Under Armour Unveils Game-Changing SlipSpeed With “Collapsible” Heel

SportsMoney Under Armour Unveils Game-Changing SlipSpeed With ‘Collapsible’ Heel Michael LoRé Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Following New! Follow this author to stay notified about their latest stories. Got it! Oct 26, 2022, 10:00am EDT | New! Click on the conversation bubble to join the conversation Got it! Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin The Under Armour SlipSpeed features a “collapsible” heel and BOA Fit System lace technology.

Courtesy of Under Armour About two years ago Under Armour’s research and development team noticed a trend among high school and college athletes. “They were crushing in their heels—stepping in on the back of their shoes to get in from an easy access standpoint,” UA director of product Marcus Cheatham says. “They also were very lackadaisical with their shoelaces.

“But, they weren’t stepping on a pair of beat up shoes to walk around in, they were then unflipping the back of them, tying them tightly and training and performing in these shoes they destroyed. ” That’s when Under Armour had a lightbulb moment. Anchored by a six-point feature set highlighted by a fully collapsible heel and BOA Fit System that negates the need to tie traditional shoelaces, Under Armour developed what they believe to be “the best trainer that’s ever existed.

” Available starting October 31 at UA. com, Dick’s Sporting Goods and select UA Brand Houses, the SlipSpeed, which also features the brand’s Iso-Chill and Flow technologies, is designed to provide wearers with the versatility and support they need running from class to practice, film study, weight room and just about everywhere in between. “Instead of having to put on running shoes then training shoes then slides, it really is taking the thought out of the athletes’ life and making their lives easier,” Cheatham says.

“That convertibility and versatility is really everything for the athlete, especially young athletes. The last thing they want to worry about is tying their shoes and having to carry multiple shoes with them. MORE FOR YOU Livestream Shopping Stays Hot As Whatnot Valuation More Than Doubles To $3.

7 Billion The Best New Movies And Shows On Netflix Today: October 26, 2022 What To Expect From Honeywell Stock After It Reports Q3 Earnings? “Of course we’re going to make their lives easier, but we’re also giving them a completely better performance solution that is simple, easy, intuitive and also gives you that Under Armour DNA which has never really existed before. ” The UA SlipSpeed also features BOA Fit System lacing technology. Courtesy of Under Armour During the design process, Under Armour sent iterations of the SlipSpeed to various athlete partners, including Michael Phelps, who provided invaluable feedback.

Cheatham also brought the shoes to Elite 24 in Chicago to get feedback from some of the top boy’s and girl’s high school basketball players. “Where we first start off at UA is understanding that the athlete experience is the answer,” Cheatham says. “We go out and talk to athletes, we watch them and observe them and get these great qualitative insights from them.

” For Under Armour, the SlipSpeed is the next product the brand hopes to leverage in order to separate from competitors, who all continue to deal with the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuing supply chain issues and, for some, inventory surplus. Under Armour reported a flat $1. 3 billion in revenue in the first quarter of 2023 despite international revenue decreasing 3% to $431 million (including an 8% decrease in Asia-Pacific).

Footwear revenue increased 1% to $347 million, while apparel revenue and accessories revenue decreased 1% (to $868 million) and 13% (97 million), respectively. The Baltimore-based sports apparel company founded in 1996 remains without a CEO after Patrick Frisk stepped down on June 1. Colin Browne has served as interim CEO and president as UA founder and executive chairman Kevin Plank continues his search for Frisk’s replacement.

Plank said during the most recent earnings call in August the company would choose a new CEO “by year’s end. ” Under Armour continues to prioritize innovation, with athletes as its top priority, whether it’s via the UA Next platform or its commitment to create opportunities for millions of athletes. Cheatham says the SlipSpeed will be “the next step for our future” and “isn’t just a shoe, but a platform,” as the brand continues to leverage these technologies into various iterations and products.

“From our DNA we’ve always been innovators and tried to push the boundaries that apparel, footwear, accessories, etc can be,” Cheatham says. “We have to push ourselves. We have to be really stoic in our stance but also dynamic to be able to pivot.

That’s why we really took our time to focus on this. “We truly believe that this is something that can really change the footwear game in the future, but at the same time we have to have the conviction as a brand to really stand behind it. ” Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn .

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