Performance review: Under Armour Micro G Supreme.
Supreme Clientele
The Micro G Supreme represents Under Armour’s segue point between its public basketball launch in Fall 2010 to UA’s anticipated second generation hoops releases rolling out now through the end of the year. Although the Supreme saw only limited action on court through the play of Gilbert Arenas, we give the shoe a complete work through for you now…
I WIIILLLLL!!!!!!
One of the biggest pleasant surprises I got last year was the Under Armour Micro G Black Ice. I really was not expecting too much, based on the lack of success of the previous year’s running line, and my hopes were low. However, the Black Ice, in my opinion, was one of the top shoes of last year. The Micro G cushioning fit my foot and game, being responsive but not overly bouncy while cushioning any sort of impact I may have felt. The transition could have been better, the forefoot fit could have been a bit tighter, and the strap looked cool but didn’t serve too much purpose, but really, that is ALL I could find wrong, and that is severe nitpicking. The overall package of ballistic mesh and triple-layer Micro G coupled with solid heel lockdown and traction that could stick on an oil slick put the shoe squarely on my end of year recommended list. So when I saw the images of Gilbert Arenas wearing the white and blue Micro G Supreme on court, I got a little smiley-faced. The flow of the lines along the midfoot, coupled with the toe box that color-blocked so well and the lower ankle cut all led me to believe I was in for another great performing shoe.
SSSMMMMOOOOTTTTHHHHHH…
The first detail I spot is the suede toe. Most would pick out the synthetic panels, but my eyes gravitate forward. Made from the same material as the Halloween Black Ice (so buttery), I saw no signs of bad glue jobs or spotting where the suede was thinned out or bare. I will give Under Armour one thing, their QC department is top notch. The suede flows right into the heel, where it is layered with the separated heel counter. Although it looks as if the counter is split, well, it is. But have no fear; there is a contained counter inside the heel to supplement the visible components.
The synthetic midfoot panels definitely had me worried. With less-than-stellar fit from shoes using similar materials in the last year, I was concerned about the Supreme’s molding to my foot and flexing properly through my gait. Ventilation is usually a problem with this type of material as well, so there were two possible strikes to start. However, I had FAITH. UA has done me good so far this year. Another component I really like is the addition of a form of inner fit-sleeve in all of their shoes. Just the addition of a partial foot sleeve, like the one found here, helps contribute to my foot feeling nice and snug and a “one-ness” with the shoe. Alright, let’s see how that “one-ness” translates into busting some a..
Continue to Page 2 for the Under Armour Micro G Supreme performance review…
Great review, UA’s doing an awesome job.
And great explanation of how you don’t necessarily need a visual outrigger, as long as the shoe can redirect the forces, it’s just as functional(and actually safer, because wedge-outriggers always have a win/loose risk when you cut hard, where more dynamic approaches create more of a control situation, like barefoot has).
Love reading the shoe reviews here. I got into my first pair of UA Micro G shoes last month, tremendous step in comfort with the extra Micro G sockliner. Let’s see what UA can do with their new NBA signings!
except for the heel-cup which looks… weird.. i really find it a sleek looking shoe.. it looks fast even though it’s standing still.. im imagining it UA would kill it if its in the black ice halloween-esque cw
duke, nice job
Great review Bryan!
I saw these shoes in person and they are definitely some of the smoothest looking shoes out.
I agree with you on the issues that kept the Black Ice from becoming one of the BEST performance shoes out. I definitely agree on the heel transition issue. It’s something UA should address for the next round of kicks.
Great job as always! Keep em coming!
-WC
Good work Bryan! now i´m sure the next thing on my feet will be UA BBALL sneakers; it´s great that you mention about the exposure and support good product must have from us the consumers, i mean, this is really what must matter to a true bball sneakerhead! the balance between performance, design and price….we really need to be better at selecting shoes because that´s the only way companies will give us better products, and reviews like yours surely help in that matter…
By the way, i find it great that the hell has that drop since that´s what many barefoot runners search for, it´s really nonsense to have elevated heels, it messes up all of our natural movement! oh, and it would be nice if you could also take the time to review socks like the ones by UA you mention: i find it curious that no sneaker site does that and it´s an essential part of sneaker wearing don´t you think?
Keep it up,
Great review, I love the reviews of brands no named nike or adidas, open my eyes to new products.
Keep it that way!
urriah, the heel cup does look a bit strange, but the cutting out of the middle has no effect on stability at all and actrually shaves a little weight off. Unfortunately, all the colors of these are already released and on sale on UA website.
Winston, quit hiding and get to work.
Gus, got some clothing reviews coming as well – UA Charged Cotton, possibly some socks and shorts as well. Shortly…
NICE! i mean, doesn´t it go hand to hand? as i´ve expanded my sneaker collection over the past 2 years i´ve come to realise that every sneaker needs it´s very own and special sock! it can dramatically change the feeling, fit and performance…single sock or even the fine art of double socking ha!
I was also very pleased to read in your reviews about the insoles of UA, another vital and quasi forgotten element of every good sneaker…thanks Bryan, looking forward to many more of your work here @ CK
Thanks for another informative review on a lesser known shoe. I’ll be picking these up shortly!
so which one did you like better? these or the black ice?
^^^ Black Ice, if for nothign more than sentiment, being the first shoe and to be as good as it is. The perfomenace is neck-and-neck, but I think overall the Ice looks better and fits a little better in the forefoot.
Great review! I just have a couple questions for anyone who feels like taking the time to respond. First off, I haven’t been able to wear Nike’s in years. I have high arches and somewhat wide feet, so Nike’s are way too narrow for my feet. I’m 6’1″, and weigh 250 lbs. Even though I’m big (at least weight wise), I can run, jump, and am fast for someone my size. I’m looking for a lightweight shoe designed for fast, slashing type players that also has great cushioning. I’ve been hearing great things about the Under Armour Juke, Bloodline, Funk, and Black Ice (from last year). The only thing preventing me from getting any of these are the supposed traction issues. I read the Black Ice review, but I still have some concerns. Any more thoughts on the traction performance (especially on somewhat dusty courts)?
How does this shoe compare to the micro g flys?