Game Changers: Steph Curry Basketball Shoes

Born in Akron, Ohio on March 14, 1988, Stephen “Steph” Curry is regarded as one of the best players and shooters in NBA history. Curry began playing basketball for Charlotte Christian School, eventually transferring to Davidson College which he led to the Elite Eight of the 2008 NCAA Tournament as a sophomore. He followed that up with first-team All-American honors as the NCAA’s scoring leader in his junior year. 

Nicknamed “Chef Curry” after a song lyric by Drake, Curry began to showcase his potential for greatness after being drafted as the seventh overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in 2009. Winning numerous NBA championships, NBA MVP awards and NBA All-Star nominations, Curry’s three-point shooting prowess has upended the dynamics of the sport. In 2023, he broke the NBA record for most points scored in a Game 7 with 50 points.

Curry wore Nike shoes from his younger years through college and up to his first years in the NBA. After much speculation, Curry joined Under Armour in 2013, becoming the de facto face of the brand.

Under Armour launched the Curry Brand subdivision in 2020, comprising footwear, apparel and more across various sports, including basketball and golf. Beyond creating products at the forefront of performance, the creative partnership aims to impact youth sports in under-resourced communities, partnering with charities to raise funds for social causes close to Curry’s heart. In 2023, Curry signed a long-term deal with Under Armour that will see him remain with the company beyond his playing career.

Steph Curry Signature Shoes

Under Armour released Steph Curry’s first signature silhouette, the Curry 1, in 2015. Since then, the partnership has produced numerous Retro, limited-edition and Player Exclusive sneakers. Below, an overview of Curry’s signature Under Armour shoes.

Under Armour Curry 1 (2015)

The inaugural silhouette in Steph Curry’s signature series was launched with the help of a commercial starring Jamie Foxx. Up until its release, Curry played in Under Armour’s ClutchFit Drive and Anatomix Spawn 2, borrowing design cues from both silhouettes for the Curry 1. The silhouette’s upper is composed of Anafoam material, supported with Charged Cushioning. “MMTB” on the aglets (short for “Make My Teammates Better”) and “I can do all things…” personal details finish the now-iconic style.

Under Armour Curry 2 (2015)

Under Armour’s Curry 2 built on the successful design language of the original, providing a more sock-like fit by trading Anafoam for the much thinner SpeedForm material up top. An external heel counter helps keep the foot in place, supported by a midfoot shank underfoot for torsional support.

Under Armour Curry 2.5 (2016)

Weighing in slightly heavier, Under Armour’s Curry 2.5 maintained many of the same specifications as the Curry 2. The main difference was the upper, replacing SpeedForm with a single piece of synthetic-wrap material. Charged Cushioning eases impact, while the TPU heel counter aids lockdown.  

Under Armour Curry 3 (2016)

The Curry 3 marked an aesthetic departure from the 1, 2 and 2.5. Under Armour used the silhouette to debut a new technology called Threadborne, an innovation that engineers fabric to thread level. It also marked the return of Anafoam, missing from the two previous iterations, and a Meta-Wing for support around the ankle.

Under Armour Curry 3Zer0 (2017)

The revised version of the 3, dubbed the 3Zer0, maintained the same build as the Curry 3, switching out the Anafoam and Threadborne upper for a reinforced mesh composition. This rides on a dual-density midsole with both Micro G foam and Charged Cushioning.

Under Armour Curry 4 (2017)

Another stylistic update, the Under Armour Curry 4 is held up by many as the aesthetic zenith of Curry’s signature series. Debuted by Curry at the 2017 NBA Finals, the knitted upper results in a sock-like aesthetic. A full-length speed plate aids agile movements, while an EVA midsole provides a responsive ride.

Under Armour Curry 5 (2018)

Rather than a full revamp like previous iterations, the Under Armour Curry 5 bears similar hallmarks to its predecessor. The shoe is characterized by an all-new lacing system, using Anafoam technology to help stabilize the foot. A full-length speed plate and strategic flex zones in the midsole and outsole abet propulsive movements. 

Under Armour Curry 3Zer0 2

Following the release of the Curry 5, Under Armour marked another title win for Curry by revisiting the 3Zer0. The 3Zer0 2 employs a singular webbed lace system that keeps the foot wrapped and locked in, while the Maxprene upper and breathable tongue merge into one on the upper. Like previous models, a dual-density midsole with Micro G foam and Charged Cushioning buttresses the silhouette. 

Under Armour Curry 6 (2018)

Under Armour once again leaned into its latest innovations for the basketball phenom, outfitting the Curry 6 with HOVR cushioning, a technology that had been unveiled earlier that year on running shoes. A knit upper provides breathability, while the external heel counter and full-length speed plate make the silhouette well-tuned for those with an agile game.

Under Armour Curry 7  (2019)

Under Armour’s low-slung Curry 7 arrived with an all-new dual layered midsole setup, with HOVR cushioning mounted on a bottom layer of Micro G. A plastic flexible plate adorns the heel and midsole for additional lockdown.

Under Armour Curry 4 FloTro  (2022)

Bringing FloTro to the Under Armour Curry 4, Curry fell in love with the cushioning technology while wearing test designs that were earmarked to inform the Curry 8. The shoe stitches the Curry 4’s much acclaimed upper to a singular-foam Flow midsole. An IntelliKnit heel collar allows ease of access while providing improved breathability. 

Under Armour Curry Flow 8 (2020)

The Curry Flow 8, initially known as the Curry 8 prior to the addition of Flow cushioning, was the first shoe to be released under the Curry Brand subdivision. A knit upper with synthetic overlays and an incorporated collar provides enhanced ventilation, while an undulating Flow midsole makes a typical outsole redundant, resulting in an overall lighter silhouette.

Under Armour Curry Flow 9 (2021)

The Curry Flow 9 marked the arrival of WARP technology on the upper (criss-crossing tape lines akin to mini seat belts that provide lockdown). The shoe is supported by Flow cushioning once more, with an updated traction pattern in the toe and lateral points. A molded collar is built into the upper.

Popular Colorways of Steph Curry Shoes

‘Street Pack’

In 2022, Curry Brand partnered with Sesame Workshop, the educational organization behind Sesame Street, for the ‘Street Pack’ capsule. Comprising Curry Flow 9 sneakers inspired by designs based on iconic characters such as Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch and Elmo, the pack brought an eclectic mix of colors to the court. Famously, Curry wore a pink pair inspired by the show’s character Abby Cadabby during his MVP-winning performance at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game.

Sour Patch Kids

Sour Patch Kids are one of Curry’s favorite candies. This is reflected in silhouettes across Curry’s signature lineup, including the Curry 1, Curry 7 and Curry Flow 10, each dressed in animated color stories that pay homage to the jelly candy.

‘Double Bang’

The ‘Double Bang’ colorway appeared on the Curry 10 and Curry 2 Retro in 2023. Taking its name from when ESPN commentator Mike Breen shouted, “Bang! Bang!” after Curry scored a 32-foot buzzer-beating shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the shoes’ golden tones are a nod to the same yellow shoes Curry wore during that legendary moment in 2016.

‘Vivid Lilac’

For the Curry 4 FloTro, Under Armour reimagined Curry’s fourth signature shoe with Flow cushioning technology and a pastel lavender-hued finish. The shoes became something of a lucky omen for Curry, worn when he went 6-0 in the 2022 NBA Playoffs while taking home his first Finals MVP.

‘More Magic’

‘More Magic’ is a fan-favorite colorway that initially appeared on a China-exclusive iteration of the Under Armour Curry 4. The shimmering blue color scheme that adorns the upper was inspired by the waters of the Bund, Shanghai’s prominent waterfront promenade.

‘MBK Alliance’

Curry showcased a customized version of the Under Armour Curry 4 that paid tribute to Barack Obama’s My Brother's Keeper Alliance foundation in 2018. Worn on court in a game against the Washington Wizards, the one-of-one personalized shoes were auctioned off, raising $28,000 for the charity.

‘White Gold’

One of the most imminently recognizable silhouettes to emerge from Curry and Under Armour’s ongoing partnership, the ‘White Gold’ color combination has appeared on numerous signature silhouettes. One of the most notable iterations is the Curry 4 that debuted during the 2017 NBA Finals, worn by Curry as the Golden State Warriors triumphed.

‘Chef Curry’

Curry and Under Armour released the all-white ‘Chef Curry’ on the Curry 2 Low in 2016, a silhouette which was scorched by many on social media for being overly austere. So fierce was the criticism that Curry stepped out in a pair on which he doodled, “straight fire.” The colorway returned for the Curry 2 Low FloTro in 2023, this time sporting an ironic fire motif said to resemble a marshmallow being “roasted.” 

Steph Curry Shoes FAQ

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