Under Armour has been making moisture-wicking, synthetic base layers to help improve athletic performance for nearly two decades now. Having started in the business of football, a rugged sport in its own right, the gear– it’s no surprise–can hold up to athlete abuse in the mountains.
In 1996, Under Armour founder, Kevin Plank, then a 23-year-old former University of Maryland football player, set out to create something better than a cotton T-shirt for athletes to wear on the field. After extensive research, he settled on a moisture-wicking synthetic fiber that would keep players cool and dry when they were overheating. He started marketing the shirts from his grandmother’s basement in Washington, DC, and selling them out of the back of his car all over the East Coast.
Since day one, Under Armour has been built for function, with products designed to help athletes of all abilities achieve their peak performance. The company’s ColdGear fabric and AllSeasonGear lines were introduced to keep athletes warm and dry in all conditions and were received with rave reviews. Not long after, inner and outer layers built for snow sports were introduced, receiving an equally positive reception.
Under Armour has hosted numerous elite, mainstream athletes on its roster over the years, including Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, NFL quarterback Tom Brady and ski racer Lindsey Vonn. Now, lining up beside them are freeskiing heavy hitters such as Bobby Brown, Ahmet Dadali, Tanner Rainville, Sean Jordan, Jen Hudak and Alex Ferreira. A list that certainly can’t be ignored. “When we entered into the freeski market, one of the things we wanted to do was get behind athletes and be a part of the industry that we’re involved in,” says Scott Hibbert, Under Armour’s mountain sports marketing manager.
Furthermore, they want to empower athletes with the tools for the job. “We try to make the best products we can in order to deliver on what our athletes need,” he adds. For example, this year’s new ColdGear Infrared Fractle jacket is a 10K/10K waterproof, breathable piece with PrimaLoft insulation and a ColdGear Infrared-printed interior that retains body heat to let skiers stay out in the cold longer and keeps them warm when they’re not moving around.
The same technology is found in the new ColdGear Infrared Turing jacket, a PrimaLoft-down-blended coat that packs into its own hand pocket and the ColdGear Infrared Rummy Shacket, a lightweight spring jacket with just enough insulation to keep you comfortable.
In addition to outerwear, Under Armour retains its roots in base layers that wick sweat but also provide stretch, warmth, comfort and innovations like the new ColdGear Infrared Dobson Cotton softshell, a ride-able hoody that comes with magnetic zippers, called MagZip, that make zipping up the coat quick and easy, even while wearing bulky gloves.
With years of experience in R&D, over a multitude of sports, Under Armour has catered to skiers’ needs and successfully established itself as a major player in the apparel game.
Under Armour UA Coldgear Infrared Turing Jacket
“UA Storm, Primaloft silver insulation down blend, ColdGear Infrared printed interior, packs into hand pocket, secure hand…” Click for full review.
Under Armour UA Coldgear Infrared Fractle Jacket
“10k/10k Armourstorm, Primaloft insulation, fully taped seams, ColdGear Infrared printed interior…” Click for full review.
Under Armour UA Coldgear Infrared Rummy Shacket
“UA Storm, Primaloft insulation, ColdGear Infrared printed interior, snap…” Click for full review.
