We all know how incredibly pliable sports shoes can be. Trainers, athletic shoes, kicks, whatever you call them, all serve great comfort and support all day long. Now that the footwear market is emerging so rapidly, it becomes difficult for people to choose the right brand.
Not anymore, here are the two most popular brands-Nike and Under Armour, you can swear by for all your footgear needs.
Key Takeaways
- Nike is a sportswear company that offers a wide range of products, including shoes, apparel, and accessories, while Under Armour primarily focuses on performance apparel and footwear.
- Nike has a larger market share and a more extensive product line, while Under Armour is known for its innovative technologies and materials.
- Nike has a more substantial brand presence and is more widely recognized, while Under Armour is considered a more niche brand.
Nike vs Under Armour
Nike is an American sports brand which is globally renowned for its superior products. The shoes and athletic wear are designed with improved technology for optimum performance and sophisticated style. Under Armour is a modern brand of sportswear that is designed to give athletes superior performance for all kinds of sports. Their clothes are formulated for quick sweat absorption.
Nike is the 1st largest and most highly recognized brand in the sports industry. Nike shoes first came in 1964 with a different name, but later in 1971, the company was relaunched as ‘NIKE’ and brought along their famous checkmark logo.
They are one of the top competitors of Adidas, Reebok, and Puma. They brought innovative technologies in their designs and comfort level.
Under Armour, on the other hand, is the latest athletes apparel manufacturing company that started way long in 1996 however, it went public in 2005.
This company has caught the attention of young buyers with its stylish looks, design, and affordability. Under Armour is investing in key areas that will make the brand stronger in generations to come.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Nike | Under Armour |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Nike shoes offer a variety of options in the size and the largest they have is 18(US). Most shoes are narrower which brings a little discomfort. | Under Armour offers the largest size in 15 or 16(US) models. But, all are true to size and do not cause any discomfort whatsoever. |
| Sponsorship categories | Nike shoes are designed for the following sports; Tennis, fields, basketball, golf, trekking, and football. | Under Armour shoes are designed for the following sports;Racing, football, boxing, baseball, basketball, tracks. |
| Durability | As per the research, Nike shoes seem more durable due to their improved technology and materials. | Under Armour is less durable due to mediocre cushioning which does not let the shoes survive for a longer time. |
| Design | This company offers unusual designs and plenty of options to choose from different categories of shoes, especially limited editions. | Under Armour is a Minimalist designer whose designs are worth trying but the options to choose from are limited. |
| Pricing | Nike Football and basketball shoes are highly expensive. Even regular wear is significantly more expensive than any other brand. | Under Armour offers a budget-friendly shoes range that everyone can afford. Low prices do not mean poor quality. The quality is reliable. |
What is Nike?
Nike is the world’s largest American multinational corporation, founded in 1964 in Oregon, the U.S.A., that manufactures and designs apparel, footwear, and other accessories.
Nike needs no introduction as they have already made a remarkable impression with their shoe collection and their iconic “swoosh” logo with the slogan “Just Do It”.
Another reason why Nike expanded so rapidly is that they promote their products via celebrities and athletes that become their brand ambassadors that make people fall for the brand.
Nike has a wide range of products for everyone to capture the best market share. The range includes sports accessories like shoes and apparel for ice hockey, yoga, soccer, surfing, volleyball, football, basketball, etc.
Nike also owns subsidiary brands Hurley, Converse, and Jordan which are also specialized in making sports accessories than any other sports brand.
Nike’s major focus is quality, and they ensure they give their lovable buyers the best of their creations.
The reason for its high price tag products is its quality and durability, which shouldn’t be compromised for any reason.
Nike has 700 stores worldwide and 45 offices in different countries. No company in the world spends more on sports sponsorships than Nike, and that’s what makes it a leader in the sports market.
What is Under Armour?
Under Armour, Inc. is an American sports accessories manufacturing company that was founded in 1996 and is a much younger brand than any other sports brand. But, most recently, in 2019, they were recognized for being among the top 10 valuable sports business brands.
Under Armour pledged to engineer and design sportswear that keeps athletes light, dry and cool all the time.
Keeping this their priority, they designed a technologically advanced T-shirt that takes sweat off the skin rather than absorbing it.
The shirt was a success. But, they later continued with shoes and related accessories, which gave them even more popularity for their affordable prices and great quality.
Under Armour has a wide range of products as well in the categories of clothing, footwear, and other accessories determined for various challenging sports like football, volleyball, racing, etc.
The success of UA is because of its use of fabric technologies, innovative eco-friendly making, and marketing from professional athletes, communities, and celebrities as well.
The brand has become a well-known fixture for many professional sports competitions, gymnastics competitions, etc.
Under Armour shoes are available on different online platforms and have more than 15K retail locations worldwide.
Main Difference between Nike and Under Armour
- Nike is the oldest sports auxiliary company in the world, whereas Under Armour is the brand-new manufacturer of sports accessories.
- Nike shoes run smaller compared to Under Armour. If you buy Nike shoes, you might have to buy one size bigger than the actual. Under Armour, on the other hand, runs true to size.
- Nike uses Flywire technology in the upper cushioning for extra support and breathability. Under Armour uses Threadborne technology for moisture control and breathability.
- In the midsole, Nike uses ‘Nike React Foam’ and ‘ZoomX Foam’ for shock absorption and a light feel. Under Armour uses HOVR and Micro G cushioning for the midsole for shock absorption and comfort.
- Nike shoes are highly expensive, whereas Under Armour shoes are less expensive.
- Nike shoes are more comfortable and offer significant stability. Under Armour shoes also have substantial stability but in terms of comfort, they might not be very comfortable during running.
Reference
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