Under Armour review 2026 examines an athletic wear brand in transition. There's something interesting about brands trying to reposition themselves—Under Armour is shrinking its SKU count (~25%) and dialing back promotions to reestablish a more premium positioning. The company's 2024/25 restructuring includes a focus on improving "core men's apparel" quality and scaling back non-performing SKUs. But customer experiences tell a more nuanced story.
Quality varies significantly by product line. Premium lines and weather gear like rain jackets receive high praise. But mid-tier and casual items often show issues sooner—logos peeling off, seams ripping, holes appearing within short usage periods. Sizing is inconsistent. Older UA gear (10+ years) generally fares better than newer gear. Yet the brand continues to innovate with sustainability efforts like developing a fiber-shedding test to reduce microfiber pollution.
This review examines Under Armour's quality, durability, performance, sizing, and value proposition. We'll help you understand which products deliver value and which fall short in 2026.
Quick Summary
✅ Pros
- • Excellent premium weather gear
- • Lightweight fabrics
- • Innovation (fiber-shedding, sustainability)
- • Good performance in technical lines
- • Competitively priced sales/bundles
- • Strong breathability in mild weather
- • Good moisture-wicking
- • Premium lines perform well
❌ Cons
- • Poor durability for mid-tier items
- • Highly inconsistent sizing
- • Logos peeling off
- • Early wear & tear
- • Quality variability
- • Poor customer service
- • Shoes show issues under heavy use
- • Declining revenue
What is Under Armour?
Under Armour is an American athletic wear brand founded in 1996, known for performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. The brand focuses on moisture-wicking fabrics, technical performance, and athletic innovation. Under Armour has expanded globally and offers products for various sports and activities.
Recent Changes
Under Armour is undergoing significant restructuring:
- SKU reduction: Shrinking SKU count by ~25%
- Premium positioning: Dialing back promotions to reestablish premium positioning
- Quality focus: Focus on improving "core men's apparel" quality
- Sustainability: Developing fiber-shedding test to reduce microfiber pollution, aiming for 75% low-shed fabrics by 2030
Product Quality & Materials
Quality at Under Armour varies dramatically by product line. There's no single answer—it depends on what you're buying.
Quality Strengths
- Premium weather gear: Rain jackets like the Drive Rain Jacket receive high praise—fully taped seams, windproofing, mesh lining
- Technical lines: Premium lines (Unstoppable, branded technical pieces) have mixed reviews but some report excellent durability
- Lightweight fabrics: Many users praise lightweight, comfortable materials
- Innovation: Fiber-shedding test, sustainability efforts show commitment
Quality Concerns
However, quality issues appear frequently:
- Mid-tier durability: Regular apparel, entry-level products show earlier signs of wear
- Logo issues: Logos peeling off after washes
- Seam problems: Seams ripping or holes appearing within short usage periods
- Material degradation: Materials on less expensive items tend to degrade faster
- Older vs newer: Older UA gear (10+ years) generally fares better than newer gear
Fit, Consistency & Construction
Fit and sizing consistency is one of Under Armour's biggest challenges.
Sizing Issues
- Inconsistent sizing: Even within the same product lines or styles, one color might fit differently than another
- Style variation: Same size fits differently across different styles
- Color variation: Different colors of the same item may fit differently
- Unpredictable fit: Customers frequently need to try multiple sizes
Durability & Longevity
Durability varies significantly by product category and price point.
Apparel Durability
- Older gear: 10+ years old generally fares better, with wear mainly due to expected usage
- Newer gear: Especially in mid-tier lines, often shows issues sooner
- Premium lines: Mixed reviews—some report excellent durability, others note disappointing declines within a year
Footwear Durability
- Light use: Many users praise UA shoes for being lightweight, comfortable, and reasonably durable under moderate use
- Heavy use: Under heavy use—long runs, rough terrain—issues arise: cushioning compresses faster, soles wear unevenly, some models show poor performance at higher mileage
Real-World Performance
Performance in actual use shows mixed results depending on conditions and product line.
Breathability & Comfort
- Mild weather: UA's moisture-wicking fabrics and lighter pieces perform well—good airflow, effective moisture control
- Hot/humid conditions: Some materials trap heat or feel less breathable
Weather Resistance
- Premium jackets: Rain jackets like Drive Rain Jacket receive high praise for weather performance
- Casual items: Cheaper or more casual items often lack premium weatherproofing
Under Armour vs Competitors
Under Armour vs Nike
Under Armour
- • Better premium weather gear
- • More affordable pricing
- • Stronger innovation focus
- • Better value in sales
Nike
- • More consistent quality
- • Better brand recognition
- • Stronger durability reputation
- • More reliable sizing
Under Armour vs Adidas
Under Armour
- • Better weather gear
- • More technical focus
- • Stronger innovation
- • Better value in premium lines
Adidas
- • More consistent quality
- • Better durability reputation
- • More reliable sizing
- • Stronger brand cachet
Who Should Buy Under Armour?
Under Armour is suitable for:
- Weather gear seekers: Those who need premium rain jackets and weather-resistant apparel
- Technical performance: Customers who prioritize technical features and innovation
- Lightweight needs: Those who want lightweight, breathable fabrics
- Budget-conscious: Customers who shop sales for better value
Under Armour may not be suitable for:
- Durability priority: Those who need long-lasting everyday apparel
- Fit consistency: Customers who need reliable sizing
- Heavy use: Those who need gear for frequent, intense use
- Quality consistency: Customers who want reliable quality across all products
Tips for Buying Under Armour
If you're buying Under Armour, here are strategies to maximize value:
- Focus on premium lines: Premium weather gear and technical lines offer better quality
- Shop sales: Best value during discount periods
- Read reviews: Check specific product reviews for quality and fit
- Try multiple sizes: Sizing inconsistencies mean trying different sizes may be necessary
- Avoid mid-tier casual: Mid-tier and casual items show more quality issues
- Check construction: Inspect seams, logos, and materials before purchase
- Consider older models: Older gear often has better durability
- Compare alternatives: Compare with Nike, Adidas for value
Final Verdict: Is Under Armour Worth It?
Under Armour's performance wear still offers strong value—especially in technical lines and premium weather gear. New innovations are promising, and some product classes perform very well (rain jackets, lightweight training gear). They're also making serious moves to improve material sustainability and durability.
However, quality consistency has come under critique: regular apparel, entry-level products, and shoes for frequent or high-intensity use often show earlier signs of wear compared to rival premium brands. Sizing inconsistencies make shopping frustrating, and customer service experiences are mixed.
For premium weather gear and technical performance lines, Under Armour can deliver excellent value—especially during sales. But for everyday apparel, casual wear, or heavy-use items, you may want to consider alternatives with better consistency. The brand's restructuring suggests they're aware of these issues, but execution will determine whether quality improves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Under Armour good quality?
Under Armour quality varies significantly by product line. Premium lines (Unstoppable, branded technical pieces) and weather gear like rain jackets receive high praise for durability and performance. However, mid-tier and casual items often show issues sooner—logos peeling off, seams ripping, holes appearing within short usage periods. Older UA gear (10+ years) generally fares better than newer gear.
Is Under Armour sizing consistent?
No, Under Armour sizing is inconsistent. Users report that even within the same product lines or styles, one color of a shirt might fit differently than another even when marked with the same size. Sizing varies across different styles, colors, and product lines.
Is Under Armour worth the price?
Under Armour offers strong value in technical lines and premium weather gear, especially during sales. However, quality consistency has come under critique—regular apparel, entry-level products, and shoes for frequent use often show earlier signs of wear compared to rival premium brands. Value depends on which product line you're buying and how you plan to use it.
How does Under Armour compare to Nike?
Under Armour offers better premium weather gear and more affordable pricing, especially during sales. However, Nike generally has more consistent quality, better brand recognition, stronger durability reputation, and more reliable sizing. The choice depends on your priorities—weather gear and value favor UA, while consistency and durability favor Nike.
Sources
- Under Armour Fiber-Shed Test - About UA- Information on sustainability and fiber-shedding test
- Under Armour Restructuring - MarketWatch- Company restructuring and strategy changes
- Under Armour Reddit Reviews- User feedback on quality and sizing
- Under Armour Shoe Review - Decent Foot- Footwear quality and durability analysis
