I liked the Low and 3Zero better than the mid: Curry 3 Low Review
Executive Summary: The Curry 3 is a solid and smooth shoe that performs well in every category but nothing outstanding. Plays very similar to the Hyperdunk 2016. Ankle collar and laces need some break in time before getting locked in but laces still loosen a little too much during play. I suggest a lace lock to help with this issue. Slightly softer cushioning than the Curry 2/2.5 and softer materials but not an upgrade overall. Build quality has also improved. Took a lot of design cues from shoes below
As many of you know, the Curry 2 was my top shoe for 2015 and most of 2016 (2.5 jumped it) so I didn’t expect the Curry 3 to outperform its predecessor..and I was right.
Pros: traction, slightly softer cushioning, improved transition, fit, materials, support, stability, containment, improved build quality
Cons: not an improvement overall versus the Curry 2 except maybe cushioning, traction needs wiping on dusty floors, not as stable as the Curry 2, heel fit needs break in time, containment not as good as Curry 2, gets hot, price increase of $10 from the 2
Sizing: true to size length wise, narrow and some regular footers will want to go down half a size depending on preference
Best for: guards
Buying advice: wait to buy when coupon eligible, Curry hype died a lot post 2016 finals plus it is not the best looking silhouette. $110 or less is about right
Weight
Same weight as the Curry 2
Traction
A full herringbone pattern, the Curry 3 traction performed slightly better than the Clutchfit Drive 1/2, Curry 1. I played on a lightly dusty court that I rarely wipe on with the Curry 2 yet I found myself wiping the 3. The rubber compound feels a little softer than the Clutchfits but harder than the Curry 2.
As for the pivot point circle, it actually works which I don’t really like. I understand the concept but don’t like slick spots at all on my outsole plus I push off a lot off that same spot.
Traction on clean floors is great but what isn’t as I always say. As dust accumulates just be ready to wipe. Still great and very acceptable to me but just not top tier like the Curry 2.
Cushioning
Charged is back again and even though it’s the same name, it feels slightly softer than before especially in the heel. The forefoot is still firm. How much softer does it feel ? It’s like going from the Curry 2 to 2.5 so just a bit but you do notice it.
There is no Micro G insole in the Curry 3 just a standard Ortholite insole. A sole swap helped a little but not much because the Charged below is just firm.
Heel to toe transition is better than the Curry 2 since it a one piece outsole. This isn’t a big deal for me but I did notice the difference
Overall, cushioning is a little softer than the Curry 2/2.5 but it’s not game changing. I should note the shoe plays lower to the ground than the Curry 2 which I did like. I really think UA will need to develop a new super Charged set up if it wants to keep up with the Joneses. I’d love to see a dual density set up that features pure Micro G in the heel and forefoot and Charged on the outer portions somewhat like the Lillard 2. Oooh the possibilities..
Fit
I went true to size with my normal 11 and these fit longer than the Curry 2 size 11 since the 2 ran a little short. These gave me a finger width from my longest toe to the end of the toe box which is my preference. The toe box is pointier so some people may feel they run long but it’s really just the shape
I find these are true to size overall although narrow or regular width feet may want to size down half a size because I had to pull the laces tightly to get a good lock down. I bought a 10.5 to try out in the Dubnation heritage colorway and I still had enough space at the toe box but they ran too tight for me and my wide feet.
I had no movement front to back or side to side with my wide feet. Almost no dead space in the toe box. Nothing fancy in the heel collar, no Achilles pillows, just a slightly contoured notch.
The first few times playing in the Curry 3, I had to retie often because the higher cut of the shoe allows my calves and ankles to loosen the laces as I played. In addition the lace eyelets are wide and slippery (insert joke) and the memory foam in the ankle collar wants to stay open. I had this problem for the first full week. I even swapped the laces out (they are square shaped) to see if it would help and it did improve a little bit but I still had to retie. It still loosens up during play even after two weeks but it isn’t nearly as bad as it was when I first put them on. When freshly tied, the fit is great but I could never get it to stay that way for an entire 40 minute league game. I really feel the problem comes from the combo of the higher cut, the top two large plastic eyelets and how the panels don’t wrap around the front of the ankle more.
Not a deal breaker but very annoying. I put the lace lock from the AJ XX2 in and it helped a lot but still not perfect.
As with all Curry’s these are ankle brace friendly so maybe wearing an ankle brace is ideal? I’m not sure since I usual go sans ankle brace.
Overall, the fit is great but worsens with play due to the laces loosening. I never had this issue with the 1/2/2.5 and still prefer the fit of the previous models.
Materials
Threadborne
If you’re expecting Primeknit or Flyknit softness, you will be disappointed. However, I could care less what an upper is made of as long as it fits and doesn’t ruin the experience.
That being said, Threadborne is a nice, tightly wound textile upper that provides a pliable fit without being stretchy. No hotspots and very little break in time if any.
The medial side and ankle collar is composed of Anafoam. I was really surprised UA didn’t slap labels everywhere on this shoe (no Charged label either) but it does give the shoe a cleaner look
This version of Anafoam is thicker than what we saw on the Curry 1 and reminded me more of what was found on the Curry 2 medial side.
Regardless, it works and it’s comfortable. Overall, I think the materials are nice and require little to no break in time.
Nice job UA!
Ventilation
I usually don’t mention ventilation but I noticed my feet getting unusually hot in these. The Threadborne upper and thick Anafoam isn’t very breathable plus they sit so close to the foot. Throw in a high ankle collar filled with foam and there is nowhere for heat to escape. Maybe I was playing extra hard but that’s just what I experienced every time out with these.
Support and Stability
UA took a bite out of Jordan Brand’s AJ XX2 design as well as the M11. The firm foam heel counter is similar to the Melo M11 and just as firm.
At first, I thought it was overdone and clunky but that feeling goes away within a few games. I really appreciate the real carbon fiber wings but any stiff material would have worked.
The support of the Curry 3 worked well as I felt like my ankles were just propped up straight at all times.
There is also a slim carbon fiber torsional shank. I couldn’t really tell it was there but I didn’t have any issues with midfoot support
The Curry 3 shares a similar outsole shape to the Clutchfit Drive 1 and plays just as stable. However it is not as stable as the Curry 2 or JCrossover 2. Here you can see the difference in the shape.
The Curry 2 is very square at the outmost heel while the 3 is more rounded.
The slightly rounded outsole at the heel gives the shoe a little more natural feeling but it isn’t tippy and passes my heel test.
Well done UA !
Containment
The Dynamic Midsole Frame provides “Dynamic Containment” as UA puts it. It does a good job overall but the midsole frame ends foot well before the forefoot; it pretty much stops at the carbon fiber so only part of the foot is actually inside the DMF.
I thought that this was going to be problematic but the Curry 3 still did a good job because the Threadborne material isn’t stretchy and reinforced along high wear areas.
It’s nice to see shoe companies addressing containment this year when other companies *Nike cough cough * and reviewers totally overlook this performance aspect.
Overall containment is excellent as I had no issues but I still feel the Curry 2 does a better job in this category.
Conclusion
The first few times I wore the Curry 3, I didn’t like it much, save for the cushioning. I was frustrated with the laces loosening, which caused the fit to feel sloppy. However, after sufficient break in time, I got a good (not great) one to one fit and had to retie a lot less frequently. I like to forget about my shoes when I play but the loosening laces wouldn’t let me. I feel it’s really a design issue but I’m sure my biomechanics and ankle shape have something to do with it.
Although the shoes look very different, the Hyperdunk 2016 performs and plays very similarly especially with the way both shoes are supposed to draw the ankle back. Coincidentally, both retail for the same price. Which would I buy between the two? Well as a Curry fan, I’d buy the Curry 3, since it is his sig shoe and priced the same but from a performance perspective I’d take the Hyperdunk. Similar traction, containment, support and stability but better cushioning and fit plus the laces don’t loosen. Also the HD2016 has been out longer so it’s now priced less than the Curry 3 and will continue to fall in price.
Under Armour is still riding the Curry train so I expect a ton of these to be made this year. With a botched 3-1 lead, UA and Curry lost a lot of bandwagoners so expect all of these to go on sale in a few months. The $10 price hike to the $140 price point came at the wrong time as Curry’s new Nike teammate’s shoe, the Kd9 only retails for $10 more. Raising the prices while its biggest competitor is dropping them makes no sense. Keeping the price at $125-135 would have been a better idea.
And if you haven’t figured it out, the Curry 2 easily outperforms the Curry 3. Just better traction, fit, and stability (and looks quite honestly). But if you’re really into materials, then the Curry 3 might float your boat.
schwollo.com 
Good review. I know that a lot of people don’t like the look of them, but there is just something about them I really like, aesthetically at least. There are better options though so I probably won’t cop. Thanks Schwollo!!
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Certain colorways look good and they are simple and clean looking.
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I agree with Michael—thanks for the thorough review, Schwollo, and I dig the way these look, majority opinion notwithstanding. I like how the bold, chunky heel is the focal point and the rest of the shoe keeps it simple so as not to steal the heel’s shine. I would gladly play in several of the colorways if the performance appealed to me more.
Speaking of which, I’ve got a question for you, Schwollo. I’ve played in my new CFD1 lows for a couple 2-hr sessions, and they’re good but maybe not as perfect for me as I’d hoped. I tried one on with one of the Soldier IXs I’d been playing in on the other foot, and that helped me pinpoint what I didn’t like about the Soldiers: although they don’t really have any glaring (performance), they’re just kinda too much shoe. Maybe that manifests itself in an uneven fit/feel around the foot, still a little difficult to put my finger on it. But so in comparison to them [I know it’s kinda like apples to oranges], I’m happy with the CFD’s fit and relatively minimal feel. Maybe I’m still breaking them in, though—I do have to tighten laces after a while, but maybe I’m still figuring out the right tension—but I did notice my heel moving laterally within the shoe once or twice. Little disconcerting. Compared to Soldiers, I also like that the tooling is a little more flexible (is this what people mean by “court feel”?). I like the cushioning pretty well, but it’s maybe a little too mushy, especially around the edges (felt at least one kinda jarring step when my foot landed with force on the medial edge of the heel). I’ve always thought I like fairly soft but still bouncy cushioning, but I’m thinking I might want something more responsive, which is making me wonder if a little firmer would be better, which has got me thinking about the Curry 2.5 and/or the CLB16 (with you and your reader’s extra lace hole fix). I had been wary about too firm cushioning because I’ve been having occasional pain in one knee, but it’s feeling pretty decent now, and I don’t know if cushioning is even something that would make a difference there. So my question is: how would you compare the cushioning on the 2.5 to the ’16 (since I know you liked all or most other aspects of those two models)? Don’t get me wrong, I’m still excited to be playing in the CFDs, but again, I’m thinking about getting a little rotation going.
For what it’s worth, I revisited your Soldier IX review and found that your self-description in the conclusion fit me pretty closely in terms of body type, playing style, and sneaker criteria: “tweeners… Bigger/heavier players that can still move quickly and need flexibility and support and stopping power.” I’d add that I like bouncy cushioning and a shoe that fits snug and feels quick. Guess that’s a pretty tall order.
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It’s funny, I still like Micro G but I played in the cfd and curry 2 in a tourney and the CFD felt slow and mushy compared to Charged. It isn’t the best in terms of plushness and bounce but it does what it is supposed to. IF you can find a pair of soldier VI, I’m 99% sure you’ll like them. Clb and curry 2.5 will be more up your alley in terms of cushion. Clb wins out but the 2.5 isn’t as far behind as people might say or think. Shoes with true Zoom feel would also work like the Hyperdunk 2016 or Hr16, so much garbage to sift through with Zoom).
I never got that foot moving around in the CFD low but sounds like a foot shape issue..I’m not sure. I hope that helps!
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Dang, the only pair of Soldier VIs on eBay in my size is a “rare” orange and gray pair for $430! Thanks for your feedback. I’m keen to try on some CLBs and maybe 2.5s (and maybe HD16 or HR16) depending how it goes with CLBs.
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Haha those aren’t “rare”. Search as Lebron soldier vi and Lebron soldier 6. . The eBay seller adilcenter or whatever is legit at 85 bucks for the clb (got my green pair from him).
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Hahaha! Yeah, I was kinda skeptical about those orange joints. Don’t imagine many people are that hyped about collecting the Soldier line to wanna shell out that kinda money for ’em. I did try both VI and 6, unfortunately. Thanks for the tip about the CLB seller. I was thinking I’d prioritize Continental rubber over colorway preferences—do you think the difference in outsoles is worth taking into consideration?
Also, good news: just put in another couple hours in the CFDs, and they were money. Guess third time’s a charm. I cranked down pretty good on the laces from the get-go and never looked back. Still wanna try the CLBs, though.
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Nobody collects the soldier line lol
No the rubber doesn’t matter that much. I have the ghost pepper pair w continental rubber as well as the green pair without can’t tell a diff
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Try them on in store if you can and decide if you need the extra eyelets
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Haha! Exactly.
Gotcha re. Continental rubber—thanks!
Yeah, am hoping to try on a pair in store sometime this weekend. Cheers!
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I hate this shoe. Might as well save and get the 2.5s, well worth the investment.
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Some colorways look good mostly the ones that hide the heel counter better
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Will you be doing an adidas James harden 1 review?
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When they release for sure. I don’t get freebies 😦
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Great review as always! I wish more reviewers would address containment, because shoes like JC2 were rated so high that I regret buying them due to my feet always going over the footbed during lateral movements. Back to Curry 3, UA should not have raised the price due to market saturation and kicks going on discount so quickly now. BTW, Finishline has the 2.5 for 99.99 plus an additional 25% off .
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Yep exactly why I didn’t like the jc 2 or 3 which is ironic bc a crossover requires a lot of push off one leg and poor containment really makes the move uncomfortable. Looks like the rare metals fixed that but we will see…
curry 2.5 excluded for of course from 25% off. Lol
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I wonder if the traction is better with the models that feature solid rubber outsoles.
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I have the dubnation heritage, same thing. The translucent outsole isn’t sticky like the HD 2016
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Which shoe would you recommend between the crazy explosive, dross 7, curry 3 and the curry 2/2.5 for a small quick point guard? The most important things to me are traction and comfort
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Rose 7 best traction and cushioning combo
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Good stuff man. Just picked up a pair yesterday – from a try-on perspective the support and stability was noticeable and I value the low to the ground feel. Tried on the KD9 (felt great but midsole shape didn’t agree with me) and CLB (Boost is incredible but wasn’t sold on heel fit) and ended up going with these. Definitely the worst looking pair of the three though haha
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Jake, you’re alive ! Curry 3 seems right up your alley Jake. I remember you loved the crazy quicks. Cushioning is nice on kd9’and clb but you and I both need a little more than that I think. I think the curry 3 is growing on me slowly but not like the 1 and 2 .
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Haha I am – been hooping a bunch, just not spending so much damn money on shoes haha. My Kobe VIs are starting to wear down so I needed something else to mix in. But yeah that’s the vibe I got too – I’m usually all about the firmer, lower cushion setups. Will be getting a good run in them tonight so we’ll see
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Motorcycle insurance costs money! Good idea with not buying kicks, nothing really that great except Rose 7 but those will get cheaper.
Let me know how it goes and looking forward to your review
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As a Warriors fan I will definitely get a pair… I’ll just wait for the lows to release. Nice review though!
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I think the lows will be solid . The 3’s are slowly growing on me but not as much as the 2
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Thanks for the review!
I’m planning on buying a shoe for the upcoming season. Which shoe would you recommend between the crazy explosive, dross 7, curry 3 and the curry 2/2.5 for a small quick point guard? The most important things to me are traction and comfort – as I review on my crossover to beat defender, and I like when I don’t notice that I’m wearing the shoe.
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Rose 7. You might want to look at my top 10 list similar wants and needs as you. Curry 2 traction almost as good but cushioning isn’t that close to the Rose 7. Crazy explosive is comfortable but traction isn’t nearly as good as Rose 7 or curry 2. Hope that helps .
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Does the deadspace in the Curry 3 the same with Kobe 11 Elite? or is it lesser?
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Do you mean on top of the foot? About the same no bubbles or anything
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Yup, is there a lot of wiggle room for the toes? Sort of feeling that your forefoot moves up and down.
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It’s minimal . I have a low instep and flat feet so other ppl may have no space at all. Similar to Kobe XI more than curry 2
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Still preferred the fit of my 2.5s when I tried out my size in store. This is one of those shoes that just don’t fit my foot right. Size 14 is just the right length, but a bit too wide for my liking. And then since no one carries a size 13.5, I tried on the 13 and while the width was perfect, my toes were right at the end of the shoe which is something I don’t like either.
Guess I’m passing up on the curry 3s, which is a shame as I have progressively liked each iteration better up to this point.
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You’re not missing much. Usually even after I write a review, I’ll want to reach for the shoe and play in them but with the Curry 3, I just reach for the 2/2.5. I will say I’m liking some of the new colorways and they’ve grown on me a little but that’s the Steph 13 3’s effect for ya
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Yeah I like the black and yellow colorway with the camo anafoam. I’m also digging the upcoming gray colorway.
I might get the curry 3 eventually if I happen to find them on sale. I might just get a size 14 and double-sock when I play in them to make up for the width issue I’m having.
I don’t really like double socking because I don’t want my feet to get too hot but I just want to get at least one of every curry iteration that comes out lol
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Yea they aren’t selling out anywhere so just wait. I don’t like double socking either lol
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You said the traction on these weren’t so great compared to the 2s but these are translucent traction. The solid rubber might give you a different experience.
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Hard to beat the traction in the Curry 2. I actually have the heritage as well same thing traction wise. It’s not bad traction at all, curry 2 traction was just that great.
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That’s odd, nightwing2303 and duke4005 tested the solid outsole and said it was slightly better then the 2 overall
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Different people different experiences. Either way the traction is still good
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Great review as usual. I see you have a pair of Melo 11’s, I searched ur site and didn’t see a review… if you have time could you write or repost one plz. Thanks!
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I didn’t write one yet but I’ll try and get around to it. Great shoe overall not my favorite but nothing wrong with them at all
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I just got the Curry 3’s last week and have been playing with them non-stop. I’ve used them on hardwood, cement, rubberized and smooth cement courts and they’re holding up better than my 2/2.5. They don’t have the same incredible bite that my 2/2.5’s had but they’re a bit more durable and the rubber seems harder. The carbon fiber wings seem unnecessary, I’m sure TPU would have been perfectly fine, but they look hella cool TBH. I personally like how they look, especially the “Away” colorway.The cushion also feels different than the 2/2.5’s, they seem denser but more plush, I know that it sounds weird but that’s how they felt to me. Great review as always schwollo.
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Nice review and similar to what I felt as well. The 3 isn’t bad at all I just feel the 2 is better overall. Traction is more than acceptable just like the clutch fit drive but not as good as the 2. I think the main diff cushioning wise is the sockliner really. For the current price that the 3 goes for ($60-80) it makes the shoe a lot more appealing . Looks wise it really depends on the colorway imo. I picked up quite a few curry 3 just bc of the prices lol
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I know i’m a little lat to this part, but I bought a pair at ross and after two games I couldn’t move my knees. Granted I have a bad knee, I’ve never felt this much discomfort forcing me no to play for a couple of weeks. I sold them and picked up the Kyrie 4’s and the Why not’s, hoping for better cushion. My next and last shoe person for a while will be the harden 2’s. The outlets have them at 70$. What do you think of that line up?
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All pretty good cushioning wise. Harden and why not are a little more on the firmer side while the kyrie 4 is on the medium soft side.
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