Under Armour Drive 4 Low REVIEW: A Comprehensive Comparison to the High

The original UA Drive didn’t really work for me since I thought it wasn’t as versatile as the previous Clutchfit Drive 2 & 3 were. Today, things are looking a bit different, as the brand the low cut version of the shoe is out. After testing this one right after the high top, let’s see how different things are in the Under Armour Drive 4 Low review.

I highly suggest you check out my review of the UA Drive 4 High to get a good idea of the main shoe, ’cause this quick review will mainly just tell you about the differences between the two.

With that said, let’s get into the Under Armour Drive 4 Low review!

SPEC SHEET

WEIGHT: 340 G. / 11.99 OZ

TYPE: LOW TOP

TECH: EVA & MICROG

FIT: HALF A SIZE DOWN

COLORWAYS: 2+

MY RATING: 7.5/10

THE TECH

EVA & MICROG

We got the same cushion setup – an EVA midsole with a MicroG unit in the heel that makes for a pretty versatile, comfortable cushioning.

Not something out of this world but this was in fact a good part of both shoes, so since there is no difference here, nothing more to discuss.

FIT

SOME TWEAKS HERE AND THERE

I didn’t like the UA Drive High’s stiff and bulky fit but this one made things slightly better. Still not how I’d like to be but definitely more pleasant to wear. Keep in mind that the differences here will solely come down to personal preference. It’ll depend on what kind of fit you’re looking for in a hoop shoe.

The upper is different, the inflexible ankle collar is gone and the fit inside the shoe is slightly altered. That’s a lot of change and I could really feel a difference.

The low simply felt lighter (which it is), less stiff and more mobile. It’s still nowhere near as good as some top-tier models out there though.

The fit was even roomier in the forefoot, so wide footers like myself will get the best possible fit by going true to size. I think regular footers should definitely go down half a size since the does feel longer and wider than the high top for some unknown reason.

And lastly, with the absence of the super high ankle collar, I felt a mobility upgrade while playing. It’s obviously a sacrifice, as you will lose a good deal of ankle lockdown but in this case, I’m glad I did ’cause the high was just getting into my ankle way too much to feel comfortable.

PERFORMANCE

CUSHION

The exact same cushion. A solid, versatile setup with great impact protection in the heel, plenty of court feel in the forefoot and a fair amount of softness throughout the whole sole. Not bad at all.

TRACTION

It’s a different colorway but the traction was also identical. And it’s crazy good. Fantastic grip stopping me every single time I needed it to, barely needed to wipe off the dust and this is a good outdoor shoe as well.

SUPPORT

The low obviously doesn’t have ankle lockdown which may be a crucial criterion for some people. However, if you’re choosing to play in a low, chances are, it isn’t a crucial component for you. Since the materials are not the same, I did feel a difference in terms of support.

More mobility, fewer restrictions would go for the low, while more support and security with more restrictions and less comfort would go to the high. Both shoes have all the basic support components such as an internal heel counter, a torsional shank, stable cushioning and a structured upper. In result, foot lockdown and containment are fine in both shoes.

UPPER

LOOKS DIFFERENT, FEELS BARELY DIFFERENT

So the upper for the low is mesh with a synthetic overlay at the forefoot and a stiffer foam with a textile cover at the back. Nothing we’ve never seen before, nothing too bad or awesome.

I’d say neither of the shoes have very premium or all-around great uppers and I honestly didn’t feel much of a difference. They both feel different to the touch and by looks but performance-wise, not so much.

If I had to pick a winner, I’d go with the low since it did have slightly better ventilation and flexiblity in my opinion.

OVERALL

BEST FOR ALL-AROUND/TWO WAY PLAYERS

The UA Drive Low can now be a called a versatile shoe. It has a better fit, less annoying support and it’s a tad bit cheaper. I would still recommend you to go with something like the Dame 4, the Hyperdunk 2017 Low or even the Clutchfit Drive 3 to get the most bang for your buck.