Traction: Making use of a full-length herringbone traction pattern, the ClutchFit Lightning doesn’t mess around. The rubber compound Under Armour used is pliable enough to not recommend for outdoor use, but for indoor use as the traction holds up perfectly. I would put this traction setup a tier below the Kobe 9 and Jordan XX8 as it does an amazing job covering you whether you are on clean or dusty floors.
Cushion: The best attribute of the CutchFit Lightning is its cushion and value. Usually budget models don’t feature marquee technology to its full potential. For example: The Nike Air Max Stutter Step 2 only features Air Max in the heel, not full length. Under Armour could have easily used a targeted micro G Foam setup on the ClutchFit Lightning for the price point it currently sits at ($89.99), but Under Armour hooks us up with a full length Micro G foam cushion setup. I have already stated that Micro G is my favorite cushion setup on the market, and the fact that it is featured full length here is worth the price of admission alone. Micro G turns soft landings into explosive take offs and protects your feet from the rigors of the hardwood, while at the same time giving great responsiveness and court feel. If you have yet to experience Micro G, your missing out and the ClutchFit Lightning is a great introduction.
Materials: Under Armour applies one of its newest technologies in ClutchFit on this model, and although it is not featured as abundantly as the well reviewed ClutchFit Drive, the second skin like synthetic material is partially featured in the heel/ankle area. While the CltuchFit material in the heel doesn’t make you feel its presence and is somewhat hard to notice, that’s exactly the point of ClutchFit. ClutchFit is supposed to feel like second skin and not distract you from the task at hand. Up front, in the forefoot, the ClutchFit Lightning uses a smooth synthetic with a targeted area of fuse. This synthetic material is very durable and pliable enough not to feel like your feet are fighting against it. Overall the ClutchFit provide a seamless fit and comfort in the heel, and the synthetic material doesn’t provide anything revolutionary but enough protection and durability to be worth every dollar.
Fit: The first thing you will notice while slipping into the CltuchFit Lightning is the tightness in the mid-foot area. At first thought going up half a size sounds like a good idea, but the ClutchFit Lightning fits slightly long making that alternative more harmful than useful. Over time the mid-foot does break in and the overall tightness does loosen up and the lockdown provided by the finger like eyelets prevent your foot from slamming into the front of the toe box. Overall wide footers might want to try on a pair before purchasing, and the length of the ClutchFit Lightning feels half a size too big, but the fit does not make you feel uncomfortable in any way, it is just not perfect.
Ventilation:Even though Under Armour has used a mesh underlay in some ClutchFit uppers, this iteration of ClutchFit uses a synthetic underlay that has no breathability. While the heel/ankle area provides no breathability, the forefoot and tongue do a good job of allowing heat to escape. Perforations around the toe box and the extremely breathable mesh tongue provide little airflow to prevent hotspots and soaked feet.
Support: Support is not the ClutchFit Lightning’s strong suite, but it does enough not to be an alarming issue. The lacing system uses a finger like construction for great lockdown and fit that help your foot stay on the footbed, while the modeled mid-foot provides arch support. Under amour uses a peeked midsole design on the ClutchFit Lightning that does serve a purpose as your foot is sitting slightly below it providing some rigidity to keep your foot from rolling. But the lack of an outrigger and overall rounded mold of the outsole lacks overall support during lateral movements. Much like the Anatomix Spawn line, if your footwork is not perfect you will trip over yourself in the ClutchFit Lightning as the support during side-to-side movements is unforgiving.
Overall: Sitting at a retail price of 89.99, the full-length Micro G midsole is worth that alone. But Under Armour outdoes itself by featuring their newest technology, ClutchFit in the heel/ankle area. This puts the value of the ClutchFit Lightning through the roof and currently beats any budget model on the market today in terms of paper value. On court the ClutchFit Lightning is an above average performer that lacks support and the fit is a little long for my liking. But the amazing Micro G cushion set up, and the CltuchFit panel that provide seemless fit and comfort make the ClutchFit Lightning the best $100 or less value in todays market.
You can pick up the Under Armour ClutchFit Lightning at Dicks Sporting Goods.
Great review!
Good review bro. People are still sleeping on UA and I’m not sure why. They will break into the market in a real way soon enough. That’s my bold prediction because they have released great models already and seem to be improving as they go. I just hope that more people continue to give them a shot. Companies like UA are great for the consumer. We want variety. We’ve got it. It’s up to us to utilize that freedom and not stay glued to one brand or another. Mix it up.
Thanks for bringing us the great info Weartesters team. Quality work that’s appreciated.
Was already convinced before even the performance review came out that this is a definite cop! Waiting for great cw’s and maybe a lowtop version.
Well done, nice review!! I believe that UA someday will overcome Nike!
Great review bro. Awesome info and descriptions.
Great review… you have improved so much from when I first started watching you. “soft landings into explosive takeoffs”… CLASSIC!!!
Great Review Jarron! I love the anatomical and rounded edge sole which is my preference since I love the natural feel they provide. I also like how rounded edge soles allows you to balance easier when you put pressure on the edge of the sole especially when the traction wraps up on the rounded edges. Plus if you prefer an outrigger you can always get the Clutchfit Drives. There aren’t that many shoes that have this feature, so I think its awesome that Under Armour gives us an option. I just think rounded edged sole have their benefits and its more of a preference thing.
Sounds pretty good but still wouldn’t pay retail.
Not with 2k4s and m9s at the outlets for cheaper
When we bring up price, its based strictly on retail price & not on-sale pricing. For example; these will likely be found at Marshalls in a couple of months for $20-30… it would then be cheaper than anything found at the Nike Outlet. But when you compare their retail price to the M9’s retail price and especially the cheaply made 2k4 then the UA is a cheaper option.
Gawd I want to drop a “more you know!” rainbow right here.
Nightwing can you name good performers for streetball hooping
Thanks for the review. Good stuff. Its really nice to see UA making some noise. I might try these out if I see them at Marshals. I believe in supporting quality but these feel destined to land at Marshals for around $30. So even with a budget original price it feels foolish to buy them right now. I also have a wide foot and play mostly outdoors so these probably wont be for me anyway. I do like how they remind me of a tennis ball.
You might not think there worth the price but the same can be said for a lot of shoes. What’s foolish is that you might be missing out on a shoe that might work great for you and that has some of the best cushioning systems out right now.
Well Jarron, I really like your work b/c you review the lesser shoes on the market with greater frequency. These remind me a lot of the Torch 2s, nice breathability and microG. However, these are bound to be a lot better. Clutchfit baby!
QUESTION: Will micro G get better with usage? I got Torch 2s and the more I wear them (10 times or so) the harder the foam gets and my feet seem to hurt more
I’ve noticed that any foam bottoms out over time as well – not just micro g
I noticed that that particular tooling (used on all three of the Torches, the first Juke, etc) has that issue. I think it’s got a thicker midsole with the same Micro G layer, though I could not say for sure. The Torch 2 in particular I found to be that way, as the upper finally broke in well, the soles didn’t feel as good. The first Torches had that issue but not as pronounced, I haven’t worn my Torch 3s enough yet to say.
I did not have that issue with the Lightning, Juke 2 or Anatomix Anomaly, which is an epic shoe also. Great ride on those and great fit, big improvement on the Anatomix Spawn 1/2.
why does clutchfit lightning is not available on UA site? or its just clutchfit drive with a different CW? im confused lol
I had a chat with UA, the CF Lightning are not anymore on their webpage, coz they are not anymore produced and sold.
When were the Lightning actually launched ??
They seem to be like the Spine Nitro, a Dick’s Sporting Goods exclusive. Of course they go through eBay and will make their way to Marshall’s type closeouts eventually. Great shoe, I wore my blue/black ones tonight to hoop for a couple hours. These and the Juke 2 are my favorite UA releases, no sore spots and even after 3-4 hours you don’t just want to tear them off your feet. In fact, they feel good, a lot of times I will go for a little jog in them to keep my legs loose and feel them on my feet a while longer.
Quick one to Weartesters or the forumers :
how does UA size ? from the various reviews, I had the impression it almost fits to size, very slightly big.
my problem now is, my foot is 25,8 cm which in theory brings me to size 8.
Now, with the socks and leaving a thumb inside to allow feet compression during the effort… I was not sure whether 8 would be too tight, and whether I should go for 8,5
Problem is, there are no shops having CF Lightning in a 100 km radius …
Thx for the advice