Who Manufactures Under Armour Products and How the Supply Chain Works

Under Armour Manufacturing: Partners, Factories, and Global Production

Under Armour does not own the factories that make its products. The brand designs, markets, and distributes, while relying on a network of contract manufacturers, mostly in Asia, to produce its apparel, footwear, and accessories. Understanding where and how Under Armour products are made requires looking at the company's supply chain strategy, its factory partners, and the regions that dominate production.

The company has historically kept its manufacturing base concentrated in countries with established garment and textile industries, particularly China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia. These regions offer large labor pools, existing infrastructure, and proximity to raw material suppliers. Under Armour publishes a list of its major suppliers in its annual Corporate Responsibility Report, though the list focuses on factories rather than named manufacturers.

Key Manufacturing Regions and Factory Partners

Asia remains the center of Under Armour production. China has long been a primary source for woven and knitted apparel, while Vietnam has become a major hub for both clothing and footwear. Indonesia and Cambodia also host contract factories that produce Under Armour garments, often for specific product lines or price tiers.

For footwear, the production footprint shifts toward Vietnam and China, where specialized shoe factories have the equipment and expertise to handle the stitching, molding, and assembly required for athletic shoes. Under Armour sources from multiple factories in each region to manage capacity, costs, and lead times.

Apparel Manufacturing

• China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia
• Contract factories producing woven, knitted, and seamless garments
• Focus on moisture-wicking fabrics, HeatGear and ColdGear technologies

Footwear and Accessories

• Vietnam and China dominate shoe production
• Specialized factories handle sole bonding, upper assembly, and finishing
• Accessories like bags and hats often sourced from the same regional hubs

How Under Armour Manages Its Supply Chain

Under Armour uses a model common among large sportswear brands: it contracts with independent factories rather than operating its own plants. The company works with these factories to set quality standards, labor practices, and compliance requirements. Factory audits, third-party monitoring, and supplier codes of conduct are part of this oversight.

The brand's sourcing strategy balances cost, capacity, and speed. Vietnam has gained share over the past decade as a production location, partly because of trade dynamics and competitive pricing. China remains important for higher-complexity products and where scale or specific technical capabilities are needed. This multi-country approach gives Under Armour flexibility if one region faces disruptions.

Why Most Athletic Apparel Is Manufactured Overseas

The reasons are structural. Garment production requires large workforces, specialized machinery, and dense supplier ecosystems for trims, labels, and packaging. Those conditions exist in countries like Vietnam and China, but not in the United States or Europe at the same scale and cost structure. While some brands have experimented with domestic or nearshore manufacturing, the vast majority of Under Armour's output still comes from overseas contract factories.

Transparency and the Corporate Responsibility Report

Under Armour discloses its supplier list annually, identifying the factories that produce its goods. The report includes factory names, addresses, and the products they make. This transparency allows buyers, auditors, and advocacy groups to trace where products are made and to verify that the factories meet the brand's standards for labor and safety.

The company also participates in industry initiatives and frameworks that promote ethical manufacturing. While these disclosures do not name the parent manufacturers or holding companies behind the factories, they provide a clear picture of the contract manufacturing landscape behind Under Armour products.

What the Future May Hold

Under Armour has not signaled a shift toward large-scale domestic manufacturing. The economics of apparel production still favor overseas contract factories, and the brand's cost structure depends on that model. However, the company continues to adjust its mix of countries and factories to manage risks, respond to trade policy changes, and meet evolving expectations around sustainability and labor practices.

For consumers, the key takeaway is that Under Armour products are made by contract manufacturers, primarily in Asia, and the brand's supply chain strategy focuses on balancing cost, quality, and resilience across multiple countries rather than relying on a single source or location.