Steph Curry has basically spent his entire adult life being the face of the Bay Area. So, when the 2025 All-Star Weekend rolled into San Francisco, everyone knew Under Armour was going to drop something special. Enter the Curry 12 What The Bay. It isn't just another colorway. Honestly, it’s a love letter to two cities that sometimes feel like worlds apart but share the same soul.
The Tale of Two Cities on Your Feet
Most "What The" sneakers are just random mashups of past designs. This one is different. It’s intentional. The left shoe and the right shoe tell two completely different stories about the region where Steph built his legacy.
The left sneaker is all about San Francisco. You've got this airbrushed blue-and-gray gradient suede that's a direct nod to the city’s legendary fog. Then, there are these sharp red hits on the TPU sidewall and heel, clearly shouting out the Golden Gate Bridge.
Flip over to the right shoe and it's a total vibe shift. This one represents Oakland. It pops with a loud, sunset-inspired orange and yellow gradient. To tie it back to the water, the TPU accents are light gray, symbolizing the Bay Bridge. It’s a literal bridge between the Warriors' old home and their new one.
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Hidden Easter Eggs You Might Miss
If you look closely at the tongue, there’s a Velcro patch you can actually swap out. Underneath the main Curry "Splash" logo, you’ll find the area codes "415" and "510." It’s a small detail, but for anyone who grew up in the East Bay or the City, it means a lot.
- The Tongue: Features a "What The Bay" specific chenille patch.
- The Insole: Both sockliners have city gridlines printed on them.
- The Heel: A TPU counter sporting the Roman numeral "XII" for the 12th signature model.
- The Outsole: A subtle dedication to Steph’s family is etched into the traction.
Does the Curry 12 What The Bay Actually Perform?
The looks are cool, but can you actually play in them? Short answer: yes. The Curry 12 What The Bay uses a dual-density UA Flow system. If you haven't played in Flow before, it’s basically foam that acts as both the midsole and the outsole. There’s no rubber.
This makes the shoe incredibly light. We're talking around 12.1 ounces. Because it's dual-density, the outer shell is a bit firmer for stability while the foam directly under your foot is softer and bouncier. It feels a lot more "plush" than the Curry 10 or 11.
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One thing to watch out for is the traction. It’s elite on clean floors. Like, "stop-on-a-dime-and-pop-your-hip" elite. But if the court is dusty? You’re going to be wiping your soles every two plays. That's just the trade-off with the Flow technology. Also, don't even think about taking these to an outdoor concrete court. The foam is soft, and the pavement will eat it alive in a week.
Release Logistics and Pricing
These dropped on February 14, 2025, right in the heart of All-Star festivities. Initially, they were a bit of a nightmare to find, with a super-limited early release at the Under Armour Union Square store and Shoe Palace in San Francisco.
The retail price set at $140 was pretty fair for a flagship performance model. Nowadays, you can find them at Dick’s Sporting Goods or on secondary markets like GOAT and StockX if your size is sold out.
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Quick Specs Recap
The upper is built with an engineered mesh that feels way more breathable than previous years. Under Armour also added a suede overlay on the big toe. It’s there for durability, sure, but it also gives the shoe a premium feel that looks better off-court than most basketball shoes.
Is It Worth the Hype?
If you’re a Warriors fan, this is a must-have. It’s probably the most "Bay Area" shoe ever made. For pure hoopers, it’s a top-tier guard shoe. It offers incredible court feel and lateral support thanks to that internal midfoot shank and the TPU sidewalls.
Just remember: it's a specialized tool. It’s for the shifty player who wants to feel the floor and move fast. If you're a heavy post player who needs max impact protection, the Flow might feel a bit thin after an hour of jumping.
Next Steps for Your Pair:
To keep the Curry 12 What The Bay looking fresh, stick to indoor hardwood only. Use a microfiber cloth with just a bit of water to wipe the Flow foam if it starts looking dingy. If the traction starts to slip, a quick "lick-and-wipe" with your hand is usually enough to restore that "squeak" during a game.