REASONS TO BUY
Affordable
Good traction
REASONS TO AVOID
Overly padded heel collar can rub
Foot slides forward
Runs slightly small
Under Armour Charged Assert 10 - Women's Review
An affordable shoe that performed well out of the box, but had some issues with rubbing and slippage
These shoes have notable padding around the heel collar.
Credit: Mallory Paige
By Mallory Paige ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ January 28, 2025
RELATED: The Best Walking Shoes for Women
Our Verdict
The Under Armour Charged Assert 10 offers solid value in an entry-level walking shoe, though it comes with some notable compromises. During our extensive testing, we found it provides decent performance for daily walking with good traction and minimal pressure points across the top of the foot. However, the oversized heel collar tends to cause sock slippage and potential rubbing, while a sizing issue causes feet to slide forward during longer walks. These downfalls made this pair of shoes one of our road running shoe testing team's least favorite shoes to jog in. But at slower paces — and at this price point — it's a serviceable option for casual walkers, but those logging serious miles may want to look at some of the other walking shoes we've tested.
Our Analysis and Test Results
We like a well-priced shoe, but we still need it to perform admirably. The Charged Assert 10 did okay in some instances, including passable traction ratings and okay underfoot comfort. But there were a few issues that stood out along the way.
The Charged Assert did okay in testing, but didn't excel in any one category.
Credit: Mallory Paige
Comfort
The Charged Assert 10's comfort story is a tale of mixed results. During my 10,000-step walking test, I immediately noticed the shoe runs slightly small, which is exacerbated by a tendency for the foot to slide forward during use. This combination led to my toes pressing against the front of the shoe – an issue that became more noticeable as my walking distance increased.
The very heavily padded heel collar caused some discomfort during testing.
Credit: Mallory Paige
The heavily padded heel collar proved to be both a blessing and a curse. While it provides cushioning, I found it frequently pushed my socks down and created some rubbing around the Achilles area. On the positive side, I experienced no pressure points or hot spots across the top or sides of my feet, which is commendable for a shoe at this price point. The shoe features a standard lacing system that's easy to adjust to your preferred snugness. When laced loosely, you can slip the shoe on without untying, though I noticed this tends to depress and potentially deform the padded heel collar over time. I recommend fully untying the laces for each use to preserve the shoe's structure.
These required unlacing to get on and off.
Credit: Mallory Paige
Support
Support is one area where the Charged Assert 10 performs admirably. During our rigidity test, we found the sole maintains good stiffness through the midfoot while allowing appropriate flexibility in the toe – a key characteristic for preventing foot fatigue during long walks. The shoe exhibits minimal twisting when subjected to our twist test, indicating good torsional rigidity that helps maintain neutral foot positioning. The lacing system ensures a secure fit, and once tied, the laces remained in place throughout our testing. We found the shoe provides neutral support without attempting to correct for either over- or under-pronation. This makes it a solid choice for walkers with neutral gaits, but means those needing specific pronation support should look elsewhere.
The Under Armour Charged Assert 10 is supportive in all the right places for those with neutral feet.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Traction
We were pleasantly surprised by the Charged Assert 10's traction performance. The full-length rubber outsole features a balanced pattern that works well across various surfaces without any obvious weak points. Unlike some competitors, the lug pattern doesn't trap rocks or debris, which we appreciated during our gravel testing.
The Charged Assert did well in our traction tests, with particularly good performance on concrete.
Credit: Mallory Paige
In our surface tests, the shoe earned slightly above average scores across concrete, tile, and gravel surfaces. This indicates a reliable, if not outstanding, grip across all common walking environments. The segmented pattern with strategic flex grooves provides good ground contact while allowing for natural foot movement; however, we noticed slightly reduced confidence on wet surfaces compared to top performers.
The outsole of the Charged Assert doesn't pick up small rocks like other options in the lineup do.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Weight
The Under Armour Charged Assert 10 weighs in at 8.04 ounces, which is on the heavier side for a walking shoe. However, the weight doesn't seem to negatively impact its performance - the shoe feels well-cushioned and stable underfoot, with no issues with ankle rolling or excessive fatigue during our 10,000-step test. While it may not be the absolute lightest option, the Charged Assert 10 strikes a nice balance between weight, comfort, and support.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Durability
Initial quality impressions of the Charged Assert 10 are positive. The materials feel robust, with particular attention paid to the cushioning elements. After several months of testing and over 10,000 steps, our test pair has held up well. We have noticed that the heavily padded heel tab can start to cave in if you tend to slip your shoes on and off without fully unlacing them.
Care is straightforward – we recommend spot washing with warm, soapy water and a brush, followed by air drying. While we haven't experienced durability issues, some users have reported that the mesh upper can be prone to tearing at flex points with prolonged use.
This padded heel cup can cave in if you repeatedly slide shoes on without untying.
Credit: Mallory Paige
Should You Buy the Under Armour Charged Assert 10?
The Charged Assert 10 is the most suitable option for casual walkers seeking an affordable, general-purpose walking shoe. Its neutral support and consistent traction make it well-suited for everyday activities, such as running errands or short fitness walks. The price point is particularly attractive for those just starting a walking routine or needing a reliable backup pair.
What Other Walking Shoes Should You Consider?
If you're concerned about the sizing and slippage issues we encountered with the Charged Assert 10, we recommend considering the Ryka Devotion Plus 3, which offers improved foot security and is specifically designed for women's feet. For those seeking maximum comfort regardless of price, the Brooks Ghost Max 2 provides superior cushioning and stability. Budget-conscious shoppers might also consider the Skechers GO WALK Joy, which offers similar value with easier on-off convenience.
The Under Armour Charged Assert 10 scored well for stability, but run slightly small.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Under Armour Charged Assert 10 - Women's versus top competing products:
—Mallory Paige
You Might Also Like
