Ever since Steph Curry joined forces with Under Armour in 2003 the brand has been under the microscope. What makes them so good is that the future Hall of Famer ditched Nike, before them being the globally recognized brand they are now. After all Under Armour was only founded in 1996, giving it a severe disadvantage in terms of experience compared to such esteemed sports brands as Nike and Adidas.
Under Armour isn’t in the market to make up the numbers. Steph Curry’s continued endorsement and patronage of the brand is a true statement that the brand cares about basketball.
Why opt for Under Armour Shoes?
Under Armour is quickly becoming one of the most reputable sports brands, across the entire sporting world. The company boasts its desire “to make all athletes better through passion, design and the relentless pursuit of innovation” as its primary company mission.
It’s a bold statement, but when you consider the calibre of athletes who’ve signed up to the brand for sponsorship it’s hard to argue. As we know, Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry is a long-time advocate of the brand. Andy Murray wore the brand throughout his first tenure in the ATP, Tom Brady rocked vast amounts of UA, and Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool FC has recently renewed his partnership with the brand.
Four exceptional superstars who’ve all arguably sat the pinnacles of their respective games. If the company can get such talent on board then their product must be of some quality right?
The brand has become relatively well known for creating shoes with exceptional traction both on traditional and outdoor courts. If your game needs a little more control or stability, then it’s worth your time to consider buying UA when you next look for basketball shoes.
Top 8 Best Under Armour Basketball Shoes
So now you’re on board with this brand, we’re going to narrow down the field of basketball shoes to our favourite 8 pairs which we think you should try on and even buy to make your game better and possibly maximize your on-court success.
The Steph Curry collection has been a staple of the brand since he paired up with the company almost 20 years ago. While there’s been a multitude of lines and products coming out; the original/FLOW series has been widely tipped as a contemporary classic.
It’s easy to see why too. The term All-Round in the shoe market might be overused but seldom is paired with ‘high-end quality without genuine hesitation. This ninth edition of the series comes out real hot with terrific traction to command the court. The premium materials on all parts of the shoe line the foot to give unrivalled comfort while going hard in the paint. Moreover, this shoe is incredibly durable and passes most reviewers' clearance to take them out on the outdoor courts.
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Denver Nuggets shooting guard, Will Barton is one of the main provocateurs when it comes to the Under Armour Anatomix Spawn 3. This shoe is an exceptional buy for less than 100 dollars with a focus on foot comfort.
The premium cushioning is complemented with a mesh design to ensure total airflow throughout the entire shoe. Injury-prone players or those who need to take better care of their feet will benefit from this as it is will soak up impact and shield the foot from potential damage.
The only major snag to consider when investing in this shoe is the pronounced heel which can make an unusual fit for the user. Over time your feet may become more used to and it’ll naturally wear down as you break in a very comfy shoe, but be sure it works for you.
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Did we mention that Stephen Curry works with Under Armour? Of course, we’ve covered the ninth edition in his signature series, but what of number eight? This rubber-free shoe uses Under Armour’s unique foam blend for light and surprisingly grippy shoes.
The foam holds up just as well as conventional rubber (if not a little better) meaning this is a durable shoe that will last for several sessions when going hard in the paint. Curry’s Golden State Warriors’ teammate, Damion Lee has featured on the court in these shoes around 80 times. Of course, he’s not been as prolific as Curry himself but still makes the shoe popular by association.
The traction allows the Golden State duo exceptional traction and all the tools to navigate the court with a great specification to whatever the game needs.
When considering these shoes be sure to try a few sizes, as the fit has been reported to be a little small on occasion. Always better to check before spending lots of money!
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The mix of rubber and foam makes for a great combination as the midsole cushion offers sublime comfort, while the other premium materials like the nylon shank only add to the quality of the shoe.
Outdoor ballers are better looking elsewhere as this shoe isn’t highly rated for the harder courts, but it might survive the occasional outside hoop. The traction should hold up, however; but will perform to its potential inside.
Under Armour has worked wonders with this fit considering it set out to a larger market. The fit is true to size and is usually exceptionally comfortable.
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Immediately your eyes are drawn to the modern herringbone pattern on the sole of the shoe. For all intensive reasons, you’re right to do so. It’s this rubber outsole that forms the basis for this shoe’s success. Given the grip and bounce, you can bank on this shoe ensuring your balance but giving you the required spring when needed.
Hitting the shelves at just over 100 dollars this shoe populates the all-rounder market, trying to provide something for all players while not going overboard with the price tag. The support is well-rounded and will ensure all users have comfort and grounding.
While this all-rounder has few drawbacks it’s notable however that the recommended outdoor usage is avoided at all costs as the shoe won’t survive very long. In addition, the sizes have tended to be narrower than anticipated.
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The Flow FUTR has a decent legacy already with Patty Mills of the Brooklyn Nets putting some exceptional performances while wearing these shoes, and potentially throwing his best hoops while in them – including a notable 34-point game against the LA Lakers last year.
The ergonomic strap locks the foot down to the flow cushioning which undoubtedly contributes to the rave reviews this shoe frequently gets for its traction and on-court stability. In addition, it’s loaded with all the other UA technology like the Pebax shank and the open-cell sock liner; ensuring a comfy fit – as well as bolstering the value for this particular model.
A really good point with this shoe is the true to size fit; which sadly isn’t as common as it should be in the contemporary footwear marketplace. This model however actually offers the size it says on the box and you should have relatively few fears when placing an order if you haven’t got the time to try them on or buy them online.
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It’s not the first time we’ll mention Joel Embiid’s foray into the world of signature shoes on this site, and it most likely won’t be the last. This debut shoe hits out of the gate strong with an emphasis on comfort.
If you’re nearly as tall or as big as the Cameroonian power forward, (he’s 7 feet tall!) then you’ll appreciate comfort as a key attribute when buying any shoe. The Micro G foam comes into its own for this as it protects players with deep-cushioned to ensure heavier feet get the shielding they deserve.
Aesthetically these shoes are very pleasing with a padded-tongue and eye-pleasing designs to suit all tastes. One of the most appealing colorways is the ‘Versa Red x Halo Grey’ variation but is a premium design so might set you back a bit more.
These shoes can survive outdoors but aren’t necessarily intended for excessive use out in the wild. If you can mix it up between different courts then you’ll be able to maximize the durability of these shoes so you’re not replacing them in the immediate future.
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It’s another of the Stephen Curry lines available from Under Armour derived from the original series. It certainly does not disappoint; from the outstanding traction, very supportive upper, and ultra-comfortable fit – this is an All-Star shoe at a college game price.
When trying these shoes on it’ll be hard to notice as they're as lightweight as a small feather. This compliments the slimline and slender design which champions breathability and durability at the same time. Once you’ve hit the court, you’ll find the herringbone traction gives you great control in and around the paint, creating an exquisite playing experience.
The materials used not only help the comfort but will extend the shoe life cycle even if you decide to use these on the dustiest and hardest outdoor courts.
Some reports have said that this model can run narrow, but the reviews are generally mixed of the width of the shoe – so there’s little to worry about. However, if you are subject to wider feet then you might want to try them on first.
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Conclusion
So which pair of these are the best shoes? It depends on what you’re looking for really. All of these are great choices, but let’s slim down the field if you want more tailored advice. The Under Armour SC Zer0 3 is an exceptional UA choice should you play on outdoor courts more often than not. They’re great for anyone who wants a great all-rounder shoe for value.
The original series models Under Armour Curry 8 and Under Armour Curry 9 offer some exceptional attributes for ballers with a little more disposable income. Both offer exceptional traction for on-court stability and are loaded with the best UA technology.
If you want fashion and/or protection from injury as well as impact, then the Under Armour Embiid 1 offers a hybrid of flashiness and foot welfare at the same time with good value; even if the price tag is a little higher than other contemporary basketball shoes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will I play better in Under Armour shoes?
The shoes you’re wearing do make a difference to your on-court performance for sure. But your training efforts and subsequent skill make up more of how you will play on the court. While we’d love to say you’ll be an NBA All-Star by buying a specific shoe, that’s not the case. You should buy shoes that make you feel comfortable, help your game and have fun from there. If you’re having fun that’s all that matters.
Is Under Armour the best brand?
Objectively there is no ‘best brand’. We’ve picked out Under Armour because we like their shoes. We like others too, but Under Armour is a reputable brand that certainly deserves your attention.
What is so good about Under Armour?
One of the most apparent trends of quality running through Under Armour basketball shoes is traction. Whether they use rubber or foam, they tend to manufacture shoes with only subline traction and grip. That and Steph Curry collaborated with them?
Will I play like Steph Curry if I buy Under Armour?
Well… it’s hard to say yes, you’ll be drafted to the Golden State Warriors after simply completing a transaction. You’ll have to put in hard work; however, these shoes might be able to put you in the right direction.
Hey, I’m Aleksandar and I am a Basketball freak! That is why I decided to create this blog. Teaching people How to dunk a basketball and How to Jump Higher in this sport or other related sports that require vertical jumping, is my specialty. If that’s your aim, then you have come to the right place.