Under Armour Men’s Charged Assert 9 Running Shoe Review

The Under Armour Men’s Charged Assert 9 Running Shoe has been making waves in the running community, and today we're here to provide you with a comprehensive review.

As avid runners ourselves, we understand the importance of finding the perfect running shoe that not only provides comfort but also enhances performance.

The Charged Assert 9 is marketed as a high-performance shoe designed to deliver optimal cushioning, support, and responsiveness. In this article, we will delve into the key features of the shoe, including its construction, fit, durability, and overall performance.

Additionally, we will explore customer feedback and expert opinions to give you a well-rounded view of this popular running shoe.

Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting your fitness journey, our review will help you determine if the Under Armour Men’s Charged Assert 9 is the right choice for you.

Features At Glance

Under Armour Charged Assert 9

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Charged Cushioning: These running shoes feature Charged Cushioning technology, which provides excellent protection against impact, allowing you to run faster and more comfortably.
Durable Stability: The shoes are equipped with leather overlays that offer durable stability, ensuring that your feet stay firmly in place during your runs.
Breathable Mesh Upper: The lightweight mesh upper is designed with a 3-color digital print, delivering complete breathability to keep your feet cool and comfortable, even during long runs.
Lock-In Midfoot: The leather overlays not only provide stability but also lock in your midfoot, offering additional support and a secure fit.
EVA Sockliner: The shoes come with an EVA sockliner, which provides soft and step-in comfort, making each stride a pleasure.
Charged Cushioning Midsole: Featuring a compression-molded foam midsole, these shoes offer ultimate responsiveness and durability, ensuring a comfortable and responsive ride.
Solid Rubber Outsole: The solid rubber outsole covers high-impact zones, providing greater durability while keeping the weight of the shoes to a minimum.
Offset and Lace Type: The shoes have an offset of 10mm and feature a standard tie lace system. They are designed for neutral runners who require a balance of flexibility and cushioning.

Overview of Under Armour Charged Assert 9

The Under Armour Charged Assert 9 is a great all-around running shoe that combines performance and comfort. It features the latest in cushioning technology, providing excellent protection against impact.

The training shoe also features leather overlays for added stability, a lightweight mesh upper with a 3-color digital print for breathability, an EVA sockliner for step-in comfort, and a solid rubber outsole for durability.

The shoes have an offset of 10mm, making them ideal for runners who require flexibility and cushioning. They also come with the standard tie lace system to ensure a secure fit. The overall design of the shoe makes it perfect for running, both on roads and trails.

Features and Benefits

The Under Armour Charged Assert 9 offers a variety of features and benefits that make it an ideal choice for runners. Here is a detailed look at the features and benefits of these shoes:

The Under Armour Men's Charged Assert 9 Running Shoe is designed from the ground up to deliver an optimal running experience. Let's review each feature in greater depth:

Lightweight Mesh Upper

The upper utilizes a breathable and flexible lightweight mesh material. This provides important benefits:

Airflow - The open mesh construction promotes active airflow as you run. This keeps feet cooler and drier than solid uppers that can get hot and humid inside. Staying cool and dry enhances comfort on long or intense runs.
Breathability - Mesh uppers offer far more breathability than solid leather/synthetic uppers. The ample airflow reduces sweat buildup that causes blisters and hot spots on feet.
Flexibility - The lightweight mesh adapts to the natural shape and movement of the foot. This flexibility allows a fuller range of motion for a naturally fluid gait cycle.
Freedom - The foot moves and flexes freely within the pliable mesh upper without restrictions for a "slipper-like" feel.
Comfort - The combination of flexibility, freedom, breathability, and active airflow adds up to improved comfort versus traditional closed uppers.
Digital Camo Print - The mesh upper features an eye-catching digital camo print in 3 colors. This modern graphic print distinguishes the Charged Assert 9 with a bold, stylish aesthetic.

Durable Leather Overlays

Strategically placed leather overlays enhance structure, support, and stability:

Structure - The leather overlays lend structure to the stretchy mesh upper, improving stability and support during transitions and changes of direction.
Midfoot Lockdown - Overlays wrap the midfoot to securely lock it down. This prevents in-shoe slippage and sliding during runs for a more locked-in feel.
Stability - By locking down the midfoot and integrating with laces, the overlays prevent the foot from excess side-to-side movements inside the shoe. This enhances stability for straight-line running.
Durability - The leather overlays protect high abrasion areas like the toe box, and the eye stays from wear and tear. Leather stands up to abuse better than mesh.
Seamless Overlays - The overlays are seamlessly integrated into the upper for a smooth, non-irritating interior fit.
Strategic Placement - Overlays are minimalist, placed only in crucial areas to balance support with flexibility.

Plush EVA Sockliner

A soft EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) foam sockliner delivers responsive cushioning:

Cushioning - The EVA foam compresses to absorb impact shock. This provides soft cushioning without a flat, cardboard feel.
Responsiveness - The sockliner provides some bounce back, and responsiveness for a lively, energetic feel underfoot.
Smooth Transitions - The foam helps make landings and push-offs smooth and seamless.
Impact Reduction - The soft foam absorbs impact forces rather than transmitting them into joints and muscles, reducing fatigue.
Customizable - The sockliner can be replaced with custom medical orthotics if required.
Removable - Runners can remove the sockliner to accommodate medical orthotics or increase space if needed.

Lightweight Charged Cushioning Midsole

The Charged Cushioning midsole uses compression molded foam for a lightly cushioned, responsive ride:

Cushioning - The Charged foam compresses to absorb impact while running, protecting joints and muscles from shock forces.
Responsiveness - The springy Charged foam provides instant feedback and energy return to keep each stride propulsive and efficient.
Consistent Feel - Compression foam maintains cushioning properties longer than EVA foam, retaining a consistent feel for hundreds of miles.
Lightweight - Charged foam midsoles are lighter than EVA alternatives, keeping weight down.
Durable - The tough foam resists packing down over time for enhanced durability and longevity.
Breathable - Air channels within the foam promote air circulation to keep feet fresh.
Natural Movement - The cushioning deforms naturally for excellent ground contact feel and freedom of motion.

Durable Rubber Outsole

A full-length rubber outsole provides durability, traction, and protection:

Waffle Lug Pattern - Multi-directional lugs give excellent traction on varied terrain, including dirt trails, grass, synthetic tracks, and roads.
Traction - Strategic outsole placement maximizes traction at toe-off while permitting midfoot flexibility.
Flex Grooves - Flex grooves in the forefoot align with metatarsals to enable a flexible toe-off.
Impact Protection - Thick heel rubber absorbs shock from heel strikes where impacts are most harsh.
Durability - Rubber withstands abrasion far better than exposed foam, enhancing durability in high-wear zones.
Protection - Rubber coverage protects the foam midsole from damage and debris ingress.
Lightweight - Despite full coverage, the outsole remains lightweight by utilizing thin yet durable rubber.

Synthetic Leather Heel Counter

An external TPU heel counter adds rearfoot stability:

Structure - The synthetic leather heel piece wraps the rear and sides of the heel for structure and support.
Stability - The heel cup counter effectively locks down the heel and prevents excess rearfoot motion.
Security - By cupping the heel, it provides a secure, locked-in feel at the rear.
Comfort - A padded interior prevents rubbing or discomfort from the exterior heel piece.

Versatile Design

With a 10mm offset and neutral platform, the Charged Assert 9 UA shoes suits a wide range of runners and running styles:

Accommodating Geometry - The moderate 10mm offset provides just enough heel lift for smoother transitions without excessive correction.
Neutral - The neutral platform supports the natural shape and motion of most foot types without heavy correction.
Natural Running - Low offset encourages an efficient midfoot/forefoot strike rather than harsh heel striking.
Versatility - Suits all running gaits and foot shapes. Excellent for both training and racing.
All Distances - Provides the balanced cushioning and support needed for long distances as well as short fast runs. It is far better than any other average shoe.

Secure Lace-Up Closure

A traditional lace-up closure enables easy adjustment for personalized fit and lockdown:

Customizable Fit - Wearers can cinch or loosen laces incrementally as needed for an ideal fit.
Dynamic Adjustability - Allows tightening over feet before runs, then loosening for relief afterward.
Secure Lockdown - With laces cranked tight; the Assert 9 achieves a firmly locked-down midfoot for optimal in-shoe stability.
Familiarity - Lace closures remain standard because most runners are intimately familiar with their operation and customization potential.
Convenience - Simple to loosen and tighten for easy on/off compared to alternatives like zippers or velcro.

Pros

The waffle lug pattern of the rubber outsole provides a superior grip on various terrains.
The use of Charged foam midsoles and a thin rubber outsole makes the shoe quite light, enhancing running efficiency.
With leather overlays and a tough foam midsole, the Armour shoes exhibit excellent durability.
The plush EVA sock liner and the foam padding in the heel area ensure a comfortable running experience.
The moderate 10mm offset and neutral platform make the shoe suitable for a wide range of runners and running styles.
The lace-up closure allows for an adjustable, personalized fit.

Cons

As the EVA sockliner is not removable, the option to replace it with custom orthotics is not available.
Despite air channels in the foam, some runners may find the shoe less breathable than desired. So, it makes them difficult to wear during weight training.

Pricing and Color Options

The Under Armour Men's Charged Assert 9 Running Shoe is reasonably priced, ranging from $43.99 to $63.71. This allows it to cater to a wide range of budgets while offering high-quality features.

Plus, this budget-friendly shoe comes in eight different color options, providing the flexibility to choose a design that matches your personal style. Furthermore, the shoe size options cater to a diverse range of foot dimensions, with sizes available from 5 to 14.

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Frequently Asked Questions

To assist you in making an informed purchasing decision, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions about the Under Armour Men's Charged Assert 9 Running Shoe.

The answers to these questions should address any common concerns or inquiries potential buyers might have about the shoe's features, performance, and sizing.

Can I use this shoe for trail running?

Yes, the combination of the waffle lug patterned outsole and traction-enhancing rubber make this a great option for trail running.

Is Assert 9 suitable for long-distance runs?

Absolutely! The Charged foam midsoles absorb impact and provide balanced cushioning to keep your feet comfortable on long runs.

Is it true that the Assert 9 features a 10mm heel-toe offset?

Yes, the 10mm drop gives you enough heel lift for smoother transitions without excessive correction. This makes it suitable for neutral runners with natural running gaits.

Is there a size chart available for this shoe?

Yes, Under Armour provides a detailed sizing guide on its website. This includes measurements, foot dimensions, and US/EU sizes to ensure you get the perfect fit.

Conclusion

The Charged Assert 9 is an excellent choice for runners looking for a versatile running shoe that provides comfort, durability, and protection.

It features a 10mm offset and neutral platform for all distances and foot shapes, as well as cushioning from the plush EVA sockliner and Charged foam midsole.

Plus, it has a secure lace-up closure for adjustable fit and lockdown. For all these reasons, we believe the Under Armour Men's Charged Assert 9 Running Shoe is a great choice for all runners.

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