Up Close – Under Armour Speedform Goes Black/Graphite

Coming off their most successful year to date, Under Armour has placed a stealth design on their best performing boots to date. And these boots are a real winner. The UA Speedform CRM gets the treatment, with a Black/Graphite/Neon color scheme gracing the upper of the boot. The actual pattern on the boot follows a scale style design, maneuvering its way right across the unique grooves of the articulated toe box design. Adding some Neon Yellow detailing really brings out the branding and provides a high profile effect.

One of the best things about the Speedform is how they just seem to get better with wear. Since featuring our review, I’ve worn the Emerald Lake version several additional times and the upper just continues to mold and conform to my exact forefoot specifications. The end result is a pitch perfect fit that provides excellent touch and control on the ball.

Available from soccer.com.

When it comes to that articulated toe box, there are a few important things to note. First off, it doesn’t feel stiff like you might image. From images, it seems like the material might be stiff and rigid, an effect of creating a toe contoured mold. But it is pretty pliable and sits comfortably right across your forefoot. In order to make it work, an underlay cage system is used and it forms as part of the aesthetic design of the boot. This is the scale like pattern, which up close has the appearance of a wire fence. It is very pliable and simple acts as a structural support system.

Finally, the same contours run through the front portion of the footbed, as seen in the image below, providing a more uniform fit right around your toes!

What is even more impressive about the Speedform is just how comfortable they are. From a memory foam style sole lining with mesh to an extra layer of padding around the heel, your feet just feel at home from the very first wear. Because there is no insole, (the side walls follow as one piece across the insole) the complete fit feels very natural and connected. The upper material also has a very moldable feel that plays a role in how comfortable your foot is. This is particularly important through the heel, where a seamless molded heel counter is topped off with the soft synthetic material. It reduces any chance of players getting a blister in these boots – yes, I can say with confidence that the style of these boots will ensure your heel is kept in check without opportunities to rub or cause discomfort. If you regularly encounter heel issues with boots, you absolutely need to check these out!

In terms of sizing, there are a very much true to size and extremely comfortably option. UA has created perfect dimensions right through the forefoot of this boot, with a definite true to fit length and a nice spacious width. If you have any concerns about the ridges of the articulated box-toe, don’t be. The material is very soft and molds to your foot shape. So, even if you have a wider fit, the boot tends to shift and refocus to your particular needs!

Check this colorway and all current available Speedform boots at soccer.com.