It seems like a while since we have seen a new colorway release in the Under Armour Dominate range. This is an extremely unique looking boot and to be honest, I am not quiet sure what to make of the complet Black/White/Radiant Red colorway. I actually like how they look from the front and along the inside of the boot, but the white area on the outside looks slightly tacky.

The one thing I do like about the release is how the boot actually performs. It is a while since I tested the Dominate (in fact it was June 2009 – one of my first reviews!!), but one thing I clearly remember is that they were super comfortable and on field were great to wear. But if you are in the market to get a pair make sure you order down a size. The Dominate fits long and is designed for a wide foot! I wore a size 9US during testing, but really could have done with a size 8.5US.

Taken directly from the review, below is exactly what you need about the boot before buying.

• Very comfortable from the first wear, breaks in easy.
• Runs a little large, order a half size down.
• Shaped for a wider foot, like the Nike Total 90 range.
• I would recommend them for Strikers and Defenders.

Under Armour are giving back with their latest release, a limited edition pink version of the Dominate for Women. Philadelphia Independence defender, Heather Mitts is getting ready to lace up and wear the pink Dominates in order to raise awareness for breast cancer research. Best of all is the fact that 100% of the proceeds from sales of the boot will go to the Kicks Against Breast Cancer program.

The Under Armour Dominate is a great performing cleat. During testing, I was heavily impressed with their comfort and performance. This color is actually pretty decent, more of a magenta than a baby pink and it blends well with the black detailing. Imprinted along the sole of the boot is the slogan “Power in Pink”, adding an extra unique element. The boot also has “She’s a fighter” printed along the heel. All in all the design looks pretty sweet, and even better is the fact that if you buy a pair you know it is going to a very worthy cause.

Interested to hear what you think of this release. With all the colorful releases of late, I would not be surprised to hear about guys wearing these also. If you do buy a pair, send us some pics of you playing in them. It is a great boot for a very worthwhile cause.

That got me thinking….what properties does each individual cleat hold that makes them suitable for an NFL kicker? Lets break it down, what does a kicker need? Well, first off he needs balance and traction, so he doesn’t slip while running up to strike the ball. His standing foot needs to plant and offer optimal support. For shooting, he needs accuracy and protection. His goal is to put the ball high and between the posts, while being prepared in case a defender dives to block his kick.

• On his planted foot, Hartley wore an Under Armour Create. The Create fits long, and is supported by a modular protection zone (MPZ), that absorbs shock and offers impact protection for the foot. It also has triangular shaped studs in the forefoot for optimal traction in all directions. While reviewing them I came to the conclusion that they would “become popular with Rugby players, as they offer a  lot of comfort, support and excellent grip”.
• On his kicking foot, Hartley wore the Dominate. I am a fan of the Dominate and can see why it was his choice for striking the football. The MPZ black area on the front of the cleat, has a dual purpose on these; it helps support the metatarsal bone located in the front of the foot (highly prone to breaking in soccer players) while also enhancing power.I think that fits the bill for any kicker!

So, it all makes sense right! The Create fits the bill in terms of comfort and support, while the Dominate is perfect for someone looking to kick straight and accurate. Hartley had been sporting this combo for the majority of this season and it definitely seemed to be effective. I am sure Under Armour were pretty happy about the fact that Hartley kicked 3 40-plus yard kicks to get into the record book, and I am sure that they will be putting some claim to his record!

• Comfort – Defenders need to have total confidence in the cleat they are wearing.
• Responsiveness – Defenders have to be focused 100% of the time.
• Support and Durability – Defenders must be ready to get stuck in on tackles.

Nike Total90 Laser III – Read review
One of the key reasons that the Nike Laser III is on the list is how it improves shot power and accuracy. As a defender, there are many times in a game when playing a long ball to the front man is necessary. When this happens, you want to be able play it right where the forward needs it, ensuring you relieve pressure on your defense. The Laser III is designed with 5 pods that lie along the strike zone to increase power. On the side, there are ‘fins’ that are designed to improve touch and control, also very important features. To summarize, these babies tick just about all the boxes needed for a defender!
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Under Armour Dominate – Read review
The UA Dominate offer more protection than any other cleat on this list. This is due to the MPZ (Modular Protection Zone) that is designed to protect the metatarsal bone of the foot. Over the past few seasons, there have been some very famous metatarsal breaks. Back before the start of the 2006 World Cup, David Beckham famously came down with a break that left him unfit going into the tournament. I actually found the UA Dominate to be one of the more comfortable cleats available on the market. A lot of people were concerned with how UA were going to fair in the soccer cleat market, and apart from their color choices, I think they have become a player in the market. If you find yourself sliding in on tackles all over the pitch, these might be the right choice for you!
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Adidas Predator X – Read review
The Predator X is a super comfortable cleat that offers another great options for players who want to play accurate long balls. The strike zone of the Predator X has an area of raised silicon that is designed to improve shot power. Without being a bulky cleat, it also offers good protection and is definitely suitable for players who like to tackle hard, and I give them full marks for comfort. Adidas have also added a unique heal protector, that adds an extra piece of safety when players tackle you from behind. Any defender wearing these is sure to have confidence in their play!
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Puma King XL – Read review
Enduring the test of time (over 40 years now), the Puma King range continues to satisfy all players of all positions on the pitch. But, in my opinion, it has a lot more to offer defenders than any other position. First off, these are one of the most comfortable cleats on the market and break in very easily. They also have more of a rounder toe, and I have always thought this benefits defenders. You will see a lot of defensive players, including defensive mids, wearing these cleats at the top level. After wearing these for several weeks, I can tell you that they offer great support in the most challenging of games!
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Also Check Out:
Under Armour Dominate Review
Under Armour Create Review

Breaking In
There is nothing better than putting on a new pair of cleats and experiencing comfort from the first time you wear them! That’s exactly what I encountered when testing the new Under Armour Dominate. Usually, it takes a pair of cleats a few training sessions to really break in but the Dominate was extra comfortable from the beginning, and seemed to mold to the contour of my foot very quickly. Always a good start!

Sizing
One very important thing to note about the Dominate is its sizing. I would recommend buying a size smaller than you usually wear, as they do fit pretty wide and a little long. The Dominate is designed for players with a slightly wider foot, it is shaped in a very similar fashion to the Nike Total 90 range.

The Dominate is designed using a high performance K-Leather and Under Armour’s Water Intelligence leather treatment (H20i) so you know you are getting quality. The H20i gives extreme water resistance helping the cleat stay dry and light.  There is a very unique look about the Dominate, with a black area covering the front of the cleat. At first, the blend of black on white colors catches your eye, it is very noticeable. I have received very favorable reactions in the locker room when I pull them out! The Modular Protection Zone (MPZ) is a very unique feature that Under Armour has developed. The MPZ is the black area on the front of the cleat, and helps support the metatarsal bone located in the front of the foot (highly prone to breaking in soccer players) while also enhancing power. There is a noticeable improvement in shooting power and the cleats seem to grip the ball on contact when using the black MPZ area. UA report up to 30% additional power during ball strike.

Negatives
One negative I encountered with the cleat was the closing around the ankle. I am a fan of cleats that close in around the ankle, just as the Dominate does, but it needs to be comfortable. It is probably more to do with the shape of my ankle, but it was tight and a little uncomfortable after wearing them for an extended period. Slipping them on was fine, but after a few sprints they would rub slightly. This is something that was temporary, and as the cleats adjusted to my feet there was no problem.

All in all, I would give the Under Armour Dominate the thumbs up. Here is what you need to know:

• Very comfortable from the first wear, breaks in easy.
• Runs a little large, order a half size down.
• Shaped for a wider foot, like the Nike Total 90 range.
• I would recommend them for Strikers and Defenders.

There are a few choices to Purchase. You can get the Under Armour Dominate for $99.99 or the Dominate Pro for $189.99.

Alex, thanks for taking the time to talk to us. Tell us a little about the new range of cleats that UA has recently released.
We began the process of making soccer boots with one mission in mind: Build the best soccer boots possible that performs at the highest level of competition in the world. By truly understanding the needs of the soccer athlete we found two distinct types of player: The Create player and the Dominate player. The Create player wreaks havoc with speed and strength while the Dominate player controls the pitch with skill and will. We created two different boots to fit those player profiles.

What are the properties of each cleat’s design?
The Create Boot focuses on being lightweight, breathable, supportive and protective. We have built and exoskeletal support frame in the upper combined with a perforated microfiber for enhanced ventilation and water wicking capabilities.
The Dominate Boot blends technology with tradition. This player relies on touch to control the match. This boot is created with our Water Intelligent Leather which is substantially more water resistant than other leathers. We have also incorporated our MPZ (Modular protection Zone) technology on the forefoot to protect the metatarsals from impact and help hold the metatarsals on the “chassis” or outsole of the shoe.

It seems like UA has quickly moved into the US soccer market, how important is it for the company to establish a control here?
We really haven’t moved quickly. These boots have been on field for well over a year. They represent the most research and wear testing we’ve done in footwear to date. We’ve researched, built product and wear tested in the US market, which is critical to the success of our Soccer Boots. While soccer is the most popular sport abroad, its popularity across all levels of competition in the United States is undeniably growing. We are launching the boots on both the US and European front to reach all athletes of the game.

With companies like Adidas and Nike dominating when it comes to soccer, what approach is UA taking to gain a position in the marketplace?
Our company was founded on the guiding principle of performance. We offer a Universal Guarantee of Performance on every piece of product that Under Armour makes to ensure that our product technology performs as hard as the athlete who is wearing it does. Telling our story and offering soccer athlete’s specific boots that work to meet their needs as a player is what will differentiate us in the market.

UA is well established and one of the leaders in sports like Baseball and American football, has this helped with the transition to soccer?
Absolutely, we’ve taken many lessons from our experiences with these categories and utilized them in soccer. We’re also leveraging the performance attributes of our apparel in to our footwear.

When did UA decide to tackle the US market? Was there a lot of planning behind it, and what process was put in place to create the current range?
We have a dedicated team of footwear experts across Design, Development, and Marketing both in the US and Europe. Through extensive research focusing on players at all levels, trainers, managers and key retail partners, we developed the two types of boots based on the needs of the soccer athlete. Wear–testing is also a crucial aspect in the development process. Through our wear-test program, in which some of the world’s top players compete in our boots, the brand is able to produce the most technologically advanced and authentic product.

Does UA have any plans to enter MLS?
We’ll keep that information internal at this time.

We appreciate UA taking the time to talk to us about their range of soccer cleats and for allowing us to test and review. If you want to see the full UA soccer range of footwear and clothing check out their website. Also, watch out for our full reviews of the Create and Dominate in the coming weeks.

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Under Armour Dominate set for US Release

There is a very unusual look about the cleat. There are two styles, an all black version, and a white version that has the MPZ in black. At first glance, neither cleat has an elegant look about it. The black version looks to dark, while there is something unruly about the black zone running across the white cleat. But it is quality and comfort that determines a cleats value to the market. Since Under Armour have so much experience in the Baseball and Football markets, they are sure to have designed a cleat that can satisfy the most demanding players. Right now, Bobby Zamora of Fulham is the only high profile player to wear the cleats. Players from Coventry City, who play in the English Championship division, have also been wearing the cleats. It will be interesting to see if the cleats will be accepted by soccer players and fans!

If you are interested in buying the cleats, they are available right now at Soccer.com

Also Check out:
Save on Soccer Cleats
Best Priced Cleats