Last Updated on 6th January 2024
When you think of leading sportswear brands you tend to be lead towards the well established giants like Adidas and Puma who have been around forever and then there is the corporate behemoth that is the relative newcomer, Nike and it’s huge endorsement and streetwear style that have ruled the world of sport for a long time.
However if we are looking at the new and fresh brands that have upset the status quo, then none more than Under Armour and its meteoric rise from 1996 to today and they can really shout out loud as the new kids on the block who have literally changed the game.
Who Founded Under Armour
Kevin Plank founded Under Armour in 1996 while he was a student at the University of Maryland. He noticed that his T shirt would become heavy and uncomfortable with sweat during football practice, so he set out to create a better athletic t shirt that would keep athletes dry and comfortable.
Plank started by selling the shirts from his car boot and eventually expanded into other types of athletic apparel. His early success came from partnerships with college football teams, including Georgia Tech, which helped spread awareness of the brand among athletes.
Today, Under Armour is one of the largest sports clothing brands in the world, with products ranging from shoes to accessories. Despite facing competition from larger companies like Nike and Adidas, Under Armour has maintained its focus on delivering performance, innovation and technology to stay ahead in the market.
Where Did Under Armour Get Its Name
The inspiration for the brand’s name came from Plank’s experience as a football player at the University of Maryland. During his time on the field, he noticed from body heat that his cotton t-shirts would become soaked with sweat and heavy during games. This led him to develop a moisture-wicking fabric that would keep athletes dry and comfortable.
The name “Under Armour” reflects this focus on performance-enhancing apparel. According to Plank, he chose “Armour” because it evokes feelings of strength and protection, while “Under” represents the company’s mission to create innovative products that go beneath an athlete’s uniform.
Since its founding, Under Armour has expanded beyond just athletic wear and now offers clothing for everyday wear as well. However, its commitment to creating high-performance gear remains at the core of its brand identity.
What Was The First Under Armour Garment
The first Under Armour garment was created in 1996, and it was a shirt. The idea for the shirt came to him after noticing that his cotton t-shirts would be heavy and uncomfortable during game time, so he created a moisture-wicking fabric that could keep athletes dry and comfortable.
Plank’s solution was a form-fitting shirt made from synthetic fibres that wicked away sweat from the skin and kept it on the fabric’s surface, where it could evaporate quickly. The shirt also had compression properties that helped reduce muscle fatigue and improve performance. This innovation revolutionized athletic apparel and established Under Armour’s success.
The first Under Armour garment was called the “HeatGear” shirt, which is still one of their most popular products today. Since then, Under Armour has expanded its product line to include footwear, accessories, and clothing for men, women, and children. However, it all started with Plank’s vision for performance solutions in better-managing sweat during intense physical activity.
What Is The Most Popular Under Armour Item Of Clothing
The most popular Under Armour item of clothing is undoubtedly the HeatGear compression shirt. This lightweight, form-fitting shirt is made from a blend of polyester and elastane, which gives it excellent stretch and moisture-wicking properties. The HeatGear performance apparel technology helps to keep athletes body heat cool and dry during intense workouts or games.
The design of the HeatGear compression shirt has been refined over the years to provide maximum comfort and performance for athletes. It features flatlock seams that reduce chafing and irritation and a four-way stretch construction that allows for greater mobility in any direction. The UPF 30+ sun protection also makes it an ideal choice for outdoor activities.
Its undeniable advantage sets the HeatGear compression shirt apart from other athletic shirts on the market. It can be worn as a base layer under other clothing or as a standalone top. Its sleek design makes it suitable for casual wear outside of sports settings, making it a favourite among fitness enthusiasts everywhere.
Which Materials Does It Use
Under Armour is known for using high-quality materials in its products. One of the most commonly used materials is polyester, which is often blended with other fibres to create a range of fabrics with different properties. Polyester is lightweight, durable and quick-drying, making it an ideal choice for sportswear.
Another material Under Armour uses in many of its products are elastane, spandex or Lycra. This synthetic fibre provides stretch and flexibility to garments, allowing them to move with the wearer’s body without losing their shape. Elastane can be found in everything from compression shorts to running tights.
In addition to these two primary materials, Under Armour also incorporates other innovative fabrics into its performance apparel. For example, some items feature HeatGear technology which wicks sweat away from the skin and helps regulate body temperature during exercise. Others incorporate ColdGear technology which keeps athletes warm in cold weather by trapping heat close to the body while remaining breathable.
What Kind Of Technology Makes Under Armour
Under Armour is known for its innovative use of technology in their clothing. One of the key materials they use is HeatGear, a lightweight and breathable fabric that wicks away moisture from the skin to keep athletes cool and dry during intense workouts. This material also has anti-odour properties, making it ideal for long-term wear.
Another popular technology Under Armour uses is ColdGear, designed to keep athletes warm in cold weather conditions. This material uses a dual-layer construction that traps heat inside, allowing sweat to escape and gave athletes comfortable and dry clothing even when temperatures drop.
In addition to these proprietary materials, Under Armour also incorporates advanced manufacturing techniques into its products. For example, many garments feature seamless construction using 3D knitting machines, resulting in a more comfortable fit with fewer seams that can cause irritation or chafing.
Overall, Under Armour’s commitment to innovation and technology has helped them become one of the leading brands in athletic apparel today.
Is Under Armour a good brand?
Yes, Under Armour is generally considered a good brand for quality, customer services and positive impacts on performance. They produce high-quality products that are designed to perform well in intense physical activities. They have been around for over two decades and have a great reputation among athletes and sportswear enthusiasts.
Under Armour And Its Endorsements
Since its inception the brand has attracted sporting endorsements from athletes such as Jordan Speith and Rory McIlroy from golf, the enigmatic Tom Brady and Randall Cobb from American Football and two-time Wimbledon winner, Sir Andrew Murray. Lets not forget that they also have acquired the services of the magnificent Stephen Curry from the world of basketball.
That has been a steady influence in the growth of Under Armour but their affiliation with the NFL and MLB in supplying all on-field uniforms for the officials as well as being the official supplier of uniforms for the US speed skating team at the 2014 Winter Olympics has seen their public persona increase at a much higher rate than almost all of its sportswear competitors.
The Future Of Under Armour
Under Armour has been steadily expanding its product line, and this trend will likely continue. The company has already introduced a range of products beyond athletic wear, and athleisure wear, such as footwear and accessories. In addition, Under Armour has also entered into partnerships with other brands to incorporate their technology into their products.
One area where Under Armour is likely to focus on in the future is sustainability. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, there will be greater demand for eco-friendly products. Under Armour has already taken steps towards sustainability by using recycled materials in some of its products. However, it can do more by exploring new ways to reduce waste and carbon emissions.
Another critical aspect of Under Armour’s future success will be its ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences and trends. With competition from other sports apparel brands like Nike and Adidas, Under Armour’s brand vision needs to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to design innovation and marketing strategies.
By keeping a close eye on emerging trends in fashion and fitness culture, while maintaining its commitment to quality performance gear, Under Armour can continue growing as a brand that resonates with athletes worldwide.
