Okay, let’s talk about my experience with the Curry 4s. It feels like a while ago now, but I remember picking these up pretty much when they first came out. There was quite a bit of noise around them, being a new numbered Curry shoe and all.
Getting Started
So, I got the box, pretty standard stuff. Opened it up. My first thought was they looked really different from the previous Curry models. Much sleeker, more streamlined. That knit material on the upper half, combined with the synthetic part – it looked quite modern back then.
Holding them, they felt surprisingly light. The design was clean. I got a pretty standard colorway, nothing too wild. The main thing I noticed right away was that sock-like collar. Looked tight.
First Time On Feet
Putting them on was definitely a bit of a process the first time. That knit collar doesn’t have a traditional tongue, so you really have to work your foot in there. It wasn’t painful or anything, just snug. Took a bit of wiggling and pulling on the tabs.
Once my foot was in, though, the fit felt very… precise. Like it was molded right to my foot. Went true to size, and it felt right. Walked around the house a bit. Felt low to the ground, which I generally like. The cushioning didn’t feel super bouncy or soft just walking around, felt more firm, responsive maybe.
Hitting the Court
Alright, the important part. Took them to my usual indoor court.
- Traction: This was pretty good, actually. The pattern gripped the clean floor well. Quick stops, changes of direction – I felt mostly confident. Didn’t have many issues with slipping unless I hit a dusty spot, which happens with most shoes.
- Cushioning: Like I felt walking around, it wasn’t plush. You feel the court a lot in these. If you’re looking for big impact protection, like landing hard from rebounds constantly, maybe not the best. But for guard play, quick movements, feeling connected to the floor, it worked okay. It wasn’t uncomfortable, just not cloud-like.
- Fit & Support: The lockdown was the star, I think. Once my foot was in, that tight fit and the upper material really held my foot onto the footbed. No sliding inside the shoe. The heel felt secure. Support was decent, mostly coming from that locked-in fit rather than bulky overlays. The collar didn’t offer much traditional ankle support, it was more about the overall containment.
- Materials: The knit part was comfortable, moved with my foot alright. Breathability was average, my feet got a bit warm but nothing terrible. The synthetic part felt a bit stiff initially but broke in okay.
How They Held Up
I played in these pretty regularly for a few months, mostly indoors. The traction started to wear down a bit, especially in high-wear areas like under the ball of my foot. Still usable, but not as bitey as when they were new. The knit material held up fine, no rips or major issues. The cushioning stayed consistent – it didn’t bottom out, but it didn’t suddenly get softer either.
Final Thoughts
So, yeah, the Curry 4. It was a solid shoe, especially for guards who value court feel and lockdown over plush cushioning. Getting them on was a bit of a chore sometimes, but the on-foot feel was secure. Traction was reliable indoors early on. They looked good too, definitely a departure from what came before. Not my all-time favorite hoop shoe, but I enjoyed my time playing in them. A very specific feel, I’d say. That was my run with the Curry 4s.
