Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11 Review

Comfort and Fit

The athletic mesh upper with leather overlays provides a structured, supportive fit through the midfoot. The leather adds durability and gives the shoe a classic athletic look, but it also restricts the upper's natural flex. Your foot can't move as freely as it can in a shoe with a more flexible mesh construction. Fit can run a little small, so try before buying or consider going up a half size. Available in regular and wide (4E), which is helpful for runners who need extra room. Heel padding is basic but adequate. The overall feel is more like a traditional gym shoe than a modern running shoe. There's nothing wrong with that if that's what you want, but the step-in experience won't impress anyone coming from a more premium trainer.

Cushioning

Charged+ Cushioning is Under Armour's entry-level foam. It's firm and flat with minimal bounce. Under Armour describes it as providing energy return, but in practice we didn't feel much of that. The step-in comfort is okay for standing and walking. The foam provides a stable, predictable platform that doesn't compress too much, which is fine for walking around and gym work. On the run, it doesn't offer much impact protection or responsiveness. There's a 36mm stack and 7mm drop, which should provide decent geometry, but the foam itself doesn't take advantage of it. For short jogs and gym circuits, it's adequate. You're not going to hurt yourself running in these shoes, but you're not going to enjoy the ride either. For anything over a couple of miles of running, the lack of cushioning quality becomes very apparent. Your legs are doing all the work.

Breathability

The leather overlays across the midfoot block airflow more than most other shoes. Mesh panels in the forefoot and tongue help move some air through, but overall, this shoe runs warm. It's not ideal for running in heat, and even moderate-temperature gym sessions can leave your feet feeling stuffy. For walking in climate-controlled spaces, it's a non-issue. During outdoor running in warm weather, we noticed it. The leather also means the shoe takes longer to dry after getting wet. This is a shoe designed to look like a traditional athletic sneaker, with leather part of that look, but the trade-off is airflow.

Traction

Solid rubber outsole with flex grooves for natural toe-off. Good coverage across the bottom of the shoe, and the rubber is durable. Grip on dry and damp pavement is reliable. It handles gym floors, sidewalks, and maintained road surfaces without any issues. No tread pattern for anything off-road, but that's expected at this price and for this type of shoe. The outsole is probably the most durable component of the entire shoe. It'll outlast the midsole foam by a long margin. If you're wearing these for daily walking and gym work, the outsole will hold up well.

Should You Buy the Under Armour Charged+ Assert 11?

If you need an affordable shoe for walking, gym days, standing at work, or errands, the Charged+ gets the job done. The build is durable, the outsole will last, and the wide sizing options help with fit. As a running shoe, though, it falls short of what most runners need. The cushioning doesn't provide enough support for regular training miles, and the heavy weight and warm upper make it less comfortable than shoes that cost a bit more. Like with the Asics Gel-Contend 9, buying a sale-priced version of a better shoe will often give you a much better running experience for the same price. This is a lifestyle shoe that you can jog in, not a running shoe that you can walk in.

What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?

The Asics Gel-Contend 9 is the most direct comparison at the same price with a similar level of performance but a more running-focused design. If you can spend a bit more, the New Balance FuelCell Propel v5 and Adidas Adizero SL2 both deliver significantly better running experiences with livelier foam and better breathability. And for runners who want a structured shoe with real stability support, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 offers GuideRails technology at a higher price but with a much better ride for actual running.