Under Armour "Base" Shoes

[blue32]

Although I have purchased several different models of NB base shoes over the years, I have not been a big fan of any of them. For me, the soles tend to break down quickly and before I know it, I feel like there is no cushion or "bounce" at all. So this year, I went on an online search to find a pair of shoes that I could use for the bases. My search led me to a baseball trainer made by Under Armour. I really liked the look of these, but was a little hesitant at the amount of mesh that are in them. I went ahead and purchased them, and I am so glad I did. Not only do these shoes look great, IMO, but they are extremely comfortable, and the mesh is much more "sturdy" and durable than the mesh that NB uses, and to date, has not trapped any dirt. At all. They are extremely easy to clean and are light weight. They "nubbies" grip the dirt and grass very well, so traction is no issue at all. They are also very affordable, ranging from $59.99 to $69.99. For you Amazonians, they are eligible for Prime shipping as well, so you can have them on your feet 2 days after you order them. I like these shoes so much, I bought a 2nd pair to put away for when I need to replace these. I highly recommend these shoes!

Edit: Forgot to add, they run true to size. I am a 10D, and the fit was perfect.

 

 Under Armour Ultimate Turf Trainer:

[Stan W.]

I'm imagining we are going to see a lot more baseball/umpire offerings from UA in the near future.............glad to have a review. 

[Thatsnotyou]

Thanks for the review. These look sharp. Glad I'm not the only one that has an issue with the NB. By the 3rd inning I'm running back to A and my shins are hurting - as you said, no bounce/cushion.

[Mister B]

The patent-look toes and heels looks like a nod to umpires. 

[mk0614]

Major-league baseball is changing to Under Armour in a couple years for the uniforms so hopefully we'll get some nice Umpire apparel


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[KenBAZ]

The key to them retaining their cushioning is the mid-sole. These don't look like anything special. Not bad, but most likely they will take a compression set fairly quickly. About what you'd expect from a $60 shoe. I'm not aware of any innovations in Under Armour's shoe line.

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[BT_Blue]

Do they come in an All black and in wide?

[MadMax]

20 hours ago, blue32 said:

Although I have purchased several different models of NB base shoes over the years, I have not been a big fan of any of them. For me, the soles tend to break down quickly and before I know it, I feel like there is no cushion or "bounce" at all. So this year, I went on an online search to find a pair of shoes that I could use for the bases. My search led me to a baseball trainer made by Under Armour. I really liked the look of these, but was a little hesitant at the amount of mesh that are in them. I went ahead and purchased them, and I am so glad I did. Not only do these shoes look great, IMO, but they are extremely comfortable, and the mesh is much more "sturdy" and durable than the mesh that NB uses, and to date, has not trapped any dirt. At all.

Exactly what's happened to my MU950's. The midsole has compressed and lost its resiliency. I now have structured footbed inserts in my MU950's, and I refrain from wearing them for any games other than night games. Being leather, they are roasters if the Arizona sun hits them. 

7 hours ago, KenBAZ said:

The key to them retaining their cushioning is the mid-sole. These don't look like anything special. Not bad, but most likely they will take a compression set fairly quickly. About what you'd expect from a $60 shoe. I'm not aware of any innovations in Under Armour's shoe line.

Yup, @KenBAZ knows what's what. Another thing that affects the midsole foam of shoes is the heat. Leaving them out in your car in the middle of a 112º day is not advisable, as of course, the interior of the car can spike to 125º, and then the foam shrinks and hardens like concrete.

11 hours ago, mk0614 said:

Major-league baseball is changing to Under Armour in a couple years for the uniforms so hopefully we'll get some nice Umpire apparel

Major League Baseball is not just changing, they established an exclusive contract for UnderArmour to be the supplier en totale of all on-field apparel (uniforms, base layers, outer layers, etc.), a position now shared by Majestic and Nike. New Era will still be the hat company, but will have to be on its toes, but this is treacherous ground for Majestic. Nike will still have a presence, but with their primary focus on the NFL and the NBA (starting in the next 2017-2018 season), they won't be able to match UnderArmour's all-out blitz on baseball.

The company that is really in trouble is Wilson. UnderArmour has borrowed a page from Nike's branding bible, and when it contributes its brand to a league, it goes all-in and all-out. New Balance is going to have to fight to stay on as the official footwear supplier for MLB Umpires, but with UnderArmour replacing Majestic on the uniforms, UA is going to be much more concerned about that big gold W on the chest and chin of the Plate Umpire. UA can call in their partnership with All-Star and demonstrate that they have "all the bases covered" so to speak regarding Umpire equipment, and Wilson is, well, no longer relevant.

6 hours ago, BT_Blue said:

Do they come in an All black and in wide?

Tsk, tsk, tsk, Arik... where's your sense of modernity? A little bit of white is in, my friend!

[BrianC14]

2 hours ago, MadMax said:

 

 

3 hours ago, MadMax said:

 

Yup, @KenBAZ knows what's what. Another thing that affects the midsole foam of shoes is the heat. Leaving them out in your car in the middle of a 112º day is not advisable, as of course, the interior of the car can spike to 125º, and then the foam shrinks and hardens like concrete.

 

 

And if the foam components in shoes are affected, the same would hold true of other gear.... masks, CPs, shins.   There doesn't seem to be any reliable way to keep that from happening, either long or short term.  Or is there?  

How about a fan system that is solar powered and acts as an exhaust for the interior?    I know that police K-9 units have such a device which doesn't alter the vehicle in any way. 

[Thunderheads]

On 6/15/2017 at 7:09 AM, blue32 said:

Although I have purchased several different models of NB base shoes over the years, I have not been a big fan of any of them. For me, the soles tend to break down quickly and before I know it, I feel like there is no cushion or "bounce" at all. So this year, I went on an online search to find a pair of shoes that I could use for the bases. My search led me to a baseball trainer made by Under Armour. I really liked the look of these, but was a little hesitant at the amount of mesh that are in them. I went ahead and purchased them, and I am so glad I did. Not only do these shoes look great, IMO, but they are extremely comfortable, and the mesh is much more "sturdy" and durable than the mesh that NB uses, and to date, has not trapped any dirt. At all. They are extremely easy to clean and are light weight. They "nubbies" grip the dirt and grass very well, so traction is no issue at all. They are also very affordable, ranging from $59.99 to $69.99. For you Amazonians, they are eligible for Prime shipping as well, so you can have them on your feet 2 days after you order them. I like these shoes so much, I bought a 2nd pair to put away for when I need to replace these. I highly recommend these shoes!

Edit: Forgot to add, they run true to size. I am a 10D, and the fit was perfect.

 

 Under Armour Ultimate Turf Trainer:

I wish the bottom wasn't "modeled" ......

[BrianC14]

9 minutes ago, Thunderheads said:

I wish the bottom wasn't "modeled" ......

Agreed.  It looks goofy.  And I have never been a fan of the different types of leather,  with the glossy toe and heel areas, only to have unfinished leather and nylon above it.  I still have my original NB base shoes (850?) from years ago,  still in good shape.   I refuse to give them up.

[BT_Blue]

16 hours ago, MadMax said:

Tsk, tsk, tsk, Arik... where's your sense of modernity? A little bit of white is in, my friend!

I'm a modern man.  I just hate having to try and keep the white, white. So it is a matter of economy.

[umpstu]

18 hours ago, BT_Blue said:

I'm a modern man.  I just hate having to try and keep the white, white. So it is a matter of economy.

It's a matter of hot soapy water and a nylon scrub brush for me.

[kylejt]

I've been wearing the UA turf shoes for years. On the field, and even in Paris.

[blue32]

10 hours ago, umpstu said:

It's a matter of hot soapy water and a nylon scrub brush for me.

I have a Wagner power steamer I got for 92 bucks at Amazon. Gets the white parts looking brand new again.

[catsbackr]

Way, way too narrow.

[Thunderheads]

On 6/16/2017 at 9:17 PM, BT_Blue said:

I'm a modern man.  I just hate having to try and keep the white, white. So it is a matter of economy.

sounds like laziness to me!!  

[Mr Ump]

 I just clean my white bottoms after every game. Dawn dish soapy water in a spray bottle and a stiff brush does the trick every time. They still look like new. No breakdown of the heel cushion as of yet. Then gain I have several base shoes that I use depending on the quality of the field I am working on. Usually after 2-3 years I want something new anyway. 

[Stk004]

2 hours ago, Mr Ump said:

 I just clean my white bottoms after every game. Dawn dish soapy water in a spray bottle and a stiff brush does the trick every time. They still look like new. No brekdown of the heel cushion as of yet. Then gain I hve several base shoes that I use depending on the quality of the field I am working on. Usully after 2-3 years I want something new anyway. 

Yeah those turf fields must be rough on the white soles. 

Side question: was he out?

[Mr Ump]

4 hours ago, Stk004 said:

Yeah those turf fields must be rough on the white soles. 

Side question: was he out?

"Out"

[JimKirk]

FYI: Wilson shared with us last week that they will continue to be the official MLB supplier of umpire gear.

[blue32]

9 minutes ago, JimKirk said:

FYI: Wilson shared with us last week that they will continue to be the official MLB supplier of umpire gear.

Will New Balance continue to provide the shoes, or will Under Armour be stepping into that role?

[JimKirk]

1 hour ago, blue32 said:

Will New Balance continue to provide the shoes, or will Under Armour be stepping into that role?

Good way to put that. According to New Balance, they will continue to be the provider of MLB umpire shoes.

[blue32]

12 minutes ago, JimKirk said:

Good way to put that. According to New Balance, they will continue to be the provider of MLB umpire shoes.

Again, your participation here is greatly appreciated, and a big reason why you are the industry leader!

[NWA_UMP]

http://www.purchaseofficials.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&category=3111

 

Here is what I am currently using and I love them. Cushioning is solid and the gripe on grass and dirt is very good. My NB lasted 1 season of baseball and football and they had to go, cushioning broke down and were hard as a rock.