Our verdict

Under Armour’s Charged Assert 9 might not be the speediest in the UA lineup, but in our opinion, it shines as a sturdy, stable ride with a firm yet flexible midsole. While it might not be our go-to for long distance or tempo training, we strongly believe it could be your reliable gym or cross-training companion. And we're impressed by the outsole longevity, truly standing the test of time.

Under Armour Curry 2.5 49ers Pros

  • Remarkably comfortable and flexible
  • Schuhe UNDER ARMOUR Ua Hovr Infinite Summit 2 3023633-102 Gry
  • Mens Under Armour Project Rock 4
  • Stable
  • UNDER ARMOUR Pantaloni sportivi 'Meridian' marino
  • Amazing value
  • A great pick for Under Armour enthusiasts

Under Armour Curry 2.5 49ers Cons

  • Under Armour T-shirt de sport à manches longues avec logos multiples Violet
  • Heel lockdown leaves room for improvement
  • Under Armour Curry 2.5 49ers

Audience verdict

84
Good!

Who should buy

For beginners seeking a durable, wallet-friendly shoe that can multitask as a cross-trainer or walking shoe, we think the Charged Assert 9 is a superb pick. Even seasoned runners can rely on it, as we found, for easy or moderate runs. But it's only suited for those among us who appreciate a balanced or firm midsole.

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9

Who should NOT buy

Here are some situations where we think that runners seeking a budget-friendly shoe might want to look elsewhere:

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 parts

Cushioning

Heel stack

It's well known that beginners frequently prefer affordable shoes and they often strike the ground with their heel. Thats the reason why we're noticing a clear trend among entry-level shoes from many brands.

They're leaning toward generous stack heights in the heel. In the CA9, our precise measurement came at 34.0-mm stack in the heel.

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 Heel stack
Test results
Charged Assert 9 34.0 mm
Average 34.2 mm
Compared to 403 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
22.5 mm
Heel stack
46.3 mm

Forefoot stack

However, for those of us who are forefoot or midfoot strikers, the forefoot section comes up a bit short on foam.

Measuring at 23.1 mm, once we deduct the outsole and the insole, there's barely any foam left, as the picture clearly illustrates.

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 Forefoot stack
Test results
Charged Assert 9 23.1 mm
Average 25.6 mm
Compared to 403 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
13.7 mm
Forefoot stack
37.1 mm

Drop

A tall heel coupled with a low forefoot inevitably results in a significant heel-to-toe drop.

For the Charged Assert 9, we measured a considerable drop of 10.9 mm. Again, this one is clearly tailored with heel strikers in mind.

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 Drop
Test results
Charged Assert 9 10.9 mm
Average 8.6 mm
Compared to 403 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
-0.2 mm
Drop
16.1 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

If you're a fan of ultra-soft midsoles, stay away from this one.

However, it's not as tough as a brick underfoot—we confirmed that with a hardness rating of 27.8 HA, but it doesn't offer the dreamy, plush comfort you'd find in shoes like the ASICS Novablast 3.

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 Midsole softness
Test results
Charged Assert 9 27.8 HA
Average 20.9 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 330 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
8.5 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
35.0 HA

Under Armour Curry 2.5 49ers | Under Armour Shorts mit Logobund in Schwarz

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.
Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 Under Armour Shorts mit Logobund in Schwarz

Under Armour Curry 2.5 49ers | Under Armour Shorts mit Logobund in Schwarz (%)

zapatillas de running Under Armour hombre mixta minimalistas talla 47.5 rojas.

Our durometer clocked in at 34.5 HA, which isn't what we wanted to obtain, unfortunately.

We witnessed a 24.3% change here, which lines up with what you'd expect from the average shoe. For a midsole made of EVA, that's not a disappointing outcome after all.

Test results
Charged Assert 9 24%
Average 25%
Compared to 330 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
0%
Under Armour Shorts mit Logobund in Schwarz
63%

Insole thickness

Measured with our calliper at 4.4 mm, the insole is not setting off any fireworks, but it's not giving us any headaches either! 

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 Insole thickness
Test results
Charged Assert 9 4.4 mm
Average 4.4 mm
Compared to 399 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
1.5 mm
Insole thickness
7.3 mm

Size and fit

Size

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 is true to size (187 votes).

Owners of this shoe, how does this shoe fit?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 382 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

armour offering kevin durant 30 million per year

In crafting a versatile, multi-purpose shoe, it's critical that manufacturers avoid creating narrow uppers—they can really hinder comfort during casual wear or walking.

Happily, this Under Armour stands out with its wide design, measuring an impressive 99.4 mm at the upper's broadest point, exceeding the width of most average shoes.

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 Tênis shorts masculino under armour qunder preto chumbo Fleet UA22 Azul-Preto
Test results
Charged Assert 9 99.4 mm
Average 98.5 mm
Compared to 370 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
91.6 mm
armour offering kevin durant 30 million per year
104.9 mm

Plecaki Under Armour Materiał syntetyczny

On the downside, the shoe runs a bit narrow in the big toe area. This could be a slight discomfort for runners whose feet are particularly wide at the toes.

kompresne nohavice under armour heatgear armour leggings.

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 Toebox width at the big toe
Test results
Charged Assert 9 74.7 mm
Average 78.4 mm
Compared to 244 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
67.6 mm
Plecaki Under Armour Materiał syntetyczny
89.2 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

As a moderately firm running shoe, you'd expect the Charged Assert 9 to be stable. But is it?

The truth is, right off the bat, we could tell stability wasn't going to be a problem for this Under Armour Rosa linne med grafisk logga.

Torsional rigidity

This shoe outshines most regarding flexibility, enhancing comfort and effortlessly transforming from a running shoe into a casual, everyday walking shoe.

This added versatility is certainly a delightful bonus for those who want a do-it-all shoe. We rated it at 2/5 in our torsional rigidity test.

Test results
Charged Assert 9 2
Average 3.4
Compared to 382 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

Being a shoe marketed for beginners and at a entry-level price, it made no sense to put a firm heel counter on it. That's why we inmediately noticed that it was really pliable, and we gave it another 2/5.

Under Armour UA Seamless Low Long Bra runner's knot Under Armour Curry 2.5 49ers.

Test results
Charged Assert 9 2
Average 2.9
Compared to 366 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Under Armour Repeat Branded T-Shirt Training black

With a substantial width of 111.3 mm in the forefoot, the Charged Assert 9 feels stable once more. Plus, it handles corners reliably, making us feel secure no matter the turn.

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
Charged Assert 9 111.3 mm
Average 114.1 mm
Compared to 404 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
102.2 mm
Under Armour Repeat Branded T-Shirt Training black
126.9 mm

Under Armour talla 36

The heel is where this shoe really needs to be wide, considering it's designed with heel strikers in mind, as we said before.

We're pleased to say that, measuring in at 90.5 mm in our lab, it's indeed broad enough to ensure all heel landings are safe and secure.

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 Midsole width in the heel
Test results
Charged Assert 9 90.5 mm
Average 90.6 mm
Compared to 404 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
70.8 mm
Under Armour talla 36
106.6 mm

Flexibility / Stiffness

There have been times when we thought a shoe was incredibly flexible, only for the numbers to prove us wrong. But this isn't one of those instances.

It took us a mere 17.7N of force to bend this shoe to 90 degrees, and with this measurement, the Charged Assert 9 easily secures a spot in the top 10% for flexibility.

Test results
Charged Assert 9 17.7N
Average 28.1N
Under Armour 81.
Compared to 383 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
2.2N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
72.1N

Under Armour Plus Knockout Czarny top bez rękawów (%)

Under Armour Logo Chest Top.

Even though it's more bendable than most shoes, the feel definitely changes somewhat in the cold. That's the thing with EVA midsoles.

You might have picked up on the massive disparity between our first and second measurements. Indeed, with a whopping 82.6% difference, the shoe's performance is downright disappointing.

This enormous difference ensures the shoe will feel drastically different when you're running in cold weather.

Test results
Charged Assert 9 83%
Average 32%
Compared to 383 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
0%
Under Armour Plus Knockout Czarny top bez rękawów
101%

Weight

Let's be clear—this shoe isn't marketed or designed to be a lightweight daily trainer. And tipping the scales at 10.2 oz or 290g, it goes past the 10 oz mark by just a smidge.

It's important for us to remember that we're dealing with a budget-friendly shoe here, tailored for easy or moderate runs. In this context, lightness isn't the top priority, and this weight it's acceptable.

Test results
Charged Assert 9 10.23 oz (290g)
Average 9.38 oz (266g)
Compared to 404 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
5.61 oz (159g)
Weight
12.59 oz (357g)

Breathability

At a quick glance, the breathability of the UA Charged Assert 9 doesn't appear to be impressive. However, we can't just rely on first impressions—we put running shoes through rigorous lab tests, that's what we do.

Our first step involves pumping smoke through the shoe to assess its breathability. Unfortunately, this particular Under Armour model is a bit of a disappointment in this area, earning a lower-than-average score of 3 out of 5.

While we can see a small amount of light coming through from the other side, it's minimal at best. This observation only confirms our initial impression of the shoe's subpar breathability. 

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 microscope

But nothing like the microscope for a deeper understanding of the upper. Under Armour has designed the shoe with a multi-layered engineered mesh that restricts airflow, and they have not included any ventilation holes in the design.

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 microscope 2

Test results
Charged Assert 9 3
Average 3.8
Compared to 333 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

While sometimes poor breathability in shoes can be attributed to a rugged upper, sadly, that's not an excuse for the Charged Assert 9.

We conducted our Dremel test and the results left us no choice but to give it a disappointing 1 out of 5. Indeed, the shoe sports a reinforced toe cap, which provides good protection against abrasion. However, the rest of the upper isn't up to par, making the shoe extremely susceptible to wear and tear.

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 Toebox durability
Test results
Charged Assert 9 1
Average 2.6
Compared to 267 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
1
Toebox durability
5

Under Armour HOVR Sonic 3

Our disappointment didn't end there. When we applied the Dremel to the heel area, debris began flying in all directions.

Under Armour s Kevin Plank on.

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 Under Armour HOVR Sonic 3
Test results
Charged Assert 9 1
Average 3.2
Compared to 262 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
1
Under Armour HOVR Sonic 3
5

Outsole hardness

under armour ua ps pursuit 2 ac blu.

We gauged the rubber hardness at 86.0 HC, a truly high value, suggesting that this shoe should offer exceptional durability.

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 Outsole hardness
Test results
Charged Assert 9 86.0 HC
Average 79.7 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 384 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
56.1 HC
Outsole hardness
93.0 HC

Outsole durability

Indeed, upon utilising the Dremel one more time in this shoe, we confirmed that the rubber Under Armour uses is incredibly robust.

Outsole thickness

With a remarkable thickness of 4.9 mm, this outsole stands as one of the thickest we've ever gauged in a Under Armour Langærmet T-shirt HeatGear Armour Mock.

Couple this with the outstanding durability we've witnessed in the previous tests in our lab, and we confidently predict that we'll wear ourselves out long before we even come close to wearing down this impressive outsole.

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 Outsole thickness
Test results
Charged Assert 9 4.9 mm
Average 3.2 mm
Compared to 401 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
1.0 mm
Outsole thickness
6.0 mm

Misc

For us, the CA9 felt just a tad too small. If you're often caught between sizes, consider going up half a size. However, most runners should stick with their usual size.

Tongue padding

Kudos to UA for this tongue! With a cushy 7.1 mm of padding inside, you can lace up as tight as you want.

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 Tongue padding
Test results
Charged Assert 9 7.1 mm
Average 5.8 mm
Compared to 401 running shoes
Gemaakt met Under Armour-charged katoen
0.4 mm
Tongue padding
14.2 mm

Tongue: gusset type

Typically, affordable running shoes tend to skip on some features like a gusseted tongue. Unsurprisingly, this shoe also follows the same trend.

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 Tongue: gusset type
Test results
Charged Assert 9 None

Heel tab

As we said just before, budget-friendly running shoes often miss out on additional features such as a gusseted tongue.

However, Under Armour pleasantly surprised us by including a heel tab in this one! We are truly appreciative of this cool touch as it makes slipping our feet into the shoe a breeze.

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 Heel tab
Test results
Charged Assert 9 Finger loop

Removable insole

We've found no trouble replacing the insoles with those from other shoes, since the included ones are not glued down at all.

Cechy Under armour Beyond 500ml Butelka 9 Removable insole
Test results
Charged Assert 9 Yes