Unlike everyday clothing, sports and technical clothing must fulfill two basic functions, expressed in order of importance: to be practical and functional and to also look good. The second is relatively less important while the first is fundamental: when doing sports activities, one must be comfortable in the clothing one wears, to the point of reaching a state of grace such that one forgets what one is wearing. Instead, aesthetic beauty – naturally subjective – contributes to making us feel even more comfortable in the clothes we wear. Feeling practical, functional, and able to make you feel good (and beautiful too, why not?) are different aspects of a single need: to be in the best condition to express our maximum potential.
For this group rehearsal, we dressed entirely in Under Armour garments. The three testers are, in alphabetical order, Martino, Sandro, and Stefano. The clothing is a selection from Under Armour’s summer collection and, of course, is also provided in women’s versions, as you see in the photos. The spirit that gives it life is both technical and aesthetic, and in each garment it strikes a balance between the two that does not let either one prevail.
Under Armour technologies for clothing
Iso-Chill
It is the big star in Under Armour’s summer running fabrics for 2021, and given its performance, we have no doubt that it will be in the future. Its special texture makes it feel cool to the touch and – put in easy words – it is a sensation that provides great relief when running even on the hottest days. And it’s not a marketing gimmick: you really do feel cooler than a regular technical fabric.
Iso-Chill also allows very rapid passage of sweat from the skin to the outside of the fabric and dries very quickly.
Garments made with Iso-Chill are especially lightweight and have a close-fitting cut, a fairly obvious choice because that way the cool feeling on the skin is amplified by the tight contact, but-be careful-they are not compression garments.
In addition, to complete a near-perfect fabric, the fibers are infused with titanium dioxide, which allows the removal of UV rays.
If you are looking for a fabric to relieve the heat, you can stop here. ;)
Breeze
If, on the other hand, you want maximum softness and comfort from your clothing, Breeze is the technology for you. It has the softness of cotton but the breathability and drying speed of a technical garment. Therefore also perfect for avoiding annoying chafing.
Speed Pocket
It is the specific pocket, inserted in the front of the shorts, where to store your smartphone or other items to keep handy. Being well constrained to the abdominal side, the phone does not bounce. It is really very comfortable.
Streaker
Streaker is the ultimate expression of lightness among the fabrics offered by Under Armour. Designed to have maximum comfort in competition, this material is anti-chafing and extremely breathable; to be in the condition to express our full potential.
Let us now see how the leaders go “on the road” from head to toe.
Cap
UA Iso-Chill Run Dash Unisex Hat
When it is hot, the head is one of the most critical points and must be properly protected. The Iso-Chill hat is probably one of the best running hats you can find on the market. And you understand this because the differences from ordinary caps are in the details: Velcro closure for millimeter adjustment, mesh panels for ventilation and, most importantly, the Iso-Chill inner band that gives a very pleasant cool feeling. Lightweight, cool and protective.
T-shirt
UA Iso-Chill Run Short Sleeve Jersey
In summer, tight-fitting clothing increases the feeling of warmth. In almost all cases but not in this one. And you know it as soon as you put on the Iso-Chill T-shirt. With its coolness-enhancing fabric, it is pleasantly snug (but not compressive). You feel the constant contact with the fabric that feels almost cold, the sweat immediately passes to the outside of the jersey, and the comfort is always very high. Front inserts and mesh back panel promote optimal ventilation.
Perfect for running, it is probably one of the most technologically curated products in running apparel.
UA Breeze Run Short Sleeve Jersey
Very distinctive fabric to the touch, almost feels like cotton. Very light, almost transparent, especially liked the narrow armholes. Worn you forget you have it on, and again the fabric is very breathable and dries immediately. Very nice-because the eye wants its share, too-the tone-on-tone camo graphics.
UA Streaker Run Short Sleeve Jersey
There are three aspects of this T-shirt that I particularly like: it is soft and, although it is made of technical fabric (with anti-odor treatment, moreover), it does not have an overly “pro” look, so much so that it is a pleasant garment even as an everyday tee. Finally, its design is very unobtrusive, as are its colors: were it not for the inclusion of the back panel below a horizontal slit in the back, one would not mistake it for a running shirt. In fact, I have often found myself using it as an everyday tee, partly because it is made of matte fabric and the logos are very discreet.
In some ways with one leader you have two: training and normal. What more do you want?
Shorts
Short UA Speedpocket 20 cm
They are already my favorite shorts. They fit perfectly, also great is the inner pant that fits just right and you never feel. The speedpocket on the front I’ve always loved it, I put my iPhone in there and often touch there because I think I don’t have it. Also great are the two horizontal pockets on the back, perfect for two gels/bars. They have removed the “classic” right and left pockets: you have to get used to them but in my opinion they fit, after all while running you never put anything in them. Elegant glossy black on matte black details.
UA Draft Run Shorts
In this case we are talking about grade zero shorts, and not surprisingly it is competition wear. There are no pockets, no hidden zippers, not even a lace to tighten them. Draft Runs are fabric (the minimum necessary) and an elastic band that holds them at the waist. The fabric is very breathable and almost transparent (but don’t worry: there is an inner slip), and the fact that you can’t put your cell phone or keys in them is offset by the fact that, once worn, they literally disappear, leaving you with freedom of movement and extreme lightness. And where do you put the items you usually carry with you while running? If you are making a record on the track you left them in the bag in the locker room, and if you are running on the road you can use a convenient fanny pack. Which I use all the time, for example.
Socks
UA Armour Dry Run Crew Socks
It is a sock designed specifically for running, taller than traditional socks. In fact, it reaches down to the base of the calf providing some support but its main feature is the shock-absorbing inserts on the heel, toe and midfoot, designed specifically to cushion impact in the most frequent impact areas and the arch support area.
The special Armour Dry fabric is designed to keep the foot dry in all conditions
UA Armour Dry™ Run No Show Socks
“No show” socks are not the ones you wear when you don’t have to do spectacular numbers-they are the ones you can barely see because they only protrude a few millimeters from the neck of the shoe. Personally, they are my favorite type, even in winter.
Under Armour has the characteristic of offering socks of no small thickness. However, I did not suffer any particular overheating of the foot, so breathing is guaranteed, plus protection, especially from rubbing and blistering, is accentuated.