If you ask any elite runner what brands they turn to when they need protection from wind and rain, there's a good chance they'll mention Under Armour. The same goes for golfers who play in wildly varying weather conditions, cyclists who want to hit the road, rain or shine, and walkers who appreciate solidly engineered, comfortable gear.
Based in Baltimore, Under Armour offers a huge range of sports apparel, footwear, and accessories. In fact, there's so much to choose from, that a separate Under Armor buyer's guide makes perfect sense. So, read on to discover what the brand has to offer, what makes it unique, and how to choose products to suit your sporting passions and lifestyle. Most importantly, we'll point you in the right way to find cheap Under Armour items and Under Armour sales.
The Under Armour story begins back in 1996, when Baltimore native (and Washington DC resident) Kevin Plank started a mail order business from his grandmother's basement. Plank's modest start hid huge ambitions. And he also had a potentially revolutionary idea.
Having played American Football at a high level, Plank realised that conventional sporting underwear didn't measure up to the task. Instead of helping to wick away sweat and keep players cool, sports uniforms tended to hold heat close to the skin, compromising athletic performance.
However, Plank also observed that the compression shorts he used when playing managed to deal with sweat far more efficiently. So a simple thought occurred to him: why not make shirts and other garments from the same materials?
It took a few years of word-of-mouth sales and endorsements from elite football players, but the Under Armor brand steadily grew, adding designs for hot and cold weather, along with general urban fashion apparel. Participation in the 1999 movie “Any Given Sunday” helped things along, as did a tie-in with the XFL football league.
During the 2000s, footballers, runners, and golfers all added their endorsements to Under Armour's brand. The company kitted out Olympic speed skaters, Major champions like Jordan Spieth wore Under Armour golfing apparel, and numerous US colleges made the brand its core athletic partner.
In 2013, the company took another huge step forward, acquiring the MyFitnessPal app, and launching its products into the digital realm. It opened giant stores on New York's 5th Avenue, created a vast research centre in Baltimore, and continually expanded its product range.
As of 2019, the brand had cemented a reputation for reliability, performance, and innovation, with a role in sports as diverse as football, volleyball, and skiing. That's a long way from Plank's grandmother's basement.
If you rely on established brands like adidas or Nike, you might be asking what makes Under Armour worth exploring. And that's fair enough. Both brands offer plenty of excellent sporting products, and their hotukdeals listings sites are well worth checking out. But some aspects of Under Armour's products do differentiate them from the crowd.
Firstly, Under Armour was the first major sports apparel brand to research what causes poor moisture wicking and sweat evaporation, and it hasn't rested on its laurels since breaking through. The firm's emphasis on research and development means that new products appear all the time, with subtle changes to the materials used. When you run, golf, or play football in them, you'll appreciate how much work goes into getting the different materials just right.
Secondly, the clothes produced by Under Armour are tailored to the needs of sports lovers. Their vests apply compression, as recommended by many sports scientists, but they do so without becoming soaked by perspiration. In sports where comfort is key (and that applies to most sports in practice), that's a big deal.
Finally, there's diversity. While Under Armour's roots lie in American Football, it hasn't restricted its focus to a few sports, or decided to follow a fashion-oriented strategy (as Nike tends to do). Instead, its technicians have created products for men and women in a wide range of sports. So you'll find items that suit whatever fitness activities you love – not just generic vests, tracksuits, or Under Armour hoodie designs.
Let's start with the basics – Under Armour's collection of training apparel. These items should be useful for lounging around the house, hitting the gym, or pounding out a few miles around the local park. Here's what the company has to offer:
Under Armour Tracksuit Designs – Mixing insulation, extremely lightweight construction, and excellent moisture wicking capabilities, Under Armour's tracksuits are a common sight at sports clubs across the UK. Models like the Challenger knit warm-up tracksuit come with a zip-top and trousers, with slimline materials, and a dynamic cut. Just what you need to slip on after a round of circuits or before a Sunday football fixture.
Under Armour T-Shirts – As you'd expect, Under Armour's t-shirts offer incredible moisture transport properties, ensuring that wearers will feel fresh and relaxed, even in the middle of demanding fitness routines. The company offers a selection of standard t-shirts, polos, sleeveless shirts, shirts with zip collars, tank tops, and compression shirts. So finding the right shirt for your favourite activities should be simple. As a rule, compression shirts are ideal for weight training and gym work that place heavy demands on muscles, and generate plenty of heat. Standard Under Armour t shirts are perfect for running and sparring, or for simply wearing around the home. Most come in cotton and polyester mixes, which offers slightly less thermal efficiency that compression shirts. Bear that in mind if you need high-performance gym clothing.
Under Armour Hoodie Designs – When we head to the gym for evening or early morning sessions, or if the weather looks suspicious for our daily run, hoodies come into the picture. And if we wear these hoodies during physical activities, it's essential that they keep us as cool as possible, while protecting our bodies from rough weather. That's exactly what you get from Under Armour hoodies. Check out ColdGear hoodies for options to deal with winter temperatures, Storm sweater-fleece designs for outdoor exploration, and Always On Recovery Swackets, which mix excellent thermal properties with completely waterproof materials.
Under Armour also offers a variety of products for outdoor lovers. So if you're lacking protective outdoor clothing for countryside hikes, checking our Under Armour deals is always a wise move. When you do, look for these products to kit yourself out with an unbeatable range of outdoor gear:
Qualifier Storm Jackets – These waterproof jackets are designed to pack away easily, so they can be stashed in backpacks or even handbags without any problems. Coming in a tight fit, they feature breathable materials, which repel water effectively, while their dropped hems help to avoid a drenching for your trousers (a common flaw in waterproof jackets).They also come in reflective models, making them great for night running or evening walks.
Valsetz Boots – Described as “tactical” boots, the Valsetz collection is routinely used by US soldiers, and has the rugged features you'd expect from military footwear. Made from synthetic leather and breathable textiles, these boots look formidable, and have excellent strength, but without adding excess weight. TPU toe caps provide additional protection, while precision-engineered rubber outsoles maximise grip. If you walk for miles in boggy terrain, or need some premium work boots, they should do the trick.
Under Armour Underwear – Actually suitable for almost any person who wants to stay cool in extreme situations, Under Armour's underwear is perfect for hikers and outdoor fans. 15cm “boxerjock” varieties have long-legged designs which insulate and protect the skin from moisture, and they won't chafe when walking long distances. Everyone should have a few packs in their collection. The same applies to UA's Pure Stretch underwear for women, which are especially handy for warm weather hiking. Don't head on Mediterranean vacations without some in your luggage.
While the company started out as an under-garment and shirt manufacturer, Under Armour has developed a reputation as a rival for Nike in the footwear department as well. This especially applies to the Under Armour trainers department, which has a few genuine surprises for sports fans to explore.
Tribase Training Shoes – Under Armour's flagship training shoes, Tribase “connects” the wearer to the floor, providing unrivalled stability. That's a huge bonus when you're lifting or squatting in the gym, sparring in the ring, or testing yourself on a treadmill. Responsive, breathable, lightweight, and comfortable, these shoes will let you feel more relaxed than ever as you stick to your gym routine.
HOVR – Coming in both training and running shoe versions, HOVR (a fancy way of saying “hover”) lets you feel lighter than air with every step you take. Engineered to be incredibly light, while providing plenty of spring and support with its cushioned soles, HOVR trainers will help runners conserve their energy and avoid injuries as they chase their personal bests.
Project Rock Trainers – Part of the advanced “Project Rock” collection of fitness accessories, these trainers are cool to wear, have excellent lateral (i.e. side to side) support, and add extra ankle support. This makes them perfect for activities where impacts are a fact of life, such as basketball or parkour. In fact, few trainers are as explosive, helping with any sports where leaps and quick motions take centre stage.
What if you are searching for clothing or footwear for specific sports? In that case, Under Armour probably caters for your needs. Here's a quick rundown of the various sports it handles, and some of the key products to look for in those categories:
Golf – Check out Under Armour polo shirts for good-looking, comfortable (and smart) apparel that will grace any tee box. If you're heading to Portugal for a hot weather golf tour, vented Showdown shorts could help you stay chilled out and relaxed as temperatures soar. Zip collar Storm hoodies offer an extra layer of protection when rain clouds gather, while Spieth golf shoes are among the finest around. If you need great grip when unleashing your drives, the Softspikes system will be a revelation.
Running – As noted earlier, HOVR shoes will be perfect for runners who need to glide through their daily mileage. Heat tights for men and women add compression for the legs, which can help to boost endurance and prevent injuries. And a lightweight Under Armour t-shirt will ensure total comfort from start to finish.
Football – Under Armour's Magnetico football boots are making waves in Premier League dressing rooms, with good reason. Their “glove-like” fit will feel superior to generic boots, while the uppers feature what UA calls “charged cushioning”. In theory, this helps to transmit muscle power into shots – while absorbing impacts in tackles. Couple those boots with UA tracksuits to wear before the match, or even some Challenge shin pads to mix coolness with injury protection.
Yoga – Yoga fans also have a selection of Under Armour sale options to look for. With eye-catching and extremely comfortable leggings, lighter than air tank tops, bralettes, and sports vests, the brand offers everything hardcore yoga fans could need.
Under Armour isn't all about sports apparel, advanced footwear, and outdoor clothing. The brand also offers a range of accessories – most notably its collection of bags and backpacks. Let's unpack the Under Armour accessories selection in a little more detail to help you find the right purchases.
Under Armour Backpack Designs – If you want light, good-looking, durable, and waterproof backpacks, Under Armour should be at the top of your shopping list. Designs include compact Patterson backpacks, Roland backpacks which could easily be used with work suits on commutes, and the Storm Contender and Hustle backpacks. The latter two are designed for hiking and camping, with weather protection that ranks among the best in their field.
Sackpacks – Under Armour also offers an innovative little collection of what they call “sackpacks.” Fitted with drawstring closures, and resembling classic swimming bags, these packs can be slung over the shoulder, and are ideal for holding soggy trunks or swimsuits. They could be just what you need on a beach holiday.
Gym Bags – If you need to store the full range gym kit, with room for music players, phones, sunglasses, protein powders, and ankle supports, an Under Armour gym bag will fit the bill. The Project Rock bag is a great option, with an endless variety of zip pockets, rugged canvas materials, and even a 15-inch laptop sleeve. But if you can't afford that, Under Armour also offers less sophisticated Undeniable duffel bags, which come in small and large versions.
Headwear – Anyone who needs a new baseball cap will find plenty to choose from at the Under Armour Outlet or hotukdeals listings. With their breathable materials and stretch fit construction, they deliver much more comfort than cut-price alternatives.
Digital Accessories – Moving with the times is almost a religion with Under Armour, which is why the brand mixes apparel with digital accessories. For instance, their Sports Wireless headphones are rated to IPX4 (extremely waterproof and shock resistant), come with “SuperVent” ear cushions that won't feel clammy during workouts, and can be charged to 1 hour of playback in just 5 minutes. And Wireless React earphones are a smaller version that will play well with runners who need some tunes to get them through their routes.
Hopefully you now have a better idea of what Under Armour has to offer, and how to tailor a purchase to your individual needs. The company's product selection is extremely comprehensive, and it's easy to buy something that isn't perfectly suited to your activities. So take some time to find the right products.
When you do, there's generally no reason to pay full Under Armour prices. The brand isn't the cheapest in the world, but prices can almost always be reduced, either via Under Armour discount codes or sales at hotukdeals merchants.
One place to start when hunting for deals is the Under Armour Outlet store. You never know exactly what will be featured here, but you can be confident of enjoying 40% discounts across the brand's men's, women's and kid's products. However, if the products you need aren't featured, don't worry. There should be other ways to save.
If they want to explore every current Under Armour sale UK customers simply need to head to the company's hotukdeals listings. You'll find cheap Under Armour apparel and footwear from major sportswear merchants like JD Sports, Sports Direct, House of Fraser, and Amazon, along with specialist retailers like ProBikeKit.
Whatever time of year you need to shop, there's likely to be an Under Armour trainers sale, but some times are usually more fruitful than others. Black Friday in November tends to see cut-price trainers and boots, as well as high-performance shirts and tracksuits. New Year will see the usual reductions, and there should be Outlet offers as the spring exercise season slips into gear.
Whether you're looking for golf apparel that blends smartness and performance, or you need some reliable running shoes, you won't go wrong with Under Armour. But don't pay listed prices. Instead, save money and stay fit with the Under Armour offers available from hotukdeals.
Famous for its moisture-wicking vests and t-shirts, Under Armour has diversified in recent years, becoming one of the UK's premier athletic brands. Offering premium running shoes, rugged boots, intelligently designed backpacks, super-cool yoga outfits, kid's apparel, and much more, the Baltimore company is a go-to option for serious sports fans. Whatever you require, kit up for less with the deals on offer at the Under Armour hotukdeals listings.
