In part one of five, Flotrack goes to Under Armour's HQ in Baltimore to find out about their entry into running in early 2009. Over the next five weeks Flotrack will be speaking to Under Armour's designers, running team, CEO, and looking into the future to see what Under Armour's place in running will be. Visit
Under Armour for more info.
Lets get some good split running shorts. Enough with the basketball running shorts. Thats what I want! And make some shoes under 80 bucks
Plus, UA needs to stop producing skin-tight stretch clothing. I guess those clothes are designed to be worn under football pads, but too many plus size people that should not be wearing such form fitting clothes do so freely and in public (usually while trying to flex their biceps).
I think everyone should be excited about this because really....what is the downside for us?
a. the shoes suck and never get any better... therefore don't buy them!
OR
b. they start producing a great product, they listen to the feedback and get better, making the existing companies work harder to produce better results and ultimately open another door for XC/Track to succeed in sponsorships etc.
So why hate? You lose nothing...but have everything to gain from a company who is WILLING to take the risk on our sport, and we can be a pretty picky audience to take on!
I've decided that if a company wants to focus attention on my sport that I'll be excited about it because anything that puts running a little more out there is good for all of us. Decide for yourself.
Sean
Lol... That's because one of their main designers is ex-Mizuno. Take a closer look at UA's shoe tech, It's very similar.
I really like the way the Under Armour shoe has a sleeve that almost feels like you are already in a sock. Nice ride. Highly recommend.
Well I have never been a fan of UA, I have always viewed them as a knock-off version of major brands merchandise. When I see UA running shoes, I think L.A. GEAR on steroids….….or the Kmart 2000s with better promotion. If they were seriously interested in bettering the running community, they would wait until they birthed an idea of their own before putting out subpar running shoes. You can’t fake a good shoe……UA, save the running community from the test phase of your running line. If there is a genuine interest wait until you have a good product before entering the market, maybe focus on having a (Uno – one) running shoes that is good before diversifying your line.
You should have interviewed the resptionist! She is hot!
I had the opportunity to try out some of the new Under Armour running shoes and although I have been a long time mizuno fan you have definitely won me over.
a. the shoes suck and never get any better... therefore don't buy them!
OR
b. they start producing a great product, they listen to the feedback and get better, making the existing companies work harder to produce better results and ultimately open another door for XC/Track to succeed in sponsorships etc.
So why hate? You lose nothing...but have everything to gain from a company who is WILLING to take the risk on our sport, and we can be a pretty picky audience to take on!
I've decided that if a company wants to focus attention on my sport that I'll be excited about it because anything that puts running a little more out there is good for all of us. Decide for yourself.
I would like to see two things in their products: LIGHTweight flats that have a VERY minimalistic design and split seamed running shorts.
It is very exciting to see a big company enter the market that has the possibility to compete with the other big companies. I hope to see an UA elite team soon and some collegiate sponsorships! I did notice that Texas Tech is sporting some jerseys this year... and I think the University of North Texas is too.
Exciting times for UA... I just hope they can compete and put out quality products that RUNNER like and use and hope they don't conform to just pleasing the recreational runner, like many companies have.
to John Desrosiers, i think that the under armour clothes that i have fit me perfectly and i am a good example of a typical runners body, scrawny. it helps if you read the sizing charts before you buy one of there shirts.
I should add that I really do hope that UA succeeds in producing great running shoes and garnering some market share. I have no qualms sporting the brand.
With UA coming into running here is what we will get:
Better products .Not just from UA, but everyone else. The other companies will respond to UA products.
Better coaching. Think about the Alberto Salazar - Nike relationship. Would Ritz have set an American record in the 5k with out it. Would Kara Goucher, Galen Rupp and many of the other premier runners be where they are without Salazar. Nike makes it possible. Is UA going to have its own program like that? I hope so.
More sponsorship – XC races and track meets are better with sponsors. Athletes get more and better stuff, making them want to come back. Better organization for the events. I could go on.
More Pro runners – Someone mentioned Jenny Baringer. Wouldn’t you like to see all the big companies competing hard to sign her? That translates to big dollars for her. Big dollars for her means bigger dollars for the next person and more dollars for even more people. The number of people who can run and make a living beyond college will expand. For the top people, they can make a better living.
UA - come on in. Give Nike a run for the money. Let’s see if you can get a better stable of athletes than Nike / Salazar. If they do that – Track wins.
if Under Armour can do well in 3 major sports why not running?
what a shame..
like when you start late you probably know the strengths and weaknesses of different companies and different shoes and you also don't have reputations to deal with.
p.s.it would be such a kewl idea Flotrack if they did this kind of coverage on Asics "or" Mizuno. So freakin' KEWL!
p.s.s. their commercials are ridiculously cool, second probably to Apple or Pepsi
saw this yesterday 51-54 made my day!
I had the opportunity to try out some of the new Under Armour running shoes and although I have been a long time mizuno fan you have definitely won me over. I love the new design changes and while they have everything a good running shoes should have they are also completely different from any other shoe i have ever worn, I look forward to sporting the shoes on my next run and ignore the negative comments because obviously some runners are too stubborn to try anything new.
They should throw mega dollars at Jenny Barringer to become their running rep. (After she graduates.)
glad you guys are asking the hard questions...maybe they'll surprise us and give good answers (and follow up on them)
I remain doubtful
PS Make your clothes fit people who are already in shape.
PPS Great project Flotrack
...and not taking the specialty running market seriously...
heck yeah
Because if they were runners armour would start out as a running shoes not football. It is just for looks not running . we must sick because we can protect this house of running!
example..DS trainer from 2003 & 2004....today the model suck
They're tool bags who makes sporting apparel for tool bags.
haha