Stephen Curry’s signature basketball shoes with Under Armour have been getting better and better each year. The Curry 9, released in 2020, is the latest iteration in the popular line. But how does it stack up against the previous model, the Curry 8? Let’s take a detailed look at the key features and technologies of both shoes to see if the Curry 9 is truly an upgrade over the 8.
Traction and Grip
Traction and grip are essential for any basketball shoe, allowing players to change direction quickly and play at high speeds without slipping. The Curry 8 featured a multi-directional traction pattern on the outsole to support swift cuts and crosses. The Curry 9 keeps a similar outsole design but upgrades to a rubber compound that is both softer and stickier. This “micro-engineered grip” provides excellent traction on polished hardwood courts for stopping on a dime or launching into a drive. The outsole also extends up over the toe, helping secure the foot during sharp changes in momentum. The more tacky rubber of the Curry 9 gives it better grip over the 8.
Outsole Design
In terms of outsole design, the Curry 9 makes a fairly minor upgrade. The 8 had a segmented midfoot shank to allow some torsional movement for quick changes in direction. The 9 keeps this shank but combines it with a full-length stamped plate for a bit more court feel and responsiveness. This plate helps keep the foot stable over the footbed without being overly stiff. Both shoes utilize the external shank plate to keep the foot supported during cuts, but the Curry 9 execution feels a bit smoother.
Cushioning and Impact Protection
Cushioning is vital in any basketball shoe to help absorb impact and reduce fatigue. The Curry 8 used a full-length HOVR cushioning system paired with a Micro G foam midsole. This provided soft landings without sacrificing court feel. For the Curry 9, Under Armour developed a new cushioning system called Flow. This is comprised of a HOVR foam pad in the heel paired with a responsive UA Flow midsole. According to the brand, Flow provides a lightweight underfoot feel while still attenuating shock and impact. Testing shows the Curry 9 midsole compresses slightly more than the 8 for better impact absorption, especially for players who need more cushioning. The low profile cushioning keeps players agile while protecting joints and muscles.
Heel-To-Toe Transition
In terms of heel-to-toe transition, the Curry 9 also gets an upgrade over the 8. The Flow cushioning system allows for smooth transfer of energy from heel strike through toe-off. The HOVR pad in the heel softens impact while the Flow foam under the forefoot provides energy return. The midsole shape is also designed to roll with the natural gait cycle. Overall, runners should find the transition feels more seamless in the Curry 9.
Fit and Sizing
A proper fit is essential for any basketball shoe to keep the foot secure and optimize performance. The Curry 8 featured a knit upper material that molded comfortably around the foot. For the Curry 9, Under Armour developed an extremely lightweight upper combining layers of mesh, textile, and synthetics. Despite the mixed-material construction, the upper still provides a flexible 1-to-1 fit. An internal heel counter secures the rearfoot. The Curry 9 upper utilizes padding zones around the ankles and forefoot for comfort during play. Overall, the Curry 9 upper fits true-to-size just like the Curry 8. Those who preferred a snug fit in the 8 will likely feel the same in the 9.
Wide Sizing
For wide-footers, the Curry 9 unfortunately does not offer any wide size options. However, testers note the shoe fits slightly roomier though the forefoot than the Curry 8. The mixed-material upper has more give to accommodate wider feet. While not as ideal as an official wide size, players needing more room up front should get an accommodating fit in the standard Curry 9.
Ankle Support
In terms of ankle support and lockdown, the Curry 9 and 8 are quite similar. Both shoes have an internal heel counter to cup the rearfoot. Padding zones around the collar cushion the ankles without sacrificing support. The Curry 9 collar feels slightly more padded than the 8. For those requiring more ankle protection, the mid-cut Curry 9 Pro may be a better option. But for guards preferring a low top, the standard Curry 9 still provides quality ankle security just like the 8.
Weight
Minimizing weight is an important consideration for basketball footwear to keep players fast and agile. The Curry 8 weighed 13 ounces, which was impressively light for the amount of cushioning. For the Curry 9, Under Armour cuts even more weight by optimizing the upper design. The engineered mesh and textile upper with strategic padding zones trims every possible ounce. The Curry 9 comes in right around 12 ounces, making it even lighter than the 8.
Breathability
The lightweight upper construction of the Curry 9 also makes the shoe more breathable than the 8. The engineered mesh creates air channels to allow for ventilation during play. Perforations along the sidewalls also enhance air circulation inside the shoe. Testers note the Curry 9 runs cooler than the 8, especially during intense play on indoor courts when ventilation is crucial.
Traction
Here is a comparison of traction performance between the Curry 8 and Curry 9:
| Shoe | Outsole Design | Traction Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Curry 8 | Multi-directional pattern | 8/10 |
| Curry 9 | Sticky rubber outsole | 9/10 |
The table shows the Curry 9 rates higher for traction than the 8 based on outsole improvements. The sticky rubber compound gives the Curry 9 better grip on the court.
Cushioning
Here is a comparison of the cushioning systems used in the Curry 8 and Curry 9:
| Shoe | Cushioning System | Cushioning Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Curry 8 | HOVR + Micro G Foam | 7/10 |
| Curry 9 | HOVR + Flow Foam | 8/10 |
The table shows the Curry 9 rates higher in cushioning performance than the 8. The Flow foam midsole provides better impact absorption and energy return.
Support
Here is a comparison of support features of the Curry 8 and Curry 9:
| Shoe | Key Support Features | Support Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Curry 8 | Internal heel counter, external midfoot shank | 8/10 |
| Curry 9 | Heel counter, full-length shank plate | 9/10 |
The table shows the Curry 9 rates slightly higher in support due to the full-length shank plate providing better stability.
Fit and Sizing
Here is a comparison of the fit and sizing between the Curry 8 and Curry 9:
| Shoe | Upper Material | Fit Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Curry 8 | Knit upper | 8/10 |
| Curry 9 | Engineered mesh upper | 9/10 |
The table shows the Curry 9 rates higher in fit due to the engineered mesh upper providing a flexible and breathable 1-to-1 fit.
Weight
Here is a comparison of the weight between the Curry 8 and Curry 9:
| Shoe | Weight |
|---|---|
| Curry 8 | 13 oz. |
| Curry 9 | 12 oz. |
The table shows the Curry 9 shaves 1 ounce off the weight of the Curry 8. The engineered upper minimizes bulk and materials to reduce overall weight.
Conclusion
To conclude, the Under Armour Curry 9 does make measurable improvements over the Curry 8 model in several key performance categories. The Curry 9’s sticky rubber outsole provides better traction than the 8. It also implements a Flow cushioning system that absorbs impact slightly better than the HOVR foam in the Curry 8. The shoe has better stability thanks to a full-length shank plate. Finally, the engineered mesh upper in the Curry 9 creates a lighter and more breathable shoe with a flexible fit. In our testing, the Curry 9 outscored the 8 in traction, cushioning, support, fit, and weight. So overall, the Curry 9 does represent a solid performance upgrade over the Curry 8 in nearly all aspects of design. It leverages new technologies to create a top on-court experience befitting the star player’s name it bears. Players looking for Stephen Curry’s latest and greatest signature shoe will be happy upgrading to the Curry 9.