Under Armour‘s new HOVR Tour SL is designed for golfers looking for the ultimate spikeless traction, with all the performance benefits of a tour-level spiked shoe.
Incorporating a full-knit upper with the support and stability of a traditional golf shoe, the HOVR Tour SL was designed in collaboration with Jean-Jacques Rivet, a world leading expert in the biomechanics of the golf swing.
The full knit upper feature Under Armour’s proprietary Intelliknit technology to overcome the performance limitations of knitted footwear previously seen in golf. Where regular knit uppers tend to be too unstructured to support the force of a golf swing, Intelliknit uses a strategic combination of stretch yarns and lockdown yarns to support the golf swing, to lock the golfer down where they need support and stretch where they need flexibility through the swing, while offering the most connected fit in any shoe the brand has ever built.
No longer confined to be worn on dry fairways, the Intelliknit upper is also treated with NeverWet and a waterproof membrane, meaning golfers can wear the UA HOVR Tour SL in any conditions or lie they find themselves in out on the course.
The outsole design utilizes a combination of Under Armour’s rotational, horizontal, and vertical traction technologies to enhance every golfer’s ability to transfer power from the ground into the swing and give them a competitive edge.
Using a lightweight TPU for stability, in unison with UA Rotational Resistance Traction, and injected rubber spikes in the heel and forefoot, the UA HOVR Tour SL delivers a true spike-like stability and grip throughout the swing, but with all the comfort and versatility of a spikeless shoe.
The TPU outsole also features strategical flex channels based around the science of biomechanics, to further increase traction, stability, and power by keeping the foot grounded through the swing for longer. To generate even more stability and traction for golfers, the UA HOVR Tour SL also features an external heel counter to lock your heel further back into the shoe, creating the ultimate fit for producing maximum stability and power.
As the name suggests, Under Armour’s HOVR cushioning compound is incorporated to generate incredible levels of energy return and comfort. Adding another layer of technology to further optimize horizontal and vertical traction performance.
Jake Haley, Senior PLM of Golf Footwear at Under Armour, said: “The UA HOVR Tour SL is an absolute game-changer, and the hero is the Intelliknit upper. With Intelliknit, we’re able to use a strategic combination of stretch yarns & lockdown yarns to support the golf swing with lockdown where you need it and flex where you need it.
“On top of this Intelliknit upper, the unique lacing system provides added swing support where you need lockdown. We worked with JJ Rivet on all the strategic mapping of stretch vs. rigid yarns,” said Haley. “We also worked closely with JJ in developing the full-length UA HOVR midsole and TPU + Rubber hybrid outsole. They key innovation here is the dual-durometer of the spikes. We used a combination of soft rubber-like spikes and firm TPU spikes. The firm spikes penetrate the ground for traction (like a traditional golf spike), while the soft rubber-like spikes build up necessary friction with the grass, giving you contact points with the ground at all times in order to harness maximum force into the swing. All of the biomechanics research led to a spikeless design that gives you ground contact, friction and stability superior to most spiked designs.”
The UA HOVR Tour SL is available now on UA.com in both black and grey for an RRP of £150/€180/$180.