UA Blur Smoke 2.0 Review: The Ultimate Speed Cleat for 2024
Introduction
The UA Blur Smoke 2.0 MC suede football cleats are back with an updated 2024 model. These cleats, known for their speed-oriented design, have seen a few tweaks since last year. Under Armour has refined their design, aiming to enhance performance and comfort.
In this review, we'll delve into the changes made to the new model. We'll explore the cleats' design and build quality, comfort and fit, performance and traction, best positions and usage, and their overall value.
Read on to find out if the UA Blur Smoke 2.0 cleats are the right choice for you!
First Impressions and Overview
The UA Blur Smoke 2.0 MC suede football cleats come in a standard Under Armour box, black and white with the UA logo. The packaging is simple, focusing attention on the product inside.
Upon opening the box, the cleats immediately catch the eye with their sleek, speed-oriented design. The colorway stands out, featuring a blend of synthetic and suede materials. One notable design change is the off-center lacing system, often seen in soccer cleats, which adds a unique touch.
The large, color-changing UA logo is another highlight, shifting hues depending on the light. Overall, the build quality appears solid, and the updated design elements suggest improvements in both style and function.
Design and Build Quality
Upper Material and Overall Design
The UA Blur Smoke 2.0 MC suede football cleats feature a dynamic blend of materials, ensuring both durability and style. The upper part of the cleat is crafted from a combination of suede and synthetic materials.
This mix not only gives the cleats a sleek look but also enhances their performance on the field. The suede sections provide a touch of softness and flexibility, while the synthetic parts offer robustness and resistance to wear.
Suede and Synthetic Materials
The integration of suede is subtle yet effective. Some areas of the cleat, like the sides, have a suede finish, which adds a premium feel and helps with the overall grip and comfort. In contrast, the synthetic materials cover the more high-wear areas, ensuring longevity and maintaining the cleat's structure during intense gameplay.
Key Design Elements
One of the most striking features of the UA Blur Smoke 2.0 is the color-changing UA logo. This logo shifts from a bluish-purple hue depending on the light, adding a visually appealing and unique touch to the cleats.
Additionally, the off-center lacing system, commonly seen in soccer cleats, is designed to provide a more secure fit and enhance ball control. This design tweak not only improves functionality but also gives the cleats a modern, edgy look.
Comfort and Fit
The UA Blur Smoke 2.0 MC suede football cleats excel in providing a high level of comfort. A key feature is the use of stretchy material around the ankle, which offers a sock-like feel. This ensures that the cleats hug the foot snugly, providing a secure yet comfortable fit. The stretchy collar makes it easy to slip the cleats on and off, adding to the overall convenience.
Another standout aspect is the heel padding. The cleats feature a horseshoe-shaped ring of thick padding around the ankle area, which helps lock the foot in place and prevents unnecessary movement within the shoe. This design reduces the risk of blisters and enhances overall stability. Users have noted that this version has significantly improved padding compared to the previous model, addressing past concerns about discomfort in the heel area.
The fit of the cleats has also seen some tweaks. The toe box, which felt a bit cramped in last year’s model, has been slightly widened. This change makes the cleats more accommodating for players with different foot shapes, ensuring a more universal fit.
Performance and Traction
Traction Plate and Stud Configuration
The UA Blur Smoke 2.0 MC suede football cleats feature a traction plate designed for optimal performance.
The plate includes nine circular studs at the front and four at the back, along with three smaller interior studs and side teeth. This configuration ensures a balanced grip and quick movement, crucial for high-speed play.
Performance on Different Surfaces
On grass, these cleats excel, providing strong traction that supports quick cuts and sudden changes in direction. The circular studs penetrate the ground effectively, giving players the grip they need to accelerate and decelerate with ease.
While primarily tested on grass, these cleats also show promise on turf. The stud configuration allows for sufficient grip, though players might find the traction slightly different due to the surface texture.
Rigidity and Support
A notable feature of the Blur Smoke 2.0 is the rigid shank that runs through the middle of the traction plate. This design provides substantial support and stability, especially during rapid movements and directional changes.
The cleats maintain a stiff profile, which can be beneficial for maintaining form but might require some adjustment for players used to more flexible shoes.
Best Positions and Usage
The UA Blur Smoke 2.0 MC suede football cleats are ideal for skill positions such as running backs, wide receivers, and defensive backs. These cleats are designed for speed, offering lightweight construction and excellent traction, perfect for quick cuts and bursts of acceleration.
The snug fit and sock-like feel provide stability and comfort, ensuring players can move with agility and confidence. Their design caters specifically to the needs of these high-speed positions, making them a top choice for those looking to enhance their performance on the field.
Price and Value
Priced at $110, the UA Blur Smoke 2.0 cleats offer good value for money, sitting slightly below the average cost for football cleats. Compared to other models in this price range, they provide a compelling mix of comfort, performance, and style.
However, durability remains a concern, particularly with the studs, which have been known to break in some Under Armour models. Despite this, the overall performance and features make these cleats a solid investment for players seeking high-quality, speed-oriented footwear without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
The UA Blur Smoke 2.0 MC suede football cleats impress with their blend of speed, comfort, and innovative design. Ideal for skill positions like running backs, wide receivers, and defensive backs, these cleats offer excellent traction and support.
Priced at $110, they provide good value despite some concerns about durability. If you're looking for cleats that enhance performance with a snug fit and standout design, the UA Blur Smoke 2.0 is a strong contender.
If you have any thoughts or questions about these cleats, please comment below!