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Under Armour Coldgear 1/4 Zip - Women's Review

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under armour coldgear 1/4 zip for women running shirt review
Under Armour Coldgear 1/4 Zip - Women's
Credit: underarmour.com
Price:  $60 List
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Manufacturer:   Under Armour
By Emily Zell ⋅   ⋅  Nov 10, 2010
75
OVERALL
SCORE
  • STYLE and FIT - 12% 10.0
  • WARMTH and TEMP REGULATION - 11% 9.0
  • LAYERING ABILITY - 11% 5.0
  • DURABILITY - 11% 8.0
  • BREATHABILITY - 11% 7.0
  • DRYING SPEED - 11% 8.0
  • VERSATILITY - 11% 7.0
  • EASE OF MOVEMENT - 11% 6.0
  • VALUE - 11% 7.0

Our Verdict

UA Coldgear 1/4 Zip is Discontinued as of 2014
REASONS TO BUY
Cool
Retro design very warm
Long and lean fit
REASONS TO AVOID
Limited versatility
Fit can feel restrictive for some
Not very breathable
The Under Armour Coldgear ¼ Zip is really a pretty specific top, even if you can use it for a variety of activities. It is warm, durable, and fashionable, but still not necessarily the most versatile. For instance, if style is not your most important criteria, the Moving Comfort Endurance long sleeve is also warm, and far more versatile for higher heart rate pursuits. Also, another top with a similar slim fit is the Asics Favorite Long Sleeve - Women's, which is also better for warmer weather. However, the Coldgear is made to be warm, and so accomplishes its mission with style. This is a worthwhile investment if you need something for cold weather, love a good tight fit, or want a top to layer before and after exercise. It should not necessarily be the first and only base layer you buy, but if it meets those needs, it is a great looking, flattering option.

Our Analysis and Test Results

Likes


Almost everything I liked about this active top from Under Armour was also something one might complain about. It is a versatile top in that you can wear it for a lot of activities, but at the same time, it is limited, quite simply, by how warm it is. I first tested it at an early morning boot camp in cooler temperatures. I loved it for the first 10 minutes or so, but after that, I had to strip down as the top was making me overheat! However, the weather never really warmed up, so I was glad to put the Coldgear top back on as soon as we started our cool down. Next up was a foggy, drizzly hike no high speeds or major climbs and I was thrilled with how warm I stayed. The ¼ zip at the neck was a nice feature for temperature regulation, and while the top wasn't super breathable, it did dry quite quickly.

The favorite feature for me is the fit of this top very fitted, long in the torso, and nice long arms. My wide shoulders didn't feel too constricted, and because it is so tight, the top is great for climbing, road cycling, or any activity when you cant have a lot of baggy fabric. I preferred the fit as much as the Asics Favorite, which took top honors in my book. The appearance of the top, in true Under Armour fashion, is stylish and just a

bit retro. Good seam placement and a cool, two-color design on the sleeves and torso combine to make a high tech workout top look a little bit old school. A great choice for pre- and post- workout hanging out!

Dislikes


As I said, what I love about this top, others might steer away from, and I can understand why. The Coldgear is warm, to say the least. It is a great choice for winter sports or early morning, chilly workouts, but I never wanted to wear it running in nice weather. Also, the tight fit, while nice for certain sports, tended to feel just a bit restrictive when the heart rate went up.

The collar, in keeping with the retro feel of the top, is on the bigger side, and I felt like it simply got in the way a lot when it was unzipped and I was moving a lot. Not much of a problem for just hanging out or gym workouts, but definitely a nuisance when inverted or running.

Finally, for being somewhat limited to cooler weather, specific activities, this base layer top is on the expensive side.

Application


A great choice for cooler activities, such as winter trail running, cycling, or skiing. Also a perfect layer for warming up and cooling down before and after exercise. When a warm, fitted top is a must, this is perfect.

Value


At about $60, the Under Armour Coldgear is definitely an investment. However, it is one of the best combinations that we tested for warmth, slim fit, and breathability. It is well made and durable, and if you need a top that will keep you warm whether or not you are being active, this is worth the cost.

Emily Zell