Built for Players needing supportive, stable traction and toe protection (power/line positions).
A mid-cut stability cleat with strong traction and protection, offset by middling mass and uneven fit reports.
| Released | 2022 | Brand | Under Armour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Highlight Hammer MC Football Cleats | Type | American Football · Cleat |
| Upper | Lightweight textile/engineered upper with raised 3D print and a suede heel/textile collar (textile upper with 3D print overlay) | Soleplate | Molded TPU plate with a wider foundation and diamond‑shaped studs |
| Surface | Multi‑ground / firm ground (MC) — intended for natural grass and synthetic turf | Who it's for | Players needing supportive, stable traction and toe protection (power/line positions) |
| Weight | 312 g | Fit | Generally true to size; multiple retailer/review notes describe a roomy/comfortable fit an |
| MSRP | $110 | ||
Synthesised from 6 independent reviews, every claim traces to a quote in the breakdown. We don't test products ourselves.
The Under Armour Highlight Hammer MC is a 2022 mid-cut American-football cleat made for players who want stable traction and toe protection more than the lowest possible weight. Reviewers highlighted its solid molded plate, protective overlays and thick cushioning. The main downsides are its weight and mixed reports on how the sizing fits different feet.
Released in 2022, the Under Armour Highlight Hammer MC is a mid-cut American-football cleat with a lightweight woven and engineered upper. The upper has raised 3D print overlays for protection and a suede heel with a textile collar for ankle comfort.
The sole uses a molded thermoplastic polyurethane plate, which gives a wider base under the foot. The studs are diamond-shaped and the plate is made for multi-ground and firm-ground use on natural grass and many synthetic turf surfaces. The cleat also has a pellet-protect shroud that sits over the laces to shield the top of the foot.
The listed technologies include Charged Cushioning, which is Under Armour's name for the midsole foam, a SuperFoam removable insole, and UA Pellet Protect, the lace-covering shroud. Weight is 312 g per shoe. The model is aimed at players who need stable traction and toe protection in power and line roles. MSRP at release was 110.
The Highlight Hammer MC fits mid-cut and power-oriented roles: linebackers, tight ends, safeties and running backs. These players will benefit from the wider plate, protective overlays and cushioned underfoot feel. Its molded multi-ground plate and diamond studs work on natural grass and many synthetic turf fields.
Players with wider feet should find the platform accommodating. Individual sizing reports are inconsistent, so fit may vary by person. It is not ideal for speed-first wide receivers or cornerbacks who want the lightest low-cut cleats. It is also not the best choice for offensive or defensive linemen who want the extra height and heavier-duty protection of dedicated lineman models.
Traction is the cleat's most consistently praised feature. Reviewers said the molded TPU plate and aggressive stud layout provide secure grip and a wider platform for power movements (Young Sneaker, Shop Zappos, Cleats Hub).
Some outlets called the grip merely decent on all surfaces, but most said the plate and stud pattern digs in and stabilizes acceleration and plant-and-cut moves (FootballRS Network, Footballrs.).
'By arranging the cleats on a molded high-tech PlasmaX Plate to match the exact anatomy of a player's foot, they can precisely mimic and extend the foot action down to the turf level. Each precisely-placed cleat digs in exactly where the foot would if it had cleats.'. Cleats Hub editorial
Most reviewers said the cleat fits true to size and gives a comfortable, wrapped feel from the knit and engineered upper plus internal padding (Young Sneaker, FootballRS Network).
A few testers reported a roomier fit when they ordered their usual size and found extra volume. The wider molded plate also contributes to a broader underfoot platform (Footballrs., Shop Zappos).
'I got these in a 12.5 and I found they were a little bit big for me'. Footballrs.
Support comes from the mid-cut collar, suede heel and an Upper that works like a body-hugging layer to help stabilize the foot during power plays (Young Sneaker, Cleats Hub).
One reviewer noted Under Armour lowered the ankle height from the previous model, which reduces high-ankle support compared with earlier versions (Footballrs.).
'UA's ClutchFit design uses the same body-hugging material used in their garment products to create a "second skin" sleeve that perfectly hugs the athlete's foot.'. Cleats Hub editorial
Reviewers pointed to the raised 3D-printed overlays and textile reinforcements as practical protections for high-wear zones. These elements were said to help the cleat resist abrasion in areas that usually take damage (FootballRS Network, Shop Zappos).
At the same time, a reviewer warned these protections will not stop severe impacts, such as another player stepping on the foot, so protection has limits (Footballrs.).
Lockdown is created by the knit upper, the overlays and a conventional lacing system that ties into the overlays. Reviewers said this produced a secure fit for most testers (FootballRS Network, Young Sneaker).
Extra lace loops and the adjustable pellet-protection shroud were noted as useful features that help keep laces in place and limit debris, which adds to the secure feel (Footballrs., Shop Zappos).
Comfort reviews focused on the full-length Charged Cushioning midsole and the SuperFoam insole with a slim 4D foam footbed. Reviewers said these foams contour to the foot and reduce pressure points for a cushioned underfoot feel (Young Sneaker, Shop Zappos, Cleats Hub).
Impressions split: several reviewers found the cleat snug and comfortable out of the box, while at least one said it felt slightly stiffer than the previous year’s model (Footballrs., FootballRS Network).
The cleat weighs 312 g per shoe. Reviewers disagreed on how heavy it feels. Some described the materials as lightweight and second-skin like. At least one outlet called it among the heavier cleats they tested (Young Sneaker, FootballRS Network, Footballrs.).
Players who want the absolute minimum weight for pure straight-line speed should note this is not positioned as an ultra-light low-cut sprint cleat.
'still going to be the heaviest cleat in football.'. Footballrs.
Outlets praised the lightweight engineered textile upper, the raised 3D print overlays and the suede heel for combining low mass with protective coverings. One editorial noted the high-top design weighs under 11 ounces (Cleats Hub).
Cushioning is built around Charged Cushioning in the midsole, a SuperFoam insole and a slim 4D Foam footbed. Reviewers said these layers contour to the foot and give an integrated, cushioned feel underfoot (Cleats Hub, Young Sneaker).
'Their revolutionary slim-line 4D Foam matches the foot's contours to create an unparalleled fit that makes the shoe feel like an extension of the body.'. Cleats Hub editorial
Price was discussed in two outlets. One said the cleat was reasonably priced for its feature set. Another specifically noted the listed MSRP (FootballRS Network, Footballrs.).
Reviewers who prioritize stability and protection generally judged the package favorable for its cost. Buyers who want ultralight speed-focused cleats may prefer other models.
Reviews say the cleats generally run true to size but reports are mixed. Most outlets call the fit comfortable while some users found them a bit roomy. Buy your normal size but check return options.
They use a molded TPU plate with diamond-shaped studs and are labeled MC for multi-ground and firm-ground. They are intended for natural grass and many synthetic turf surfaces, not for replaceable or detachable studs.
Multiple reviewers pointed to raised 3D printed overlays, the textile upper, suede at the heel and extra overlays that should help resist wear in high-stress areas. Reviewers said these elements help durability but did not report long-term failure patterns.
The molded TPU plate and aggressive stud layout earned consistent praise for grip on grass and mixed-field conditions. Reviewers specifically noted stability and the ability to dig in for power movements.
They are best for mid-cut, all-position or power roles: linebackers, tight ends, safeties and running backs. This is because of the cleat's mid-cut build, wider plate and focus on stability. Pure speed players who want very light low-cut cleats should look elsewhere.
Bottom line, A mid-cut, stability-oriented cleat that prioritizes traction, toe protection and cushioning for power roles; not the lightest or most consistently fitting option for speed-first players.
The Cleats Hub Score is a weighted aggregate of these independent reviews, normalised to 0–10 and weighted by source authority, recency and sample size. We don't sell or physically test products. Read the full methodology.
Put the Under Armour Highlight Hammer MC Football Cleats head-to-head against another cleat on every aggregated characteristic.
