Under Armour

[Hawg]

I looked at the search function and was suprised to find no questions like mine. You guys sure have pounded the heck out of Artic Armor though.

My question is what make Under Armour so expensive. Are other products the SAME fabric? I have the compression suit and like it but it's not the most comfortable stuff and definatly not a miricle product. That's why now that I'm looking for relaxed fit I was just wondering whether to spend the big dollars for Under Armour again.

[slurpie]

The name. I got some for christmas a fleece suit and a cold tight top they are both comfy but dont really have cheaper brands.

[brianh]

I've got some UA, GI poly and PolarMAX poly.Like the polarmax best. I just did a google on it and found a few options.

[BriGuy88]

You definitely pay for the name, but in my opinion, it is worth every penny. There are similar fabrics out there... I've tried the Cabela's branded shirts, an Adidas branded shirt and for the polo shirts a handful of different brands. I don't think any of them compare to the comfort and durability of the Under Armour. I have both compression fit and relaxed fit heat gear tops as well as compression fit cold gear tops. It is always the first layer I put on when hunting, fishing, shoveling snow, raking leaves, etc. There is now a UA outlet store in Albertville. Great prices there!!

Hawg - it does take a little time to get used to the compression fit and what I've found myself doing lately is going up a size when I buy the compression fit tops so that they aren't quite as snug.

[Mr. Sheephead]

I have checked out the 3.0 base layer from Under Armor. It is the relaxed fit and looks like good stuff. I tried them on and it feels great. I am going to wait to see if I can get it on sale. Gander Mountain has the shirt and pants for 70 dollars each. 140 dollars for a base layer?? Not sure if it is worth it. I wonder if anything else is better?

[Hawg]

BriGuy,I'm like you, I've tried a lot different things and that's why I haven't ruled out the UA. I was looking at the fabric make up and it doesn't seem to be anything special. Remember when Polypropelene came out under brand names but was all the same. I was just wondering if the world didn't catch up to UA yet. The racks were so bare at Gander yesterday there was nothing to compare to. It sure seems crazy the price they get for the stuff. Like you said the compression does take some getting used to. I like it for hunting when you need to walk but don't like it for sitting, it just seems to bind too much. Thanks for the reply.

[jd524]

I can only speak for the compression fit heat gear, and my informed opinion is that UA brand is way over priced when compared to other brands. I have been wearing it under my body armor 40 + hours a week for the last 5 years. I switched to the Athletic Works brand sold at Wally World. 81% polyester, 19% elastane just like UA, at a fraction of the cost.

[Ferny]

There are several other brands that I use. I'm cheap and not going to spend $40+ for a dang undershirt! Duo-dry is the only name I remember Target carries some also. My wife just picked up some for my daughter for cross country skiing. The only way for me to justify the price of UA is if you ever see it on super clearance like at Dick's or Gander during the off season.

I love the cheap stuff for trudging through the woods grouse hunting. I use it every time I step into the woods or on the ice. There is also some great military surplus stuff around all the way up to arctic weight. and it's cheap too!

Give the cheap stuff a try. You won't regret it!

Ferny.

[S.D. Ice Angular]

You definitely pay for the name, but in my opinion, it is worth every penny. There are similar fabrics out there... I've tried the Cabela's branded shirts, an Adidas branded shirt and for the polo shirts a handful of different brands. I don't think any of them compare to the comfort and durability of the Under Armour. I have both compression fit and relaxed fit heat gear tops as well as compression fit cold gear tops. It is always the first layer I put on when hunting, fishing, shoveling snow, raking leaves, etc. There is now a UA outlet store in Albertville. Great prices there!!

I agree!!!

I wear the compression tops to work everyday (I work outside) and nearly every other time I am outside, this time of year. I also wear compression bottoms now that it has become much colder out. Love the stuff!!!

I have tried all other brands and for me I always go back to UA.

I just flat love the stuff...

I also have a few of the Polo/Golf Shirts. I really like these also but I have a tough time paying the price for this type of shirt. I use the other stuff to keep warm/cool.

But to each their own.

I have co workers that refuse to pay the price that UA goes for and wouldn't you know it they are the ones always whiining about being COLD!!

Thanks for the TIP about the outlet store, I will plan to stop when going through next time.

[Back2Dakota]

I have Rocky compression. sold at Wally World. 12 bucks i think.

[cjac]

I'm also cheap but the UA product is hard to knock. The lesser brands lose their elasticity after a few washes, sleeves and waistlines on shirts tend to creep up and waitsbands on the bottoms tend to get loose and hems come undone. I know guys that wear UA every day, washing once or twice a week and it stands up to the test of time.

UA product is also a "true" size, meaning a "large" is a large, no need for a 6' and 190lb guy to get an XL or XXL. I muskie fish all fall and the UA gear is what I rely on, socks included. It keeps me warm and stays in place all day, no cold waists or wrists/ankles due to the stuff creeping up. Nothing is worse than a long sleeve undershirt riding up on your forearms and bottoms half way up your shin.....

Yes, it's not cheap, but use a few retailer promos (Cabelas) and the outlet store and you can knock the price down and you won't be disappointed.

[zamboni]

If I wear UA, will I develop a 6 pack?!?!?!?

[MountainJam]

If I wear UA, will I develop a 6 pack?!?!?!?

Most certainly, It is a scientific fact. I've been wearing mine so long I now have a 12 pack. Of Leinies that is.

[picksbigwagon]

I own two UA shirts, cold gear compression and won't go hunting our ice fishing without them on. They keep me warm with less layers whether I am pheasant hunting, deer hunting, ice fishing or coyote calling. That being said, the best part of wearing them all day is taking them off at night. I do feel a little like a bratwurst in my underarmor shirt......

I swear by their socks now as well. Especially with a good liner sock, of course it could be the boots too (danners)

[Esox_Magnum]

I never thought something so lightweight would keep a guy warm, I was wrong. I'm a firm beliver in UA now. Spendy yes but worth every penny.

[timbo147]

I work outside and during the winter months I have tried a lot of different types of compression shirts and the UA ones are in my opinion the best ones out there. Yes they are expensive but like others have said they last longer,fit better and are warmer than the other brands.

[Beast26]

Yes, UA is worth the money you will spend for it. But there are plenty of other good base layers on the market that will do the same thing. It all depends on what you are looking for and how you use it.

If you want a cheap poly pro every underwear manufacturer makes one and nobodies is better than the other. Don't expect it to hold up for more than a few years if you plan on using it often.

If you want a great base layer for hunting/scent control wait until next year when HS (Hunter Specialties) has their new line of base layers on the market. Many of the base layers on the market currently have a "silver" spray on the exterior of the garment that helps with scent control (UA makes one). This of course washes off over a period of time. The new HS base layer actually has silver woven into the garment. If you are wondering why silver is mentioned it actually moves liquid, in this case persperation/scent away from the body (arm pits, or anywhere else one would sweat).

UA is also changing the fit on all of their Cold Gear line in 2010 (fall). They are switching the material on all of their Cold Gear products to the Evolution material. The Evo is the same blend of material as the original cold gear - nylon, poly and elastic (spandex). But the fit will not be quite as "tight" as the original cold gear.

Lastly, I would mention the brand Smartwool. If you have ever used their socks and were impressed you would probably be just as impressed with their base layer. Yes, it's expensive but what is worse than being cold/wet from sweating?

[Fredd]

I've never been able to afford the UA brand. For me, I use a medium weight, tight fitting polypro base layer. I buy my tops or bottoms for $10 on sale. Doesn't stretch, tight fit, works for me. I only throw on a couple of layers on top, the Carhart jacket and usually no bibs just jeans. I fish w/o the house 95+% of the time (down to -10 degrees last year, but notice I didn't go out today).