Where Does Under Armour Manufacture Its Gear and How Can OEMs Compete?

Under Armour is known for its performance-driven gear — but behind that success is a global supply chain that many new brands want to understand.
As someone who works closely with activewear OEM factories, I’m often asked:

• “Where does Under Armour actually manufacture its apparel?”
• “Can smaller OEMs compete with such a large, established supply chain?”

This article breaks everything down in a simple, practical, and brand-friendly way.

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Table of Contents

• Quick Answer
• 1. Where Under Armour Manufactures Its Gear
• 2. What Under Armour Looks for in Its Supplier Network
• 3. How OEMs Can Compete With Under Armour’s Supply Chain
• 4. Comparison Table: UA vs. OEM Advantages
• 5. Practical Advice for New or Growing Brands
• FAQs
• Partnering With FuKi Gymwear

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Quick Answer

Under Armour manufactures its gear mainly in Vietnam, China, Jordan, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
These regions provide technical fabrics, high-capacity production, and consistent quality control.

From my OEM experience, smaller manufacturers still have strong competitive advantages — especially in faster sampling, lower MOQs, and more flexible development cycles.

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1. Where Under Armour Manufactures Its Gear

Under Armour relies heavily on outsourced manufacturing, not self-owned factories.

🌍 Global Manufacturing Footprint (2025)

Region	Country	Key Strength
Asia	Vietnam	Main hub for activewear, leggings, and tees
Asia	China	Advanced fabrics + skilled technical sewing
Middle East	Jordan	Large-scale garment production
Asia	Indonesia	Performance knits & cut-and-sew
Asia	Philippines	Stable labor force + sportswear focus

💬 From my factory experience:
Vietnam and China still dominate because they have the strongest performance-fabric ecosystems.

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2. What Under Armour Looks for in Its Supplier Network

UA’s supplier requirements are strict — but they reveal useful insights for OEM factories.

Requirement	What It Means	Why It Matters
Performance fabric capability	Compression, HeatGear, ColdGear materials	UA builds technology-based apparel
Quality consistency	Stable stitching & QC systems	Reduces rejections and delays
Production scale	High volume, predictable output	Supports global distribution
Compliance & certifications	WRAP, BSCI, sustainability audits	Ensures brand safety & trust

💬 Most small OEMs lose not because of fabric or sewing, but because they can’t meet documentation or compliance requirements.

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3. How OEMs Can Compete With Under Armour’s Supply Chain

Despite UA’s scale, smaller OEMs still hold major advantages:

✅ 1. Faster Sampling Speeds

Big suppliers move slowly; small OEMs can deliver samples in 5–10 days.

✅ 2. Flexible MOQs

UA-level factories rarely accept small runs.
OEMs can stand out with 100–300 pcs minimums.

✅ 3. Trend-Responsive Development

UA is strong in tech, but slower in lifestyle trends.
OEMs can win by producing athleisure, comfort-first, and influencer-driven pieces quickly.

✅ 4. Personalized Communication

Small OEMs win clients by offering direct support, faster revisions, and real-time feedback.

💬 From my OEM work:
Brands don’t always want the biggest factory — they want the fastest, most cooperative, and most flexible one.

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4. Comparison Table: UA vs. OEM Advantages

Feature	Under Armour Supply Chain	OEM Factory Advantages
Speed	Slower due to scale	Fast sampling & reactions
MOQ	Very high	Low & flexible
Innovation	Strong technical fabrics	Flexible trend development
Communication	Layered & formal	Direct, quick, responsive
Cost	Higher	More competitive

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5. Practical Advice for New or Growing Brands

Here are my strongest recommendations:

• Start with small-batch testing, not big orders
• Choose factories that understand performance fabrics
• Prioritize fast sample validation cycles
• Build a long-term relationship with your OEM — not project-by-project
• Use data and customer feedback to guide each product iteration

💬 A great factory can save a weak product.
A weak factory can destroy a great product.

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FAQs

Q1: Does Under Armour still manufacture in the U.S.?
Only prototype labs — not bulk production.

Q2: Are UA’s factories exclusive?
No, most are independent suppliers that also serve other clients.

Q3: Can smaller OEMs match UA quality?
Yes — especially with modern machinery and performance-fabric expertise.

Q4: What products are easiest for OEMs to compete on?
Leggings, performance tees, training shorts, and lightweight outerwear.

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Partnering With FuKi Gymwear

If you want to build performance-focused activewear similar to global brands:
👉 FuKi Gymwear can support you with modern OEM capabilities.

Why Brands Choose Us

• 🚀 Fast sampling & low MOQs
• 🧵 Performance, seamless, brushed, and recycled fabrics
• 📦 Support for influencer drops & limited collections
• 🌱 Eco-friendly and sustainable material options

Your brand’s success depends on quality, speed, and reliability — and that’s exactly what we deliver.

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