You’re probably wearing something with that iconic interlocking "U" and "A" right now. Maybe it’s a HeatGear shirt that keeps you from drowning in sweat during a 5K, or perhaps it’s a pair of Curry Flow basketball shoes. But have you ever actually stopped to look at the tiny, scratchy white tag sewn into the side seam? If you do, you’ll see a list of countries that might surprise you. People often assume these massive American athletic brands manufacture everything in one giant factory, but that is simply not how the modern world works.
So, where is Under Armour made exactly?
The short answer: all over the place. We’re talking about a massive, multi-billion dollar operation that stretches from the humid industrial hubs of Vietnam to the textile factories of Jordan. Under Armour doesn't actually own most of the factories that make their gear. They partner with third-party manufacturers. It’s a complex web of logistics, geopolitics, and labor costs. Honestly, it’s a bit of a jigsaw puzzle.
The Global Map of UA Manufacturing
When Kevin Plank started this whole thing in his grandmother's basement back in 1996, the "Made in USA" tag was a point of pride. Today? Not so much. Most of the heavy lifting happens in Asia.
Vietnam is currently the king of the mountain for Under Armour. A huge chunk of their apparel and footwear comes out of Vietnamese factories. Why? Because the infrastructure for high-tech textiles there is incredible. They have the specialized machinery needed to bond seams and create those ultra-stretchy fabrics we all love. Jordan is another big player, specifically for apparel. Because of certain trade agreements, it’s financially savvy for brands to set up shop there.
You’ll also find "Made in" tags from Indonesia, China, Cambodia, the Philippines, and even El Salvador. It’s a diversified portfolio. This isn't just about finding the cheapest labor, though that is obviously a factor. It’s about risk management. If a port shuts down in one country or a political crisis hits another, the brand can’t just stop selling leggings. They need backups.
The China Shift
Interestingly, Under Armour has been trying to pull back from China. A few years ago, a massive percentage of their goods came from Chinese soil. Now, that number is dropping. It’s a mix of rising labor costs in China and the ongoing "trade war" tensions that make relying on Chinese manufacturing a bit of a headache for American C-suites. They haven't left entirely—China still produces specialized components and some footwear—but the "center of gravity" has definitely shifted toward Southeast Asia.
Is Anything Actually Made in the USA?
This is where things get a little complicated. Most people want to support local manufacturing, but the reality of the garment industry is brutal. Under Armour launched an initiative a while back called "UA Lighthouse" in Baltimore. It was this cool, high-tech manufacturing and design center. The goal was to figure out how to automate more of the process so they could bring some production back to U.S. soil.
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While they do produce some limited-edition runs or specialized military/tactical gear in the States to comply with the Berry Amendment (which requires certain government-purchased goods to be 100% domestic), the vast majority of what you buy at Dick’s Sporting Goods or on their website is imported.
It’s a scale issue. We simply don't have the massive, integrated textile supply chains in the U.S. anymore that can churn out ten million pairs of socks at a competitive price point.
The Ethics and Quality Question
Let's get real for a second. When people ask where is Under Armour made, they are often actually asking: "Is this made in a sweatshop?"
Under Armour is a member of the Fair Labor Association (FLA). This means they subject their supply chain to external audits. Does that mean every single factory is a paradise? Probably not. Maintaining oversight on hundreds of factories across twenty different countries is a nightmare. However, they are significantly more transparent than they were a decade ago. They publish a "Global Vendor List" which literally lists the names and addresses of the factories they use. You can go look it up right now if you’re feeling bored.
Quality varies too. A shirt made in a high-end Vietnamese factory might actually have better stitching than something rushed through a domestic plant because those workers are specialists in performance synthetics. They do this all day, every day.
Material Sourcing
It’s not just about where the sewing happens. Where does the polyester come from? Under Armour uses a lot of petroleum-based synthetics. They’ve been pushing toward more recycled content—repurposed plastic bottles and the like—but they still have a long way to go to catch up to the "sustainability" marketing of brands like Patagonia. The raw materials often come from one country, get spun into yarn in another, and are finally dyed and sewn in a third. It’s a global relay race.
Why Location Matters to You
You might think, "Who cares as long as the shorts fit?"
But the location affects the price you pay and how long the garment lasts. Factories in Jordan often focus on high-volume, basic items. Factories in Vietnam handle the more "tech-heavy" stuff like the Project Rock line or high-compression gear. If you notice a difference in feel between two different styles of UA shirts, check the tags. They likely came from different corners of the globe.
Also, shipping. Bringing a container of shoes from Indonesia to a warehouse in California takes time and costs a fortune in fuel. This is why Under Armour is constantly tweaking their "near-shoring" strategy—trying to find ways to make more stuff in the Western Hemisphere (like Mexico or Central America) to get it to American customers faster.
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How to Check Your Own Gear
If you want to be an armchair detective, it’s easy.
- Find the "wash and care" tag. It’s usually on the lower left-hand side of shirts or the waistband of pants.
- Look for the country of origin. It’s legally required to be there for items sold in the U.S.
- Check the "RN" number. Every garment has an RN number (UA's is usually RN# 114992). This identifies the importer, which is Under Armour, Inc.
- Footwear tags. These are usually tucked under the "tongue" of the shoe.
You'll see a lot of Vietnam. Seriously, like, a lot.
The Future of UA Manufacturing
Where are we going from here? The trend is moving toward "demand-driven" manufacturing. Basically, instead of making a million red shirts and hoping they sell, brands want to make smaller batches closer to where the customers live.
We might see more assembly happening in Central America. It’s closer to the U.S. market, which reduces the carbon footprint of shipping and allows the company to react faster to fashion trends. But for now, the heart of Under Armour’s production remains firmly planted in the industrial zones of Asia.
It’s a business of margins. A nickel saved on a zipper across ten million jackets is half a million dollars. That's the cold, hard logic that determines where your gym clothes come from. It’s not about patriotism or craft; it’s about specialized labor and massive infrastructure.
Real-World Action Steps for the Conscious Consumer
If you care about where your clothes come from, don't just take the "Made in" tag at face value. Here is how you can actually shop smarter:
Check the FLA reports. Since Under Armour is a member of the Fair Labor Association, you can read their annual tracking reports. It’s dry reading, but it’ll tell you which factories failed inspections and what they did to fix it.
Prioritize certain lines. High-performance gear (the expensive stuff) tends to be made in higher-tier factories with better oversight than the "budget" lines you might find in a clearance bin. Quality and ethics often go hand-in-hand because better-treated workers generally produce better-made products.
Look for recycled labels. If you’re worried about the environmental impact of all that overseas shipping, look for the "UA Forest" or recycled polyester tags. It doesn't change where it was made, but it lessens the "virgin plastic" impact of the garment.
Support the "Made in USA" limited drops. When Under Armour does release a domestic-made collection, buy it. The only way big corporations bring manufacturing back to the States is if they see a clear, profitable demand for it. If the American-made hoodie sits on the shelf because it costs $20 more than the Vietnamese one, they won't make it again.
Understanding the "where" and "why" of your gear makes you a more informed athlete and a better consumer. The world is small, and your favorite workout shirt has probably traveled further than you have this year.
Summary of Key Locations
- Vietnam: Primary hub for footwear and technical apparel.
- Jordan: Major source for high-volume knit clothing.
- Indonesia/Cambodia: Secondary hubs for apparel and accessories.
- China: Decreasing share, but still vital for specialized components.
- USA: Extremely limited, mostly for military contracts or R&D prototypes.
Knowing this won't necessarily make you run faster or lift more, but it's good to know the story behind the shirt on your back.