Iso-Chilll, vent shorts, built-in connectivity - there is a lot to talk about when it comes to Under Armour's new Train and Run gear. We worked up a sweat to put the shirt, shorts and running shoes to the test. 

UA HOVR Machina Breeze

Under Armour sticks with what they know for the HOVR Machina Breeze, a running shoe that is very much in the mould of previous Machina iterations. If you dislike soft midsoles and are looking for something a bit firmer under foot, then the Machina range is for you. For the HOVR Machina Breeze, Under Armour incorporated a more breathable upper with open mesh panels which does a lot to keep your feet cooler while running.

That said, the Breeze actually adds a bit of weight, standing at 357g (UK10) per shoe – 3g heavier than the Machina 3, certainly not the lightest running shoes out there. Still, I had a better time running in the Machina Breeze, feeling as if the midsole was more forgiving and not as rigid as the Machina 3, even though there doesn’t seem to be many changes in the midsole tech Under Armour employs.

Finally, you still receive Under Armour’s Bluetooth connected chip, offering analytics and coaching using the Mapmyrun app. It places a lot of emphasis on form – specifically things like cadence, stride length, foot strike angle and ground contact time. While not as accurate in keeping time and distance as a smartwatch, there is a lot of data to mine if you’re statistically inclined. You might want to consider going up one size with these. R3 500.

Men's UA Iso-Chill Laser Heat Short Sleeve

One of Under Armour’s strong focus areas is baselayers – trying to keep athletes cold (or warm) through different technologies. Iso-Chill is one of these, explained as follows: “A ribbon-shaped nylon fibre disperses heat while titanium dioxide-treated fabrics pull heat away from your skin.”

The UA Iso-Chill Laser Heat Short Sleeve is a well put together garment, featuring laser cut perforations for breathability, a great design and a comfortable fit. While it’s difficult to tell if it keeps you that much colder during runs or workouts, it does feel cold to the touch when you put it on and does well to wick sweat away from the body. Finally, a decent stretch on the fabric allows for nice flexibility. R899.

Men's UA Vanish Woven 2-in-1 Vent Shorts

The UA Vanish Woven 2-in-1 Vent Shorts does what it says on the box, offering built-in knit compression shorts inside a woven short that is perforated to help with breathability. With a great fit, the compression shorts help with chafing while in general keeping everything where it should be while exercising.

One thing I really appreciated about Under Armour’s pants, is that they stay up without having to resort to the draw chord to do so. The Vent Shorts does so through an elastic waistband, keeping the shorts secure throughout a gym session. That said, these are gym only shorts, since while on the road when running, the shorts ride up and the pockets flap around if you have keys or a smartphone in your pocket. If you would like something similar for running, rather try Under Armour’s Men's UA Peak Woven Shorts (R599), which includes inside pockets for your extras.