When it comes to comfortable shoes for walking, running errands, or working out, two popular brands stand out: Skechers and Under Armour.
But which brand truly provides the most comfort for your feet?
We’ll compares the key factors that impact comfort across various Skechers and Under Armour shoe models to help you decide.
Skechers vs Under Armour
The main difference between Skechers and Under Armour is that Skechers offers more casual and athletic lifestyle footwear while Under Armour specializes in performance athletic shoes and apparel for professional athletes.
Skechers designs a wide range of casual sneakers, sandals and boots focused on comfort and style for everyday wear while Under Armour engineers technical athletic shoes specifically for running, basketball, football and training.
Skechers markets to men, women and kids for activities like walking and working out while Under Armour caters to athletes looking to maximize speed, agility and power in their sports.
Before comparing the specifics, here is an overview of Skechers vs Under Armour.
| Feature | Skechers | Under Armour |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Shoes | Lifestyle, athletic, work, kids | Athletic performance |
| Key Technologies | Air Cooled Memory Foam, Hyper Burst cushioning, Stretchable knit upper | Charged cushioning, Micro G foam, HOVR cushioning |
| Width Sizing | Medium, wide, extra wide | Medium, wide |
| Size Range | Women: 5-12, Men: 7-15 | Women: 5-12, Men: 7-15 |
| Purpose | Versatile everyday wear | Specialized athletic activities |
| Price Point | $$ | $$$ |
| Common Foot Concerns Addressed | Plantar fasciitis, over/underpronation, fatigue | Energy return, stability, ventilation |
| Availability | Major retailers, company website | Brand stores, company website |
| Returns | Standard policy | 30 days |
| Popular Styles | GOwalk slip-ons, Max Cushioning, Work shoes | HOVR running shoes, Charged trainers |
In summary, Skechers offers more lifestyle and work-oriented comfort shoes at a lower price point, while Under Armour focuses on high-performance athletic shoes for training and competition.
Under Armour has more proprietary technologies catered to athletes, while Skechers aims for versatility and affordability across a wider range of shoe types.
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Pros and Cons
Pros: Skechers
- Exceptional comfort and cushioning
- Wide variety of casual and athletic styles
- Generally more affordable price point
- Known for innovative comfort technologies
Cons: Skechers
- May not have the same level of athletic performance features as Under Armour
- Some styles may not have the most up-to-date or fashionable designs
Pros: Under Armour
- Specializes in high-performance athletic shoes
- Advanced technologies for energy return, support, and durability
- Sleek, modern aesthetic appealing to athletes and activewear fans
- Brand recognition and reputation for quality
Cons: Under Armour
- Generally more expensive than many Skechers models
- More limited casual/lifestyle options compared to Skechers
- May not provide as much pure comfort and cushioning as Skechers
Which Shoes Are Good for Different Activities
Shoes for Running
- Under Armour is known for producing high-performance, technology-driven running shoes. Models like the Hovr Infinite 3 and Velociti Wind feature responsive foam midsoles, superior cushioning, and innovative features to support running.
- Skechers also makes solid running shoes, particularly with their Max Cushioning and Go Run lines. While not quite as technical as some Under Armour models, Skechers running shoes still provide good cushioning, comfort, and performance.
- In general, Under Armour has a slight edge over Skechers for dedicated running, especially for high-mileage training and racing.
Shoes for Walking
- Both Skechers and Under Armour excel at making comfortable, well-cushioned walking shoes. Skechers’ signature comfort and support, like in their Go Walk and Max Cushioning lines, work very well for extended walking.
- Under Armour also produces excellent walking shoes, with features like their Micro G and Charged cushioning that provide plush underfoot comfort.
- For walking, the comfort and support levels are quite comparable between the two brands, with personal preference and fit being the main deciding factors.
Shoes for Standing All Day
- Skechers’ thick, cushioned midsoles and supportive designs make their shoes a great choice for those who need to stand for long periods. Models like the Max Cushioning Elite provide exceptional comfort and fatigue reduction.
- Under Armour also has standout options for all-day standing, with shoes featuring their responsive yet supportive foam technologies. The Charged and Hovr lines are particularly well-suited.
- In this category, Skechers and Under Armour are both excellent choices, with the final decision depending on individual foot needs and personal fit preferences.
Now that you have an overview of Skechers vs Under Armour differences, read on for an in-depth feature-by-feature comparison.
A Brief Background
First, let’s briefly introduce Skechers and Under Armour for context before diving into the comfort comparison.
Skechers
Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Manhattan Beach, California, Skechers is an award-winning footwear company that designs, develops, and markets lifestyle and performance footwear for men, women, and children of all ages. With distribution in over 170 countries and territories, Skechers is a leader in walking and athletic shoes globally.
Under Armour
Under Armour, founded in 1996 and headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, began by designing moisture-wicking t-shirts and has evolved into a leading developer of athletic performance apparel, shoes, and accessories. While newer to the shoe game than Skechers, Under Armour uses technology and innovation to engineer footwear that aims to help athletes achieve peak performance.
Factors That Impact Comfort
Shoes can feel comfortable or uncomfortable for many reasons. Here are key factors that affect the comfort level of different Skechers and Under Armour shoe models:
Cushioning
The amount and quality of cushioning strongly influence comfort, especially for athletic shoes. More or better cushioning often increases softness underfoot but can sometimes decrease stability.
Insole Type
Contoured, removable, or extra cushioned insoles may enhance comfort versus flat insoles bonded to the sole. However, some bonded soles provide adequate cushioning on their own.
Flexibility
Flexible shoes and flexible sole material that bend with the foot’s movement can promote comfort while walking or running by mirroring the foot’s natural flexibility and range of motion.
Weight
Typically, lighter shoes feel less fatiguing than heavy shoes during activities that involve foot motion or lifting, thereby increasing comfort. But minimalist shoes can sometimes be too light to absorb shock properly.
Support Features
Elements like arch support, heel support, and ankle padding help keep the foot properly aligned, secure, and cushioned inside the shoe, optimizing comfort.
Breathability
Shoes made of breathable mesh or synthetic material allow airflow to the foot, regulating temperature and sweat to maintain comfort, especially for athletic shoes worn during physical activity.
Skechers vs Under Armour Shoes: Comfort Comparison
Now let’s evaluate comfort across these brands by shoe type, analyzing specific shoe models using the factors above.
Walking Shoes
Both Skechers and Under Armour offer numerous walking shoe options catered to comfort through ample cushioning and support.
| Shoe Model | Cushioning | Insole | Flexibility | Weight | Support Features | Breathability |
| Skechers Go Walk Joy | High | Double-cushioned removable insole | Flexible | Light | Comfort pillars provide stability at 5 points underfoot. Arch support | Engineered air-cooled Goga Mat breathable insole |
| UA HOVR Machina 2 | High | Removable high rebound insole | Somewhat flexible | Medium | External heel counter for stability and lockdown, GuideRails technology helps control excessive foot motion | Lightweight mesh upper |
| Skechers Go Walk Max | Very high | Double-cushioned removable insole | Flexible | Medium | Resalyte cushioning absorbs shock and stability pillars | Air-cooled Goga Mat insole |
| UA HOVR Guardian 2 | High | Removable compression mesh Energy Web insole | Not very flexible | Medium-Heavy | External heel counter and extended lacing for security and lockdown, Charged cushioning system | Breathable mesh upper |
The Skechers Go Walk Joy provides high cushioning in a flexible, lightweight shoe equipped with Comfort Pillar technology for stability in key zones underfoot along with an exceptionally breathable upper, ideal for walking comfort.
The Under Armour HOVR Machina 2 contains springy HOVR cushioning and a breathable knit upper for responsive comfort that moves with your foot, though flexibility is somewhat limited.
For maximum cushioning close to clouds under your feet, the double-cushioned Skechers Go Walk Max takes the trophy. However, the heavier Under Armour HOVR Guardian 2 wins for foot security and support via its external heel counter and Extended lace cage wrapping the midfoot.
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Running Shoes
Running shoes also focus heavily on cushioning but balance it against stability and responsiveness to create a comfortable yet high-performing shoe.
| Shoe Model | Cushioning | Insole | Flexibility | Weight | Support Features | Breathability |
| Skechers GOrun Ride 9 | High | Custom Fit removable insole | Flexible | Medium | Supportive band across the midfoot | Lightweight, breathable mesh and synthetic upper |
| UA HOVR Machina | Very high | Removable compression mesh Energy Web insole | Somewhat flexible | Medium | External heel counter for foot lockdown, midfoot shanks for medial & lateral stability | Lightweight breathable mesh upper |
| Skechers GOmeb Speed 6 Hyper | High | High-rebound cushioned removable insole | Flexible | Light | Resalyte midsole absorbs shock, M-Strike zone encourages midfoot strike | Extremely breathable upper |
| UA HOVR Infinite 3 | High | Charged Pwrrun midsole & Energy Web compression mesh removable insole | Less flexible | Heavy | External heel counter & extended medial sidewall wrap for security, GuideRails technology mediates excessive foot motion | Breathable mesh upper with excessive overlays |
The Skechers GOrun Ride 9 strikes an excellent balance of cushioning, flexibility, support, and breathability for comfort you can run for miles. Under Armour’s HOVR Machina is slightly stiffer but incredibly responsive thanks to its bouncy HOVR foam and propulsive carbon fiber plate.
For racing comfort focused on lightweight speed, the Skechers GOmeb Speed 6 Hyper excels with its flexible heel bevel encouraging a fast yet low-impact midfoot strike pattern.
But the Under Armour HOVR Infinite excels in foot security via firm external lockdown components holding the foot snugly and safely in place over long distances.
Cross Training Shoes
Let’s move on to versatile cross-training shoes built to handle a variety of gym or studio activities comfortably.
| Shoe Model | Cushioning | Insole | Flexibility | Weight | Support Features | Breathability |
| Skechers Flex Appeal 3.0 Training Shoe | Medium | Memory FoamRemovable insole | Flexible | Medium | Supportive TPU midfoot stability bridge | Open knit mesh fabric upper for cooling airflow |
| UA Tribase Reign 3 | High | Charged Pwrrun midsole & Energy Web removable insole | Somewhat flexible | Medium-Heavy | Compression mesh Energy Web contains the foot, external hard TPU heel counter & midfoot shank | Slits in midfoot & heel allow moderate airflow |
| Skechers Max Cushioning Elite Flex | Very High | Air Cooled Memory Foam Removable insole | Flexible | Medium | Supportive midfoot strike zone encourages natural foot movement | Highly breathable knit mesh upper |
| UA TriBase Reign 3 | High | Charged Pwrrun midsole & Energy Web removable insole | Less flexible | Heavy | External TPU heel counter & midfoot shanks reinforce & contain the foot, outsole wraps up onto the midsole for traction & stability | Limited breathability from excessive overlays on the upper |
The open knit mesh upper of the flexible Skechers Flex Appeal lets air flow freely around your foot as you train, while its Memory Foam insole cushions landings.
For superior comfort under intense pressure and impact, the exceptionally cushioned Skechers Max Cushioning Elite has you covered in pillowy air-cooled foam.
On the Under Armour side, the TriBase Reign 3 contains great Charged Pwrrun cushioning within a solid yet ventilated exoskeleton, though overlays limit airflow relative to the knit Skechers options.
Under Armour emphasizes security and support in cross-training shoes, with the stiff TriBase Reign built like a protective fortress around the foot.
Conclusion
In summary, Skechers tends to prioritize lightweight flexibility coupled with ample cushioning to deliver comfort you can walk, run, train, or stand in for hours. The brand relies more on innovative midsole foams rather than a sea of firm externals to achieve comfort.
Under Armour also packs comfort-focused tech like HOVR foam or Charged cushioning into shoes but typically balances it with external support components to tightly secure feet for athletic activities. This leads to a more structured and heavier feel not quite as plush out of the box as some Skechers models but with enhanced foot control.
So choose Skechers for lightweight, highly breathable models with flexible cushioning built into the midsole. But go with Under Armour if you prefer cushioning sealed tight within a rigid supportive exoskeleton built to lock feet in place as you train.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which brand of shoes is more comfortable overall, Skechers or Under Armour?
Overall Skechers tends to embrace a comfort-first approach with ample lightweight cushioning even in athletic models, leading to high out-of-box comfort, while Under Armour athletic shoes usually prioritize support and security over plush softness. However, some specific high cushioning Under Armour shoes like the HOVR Machina can feel very comfortable.
Which brand has more comfortable walking shoes?
For pure comfort while walking, features like high flexibility, maximum cushioning, and breathability take precedence over too much structure and control. So Skechers walking shoes usually excel in these areas for superior walking comfort, especially models like the Go Walk Joy and Go Walk Max.
Under Armour, walking shoes do focus more on stability via external support components which can limit cushioning softness and flexibility. But the HOVR cushioning technology in shoes like the HOVR Machina 2 helps deliver comfort while mitigating excessive foot motion.
What shoe brand is more comfortable for standing all day – Skechers or Under Armour?
Skechers win for all-day comfort while standing thanks to signature features like high rebound Ultra Go cushioning and Memory Foam footbeds that maintain cushion integrity even under prolonged pressure. Breathable knit uppers also keep air flowing to feet to prevent moisture build-up when standing for long hours.
Which is the most comfortable Under Armour shoe?
The Under Armour HOVR Machina 2 ranks among the most comfortable Under Armour shoes thanks to its bouncy HOVR foam cushioning encased in lightweight breathable mesh. The HOVR Infinite 3 also combines plush HOVR foam with a secure anatomical heel shape fit while the TriBase Reign 3 locks feet tightly into soft Charged Pwrrun cushioning comfort.
What is the most comfortable Skechers shoe?
The Skechers Go Walk Max Hyper Sneakers stands out as one of the most comfortable Skechers shoes available. It features maximum Resalyte cushioning with a removable double-layered insole and Memory Foam footbed for next-level comfort and shock absorption. The highly flexible 5GEN midsole and breathable mesh upper maximize comfort across the top and bottom of the foot when walking.
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