Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson doesn't just put his name on things. If you've ever seen his workout clips, you know the guy treats the gym like a literal sanctuary. So when the Under Armour Project Rock 5 hit the shelves back in late 2022, expectations were sky-high. People wanted a shoe that could survive a 500-pound squat and a soul-crushing HIIT circuit without falling apart.
Honestly, it delivered. Mostly.
💡 You might also like: Florida Gators Tallest Basketball Player: What Most People Get Wrong
But there is a lot of noise out there about what this shoe actually is. Is it a running shoe? No. Is it a pure powerlifting shoe? Not quite. It sits in this weird, aggressive middle ground that Under Armour calls "training," which basically means it's built for people who want to look like they could lift a house.
Why the Under Armour Project Rock 5 actually changed the game
Before this model, the Project Rock line had a bit of a reputation for being... well, stiff. The PR4 was solid, but it felt like wearing bricks on your feet if you tried to do anything besides standing still.
With the Under Armour Project Rock 5, they brought in a molded TPU heel-to-midfoot strap. It looks intense, but it serves a very real purpose. It locks your heel down so you don't get that annoying slippage when you're doing lunges or explosive jumps.
The tech that matters (and the tech that’s just fluff)
Under Armour loves their buzzwords. You'll hear about "UA HOVR" and "TriBase" until your ears bleed.
The HOVR cushioning is legit. It’s designed to reduce impact and return energy. In plain English? It’s bouncy where you need it but firm enough that you aren't wobbling like a jellybowl during a deadlift.
Then there’s the TriBase technology. This is essentially a triangular base on the outsole that maximizes ground contact.
- It keeps you stable.
- It allows your toes to splay naturally.
- It provides enough flexibility for your foot to actually move.
If you compare it to the BSR (Blood, Sweat, Respect) line, which is the more budget-friendly version, the PR5 feels significantly more premium. The BSR 5, for instance, uses "Charged Cushioning" instead of HOVR. It’s thinner, lighter, and frankly, a bit more "entry-level."
The reality of the fit: Don't trust your usual size
Here is where it gets tricky. If you buy your "normal" size in the Under Armour Project Rock 5, you might regret it.
💡 You might also like: Ipswich Town vs Nottingham Forest: Why This Premier League Clash Is Getting So Intense
These things run narrow. Like, really narrow.
Most lifters I know ended up going half a size up. If you have wide feet, honestly, you might want to skip these entirely or look at the newer Project Rock 6, which opened up the toe box a bit more. The PR5 has a very snug, "locked-in" feel. For some, that feels like support. For others, it feels like a vice grip on their pinky toe.
The upper is made of a durable engineered mesh. It’s breathable, sure, but it’s not soft. It’s built to withstand the friction of rope climbs and the tension of heavy lateral movements.
Lifting vs. Cardio: Where it wins and loses
You shouldn't run a marathon in these. Please don't.
The 8mm drop is a bit high for pure "functional fitness" (think CrossFit), where people usually prefer a 2mm or 4mm drop like you'd find in the UA TriBase Reign series. However, for a standard "bro-split" at the gym? It’s perfect.
Weight room performance: It’s a tank. You can feel the floor. When you’re pushing off for a leg press, the TPU strap and the TriBase outsole work together to make you feel like you're bolted to the machine. It’s a confidence booster.
HIIT and Plyometrics: The "Disrupt" version and the standard PR5 handle box jumps surprisingly well. The HOVR foam absorbs the shock of the landing without making you feel like you're sinking into a marshmallow.
Running: Short sprints? Fine. A mile on the treadmill to warm up? Passable. Anything over 2 miles and you’ll start to feel the weight. At about 13.5 ounces, these are heavy. For comparison, a standard running shoe is usually under 10 ounces. You're carrying extra baggage here.
Is it better than the Project Rock 4 or 6?
The PR4 had a serious problem with the mesh tearing near the lace loops. UA fixed that in the 5.
The PR6, which came later, moved toward a more "lifestyle" look but kept the heavy-duty tech. Many people actually prefer the PR5 because it feels more like a dedicated tool for the gym rather than a fashion statement.
The "Rock" Factor
Let’s be real: people buy these because of the Brahma Bull logo.
Dwayne Johnson is the ultimate "influencer" for the gym-going crowd. But unlike some celebrity collabs, this isn't just a paint job. He actually tests these prototypes in his "Iron Paradise."
📖 Related: Is Nick Chubb Playing Tonight? The Texans Backfield Situation Explained
Does that make you lift more? No. Does it make you feel like a beast when you lace them up? Yeah, kinda.
Actionable advice for your next session
If you’re thinking about picking up a pair of Under Armour Project Rock 5 shoes, keep these points in mind:
- Sizing: Go up half a size unless you have very narrow feet.
- Cleaning: Don't toss them in the washer. The TPU strap can get brittle. Use a damp cloth and some mild soap.
- Break-in period: Give them about three solid workouts. The HOVR foam and the upper mesh are quite stiff right out of the box.
- Usage: Keep them for the "big" days—legs and back. They shine when you're moving heavy iron.
Ultimately, the Under Armour Project Rock 5 is a specialized tool. It’s built for the person who treats the gym like their job. If you want a soft, pillowy shoe for walking the dog, this isn't it. But if you want to feel absolutely stable while chasing a new PR, it’s one of the best options Under Armour has ever put out.