# Under Armour **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 25, 2004, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-armour/281561 "2004-12-25T05:04:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Blueapple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Blueapple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blueapple)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-armour/281561/1 "2004-12-25T05:04:36Z")
I’m not sure of this is a GQ or an IMHO appropriate thread, but I’m putting it here. I’ve been taking to playing basketball outside with my friends over the last few months. Even though it has been in the forties most of the time, I am drenched in sweat an hour into playing. I’m really thinking about getting an [under armour](http://www.underarmour.com/ua2/default.asp) shirt, but I’m not sure if I should get the regular [full t-shirt](http://www.underarmour.com/ua2/ua/detail.asp?dept%5Fid=2&pf%5Fid=0039) or not. My dilemma is that I would wear a regular cotton t-shirt over it as I don’t have the most flattering figure, and these compression-type shirts show every detail of what’s beneath . My question is would this prohibit or adversely effect the work done by the under armor shirt. If it does, I figure I’d just get a lose [polo shirt](http://www.underarmour.com/ua2/ua/detail.asp?dept_id=1&pf_id=0384&mscssid=). ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-armour/281561/2 "2004-12-25T05:36:21Z")
Under Armour has a “Loose Fit” series of shirts- they fit like a regular old T-shirt, except they’re made of their spiffy material. They even have one made to resemble that heather gray gym-shirt material. I have a couple of the Loose Fit ones, and they’re worth every penny. Also you may want to look at Nike Dri-Fit and whatever Champion and Reebok have along the same lines- they’re probably cheaper than whatever Under Armor charges. ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2004, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-armour/281561/3 "2004-12-25T06:21:38Z")
The Underarmor website doesn’t go into specifics - is their stuff made of anything other than my REI base layer MTS clothing? I wear their heather grey shorts (under my jogging shorts) and tshirt while running, seems to do a great job of keeping me from getting soggy. If it’s the same stuff you’ll probably save money since you aren’t paying the endorsement fees for Joe Superstar. ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2004, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-armour/281561/4 "2004-12-26T01:39:42Z")
IIRC, technical clothing/fabric (yes, that’s what it’s called) works best at wicking when it lies against your skin. The snug fit is really the best fit for this kind of clothing. You could wear a fleece top over it (think Polartec, not cotton/poly blend sweatshirt). Cotton over a wicking fabric is going to trap your perspiration. Fleece over a wicking fabric will let the perspiration evaporate and still keep you warm. A fleece vest might be ideal: just enough warmth, plenty of mobility for your arms. 11811