A little over 5 years ago I had my first Micro G experience while testing the Under Armour Black Ice. That shoe earned my pick for “Debut Shoe” of the year, mostly based on the cushioning. Some things never change. Micro G is still bouncy, responsive, protective, and durable. The Under Armour Micro G Pro is a shoe that has flown not only under but off most people’s radars this winter. Lucky for you, they weren’t off mine. Here we go…
MATERIALS – By now you know the deal on most shoes – fused upper of some sort, wires or webs for backing and support, some mesh somewhere for flexibility and ventilation. Nothing new here although the rubberized fuse upper around the toes and midfoot is thinner than most brands, like the Spawn series before it. After an initial game or two, or just wearing Pro for a couple of hours casually, the upper becomes flexible like a Russian gymnast. The real story here is the ankle. Compfit is BACK!!!! First seen in the Juke WAY back in 2011, Compfit is a neoprene-based stretch system used to secure the shoe around the ankle. Where the Juke was like a neoprene brace, the Pro is a little different. The rear ankle area is a thickly padded collar inside a neoprene outer layer. This lets the shoe hold tight around the area but gives comfort so there is no chafing. The fronts of the sides (that sounds off to me but oh, well) are elastic to allow the laces and Compfit area to stay in place but gives a little room for movement front to back. The tongue is one piece with the upper of the shoe and locks it all in when laced up. I know, completely confusing, but look at my pics below and it should clear up. One last piece on the tongue, and then I will quit – there is a badge at the toe that says “MPZ.” I had no idea what it stood for but I assumed it was a compression/padding that was on the tongue, and I was right. It is the line of football undershirt pads that players wear to absorb impact. On the Pro it is placed along the tongue to help with lace pressure and it does a fine job.
TRACTION – Indoors, yes. Outdoors, no. Not that it is bad – you’re going to stop like a crash dummy either way. The concrete will eat this outsole for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Just doing drills for two days I could see the recessed parts peeling around the herringbone sections. If you have worn the Spawn, you know what to expect. If you haven’t, here goes. On a court, a semi-clean court, you will stick. The end. If you play on a dusty court, invest in a dust mop just so you will stick. Don’t be lazy! Someone has to do it and that 24hr custodian sure ain’t. The grip is light and the tread pattern is shallow so any dust is picked up and carried like a disease. As long as you wipe a couple times you’re good. One thing I love on these is the way the tread goes up the sidewall (and you thought the Kyrie invented that). As the rounded edges of the sole roll with your foot you will find your sidewall contacting the floor – it’s natural. The extra tread lets you push off at crazy angles and keep up with that chump trying to blow by you off the bounce.
CUSHIONING – Is there anything better in this world of foam, rubber, pleather, and mesh than stepping into a Micro G shoe for the first time? Yeah, probably, but not much. Again, if it ain’t broke…Same midsole as the Spawn; it even says “Anatomix” in the script on the toe rubber. And if it bounces and pushes and responds, cool. Impact protection is no problem – never jarred or landed heavy. Court feel is low and tight, like a shirt at a Kendall Jenner photo shoot (wait, she’s 18 right? Cool). The Pro makes it way too easy to move on court. The forefoot has just enough Micro G to give you that starter’s block push off but still keep you quick and in front on defense. The heel is a different beast; it is high but not unstable (large midfoot piece and the rounded edges control any rollovers) and has pounds of Micro G Foam to cushion all day.
One little sidebar: there is still a “slappy” feel initially with this midsole/outsole combo. I had it in the Spawn, the 2’s, and now these. Not unplayable, but just walking I felt the heel and then a roll into the forefoot, not a smooth takeoff. While running, if you are a heel striker, you may notice this. However, I am mostly on toes guarding the perimeter like a 5’10” man should, so no problems.
I love Micro G.
Support – The support mainly comes from the fit (which I show below) and the large heel to forefoot support cage. It is simply a plastic cage embedded in the Micro G and while in hand would seem to do nothing. It feels softer than the foam. However, when on foot while playing, it ties the shoe together and keeps your foot in one place. The sidewalls are also molded up along the midfoot to help with any slipping off of the footbed, but when laced too tight it was the only discomfort I felt; they put my feet to sleep like the Macho Man. There is a slight internal heel counter that comes up just above the ventilation holes to keep your heel vertical. It is stiff enough to work but not restrict. The Compfit offers no support, really, so don’t think you are buying shoes with ankle braces. That element is more about fit. When I first tried the Spawn last year I was worried about the stability of the outsole/midsole. I have worn Feet You Wear since day 1, so I knew the rounded edges concept was sound. But did Under Armour know how to do it right? Yeah, they do, with the segmented outsole and the molding, this set-up is the closest to barefoot concepts on the market. They are just cushioned a little better.
Fit – First off, true to size, maybe, MAYBE a half size down. Length would probably be okay but width-wise it may be too tight. And so far, these have not stretched at all (rubber fuse tends to hold when molded). The lacing system helps greatly with fit. It is set wide allowing the player to really pull tight and get the foot locked into the footbed for a close fit. The laces start at the ball of the foot to allow the toe to flex properly with no fight, something I am seeing more and more of. Great idea, wherever it came from (Reebok Answer V is my guess). Coupled with the segmented outsole the forefoot rolls and bends naturally for a no-slip-grip fit. The midfoot is perfect, unless you pull too tight. Then the sidewalls pinch in and bring the pain. Loosen them, it won’t hurt – the shoe fits so good.
Heel fit is where the ankle sleeve comes in. Some shoes lately have been using the “dogbone” padding around the ankle bones and Achilles (HyperRev 2015). The Compfit is basically that but more visible. It rides just above the heel along the ankle and coupled with the elastic areas of the ankle and the lacing system really locks you up like Patrick Beverly. It is NOT stiff in any way, letting your ankles move and twist in any direction with no distraction. If you have extremely wide feet, Fred, you may want to steer clear as the shoe would take a winch to get into. I am a normal D and I slid right in.
OVERALL – Under Armour has had a great year. ClutchFit Drive. Curry 1. Micro G Pro. Three shoes I would easily rank Top Ten this season. Yeah, this shoe is that good. Fit, cushioning, traction, support – if you want all of these in a relatively cheap package (compared to signature shoes) look no further. The Micro G Pro is all of that. Normally, once a review is done, I have a stack of “next” and I may get back to a shoe a few months later when the season is over. The Pro is in my stash, waiting to hit the court if the “review” shoe is bad (and some are). Again, if you need bounce, it is here. If you need fit, look no further. If you need traction, use these indoors. Don’t sleep.
Fixed the rating pic for ya
http://s24.postimg.org/5kdxe7c2t/Untitled_1.jpg
Thanks – It was late and after I broke my video camera I said F it.
I was waiting for someone to do these! Great work man.
I broke my video camera doing these so
I have to buy a new one – otherwise it would have been up also. Started to wait to film again but you guys deserved this now.
Great review
I was wondering if you can do a performance review of the air flight huarache. I love the shoe and its story of innovation, also how the freshmen from Michigan made them the desired shoe. Also the new color way that Kobe wore is coming soon!! Can you please put time into this review or just go over it thanks man
thnx for the review.
Great review.
Lol at “I am a D and I slid right in.”
i really like ur reviews, i like how u write, ur humour, ur references. and in ur reviews, its sounds as though u really, really know what ur talkng about, very “knowledgeable”.. aside from nw, ur my next fav reviewer, and then maybe randy booker… i bought the anatomix spawn 2 coz i really wantes to try for d frst tym micro g. im really, really wide footed. d anatomix 2 looks snug, and fits real snug! i played in it only one time, yesterday, it really hurt d side of my left foot. i cud not walk ryt aftr d game. during d game, i had typical pain breaking them in, but i kept playng becoz as i said, as a wide footer, im used to pain breaking in bball shoes. i cud not wait to take it off. im only 5’3″, 185lbs maybe. i cudnt feel d responsiveness people hav been talkng about. even wearing them casually, i cudnt feel it… i also bought d li ning wow 2 coz of nw’s review, but after months of plyng in dem, i really didnt expirience nw’s description of d cushion, SO I FINALLY GAVE UP. i think for small guys like me, we cant really feel d cushions, we r too light i think… its like randy booker, wid his build was describing some shoes and he said he felt d cushion/had no problems w it, but nw didnt feel it
same here…with this midsole setup, the fit/width become problematic
Love CompFit, and I love the Anatomix sole, so these seem awesome to me.
Great review, very nice and detailed!
Here in Europe the availability for UA shoes is very limited. The only change to get these right now would be to order from France.
The only thing about these shoes for comparisons sake is: Which outsole has better grip, the Anatomix Spawn outsole as this, or the Clutchfit Drive outsole, seen also on the Curry 1?
I only play on dusty floors so traction is my #1 priority every time right after the fit.
The ClutchFit/Curry outsole is better for traction and durability, no doubt, but the Pro is not far behind.
between the two you have to go with the Clutch fit high or low. The traction on the anatomix Spawn based outsole is Shallow and thin. I have the Maryland pride in both the anatomix spawn and Clutch fit, I also have the anatomix showcase low and the Kemba Walker Clutch fit. The Anatomix mid sole and outsole will put you closer to the floor with great Flexability which is where the anatomix excels over the clutch fit. The Clutch fit feels sits you jus a bit higher (which I prefer) than the anatomix but has a more balance ride over all and feels like an Old friend, I jut works and works well all the time.
Hey Duke4005,
just wondering how is the ventilation of these shoes compared to the Clutchfit drive, and Curry 1. I am looking to get into a pair of UA shoes for the first time.
Not any better. About the same as the CF. I haven’t played much in the Curry yet since everyone else on the sight did them but they are up next.
How about the flexibility of the upper? You mentioned it improves in short order, but I haven’t found that with the pair I got. It had the usual narrow-in-the-midfoot Under Armour feel, but more pronounced and in more than just the midfoot. Like you said, it put my foot to sleep, but not really, more like a numbing discomfort. My foot is slightly wide (like an E/2E) but I have worn many other shoes with this last (love the Juke 2 and Anatomix Anomaly), so I figured wearing them around the house would loosen them up. No luck. They still feel stiff and restrictive all over the foot. Should I bother trying to break them in or just exchange them? Thanks
Such a good looking shoe, as I love a good wide lacing system due to the aesthetics, and then function.
So regard to the toe off, while accelerating into a sprint, is there a sinking in feeling, or a good bounce feel? The sinking feeling I am speaking of is a feeling of slowness coming out of the heel toe transition. I need good feedback without delay, firmness and then not mush at the forefoot.
Hey Sec – not sure, can’t remember if you have any of the Spawn series, but if so, same feel. If not – the forefoot is not mushy at all – bounce like the SNCreator, and you know for me to make that comparison it must work. Not quite PM but close. The heel is amost like Boost – gives to as point then pushes back.
Definitely like reading all of your reviews. Thanks for another good one.. Been wondering did I see these at Marshalls ;P ivs probably let some good ones get by In not checking Marshalls weekly of course no legit website n different stuff store to store last year popped in one leaving the Adidas big tent sale ran across bunch of ua shoes. Haven’t been as much this year got my rose 1.0 n Kobe system 8… Enough from me, great review. Thanks for sharing. I do see ua hoop shoes often got some jets a year ago prob longer. But I see them whenever I go into those type of stores. N I wonder often about ones I don’t know much about..really enjoy all your performance reviews
Hi Duke, I’m nearly 15 y/o, am a point guard and play pretty intense basketball and as a result have pretty dodgey knees and achilles. I’m tossing up b/w the j crossover II and this. I’m looking for something with really really good cushion but also some serious traction as well as I train on mid- dusty court conditions. Which would you recommend. I think the j crossover II performs better but I also like what UA brings to the plate. Thoughts?
For cushion it is about the same between the Pro and the JC2. Jetlon and Micro G are very similar. Haven’t finished the JC2 review yet, but already the traction is a little better than the Pro. The Pro fits more true, so if you go with the JC2, go TTS or even a half down – the woven will allow for more wiggle room in the forefoot.
Thanks mate
I like the look, just can’t stand any of the colors.
Great review bro, I always enjoy reading yours!
I have a question, whats the difference between these ones and the anatomix spawn shoes? I play swingman, with lots of changes of speeds and lots of jumping, so cushioning and traction are key. Should I go with either of those or with the Clutchfit ones? Really want to try under armour as I have never used one before
Not much difference at all except the Pro is easier on the ankle – the material is softer and wraps better. Midsole, traction, fit are all about the same. As for these or the Clutchfit – CF traction is better, cushioning is same, transition on the Pro is better, so is court feel, fit is better on CF, containment in forefoot is better on CF.
I was wondering if these shoes are light for size 9
I don’t know. I wear a 10.5.
I did not like the feel of this shoe right off the bat. Trying to get your foot in was almost impossible and once its in the sole seems uneven. Not a fan of the tread shape. Yes the lockdown is tight but spandex upper never really hugs your feet and is like a loose sock. MicroG is the reason I picked these up. But this shoe is nowhere close to the feel and fit of the Clutchfit Drives- one of my favorite shoes ever.
So I’ve been watching and reading you guys’ stuff recently. I’m an aging former small college player. Can’t jump as high anymore but still pretty quick laterally. I bought Jordan XXX’s, D Rose 6, and also these Micro G Pro’s as a cheap alternative. Didn’t even try on the Micro G’s. Well after taking them out of the mail, lacing them up and jumping right into a game tonight, I have to say the Micro G Pro’s fit best and felt best right out of the box. They played really well. Light and quick, yet adequately cushioned. They didn’t try to hard to do much unnatural, which is awesome IMHO. Fantastic shoe. I skipped the Curry 2’s after trying them on in a store for 2 reasons. 1) ya’ll said cushion wasn’t as comfy as micro g, and 2) they seemed to start my foot in a slightly probated position – trying too hard to prevent ankle rolls. That’s stupid, because hen you get plantar fasciitis and can’t play anyway, lol. The Micro G Pro’s are “natural.” That’s my best description, and they are awesome. Not just for the money. Just awesome, period. I double socked it, by the way, to put more cushion between the top of my foot and the laces, which can get right if you tie tightly. Still, these fit like a sock and I felt I could play with loose laces even. Very pleasantly surprised with this shoe. Thanks for reviewing and and helping me try it!