An American sportswear originator known for its patented Reverse Weave fleece and enduring heritage athletic apparel.
ORIGIN
U.S.
PRICE TIER
mid
Founded in 1919 by the Feinbloom brothers in Rochester, New York, Champion began by creating durable sportswear for university athletic teams. The brand is credited with inventing the modern hoodie in the 1930s, originally designed as a functional warm-up garment for athletes and workers. Its most significant innovation is the Reverse Weave sweatshirt, a patented process developed in 1938 that weaves the fabric horizontally to prevent shrinkage and increase durability, cementing its reputation for quality. After outfitting college teams and the US Military Academy, Champion became the official uniform supplier for the NBA during the 1990s, which propelled the brand from the court into mainstream culture.