The full performance review for the Under Armour Spine Bionic is now available. The video should be available soon!
Traction – The traction didn’t look great at first – seeing as how it’s surrounded by foam – but to my surprise it was phenomenal. Even the foam lent a hand in keeping you secured to the hardwood – most likely due to the paint – so if you weren’t paying attention you could end up tripping over yourself.
If you love traction – and I mean LOVE – then you will want to try these out. Outdoor players, you could try them out but I don’t know how long they would last you from a durability standpoint.
Cushion – Micro G is awesome, as usual. From heel to toe you receive ample cushion, impact protection and you don’t lose a bit of court feel… even though you are raised above the ground a bit higher than you would be in say the Micro G Torch.
The only hindrance was TPU support frame but there was also a Micro G insole provided which helped relieve stress upon impact… you know… so it didn’t feel like you were crashing down on a piece of plastic even though you were. If you want more info on the cushion then check out Part 2 of the Under Armour Spine Bionic Performance Teaser – link found down below.
Material – The materials aren’t amazing whatsoever but they get the job done so for that they received a solid score. Basically you have a thick Fuse like material along with mesh… sound familiar? Their lack of creativity is the only thing that left me unimpressed… I can’t criticize them too badly since other brands have adopted some sort of Fuse material but again, I just can’t be impressed when it’s been done before.
Fit – They fit true to size and lock down is amazing. This is where the materials did make me smile a bit. The panels of Fuse are few and far between but they were placed perfectly… without making up most of the shoe. Keeping your foot in place and secure, the materials and the last used work well together without creating any pain or hot spots. One of the best fitting shoes if you ask me… and I wear a lot of shoes.
Ventilation – It looks plentiful… but it is minimal. They should have used HearGear but maybe they can’t at the moment. Under Armour hasn’t had vary many ventilated shoes to begin with so I don’t personally hold it against them.
Support – The TPU heel cup keeps you locked in while the plate stretches beneath your foot for torsional support. Like I said above, the materials and fit do a good job of keeping you in place and secure, furthering their supportive attributes. UA’s Spine is the real winner as it’s that stable platform I was asking for with the Micro G Torch review. Support is nearly perfect in this shoe while it surprisingly doesn’t leave you feeling restricted at all.
Overall – Much like Nike’s Hyperdunk, the Under Armour Spine Bionic is one heck of a versatile shoe. Nearly every position can wear the shoe as it has featured that typically cater directly towards their position. They have what Guards want… they have what Forwards would want and they have what some Centers would want.
It’s safe to say that these are one of the best well rounded performance models available… especially at their price point. If you were afraid to try out Under Armour’s previous models for one reason or another, then this is the one that you should try first… it will leave you wanting to try them out more often.
First Impression
Performance Teaser
Performance Teaser Pt. 2
Awesome review!
I’m so glad these scored well, especially in the 4 most important categories – traction, cushion, support, and fit. That all I really care about and these scored 9+ in all categories which is great to know. I dont care much (if at all) about ventilation so it doesn’t bother me that it scored low there. I also LOVE the colorway you bought….hot.
I’ve been eying this shoe since it came out and have been waiting for this very performance review. Really was diggin the “Maryland’s Finest” colorway but that quickly sold out 🙁
I was about to get the Torch, but I’m gonna get these instead because I like the looks better.
Made my day!
Actually I’m having second thoughts. Only because the Zoom Soldier VI is only $10 more. (Although I think the shoe is average looking at best)
Me being a 6’1 230 lb power forward with wide feet……. which shoe would you recommend Soldier VI or Spine Bionic?
Go for the soldier VI adam ..
Def the Soldier 6. I had the Bionic for about a week and returned them. Soldier 6 performs better in my opinion and is way more comfortable especially if you leave the ground alot for rebounds or even layups.
Dope. Ive been ballin in the CP6’s and after many games my jumping foot is soar – they need a spring plate. mite give theses a try. Grip is the most critical peice – if they dont agree with my feet – time to pick up the melo m8 advanced Obsidians.
You would probably ask me to refer to the scorecards. But they have the same score. From a traction standpoint between the Spine and the Cp3.vi whih one stand out more?
Lol nevermind. Told me in the vid
thanks Nightwing,
very helpful review. considering this has a really great support, which the only thing that has been missing with the Torch, I’m sure will be happy with these. on the otherhand, the Torch would be perfect as trainers.
I miss the opening music in your videos. Thats all :)))
Great Review @nightwing2303 !!
I see these made the top 10 of ’12 list, what shoe was knocked out of the list??
Another great review. I hope these drop here soon, so that I can give these a try.
minus the ventilation score, I think it would make it to the top 4. the CL2 got knocked off the list
what are the CL2?
Hey thanks for,these reviews basketball season is starting for me and i was wondering, should I buy the Cp3. 6 or the zoom Kobe 7.
Great review though this is the first time it’s in bad quality regarding the definition! Waiting for those KD5 review even though I can’t buy one since I’m broke!
whats the best foam cushion that you’ve ever played in? I’m thinking of maybe trying out foam for once instead of air.
Micro G & Lunarlon… in that order.
would you happen to know if there is a release date for the low top version of these that brandon jennings was wearing not too long ago? those are DOPE.
Does the torches cushion as comfortable as it looks cuz it looks like u just sink in. Or is that just an illusion like it sinks but it doesn’t mean there’s cushion
if i remember correctly, you said in one of your reviews that the micro g torch and the spine bionic have different specs and features for each and so i was wondering with the different specs which would you consider is the better with your rating on the shoes only 0.5 points difference?
Which shoe should I get: Spine Bionic or the Crazy Light 2’s?
Spine bionics: cheaper, more comfortable, more cushion, a little more weight, more support
got them and they’re amazing
Hey, what do you say about flex motion, durability/longevity (specifically how great they are throughout the whole game/workout) and that heel problem that everybody’s been saying about?
Hey I want to get these how are they with outdoor courts and durability
thinking about grabbing these and was wondering about the fit. i saw a few people say they ran small. anybody else know?
Hurrah! At last I got a website from where I be able too truly
obtain helpful facts concerning my study and knowledge.
Hey I have a question I need and outdoor ball shoe and which one should I purchase the cp3 ae 6 or the spine bionic