Our verdict

The Curry 11 is here as a revolutionary update compared with the previous models. Its now solidified upper offers durability and breathability, apart from great support. The external heel counter adds up to this last part, as its TPU structure holds the Achilles, leaving room for the joint to move freely and make explosive and daring drills possible. We felt light and fast in this shoe, which we believe is ideal for guards with quick and nimble footwork. But our favorite part was the crazy traction of the outsole, as it grip literally on every surface. Nevertheless, its rubber is incredibly soft and weak to abrasion, so it's better not to use this UA pair outdoors; or you'll have to say goodbye to it sooner than expected!

Pros

  • Incredibly good traction
  • Great mix of bounce and shock absorption
  • Feels light and speedy on foot
  • Wonderful heel lockdown
  • Really padded and comfortable
  • Pretty supportive overall
  • Smooth transitions
  • Good court feel

Cons

  • Very weak outsole
  • Not the most durable foam

Audience verdict

89
Great!

Who should buy

Let Chef Curry's playstyle invade your hooper soul with the Curry 11 if you're looking for:

  • Incredibly solid traction on literally every surface.
  • A flexible yet bouncy forefoot for quick moves and smooth transitions.
  • A shoe to feel comfortable and surefooted that doesn't restrict your movements.
  • A pal that suits guards or any player with a quick and explosive playstyle.

Under Armour Curry 11_outdoor_01

Who should NOT buy

If you're a streetball lover, please forget about the Curry 11. Its outsole wouldn't last more than a couple of harsh games on an abrasive outdoor surface! If you need a durable pal to hoop outside, we think you should have a look at our streetball shoe catalog.

If you're constantly changing positions and you're looking for a versatile signature shoe that includes some of the latest technologies (it features the brand's Air Strobel in the heel and Zoom Air in the forefoot), the Nike KD 17 might be exactly what you need!

Under Armour Curry 11_parts

Cushioning

Heel stack

At 25.8 mm, this shoe's heel stack is slightly lower than average.

Under Armour Curry 11 Heel stack_1

But don't let this measurement fool you: we felt pretty comfortable in this shoe during our wear tests!

Test results
Curry 11 25.8 mm
Average 29.2 mm
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
23.2 mm
Heel stack
38.4 mm

Forefoot stack

It was the same on the forefoot, as the stack was lower than average at 19.6 mm according to our caliper.

Under Armour Curry 11 Forefoot stack_1

This allowed us to feel the court better underfoot, which works in perfect harmony with the Curry 11's overall design. In other words, this translates into better move control and accuracy; after all, we do think this UA pair is made for quick players like Curry himself.

Test results
Curry 11 19.6 mm
Average 21.7 mm
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
15.5 mm
Forefoot stack
26.8 mm

Drop

After measuring both heel and forefoot heights, we calculated the drop. At 6.2 mm, it's just average, so we didn't have to readapt our step or get used to something different underfoot.

Under Armour Curry 11 Drop_1

Now that we have a clear look at the shoe's sole structure, we're gonna take the chance to explain a couple of things:

  • It features a full-bed of dual-density UA Flow cushioning. We found it really comfortable, and appreciated its shock-absorbing properties. But that's not it, it also offers some bounce!
  • An internal and almost full-length shank (the black lines) that's divided in the forefoot. This detail offers stability and pop, yet the best part is that, as it's divided in the forefoot, it allows smoother moves and easy transitions.
Test results
Curry 11 6.2 mm
Average 7.5 mm
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
4.0 mm
Drop
13.7 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

We measured the softness of the dual-density UA Flow cushioning at 28 HA and 29 HA according to our durometer.

Under Armour Curry 11 Midsole softness_1
Here we're measuring the yellow-ish foam, which is between the insole and the outsole.

Under Armour Curry 11 Midsole softness_2

And here we're checking the hardness of the white foam, which is closer to the ground.

Both results are slightly higher than average, that's just true. Nevertheless, we think it's important to highlight that neither did this have a negative effect on the overall comfort, nor did it make the shoe more "brick-like". We really enjoyed our games with the Curry 11, as we felt comfortable, surefooted, and well-supported.

Test results
Curry 11 27.9 HA
Average 24.7 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
11.0 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
38.6 HA

Insole thickness

Under Armour kept things easy and simple in the insole.

Under Armour Curry 11 Insole thickness_1

At 3.7 mm, our caliper indicated it was thinner than average. Once again, this didn't translate into any kind of discomfort, and it most likely helped to reduce the overall weight of the shoe.

Under Armour Curry 11_outdoor_03

So... win-win situation, right UA?

Test results
Curry 11 3.7 mm
Average 4.8 mm
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Insole thickness
8.6 mm

Size and fit

Size

Under Armour Curry 11 is true to size (10 votes).

Owners of this shoe, how does this shoe fit?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 53 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Toebox width - widest part

When we measured the toebox width at the widest part, our caliper returned 103.1 mm.

Under Armour Curry 11 Toebox width at the widest part_1

This gave our standard-sized feet enough room to rest comfortably, as the structure was not too tight or compressive.

Under Armour Curry 11_outdoor_017

Test results
Curry 11 103.1 mm
Average 101.6 mm
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
92.6 mm
Toebox width - widest part
109.2 mm

Toebox width - big toe

We can happily say the same about the toebox width at the big toe!

Under Armour Curry 11 Toebox width at the big toe_1

At 79.9 mm, the more round structure of the tip of the Curry 11 gave our toes plenty of space to spread as they needed in every landing. This made us feel more confident, elevating our game to new heights!

Under Armour Curry 11_outdoor_016

We also really liked the sole flare, as it offered protection for toe-dragging and stability for landings! Look at that white wall on the side of the toebox, that's exactly what we're talking about.

Test results
Curry 11 79.9 mm
Average 76.9 mm
Compared to 59 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
71.2 mm
Toebox width - big toe
85.1 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

We're gonna go straight to the point: the foot containment levels of this shoe were great!

You can see it clearly in the video. Our wobbly ankles are stopped by tough walls that don't let them overextend themselves! We really liked this, as it made us feel safe when we were playing ball during our wear tests.

Under Armour Curry 11_outdoor_07

We've said it before: we think this model is great for quick guards, and its structure seems to completely agree! The new design of the upper brings some give-in and breathability, but overall it focuses on improving the containment and support of the Curry 10.

Torsional rigidity

Following what we were saying just a couple of paragraphs before, the mixed materials of this shoe give it a little bit of everything. That's exactly why we believe it didn't get a score as high as the other basketball models on our torsional rigidity test: the Curry 11 earned a 3/5.

You can see in the video that it does give in a little bit, but if you need further evidence, let us show you one more clip.

This is the Adidas D.O.N. Issue 5. Look at our fingers struggling to bend it even half an inch. That's what a 5/5 in torsional rigidity looks like!

Even though a higher torsional rigidity means a shoe is well-structured, as well as more support, it also comes with a break-in period. In other words, the materials need to give in with time so you can enjoy their full comfort levels.

The Curry 11 might not have the toughest structure out there, yet it still felt stable to us. Additionally, it was quite comfortable right out of the box! This is something that we really appreciate, as it meant we could just put it on and go play some ball straight away.

Under Armour Curry 11_outdoor_04

Test results
Curry 11 3
Average 4.4
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

Yep, we're just gonna say: we ADORE the Curry 11's heel structure! Let's go with the heel counter stiffness test first, and then we'll dive into our love.

The sides gave in a little bit, but the back of the heel didn't move that much! Why? Well, because it features a 3D-molded TPU heel counter that we're obsessed with. It offers a lot of support and stability, but it also improves the overall fit!

Under Armour Curry 11_outdoor_09

But wait, don't jump into the next section just yet, we're not done here! Look at how well the sides surround the ankle; this means the joint has full and unrestricted mobility. Then, we've got a big wall right in the Achilles, adding support and surefootness.

We think UA nailed it with this design! 

Test results
Curry 11 3
Average 3.7
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width - forefoot

At 118.3 mm, the Curry 11's midsole width in the forefoot is wider than average.

Under Armour Curry 11 Midsole width in the forefoot_1

A wider base always equals a more stable ride, which is something we absolutely love! We appreciated it a lot when we went for daring layups that ended up in unstable landings. After all, this shoe gave us the confidence and speed to try them out, even though you pretty much always end up hitting a defender on the way!

Test results
Curry 11 118.3 mm
Average 115.0 mm
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
106.2 mm
Midsole width - forefoot
124.5 mm

Midsole width - heel

The Curry 11's heel followed the same stability path as its forefoot.

Under Armour Curry 11 Midsole width in the heel_1

At 96.0 mm, our caliper indicated it's a wonderful 6% wider than average. Which, trust us, is a lot!

Test results
Curry 11 96.0 mm
Average 90.3 mm
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
80.0 mm
Midsole width - heel
105.1 mm

Flexibility / Stiffness

After our wear tests, we already knew the Curry 11 wouldn't get a high score on our flex test. After all, we felt it bent comfortably with our feet, following our moves smoothly.

At 27.7N, it's definitely way more pliable than average. After seeing this result in the lab, we came to appreciate even more the divided shank this shoe features, as it gave us not only stability, but also easier transitions.

Under Armour Curry 11_outdoor_06

Test results
Curry 11 27.7N
Average 38.5N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
17.6N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
62.2N

Weight

During our wear tests, we felt pretty fast in this shoe. If you know a bit about Stephen Curry, you'll be familiar with his quick playstyle and nimble footwork. And that's exactly what this shoe gave us!

Under Armour Curry 11 Weight_1

When we took it to our lab, our scale returned 12.0 oz/340g, which is a weight way lower than average. We believe that part of this is thanks to the mixed materials of its upper, which give the Curry 11 durability, breathability, and comfort right where it needs them.

As it's a solid 13% lighter than average, our feet felt really fast. We could go up and down the court easily, and whenever we played either point guard or shooting guard, we found it ideal. It followed our moves nicely and it never slowed us down!

Test results
Curry 11 11.99 oz (340g)
Average 13.79 oz (391g)
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
11.29 oz (320g)
Weight
17.46 oz (495g)

Breathability

The incredible breathability levels that the Curry 10 showed us are absolutely unforgettable. With that being said, of course we had high expectations when we grabbed our smoke machine and got down to business. Like, who wouldn't?!

And the Curry 11 didn't disappoint! Even though most of the smoke came through the shoe's sides (and not through the toebox itself), the results were still wonderful. Especially if we compare it with the Nike Book 1, which is basically a toaster.

All in all, we gave this UA pair a solid 4/5 in breathability, which is much higher than average!

Remember what we were saying about the sides? Well, look at our light test! That means airflow, trust us!

Under Armour Curry 11 Breathability_3

When we grabbed our microscope, we checked the knit of the Curry 11 to see if the brand was using the same material. Its IntelliKnit is here once again, yet not around the whole upper like in the previous version. We believe this is a smart decision from UA to increase the 11's durability.

Under Armour Curry 11 Breathability_4

The tightly woven knit wouldn't let the air go through. Nevertheless, we found it pretty comfortable during our wear tests.

Test results
Curry 11 4
Average 2.5
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

To verify if our hypothesis regarding the Curry 11's breathability-durability ratio was correct, we grabbed our feared Dremel and went straight for the top layer.

Even though we could see the materials fly away, we kept our hopes up... and we were right!

Under Armour Curry 11 Toebox durability_3

The tool managed to do quite some damage, yet it didn't break through the whole golden layer. Additionally, this didn't have a negative effect on the shoe's integrity, so we gave it a well-deserved 4/5 on our toebox durability test.

Under Armour Curry 11 Toebox durability_2

Here, on the right, we have our Curry 11 and its colored upper. On the left, our poor Nike Precision 6, which ended up getting destroyed by the Dremel. We couldn't give it a grade higher than 1/5!

Test results
Curry 11 4
Average 3.7
Compared to 56 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

Our Dremel still had some work to do, so we moved it all the way down to the heel. At 5K RPM and with 3.2N of force, we attacked the heel padding for 4 seconds.

Honestly, the results were pretty good. Just look at the difference between the Reebok Answer DMX and the Curry 11 on this same test. Wow!

Under Armour Curry 11 Heel padding durability_2

The Reebok model scored a sad 1/5, and just by looking at that picture, you'll most likely understand why. On the other hand, we decided to give the Curry 11 a 3/5, which is a pretty good score!

Under Armour Curry 11 Heel padding durability_3

It almost made it to the 4/5 on our scale, yet there's some part of the damage where the tool managed to go slightly deeper.

Test results
Curry 11 3
Average 3.5
Compared to 53 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

The Curry 11 follows its role model regarding the outsole hardness. Our durometer scored 58.4 HC, which is a crazy low result compared to the average!

Under Armour Curry 11 Outsole hardness_1

In other words, the Curry 11's outsole is a whole 29% softer than average. Here's where we started trembling, is the Dremel going to completely obliterate this shoe's rubber? Even if it actually happens, we're pretty positive this UA pair will offer crazy good traction.

To make it simple: A harder outsole equals more durability, and a softer outsole translates into a better grip.

Test results
Curry 11 58.4 HC
Average 81.9 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
61.3 HC
Outsole hardness
91.0 HC

Outsole durability

The results of our outsole hardness test were already hinting at something, but we're here to provide actual facts and move past simple hypotheses. That's why we grabbed our Dremel and started the Curry 11's last durability test.

At 10K RPM and with 3.2N of force, the tool attacked this shoe's outsole for 22 seconds. And the results... were pretty scary.

Under Armour Curry 11 Outsole durability_2

Just look at that! Our tread gauge returned 4.2 mm, which means the dent is an incredible 74% deeper than average. Among the basketball shoes that got the VIP pass to enter our lab, the Curry 11 is the one that ended up with the deepest dent. In other words... it's got the weakest outsole!

Under Armour Curry 11_outdoor_08

So we really, REALLY advise you against using this UA pair to play outdoors. Streetball might be a little bit too much for the Curry 11, and the abrasion of the sport would definitely make it suffer way too much.

Test results
Curry 11 4.2 mm
Average 1.1 mm
Compared to 44 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

In order to compensate for the awful results of our outsole durability test, we believe the brand went for a thicker-than-average rubber piece.

Under Armour Curry 11 Outsole thickness_1

Our caliper had to open wide to reach the 8.5 mm of the outsole thickness. Even though this definitely means that there's more material to wear down, we still can't say this pair is made for the streets!

Under Armour Curry 11_outdoor_02

Test results
Curry 11 8.5 mm
Average 4.0 mm
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
2.9 mm
Outsole thickness
6.9 mm

Misc

Grip / Traction

This is just another characteristic of the Curry 11 that had us mesmerized: its traction.

As it features a very soft outsole, we already knew the shoe would focus on grip and not so much on durability. But when we tried it out during our wear tests, we couldn't keep our mouths closed.

Under Armour Curry 11_outdoor_05

Its irregular pattern with two big holes bit the floor as if its life depended on it. It's not a squeaky outsole, though, but it does its job quietly and wonderfully. This helped us a lot when we tried to speed up our game, get past our defenders, stop abruptly to shoot, or go for change-of-pace dribbles.

We loved the openings we could create with these moves!

Reflective elements

This is not a shoe to play streetball, so it doesn't really need any reflective elements. Gyms need to have the lights on to play bball!

Under Armour Curry 11 Reflective elements_1

Test results
Curry 11 No

Tongue padding

We were just talking about comfort, right? Well, there you have it: a super padded tongue!

Under Armour Curry 11 Tongue padding_1

Our caliper returned 11.1 mm, which means the Curry 11's tongue is more padded than average. We loved the comfort this provided, as we could tie our laces as tight as we needed. The tongue was there to protect us from any kind of lace bite!

Under Armour Curry 11_outdoor_012

Overall, this shoe has padded interiors that evolve into a comfortably snug fit. And our feet loved every bit of it.

Thank you, Under Armour!

Test results
Curry 11 11.1 mm
Average 9.4 mm
Compared to 65 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1.3 mm
Tongue padding
15.9 mm

Tongue: gusset type

A fully gusseted tongue gives the overall comfortably snug fit of this shoe its final touch.

Under Armour Curry 11 Tongue: gusset type_1

We also didn't have any problems when putting the shoe on. As its structure is not super rigid, everything worked out with comfort as a priority!

Under Armour Curry 11_outdoor_015

Anyways, some extra surefootness for us once again! We really liked the fact that the Curry 11 didn't need ultra-stiff materials to provide containment and lockdown.

Test results
Curry 11 Both sides (full)

Heel tab

Instead of a finger loop or a lace, this UA pair features an extended heel collar.

Under Armour Curry 11_outdoor_013

Even though we didn't find the shoe hard to put on, this elongated structure definitely helps!

Test results
Curry 11 Extended heel collar

Removable insole

Yes! A removable insole!

Under Armour Curry 11 Removable insole_1

As we mentioned in its corresponding section, the Curry 11's insole is thin and simple. The official website mentions it's molded for long-lasting and step-in comfort. Which we agree with, of course, but still... we found it pretty average.

Under Armour Curry 11 Removable insole_2

Anyway! What we want to say is that, if you want to change it, you're free to do so!

Test results
Curry 11 Yes