners stick to the road with these shoes.

When what the Under Armour Speedform Europa offers is taken into consideration, the not so cheap running shoes sell for a reasonable price. The difference in price between sizes is drastic. The difference is due to the amount of material used in making each shoe. The price increases exponentially as sizes become larger.

The strange design of the shoe emphasizes support and extra weight. The limited environments that are suited for these shoes may dissuade the casual runner who will likely opt for something lighter. The standard shoes sell for $130. Those that are record-equipped cost $160.

There seems to be inflation among running shoes. The prices continue to rise. Those who do a lot of running and want the record equipped technology that automatically collects data as they run may find the more expensive shoes to be something of value. If simple stability running shoes are what a runner wants, he or she may be paying $130 for them. The price point does not excite testers. They feel the shoes are a bit overpriced.

The traction of the outsoles makes them perfect for basic running surfaces and perhaps some intermediate ones. They resemble trail shoes with the midsole cushioning and weight. There is insufficient traction to facilitate running in a capacity similar to that of trail shoes.

That is not to say the shoes have poor traction. It is just not as impressive as shoes of similar weight. Traction will never be a problem in dry climates on flat surfaces. Encounters with rainy weather and inclines require extra caution.

It is probably necessary to look elsewhere if a runner wants a shoe with some give or ben when striking the ground. The shoe does not have a lot of lower portion flexibility. There is too much material, padding, and cushion around the bottom.

The shoes do not provide a reasonable amount of flexibility in this area. Impressive flexibility is present in the upper portion due to the snug and lightweight material used. It is easy to adjust the fit because of the mesh along most of the shoe’s upper and the flexible strap materials used.

The design accomplishes high stability with a combination of applications to the lower and upper portions of the shoe. Extra effort was made on the top half to offer a fit that is snug yet flexible around the middle of the foot. The area along the shoelace threading has extra straps.

A special heel cup on the lower half has been implemented. It helps keep the heel locked in place when running a level of rigidity coupled with the heel cup offers a heavily cushioned midsole. The shoe is seriously stable. Placed against other shoes in the stability category testers say there are better choices due to the big strip or structure inside the shoe that is meant to keep the foot from overpronation.

The shoes have an eight-mm heel to toe drop which is for running. Heel to toe drop is a matter of personal preference. What is most important is the cushion. Eight millimeters of elevation offers a bit more cushion in the area of the heel than the forefoot.

Two purposes are served that make the shoes ideal for running. First, the forefoot feels the surface better when it is closer to the ground and provides a little extra flexibility. Second, additional heel cushion absorbs most of the shock due to heel striking which helps prevent damage to ankles and Achilles tendons. Despite the drop, the shoe falls short in flexibility because of the gratuitous cushioning along the entire midsole. It restricts any extra flexibility

* 8mm drop favoring heel striking
* Generous midsole cushioning
* High-weight
* Reinforced heel padding
* Tight upper with straps in the middle and breathable fabric

Under Armour was highly specific in the creation of the Speedform Europa. Those who will get the most benefit out of the unconventional design are those who run long distance on harder than basic surfaces that are softer than mountain trails. Inherently, demographics are limited to marathon runners.

Every design detail decision was meant to appeal to marathon runners in a way different from any other shoe. The shoes will disappoint those outdoors types who like long runs and hikes around mountains or are casual runners wanting to train for track and field events.