I'll be upfront: I came into this collaboration with genuine curiosity and a healthy amount of scepticism. Activewear is one of those categories where the marketing often runs well ahead of the reality, and as someone who both works out seriously and cares deeply about aesthetics, I hold it to a high standard. After testing Under Armour's women's pieces across several weeks of real-world use — morning runs, gym sessions, yoga classes, and yes, post-workout errands around the city — here's my completely honest take.
Performance: Where It Counts
The first thing I tested was the Meridian legging, and I'll say this plainly: it is one of the most comfortable high-waisted leggings I have worn. The fabric has a substantial weight to it — not heavy, but present — that makes it feel supportive without being compressive in an uncomfortable way. The waistband sits high and stays put during runs, squats, and any other movement that typically makes waistbands roll or shift. I ran four miles in them through Central Park on a cool morning and then went straight into a strength session at the gym, and they performed flawlessly in both contexts. No chafing, no transparency when I checked (a genuine concern with many light-coloured leggings), and no pilling after multiple washes.
The Vanish Elite running top is another standout from a pure performance perspective. The fabric is genuinely moisture-wicking in a way that actually works — I was visibly less uncomfortable during a 45-minute Pilates session than I would have been in some higher-priced alternatives I've tried. It moves with the body, doesn't ride up during stretching or lifting, and the racerback cut gives full range of motion without the straps slipping. My one note is that the sizing runs slightly small — I'd recommend sizing up one if you're between sizes, particularly if you prefer a relaxed rather than a compressive fit in your tops.
Style: The Honest Conversation
This is where activewear brands often stumble, and where Under Armour has made the most progress in recent seasons. The colour palette they've been working with — deep navies, muted olives, warm neutrals alongside the classic blacks — is genuinely wearable beyond the gym. The pieces don't shout "I just came from a workout" in the way that neon-trimmed or heavily logoed activewear can. I wore the Meridian legging with an oversized cream knit and white trainers to grab coffee after a morning run and felt entirely put-together rather than like I'd forgotten to change. That ease of transition from workout to real life is something I think about a lot when evaluating activewear, and these pieces genuinely deliver it.
That said, I want to be honest about where there's still room to grow. Some of the sports bras in the collection lean toward a utilitarian aesthetic that prioritises function over form — which is completely valid and the right choice for serious training, but means they're less versatile for styling in a transitional way. The strappy, more fashion-forward designs in the range are the ones I gravitate toward for content, while I reserve the more structured, technical pieces for actual workout use. This isn't a criticism so much as a note about how I'd approach building a wardrobe from the range: be intentional about which pieces you want to do double duty and which are purely for performance.
Durability & Value
After several weeks of consistent use and regular washing, the pieces have held up extremely well. No fading, no pilling beyond minimal surface fuzz that a fabric shaver takes care of immediately, and the stitching remains perfectly intact even on the pieces I've put through the most intense use. The Meridian legging in particular seems built to last in a way that justifies its price point — I have significantly more expensive leggings that show more wear after the same period of time. The running top has washed and dried without any shrinkage or change in fit, which matters a lot to me because nothing is more frustrating than a favourite piece that slowly becomes unwearable after a few months of laundering.
In terms of value, I think Under Armour sits in a strong position. They're priced below the premium activewear tier — below Lululemon and Alo, for reference — but the quality in the pieces I tested genuinely rivals what you get at that price point. If I'm being completely honest, the Meridian legging outperforms a pair of leggings I own from a brand that costs nearly twice as much. That's not something I expected to say going in, and it's a meaningful finding. For anyone building an activewear wardrobe thoughtfully — prioritising quality over quantity and looking for pieces that work both in the studio and in daily life — Under Armour's women's line is absolutely worth your attention.
Thank you to Under Armour for the collaboration — and for trusting me to give an honest review rather than just a polished one. That trust means everything. If you have questions about specific pieces or want to know how something fits, drop me a message on Instagram @roopsi_bansal and I'll always reply.
