Two UA guys in the dunk contest finals! Who’d have thunk it?!
My reviews aren’t beauty pageants but if they were, the Spawn 3 might get Miss Congeniality
UA is trying to bring back the Anatomix spawn “franchise”(you know all two models) with the Anatomix Spawn Low. Keep in mind that when the Spawn first came out it was basically Steph’s first shoe so it looked special and had a ton of tech marketing packed in it. Now that Steph has moved onto his 6th shoe (technically 7 with the Curry 2.5 and if want to throw in the 3zero’s, technically 9) UA might say it has similarities to the original words are just words when it comes to sneaker marketing. Here is my review for the original
The real question is, how’s the shoe play? Well minus a few unnecessary holes (that’s what she said) and bubbles, I’m pleased to say it’s great, way better than the Curry 5 and 6. Sorry the Curry 2 is still the best of the bunch.
Pros: TRACTION, cushioning, overall fit, stability, containment
Cons: lots of deadspace bubbles on the top of the foot, bulbous
Sizing Advice: true to size for everyone. Half a size down if. you want an even tighter fit.
Buying Advice: wait, looks sell
Weight
15 ounces or one ounce heavier than the original low. A little heavier than average for a low
Traction
Kobe IX anyone ?
Definitely the highlight of the shoe. Coverage in all directions, soft pliable rubber with thin multi depth blades
You can see the variable depths on this pattern. This allows half the traction pattern to grab some dust while the other pattern rests. Very similar idea to the Rose 7
Coming off playing with the Tmac which was no slouch, this was a breath of fresh air. Start and stop on a dime with no need to wipe? it’s like I had coffee, kale and yogurt for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Not recommend for outdoor use. These are already getting chewed up playing indoors only. But boy does does bite.
Traction was the one aspect that I was never thrilled about with the OG spawn so I’m beyond pleased with these. Oh andno tearing or ripping of the outsole, well done UA you’re learning ! (Go on UA.com and you’ll see real reviews and experiences from actual customers, yes Curry 6 outsole splitting is real despite the UA defenders)
Well done UA!
Cushioning
Micro G is back and I have no complaints about this set up at all. Micro G firmness changes shoe to shoe but these are what I consider slightly firmer than stock Micro G. I used to love my CFD but when the Curry 2 came out I realized how soft Micro G could get. This iteration is a good blend of court feel, impact protection and bounce.
This little cut out makes transition a little bit smooth a little bit faster
This is what I expected out of HOVR with the Curry 6 but as they always say out with the old and in with the new and back in with the old which is cheaper and better feeling than the new but let’s keep trying to sell the new.
bottom: Ultra thin ortholite insole top: Micro G from the OG
Overall, these feel pretty similar to the original without the big heel to toe drop. But why the bulky looking carrier UA? Looks sell UA. I feel like the Spawn are Duplo inspired. Maybe it’s just Normcore2018 looks 🤷🏻♂️
Fit
That first eyelet doesn’t have to be used. It allows a little more customization but not really necessary for me. Really thought about adding more holes but decided against it..for now.
I went true to size and I think most everyone can go true to size comfortably.
No major fit issues out of the box but it did take a little time to warm up and conform to my foot. No movement side to side and almost zero heel slip out of the box which was a pleasant surprise considering my experience with the Curry 6.
If you hate deadspace bubbles, Birdbox it. If you like champagne and bubbly though enjoy.
Lacing “innovation”
UA really went all in with lacing innovation eh? The star of this show is that UA attached the first eyelet to the footstay/raised midsole to give additional customization for the player. Sure you can tie it down tighter if you want but most shoes don’t have this much deadspace in the toe.
I’m not a stickler for deadspace but if you were wondering whats up with the bulbous look, well there you go. UA also utilized the double eyelet to lock the lace tension while it works, I found it unnecessary and chose to lace it traditionally with the few eyelet available. I got a more comfortable fit and a much less bunched up look.
I am a flat footer and when laced to my foot, this shoe is extra sloppy looking on the top. Once again UA is going for that lacing minimalist look when it didn’t have to. At least the laces don’t slip loose like the Curry 6 and they eliminated almost all lace pressure thanks to more padding in the shoe especially the tongue.
Fit and precision was a big selling point in the original Spawn and while the fit on the Spawn 3 is good and adaptable for different types of feet, it really isn’t the same as the OG. Even after a whopping five years the fit on the og low is far more precise than the Spawn 3; no heel slip out of the box, zero deadspace. This version is very bloated with padding and deadspace and uses the laces to lock the foot down. I don’t think my shoe should look like bubble wrap when I lace it it up but at least it fits well. Precise fit, the Spawn 3 is not but it is adaptive enough to fit different feet unlike the Curry 6.
Materials
Top right: Fuse has started to separate slightly no biggie though
The language on the Spawn is the same as the original but like the jump from the one to the two, UA materials don’t look so hot..but they do get hot since it envelopes 3/4 of the shoe. This version of the Spawn is far more plush and layered. The only place for heat to escape is the toe box.
Materials are whatever to me but the original looks and feels far more premium. UA thinned and thickened the original for support and strength where needed. There was a lot of ripping of the thin mesh areas on the OG thus UA went with that full TPU coat on the Spawn 2.
eBay pic
This version is pretty much the same thickness but with TPU/fuse on 2/3 of the shoe. It sounds fancy based on UA’s description but it’s really just fuse and mesh. This feels and looks like a budget shoe.
Support and stability
These are lows so support comes from good heel fit and heel counter
Midfoot support is solid since it has a hidden midfoot shank a bunch of Micro G underfoot
What happened to the anatomically design shank that was part of the shoes namesake ?
Stability is great with a nice flat outsole and wide forefoot. I wish the Kobe IX has been this wide and flat.
I always wished the og was a little more stable in the heel so I’m very pleased with support and stability.
Containment
No issues at all. Nice big footstay and a raised albeit ugly midsole. You don’t need to lace that front eyelet unless you want to.
Conclusion
Overall, I think this was a goodish effort by UA to try and revitalize the Anatomix Spawn name five years later. The Spawn name doesn’t mean anything especially when you can’t see the lineage in the shoe; this shoe has nothing on common with the original other than the name. Gone is the precise fit, the “anatomical design”, the strategic placement of thinner out mesh and fuse of the original. This is just a generic shoe with some TPU layering. However, marketing BS aside, it performs very well all around with excellent traction and a pretty good fit if you ignore the bubbles. I would take this over the Curry 6 to actually play but this is not what I’d call a good looking shoe. Looks and brand sell more than performance, simple as that. A dunk contestant or two will help as long as the viewers didn’t fall asleep. Juno over Shaq, Elbow in the Rim dunk was great btw.
Some will try and sell you in the fact that is $110 and a bargain but guess what, everything from 2018 is under or way under that price point already including a bunch of my top performers from 2018. Hell you can even get MVP sigs for under that price. Is twenty bucks a big enough price difference to sway a consumer to buy the Spawn versus the Curry ? I can almost guarantee that the Lebron Soldier selling for under $90 would be enough to dissuade someone buying the Spawn. Or an MVP candidate named Paul George sporting a shoe with his name and a swoosh for the exact same price. Think UA, think!
Aside from marketing and pricing, I think the Spawn is great on the court and will be really budget friendly when they hit sales racks.
Well done UA, first team rating!
Hey Schwollo what are your thoughts on the Kobe 4s not having full length zoom?
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As a consumer since I thought it was full length from the press release I’m annoyed but I noticed I didn’t see the full length zoom after I checked out on snkers didn’t think anything of it. I’m not mad though bc resale for the original Kobe iv was easily 225 and up (carpe diems were $350 plus) so I’m getting a near perfect retro of the iv for 175,probably less once Nike releases more. Haven’t played in them yet but I don’t think it will be a problem and will play just like the og.
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It’s weird that this article shows after the Dame 5 review. Did you pin Dame 5 to the top?
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I recently compare some old Micro G insoles that I have, and I found out that Black Ice’s insole is much softer and bouncier compared to Curry 1’s insole. It’s really surprising because they look like the same thing coming from the same mold, but the compound is actually very different. This is part of the reason why Curry 1 feels so firm.
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Back to the shoe, the forefoot cage is gonna cause some problems to my feet, and that weird upper construction seems like a total overkill that may lead to fit problems. I understand that UA wants to push their design team, but it really needs some more work. What happened to your old designers UA? Oh yeah I think Nike got them.
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compared*
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Did you see that Kobe 4 protro actually has no full-length zoom, and Nike being Nike changed their product description? Now I don’t even know what part of the shoe is “protroed”.
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Not really mad. $175 is to capture max profit so if you don’t want to pay 175 don’t. They did some bait and switch but not sure when they “switched” the specs. Mine feel pretty good just at home so I’ll wait to play in them before crying about it. Feels and looks like the og which is what the majority of consumers want.
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Newish wordpress feature that lets me pin posts that i never tried so I decided to try it with the Dame 5 lol. I’ll check out my black ice and get back to you about the insole. Spawn isn’t anything to look at all but plays well on court. But ua needs to go back to the drawing board on everything non curry
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Have you got the PG3,s? If so, what is your initial thoughts on the cushion?
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Feels like slightly firmer HD Set up initially but breaks in nicely and feels great
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I got the Kobe IV protro and the feel good to me. I’m just afraid they will bottom out quickly under the forefoot.
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Kobe iv protro feels great feels like the OG. These do not feel like lunarfoam so I’m not worried about bottoming out but I’d prefer zoom. Oh well I’ll take a $175 replacement for my og any day consider the resale is for most OG Iv is 225 up to 400.
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That’s true. I hope they hold up well. I’m 50/50 on keeping them or taking them back and waiting for another color way. I’m too broke to buy multiple pairs lol!
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If you’re on the fence about the colorway id return them wait for one you really like. Looks of a classic hot colorway don’t fade even if they sit in your closet lol
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The midsole looks chunky. Is it as low to the ground as shoes like the curry 4 or Jordan xxxi?
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It isn’t as chunky as it looks. Sits about average but not as low as the Curry 4 or aj 31. More inline with hyperdunk or team shoes
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What’s you pick among these 3?
-Dame 5
-UA Spawn Low 3
-PG 3
I bet we do have similar taste when it comes to basketball shoes haha. (Traction, fit, and cushioning!)
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It’s a toss up really. Which brand do you like who’s your favorite player ? Although I haven’t written the PG review it will get a first team as well . Great forefoot zoom and softer foam throughout, great traction and fit
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I have no preference on who’s sig or brand, although looks matter haha. I just want a shoe that has excellent traction, good fit and feels comfortable when using.
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That would be all of the above lol go based on looks
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How is the width in the toe box? Not dead space above the toe box, just the width of it. UA is usually painfully narrow but your comparison picture for fit suggests that this one may actually fit me. Many people complained about the Project Rock 1 for its wide toe box, which makes me want the shoe even more. Hell, if the traction is decent I may just settle for Project Rock 1 and it’s generous toe box and Micro G.
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These are a little wider than og so you should be ok. They seem to fit a lot of a different foot types since they have more padding and use the laces to lock the foot in.
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Hi Schwollo,
Great review. Under Armour bringing back the Anatomix Spawn reminded me of the first two spawns, the original Micro G cushioning, and how I missed out on balling in them and feeling that micro g that everyone raved about about 5-6 years ago. I have a pair of Dame 5s and I know you did a review on the first Clutchfit Drive lows- how does the Bounce cushioning in the Dame 5s compare to original Micro G? Thanks in advance.
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Barely any major difference. I’d say the micro G is a little firmer than the Dame 5 but also springier . Really a nice cushioning set up similar to the Spawn 1 and 2 feel but touch firmer. Dame 5 is good too so can’t go wrong either way .
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Fwiw I don’t think there are any real similarities btwn the og spawn design and these aside from micro g.
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Hey schwollo,
Can you rank these tractions from best to worst: ua anatomix spawn low, kobe 1 protro, lebron 16 and tmac millennium?
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That’s the correct order but that spawn low traction won’t last outdoors long
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