Many people wonder whether Under Armour is a Chinese brand — especially when they see “Made in China” labels.
As someone who works in the fitness apparel manufacturing field and has personally sourced similar activewear, here’s my honest, fact-based breakdown.
No — Under Armour is an American brand.
It was founded in 1996 by Kevin Plank, a former University of Maryland football player, and is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: UA),
and all its core design, marketing, and product development are based in the United States.
So while some Under Armour items are manufactured in China, the brand identity, ownership, and management are fully American.
Like most global sportswear brands, Under Armour produces in multiple countries to manage costs and supply chain efficiency.
| Country | Role in Production | Key Products |
|---|---|---|
| China | Major manufacturing & fabric sourcing | Tops, leggings, accessories |
| Vietnam | Key production base for footwear | Running shoes |
| Bangladesh / Indonesia | Apparel assembly | Sports T-shirts, shorts |
| USA (limited) | High-end “Made in USA” collections | Specialty performance lines |
💡 In short: “Made in China” = manufacturing origin, not brand ownership.
There are several reasons for this confusion:
As someone in the apparel industry, I’ve seen this misunderstanding happen frequently —
especially when buyers equate manufacturing origin with brand nationality.
Under Armour officially entered the Chinese market in 2010.
Since then, it has opened hundreds of retail stores, partnered with local distributors, and sponsored Chinese athletes and sports teams.
Its China branch mainly focuses on:
This strong presence in China has built the impression that the brand might be Chinese —
but again, it’s simply a U.S. brand with global manufacturing and regional operations.
| Category | Under Armour | Chinese Fitness Brands (e.g., Li-Ning, Anta) |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Origin | United States | China |
| Product Focus | Compression & performance gear | Sports lifestyle, affordable fitness |
| Design Language | Minimalist, technical | Trend-driven, localized |
| Global Reach | 100+ countries | Primarily Asia |
| Pricing | Mid–High | Mid–Low |
| R&D | US-based innovation centers | Growing rapidly in China |
Under Armour remains more performance-engineering oriented,
while Chinese brands are catching up fast in design variety and affordability.
Absolutely not.
In fact, China is one of the most advanced apparel manufacturing hubs in the world.
Most major global brands — including Nike, Adidas, Lululemon, and Under Armour — rely on Chinese factories for:
Having visited several of these facilities myself, I can say with confidence that Chinese-made apparel can match or exceed Western quality standards,
especially when it’s produced under strict OEM/ODM systems.
| User Type | Why It’s a Good Choice |
|---|---|
| Professional athletes | High-performance compression and moisture management |
| Serious gym enthusiasts | Durable materials for intense training |
| Outdoor trainers | ColdGear / HeatGear technology adapts to climate |
| Fitness startups | Learn from UA’s structure-focused product development |
Under Armour is not a Chinese brand — it’s a U.S.-founded performance powerhouse that manufactures globally, including in China.
If you value technical fabrics, compression support, and durability, Under Armour is a reliable choice.
If you care more about style and lifestyle crossover, you may prefer brands like Nike or Lululemon.
👉 My takeaway as a fitness apparel manufacturer:
China’s factories, including many OEM partners, produce some of the world’s best performance wear —
and brands like Under Armour simply take advantage of that excellence.
Q1. Is Under Armour Chinese-owned?
No. It’s fully American-owned and headquartered in the United States.
Q2. Why are Under Armour products labeled “Made in China”?
That refers to the manufacturing origin, not ownership. Many top global brands produce in China.
Q3. Are Chinese-made Under Armour items authentic?
Yes, as long as they come from authorized stores or the official website. “Made in China” ≠ fake.
Q4. Does Under Armour have factories in China?
Yes, several partner factories manufacture Under Armour apparel and accessories under strict quality standards.
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If you’re building your own gym wear brand, we’ll help you design, prototype, and manufacture apparel that fits your brand’s identity —
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