Under Armour Horizon RTT Review

First Impressions of the Under Armour Horizon RTT:

Hmm…there is a lot going on with that upper. Looks pretty bombproof though. Maybe that’s a good thing? No directional lugs? Interesting choice. Then I picked the Under Armour Horizon RTT up and examined it closer…

…yup, that is one durable looking and feeling upper. And wow, that’s a lot of padded foam around the heel collar. Feels like it’s in that middle ground weight-wise (men’s size 9 = 10.6oz). OK, so how does it perform?

UA says it’s a “Durable PU & textile upper for breathability & reliable protection”

Now for more details. In this review we’ll break things down in to five areas:

What’s good: the new, differentiating, or simply well designed or built features or aspects of the shoe
What’s decent: the features or aspects that are OK but not particularly new or differentiating
What could be improved: tweaks or improvements that could be made to make the shoe better
When to use it: the situations or scenarios where the shoe excels
How it compares: my current go-to shoes and how this compares

I’ll try to be as succinct as possible. After all, you’ve probably got more running you can do today!

What’s good about the Under Armour Horizon RTT?

Upper durability. They certainly got that part of the equation right. With all of the welded, synthetic covering nearly 80+% of the shoe this upper will hold up to abuse.

Yes, there is mesh under all of that synthetic.

Not an overly protective bumper, but that’s fine. It’s good.

What Else is Good?

The cush. Say what you want about full-length EVA midsoles but I still really like them. Yes, some of the newer midsole foam and rubber combinations may respond better while still being nice and cushioned (and don’t break down as quickly) but EVA foam feels good to me. At least until it breaks down after a few hundred plus miles.
The price. These retail for $110. That is a deal compared to where shoe prices are trending. And I’ve already seen these on sale for under $90.
Key features. Perfectly padded, gusseted tongue – yes. Rock plate that doesn’t interfere with the cushion or ride – yup. Sticky, durable rubber outsole – uh huh. Thank you UA.

What’s decent about the Under Armour Horzon RTT?

The midfoot and forefoot fit. Despite a slightly unique lacing system that has a little more space between the eyelets than usual the midfoot and forefoot lock in well. It’s a nice, accommodating forefoot fit with enough volume to make many foot types happy I suspect.

Love the flat laces, they stay tied. Notice the space between the 3^rd – 6^th eyelets though, some folks may not be able to really crank down the fit because of this design possibly. Also, you can’t ‘lace lock’ the heel due to the lack of an extra top eyelet which is a bummer.

The ride. It’s got a consistent feel throughout the gait cycle which I appreciate. The transition from heel-to-toe is not super quick but it works with you pretty well. If you want to pick up the pace every now and then this shoe should respond OK. UA says it has a “Charged Cushioning® foam puck placed under the heel for responsive comfort” and “Lightweight, full-length EVA midsole for optimal cushioning”. Marketing lingo aside, it rides just fine.

What could be improved?

The heel collar and heel lock in. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, more is not always better when it comes to adding structure and extra foam to the heels of running shoes. Yes, it makes for a really nice and comfortable feel against your heel. The problem though is that, at least for me, the heel doesn’t lock in because of all that collar foam. Could be the width of the heel as well but I couldn’t get a solid heel lock in with this shoe.

While extremely comfortable, there is just too much collar foam and/or too wide of a heel to lock in the fit back there.

The breathability. This is my main issue with the shoe. All of that welded synthetic material on top of the mesh upper comes at a cost. This shoe runs hot.

One area where you do get to see the upper mesh is around the heel.

Directional lugs. The Under Armour Horizon RTT has the perfect length lugs, 5.5mm, for tackling many different types of terrain. However, for steep ascending or descending I personally prefer directional lugs that facilitate even better grip on the ups or the downs.

Great, sticky rubber and lug depth. Add a little directional action and we are in business!

When to use it?

Cooler climates or winter use. These puppies will keep your little toes nice and toasty.
Everyday use. If the heel works for you then at this price and comfort level it’s a great daily training option.
Door to trail. It rides on the roads well and transitions perfectly to less demanding terrain nicely.

The Under Armour Horizon RTT is a great option in these scenarios.

How it compares:

Nike Zoom Wildhorse 3: This has been my benchmark shoe of the past year or so. The fit of the Under Armour RTT is similar in a lot of ways except for the heel lock. Combined with the breathability concerns I have with the RTT I’ll opt for the Wildhorse 3 more often.
Brooks Caldera. The Caldera is lighter, has a better mix of cushion and responsiveness, and just a better all-around better shoe in my opinion. I’ll choose the Caldera every time. Note though, the Caldera is $140 so this choice comes at a premium.

So the $110 question – should you purchase the Under Armour Horizon RTT?

In a word, possibly (or you should at least give it shot). If you find yourself in cooler climates, desiring a durable upper, and watching your pennies, this is a solid option.

Interested in learning more: Check out the UA site for specs and ordering.

Questions, comments, or feedback on this shoe? Please share! And thanks for reading!

Meet Your Reviewer: Ben Zuehlsdorf

I am an avid running shoe junkie. When I’m not smelling new shoes I’m usually running or racing around the local trails in Marin County, California or talking shop with the San Francisco Running Company community of friends. I was once a road marathoner but now have transitioned almost exclusively to the trails and racing ultras the last few years.

Disclaimer: This shoe was provided to URP/Ben for testing purposes. All words and thoughts are ours and no compensation was offered or received.

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33 Responses to "Under Armour Horizon RTT Review"

Ryan Kaiser says:

February 7, 2017 at 8:55 pm

Another good review, Ben. Keep them coming. For what it’s worth, I believe this UA shoe is the go-to choice for wait staff at both the Cheesecake Factory and TGI Friday’s due to its uncompromising aesthetics.

Reply
1. Nelson says:
  
  February 8, 2017 at 4:17 pm
  
  I can’t help the first thing that comes to mind every time I see an UA shoe us “ugh!”, even if many of them are seemingly pretty good. But they certainly liik different.
  
  Reply
Ultramarathon and Trail Running Daily News, Wed, Feb 8 – Ultramarathon News, Podcasts, and Product Reviews says:

February 8, 2017 at 5:44 am

[…] off to Ben Z for him to review. He writes thorough, knowledgeable, and honest reviews and you can find what he thinks about the Horizon RTT right here. Liza is trying out a pair and will give her opinion form the women’s […]

Reply
Dan Foley says:

February 8, 2017 at 7:43 am

Great Review Ben

I’m after a trail shoe with a softer toe box, everything i have tried so far gives me lovely black toenails except Roadshoes….I can get away with them in the summer but winter running I end up running like Bambi on Ice

Reply
1. Ben Zuehlsdorf says:
  
  February 8, 2017 at 2:47 pm
  
  Hmm..that’s interesting Dan. What do you think is the root cause of this problem? Are you feeling your toes slam against the front of the shoes or is it possibly a shoe volume / height perspective?
  
  Reply
  1. Dan Foley says:
    
    February 9, 2017 at 6:06 am
    
    Hi Ben….I’m currently using some Salomon speedtraxs and they seem to fit a feel comfy for a good 10 miles or so but the more down hill the more the toes seem to suffer, I dont feel them slam against the front as such but suppose they bearly have to touch but after a good 2 – 3 hours will eventually become too much and the old toe nails go, I understand this is part of long distance running but the softer toed road shoes seem to be a lot less aggressive.
    
    Thanks all for your help and input, much appreciated
    
    Reply
    1. Ben says:
      
      February 9, 2017 at 8:25 am
      
      Hi Dan –
      
      If you aren’t running in Trail shoes that are 1/2 size larger than your standard daily shoe size I would start there. There ideally should be about a thumbs width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe when trying them on. As long as the heel fit is good this extra 1/2 size up front may really help.
      
      Wanna give that a shot and then report back after a few longer runs to see how you are doing?
      
      Thanks.
      
      Reply
      1. Dan Foley says:
        
        February 9, 2017 at 8:37 am
        
        Thanks Ben
        
        All my running shoes are half a size up…I was always told to go up a half shoe size due to the feet swelling on long runs but given my last long run was in snow (and mud) my feet wouldn’t have swollen that much. I’m wondering if the extra room causes or helps prevent the toes banging…..if its helping i’d hate to see my toes if i hadn’t gone up a size 🙂 ideally i’d like to find a crossover trainer that works on trails but also roads (have to train on roads as thats my route home) hopefully with the toe comfort of road shoes…..oh and can i win the lottery while i’m at it.
    2. eric schranz says:
      
      February 9, 2017 at 9:02 am
      
      Dan, I’m happy you’ve “connected” with Ben in your search for shoes. Sorry I wasn’t much help. Ben is a wealth of knowledge. Please let us know what you end up with and how they work out!
      
      Reply
      1. Dan foley says:
        
        February 9, 2017 at 12:36 pm
        
        Thanks a lot Eric, see how important your site is 👍🏻
    3. Ben Zuehlsdorf says:
      
      February 9, 2017 at 11:22 am
      
      Dan, what road shoes have you liked that don’t seem to beat up your toes as much? Perhaps I can suggest ideas once I know more about your road shoe preferences and/or foot type & preferences.
      
      Looking more closely at the Speedtrak it appears to have a really aggressive toe bumper that covers the top of the big toe way more than most toe bumpers I’ve seen. Looking at the material choice of the toe bumper as well, from what I can see in the pictures, it looks to be pretty darn firm. This combined with a traditional Slalom narrow fitting forefoot could be a poor combination for you.
      
      Similar to my comments to Nelson I’ve seen the Hoka Huaka (if you can still find them) and Hoka Clayton to be a really great door-to-trail shoe. Similarly, the Nike Terra Kiger 3 or Wildhorse 3 works great too. And the uppers on the Nikes are some of the best out there today for trail shoes. I often use old Wildhorses as recovery shoes or casual shoes once the traction wears off given how comfortable the uppers are in them.
      
      Reply
      1. Dan foley says:
        
        February 9, 2017 at 12:35 pm
        
        Well I used to run in Nike lunerglides but read Born to Run and refused to wear Nikes 😂 Then tried some mizunos and some asics but didn’t really get on with them as well so have gone back to Nike Lunerglides. Having read what you suggest it sounds like the Terra Kiger or the Wildhorse might be perfect. I’ll give them a go next. Thank you so much for your help, as Eric said you truly know your stuff
      2. Nelson says:
        
        February 9, 2017 at 1:10 pm
        
        The Wildhorse is great and comfy, but the toe overlay coupled with the small amount of vertical room could cause issues.
      3. Dan foley says:
        
        February 9, 2017 at 1:33 pm
        
        Ahh you think they would let me do 30 – 40 laps around the shop in them to get a better idea?
      4. Nelson says:
        
        February 9, 2017 at 2:58 pm
        
        The thing with the Wildhorse is that it softens significantly once it is broken in. I was worried mine would give me bruised toenails when I first run in them, but it hasn’t happened yet.
        
        Have you only run in Salomons or also other trail shoes? I’m asking because of the speedlaces, which may prevent you from looking your foot enough. I had this experience with the Sense Mantra 3, either the cables would hurt me or my foot would slide forward and my toes bump against the front of the shoe.
        
        If your toe issues get worse running downhill, I’d consider if you foot is sliding forward. If so, a trail shoe with regular laces will give you more options. Have you tried heel lock lacing?
      5. Dan Foley says:
        
        February 10, 2017 at 1:39 am
        
        Hi Nelson
        
        Thats a really good point, I have only run in Salomon trail shoes…..but if i’m going to try a pair with proper laces I might as well try the Nikes out as i seem to get on with the road versions of them.
      6. Nelson says:
        
        February 10, 2017 at 10:58 am
        
        I hope that will sort your problems out. If you want to experiment, though, you could remove the speedlaces from your Salomons and replace them with regular laces. I did that to my Sense Mantra 3s and that saved the shoes for me.
        
        If you have to deal with lots of mud, Inov-8 is a brand you may want to check out too.
2. Nelson says:
  
  February 8, 2017 at 4:38 pm
  
  Have you tried Pearl Izumis? Very soft uppers with enough give.
  
  Toe nail issues are more likely to come from improper sizing and/or the foot sliding forward than the shoe itself, especially if it’s happened with different shoes. How much room is left in front of your big toe? I usually have a little less than a thumb’s width, which seems enough.
  
  That said, IMO road shoes run better than trail specific ones anywhere where deep lugs are not a must. The day I find a road shoe with an upper that can take some abuse, my trail shoes will collect dust indoors.
  
  Reply
  1. Ben says:
    
    February 8, 2017 at 6:23 pm
    
    Have you tried the Salomon X series (older model) or S-Lab Sonics (or Sonic 2) Nelson? A surprisingly good road show on trails.
    Similarly I’ve found the Hoka Huaka and Claytons to be great road shoes on the trail given the exposed RMAT outside is naturally pretty sticky.
    
    Reply
    1. Nelson says:
      
      February 8, 2017 at 7:18 pm
      
      I’ve been wondering about the Sonic Pro 2 (now with proper laces!), but durability concerns have held me back. My only experience with Salomon shoes were the Mantra 3, which after 200 miles or so had holes in the forefoot mesh by the bottom lace loops in both shoes just from road and dirt road running, nothing rough. I will look for some reviews for the Sonic Pro 2s (S-Lab are too expensive at the moment) and see about durability and overall impressions. Thanks for the suggestion!
      
      Reply
      1. Ben says:
        
        February 8, 2017 at 9:23 pm
        
        Nelson, eBay is a great option for discontinued shoes. I saw the S-Lab Sonics on there, new, for $62 at one point.
      2. Dan Foley says:
        
        February 9, 2017 at 6:14 am
        
        Thanks both, Pearl Izumis are a pretty unknown brand in the UK but you can find them in a few Running stores, I’ll have to give them a look….I currently run in Salomons (speedtraxs) but you could be right about the sizing….I was always told to go up a half shoe size due to the feet swelling on long runs but given my last long run was in snow (and mud) my feet wouldn’t have swollen that much.
        
        I have been considering Hoka’s for some time but i just can’t get on with the design…I know its not a fashion show….but 🙂
DF says:

February 8, 2017 at 5:41 pm

UA’s CEO also seems to be a big fan of Trump.
Hard pass….
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/07/under-armour-ceo-to-wall-street-critics-they-bet-against-tom-brady-too.html

Reply
1. Dan p says:
  
  February 8, 2017 at 6:30 pm
  
  This is relevant to a shoe review how? Should we check voting records of all the shoe company CEO’s. Maybe that should be part of all the reviews now. We don’t have nearly enough politics on the www. Let’s be sure to drudge them up and get the pitchforks out whenever we can!!
  
  Reply
  1. Ben says:
    
    February 8, 2017 at 6:39 pm
    
    Hi Dan –
    
    I understand the emotions political statements can stir up. Similar to my ask of DF can I ask the same of you going forward? If not I would understand but simply hoping we can keep the comments about trail shoes in this case.
    
    I’ll continue to ask the same of anyone in hopes we can all keep it focused on this beautiful thing called trail running.
    
    Thanks.
    
    Reply
  2. Paul says:
    
    February 8, 2017 at 7:09 pm
    
    When the CEO uses his position to endorse a political candidate or position, it is fair game. Had he volunteered, endorsed, supported, or whatever as simply himself than I get your point. However, he was invited as the CEO and offered a statement as the CEO. This is why Curry had to go public as he is tied to this company. Why do you think Under Armour is issuing statements everywhere. Under Armour has chosen to make their products a political statement.
    
    Reply
    1. eric schranz says:
      
      February 9, 2017 at 6:09 am
      
      It’s fair game on a political site or FB or anywhere else but here. Please, let’s keep this to running, beer, and questionable scientific claims. Thanks.
      
      Reply
2. Ben says:
  
  February 8, 2017 at 6:34 pm
  
  Hi DF –
  
  I can’t believe I’m saying this but if we could refrain from political statements on this forum that would be appreciated.
  
  Not too long ago I tried to make somewhat of a political joke on irunfar and was swiftly asked to refrain as well. At first, I was upset with the moderator’s response. I thought “Come on man, it was an innocent joke. Can’t we have a sense of humor?” But the more I thought about it the more I understood the ask was about trying to keep a running-related forum about running. Simple as that. We are bombarded with so much political news these days it’s nice to have a place to escape it. If we could keep it separate that would be appreciated. Hope that’s a fair ask?
  
  Thanks.
  
  Reply
3. eric schranz says:
  
  February 8, 2017 at 7:26 pm
  
  Not relavent to a show review. You want to talk politics, please take it to an appropriate forum. Thanks.
  
  Reply
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Under Armour Horizon Trail Shoe - Reviewed by Liza Howard says:

March 20, 2017 at 9:30 am

[…] reviewed the same shoe for URP right here and shared some of the same concerns while finding some additional positive […]

Reply
Steve says:

November 2, 2018 at 6:02 am

Great review! Well thought out and informative beyond the marketing dummy. Thank you!

Reply

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