If you quickly want to know what my pick is for the best Under Armour basketball shoes, then I’d recommend the Under Armour HOVR Havoc 3 as the best one.
Under Armour is a fast rising young sports apparel brand recognized for its focus on improving athletic performance. They have expanded their line of basketball shoes to compete with top brands like Nike and Adidas. Notable NBA stars like Stephen Curry and Joel Embiid are in their roster of endorsers.
In this article, I’ll review the best Under Armour basketball shoes including the best Stephen Curry shoes.
- Under Armour HOVR Havoc 3
- Under Armour Lockdown 5
- Under Armour Embiid 1
- Under Armour Spawn 3
- Under Armour Hovr Havoc Low
- Under Armour Spawn Low
- Under Armour Sc 3zer0 IV
- Under Armour Curry Flow 8
How Did Under Armour Start? (Brand History)
Under Armour was founded by Kevin Plank in 1996 when he came up with the “Shorty” T-shirt. This was his solution to the challenges that he faced as a football player for the University of Maryland. The Shorty was a cropped t-shirt worn underneath a football player’s uniform. It was meant to keep players comfortable by keeping sweat at bay. It was a close fitting garment that would not interfere with the player’s movements.
His first customers were former teammates from Maryland who went on to play in the National Football League (NFL). With the good feedback he received for his product, he started getting contracts to supply garments to universities, NFL teams, the National Hockey League (NHL), and was also outfitting the cast of football drama ‘Any Given Sunday’.
The company went public in 2005 and raised 157 million in their IPO. Driven by the great reception from investors after going public, Under Armour started venturing into athletic footwear in 2006 with football cleats followed by running shoes in 2008.
Entry Into The Basketball Shoes Scene
Under Armour started producing basketball shoes in 2010 with the launch of the Micro G line. These basketball shoes were light and comfortable and had great cushioning. The shoes were first made available to the high schools that were sponsored by Under Armour for trials and feedback before being made available to the public.
Their biggest break into the basketball scene came when they signed Stephen Curry as brand endorser in 2013 on a contract that lasts until 2024. Steph Curry has since launched his own shoe line under the Under Armour brand, similar to Michael Jordan’s collection with Nike.
Why Should You Consider Under Armour Basketball Shoes?
Under Armour uses tried and tested materials for their shoes. Their midsoles are made of a variety of foam like ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), Micro G foam which is what they used in their first basketball shoes, HOVR foam, and Flow which is their most advanced and recent creation. All of these materials provide superior cushioning, great responsiveness, and are lightweight.
Rubber with deeply etched patterns are used for the outsoles to ensure durability and proper traction. Breathable materials such as mesh or perforated leathers are used for the upper. This plus the lining around the shoes give your feet a comfortable experience.
Under Armour basketball shoes come at a very competitive price point. You can get an even better deal if you get them on sale or on discount stores.
8 Best Under Armour And Stephen Curry Basketball Shoes
Here are my top picks for the best Under Armour and Stephen Curry basketball shoes.
1. Under Armour HOVR Havoc 3
This is the update to the popular Under Armour HOVR Havoc 2 shoe released in 2019. Like the Havoc 2, it uses the HOVR foam technology contained in Energy Web mesh on the midsole. You can rest assured that you’ll get the same performance in terms of responsiveness and energy return. The shoe provides great support for running and jumping. Perfect for maximizing your moves on the court.
The outsole is also made of rubber with a slightly different and more complex pattern. The unique pattern provides exceptional grip on the floor. Textile and mesh materials plus a synthetic overlay forms the upper. An EVA sockliner adds further cushioning.
You may be wondering, what should be my considerations if I’m deciding between the Havoc 2 and Havoc 3? Apart from the different outsole pattern, it mainly boils down to the shoe aesthetic and design. This is a highly subjective area so the choice will depend on your personal preference. You may also get a chance to purchase one or the other at a better price so that will be another deciding factor.
The shoe weighs 11.7 ounces, slightly more than the HOVR Havoc 2 but still very light. It is a solid option for the price.
Pros
- HOVR foam and Energy Web mesh provide reliable and solid performance
- Outstanding traction with unique outsole pattern
- Comfortable to wear
Cons
- Not as breathable as the HOVR Havoc 2
2. Under Armour Lockdown 5
The Under Armour Lockdown 5 is a mid top shoe made of reliable materials. It is a no-nonsense shoe that provides the essential support for effective performance during basketball games.
A dependable EVA midsole provides adequate impact absorption and responsiveness. A sockliner enhances the cushioning and comfort. The hard wearing rubber outsole with linear and circular patterns provide considerable grip on floor surfaces. The upper is made of synthetic leather and has a clean and simple design. There are perforations on the upper for breathability.
At 12.3 ounces, it is on the higher end in terms of weight compared to other Under Armour shoes but still relatively light. It is a good economical option which I recommend if you are just starting on the game or looking for an alternate shoe for playing in the blacktop.
Pros
- EVA midsole provides ample cushioning
- Well-padded around the foot for optimal comfort
- Durable synthetic leather upper
Cons
- Runs narrow. Order half a size up for a better fit if you have wide feet.
- Slightly heavier than the other shoes in this list
3. Under Armour Embiid 1
This is Joel Embiid’s first signature shoe with the brand after signing with them. Although Embiid plays in the center position, he is known to be a versatile player with great moves The Embiid 1 was meant to emulate this quality and is marketed as a positionless shoe. It can be worn by all the five positions on the court. Get this if you are someone who plays multiple positions in a game.
It has a rubber outsole with a distinct traction pattern – the outline of Africa on the heel. The midsole uses the HOVR and Micro G technologies for effective cushioning. The eye-catching “wing” at the center holding the shoe laces is not just for aesthetic purposes. It enhances the stability of your foot in the shoe when you go on fast lateral moves.
A lightweight mesh textile upper keeps the show breathable. An EVA sockliner provides further cushioning and support.
Pros
- Superior cushioning using HOVR and and Micro G technologies
- Secure and stable during lateral movements
- Great for any position
- Breathable upper
Cons
- Tends to run narrow. Order half size up for a better fit.
4. Under Armour Spawn 3
The Spawn is Under Armour’s shoe that popularized the Anatomix technology. This upper is meant to move with and support the player’s foot instead of restricting it. Anatomix is made of interwoven layers of TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) and mesh. You can actually see the mesh exposed in certain areas for superior breathability and flexibility.
The midsole uses Micro G foam for cushioning. This is further enhanced by an EVA sockliner. Deep grooves in the rubber outsole provide you with great grip. It has additional padding around the tongue and collar to give you a great fit and added comfort.
Pros
- Anatomix technology moves with your foot and provides ample support
- Micro G cushion protects your foot from hard landings
- Great grip on the hardcourt
Cons
- May require a bit of breaking in
5. Under Armour Hovr Havoc Low
This shoe has all the great features of the HOVR Havoc range but in a low cut silhouette. You get the HOVR technology on the mid-sole for a great performance. The classic herringbone pattern on the outsole ensures you get great traction on the hardcourt. It has a breathable mesh upper and comes in a variety of colors.
I personally prefer a mid top shoe for basketball but certain people would love a low top option. It is good that Under Armour provides options to cater to both sets of players.
Pros
- Good option for those who do not like the mid top version
- HOVR foam provides reliable and solid performance
- Solid traction with the classic herringbone pattern
Cons
- Tends to feel tight at the start. Go up half a size if you want to avoid a break in period.
6. Under Armour Spawn Low
I thought I would also give a mention to the low top version of the Spawn 3 in this list. It has the same Anatomix upper made of interwoven TPU and mesh in a more compact package. This shoe is high on style and performance and not to be missed if you do not like a mid top option.
Pros
- Anatomix technology moves with your foot and provides ample support
- Micro G cushion protects your foot from hard landings
- Great grip on the hardcourt
Cons
- Like the mid top version, this may also require a bit of breaking in
7. Under Armour Sc 3zer0 IV
A classic and popular shoe that gets better with every iteration. This shoe is suitable for point guards and shooting guards like Stephen Curry.
They feature a full-length Micro G midsole. The Micro G foam is 30% thinner than standard foam which allows a lighter weight and better control of your foot movements. The shoe comes with an EVA sockliner which not only molds to the shape of your foot, it also prevents growth of odor-causing microbes for enhanced comfort. Durable synthetic leather upper has perforations for breathability.
A rubber outsole with the traditional herringbone pattern mixed with diamond shapes ensures a great grip.
Pros
- Superior cushioning thanks to the Micro G foam
- Allows for exceptional movement control
- Comfortable to wear
Cons
- Design is very classic. May not appeal to those looking for something more striking
8. Under Armour Curry Flow 8
Flow cushioning is the latest in Under Armour’s line of materials made for their high performing athletic shoes. The introduction of the Flow foam in shoes allows the elimination of rubber for outsoles without sacrificing on the traction. In fact, this material provides an extremely strong grip.
The Curry 8 is the first Stephen Curry shoe to use the Flow technology. It is extremely light and bouncy. Perfect for point guards who like to zip around the court and shooting guards who pull off jumpers.
The shoe has a breathable knit upper and a bootie construction for a comfortable, sock-like fit. Getting in and out of the shoe is easy with the high-stretch collar.
Pros
- Flow foam provides great cushion against shocks
- One of the lightest Under Armour basketball shoes
- Supports fast movement around the court, great for speedy guards
- Outstanding grip
- Comfortable to wear
Cons
- Very popular, stocks may be limited
The Awesome Choice
Value for money basketball shoes that get the job done are what you can expect from Under Armour. The shoes in this review were carefully selected to bring you both. You can’t go wrong with any of the options that were presented.
If I were to choose one shoe from the list then my recommendation is the Under Armour HOVR Havoc 3. This shoe is one of the more recent releases from the brand. It incorporates one of their best technologies and delivers outstanding cushioning and support in a very lightweight package. The exceptional traction, comfort and performance will give you everything you need to put out your best performance on any basketball court.