Respect Your Universe (RYU) Fitness Apparel Review
With so many fitness apparel options available to consumers, companies really need to get creative to differentiate themselves from other brands. Some brands just have that name recognition, they don’t really need to be as innovative. But what about small start-ups trying to make it in the business? They can’t necessarily undercut those big brands and highlight lower costs as their main selling point. This is where being different and coming up with unique ideas can get a company known through word of mouth.
It wasn’t until a few years ago that I realized that I cannot stand wearing cotton apparel. I was just used to wearing cotton t-shirts and socks for most of my life and always opted to pay for the cheapest products available. Then I started racing and learned about tech tees and polyester-based apparel and was hooked. A few years ago I had the opportunity to test a product that was made of bamboo. It was incredibly soft and still as comfortable as the first day I tried them on. I’ve since been into wearing vintage t-shirts as those fabrics are quite soft as well.
This leads me to the fairly new brand called Respect Your Universe also known as RYU. When I first saw the name, I wondered if they had any association to the Street Fighter character of the same name, and you could say they sort of do. According to the website, they are “a global performance fitness and training brand with origins in the movements and philosophy of martial artistry, created for the multi-discipline athlete.” What’s great about their products is that they are really tailored to almost all types of individuals, mostly fitness oriented, but their products can definitely be used for everyday wear. Here are some of their main differentiators:
- Both the Men’s and Women’s Collection items are crafted from organic and/or recycled materials including polyester, spandex and nylon
- Signature items in the Women’s Collection are designed to draw moisture away from the skin and feature a secure pocket and stay-put waistband
- Signature items from the Men’s Collection boast breathable, quick-drying fabric, asymmetrical stitching and side vents for maximum moving, the pieces also contain perforation for maximum venting and reflectivity
I was given the opportunity to test the RYU Signature Tee, Longsleeve Classic Tee, Caleo Jacket. I chose the signature tee because I assumed that was their core, standard product. If you mess up on your regular t-shirt, it’s hard to believe in the rest of the products. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the Signature Tee. It was a good fit (not too short/tight or too loose) and felt super comfortable. I also chose the color, Ocean, because our team colors for soccer is blue and I was able to test it out in a vigorous game of soccer in addition to running. It performed flawlessly during both activities. I definitely notice some apparel that do not wick sweat and moisture as well as others, this was not the case for RYU.
I really like the long sleeve classic tee for a few different reasons. One, I just don’t own any red long sleeved shirts, so this was a welcome. And two, this shirt has the brand name in a huge text font at the front. Funny or interesting text or images is a great conversation starter and I’m sure a lot of people will be asking if the shirt is a reference to the video game, which I’ll kindly respond…’sort of!’
When I traveled to New York a few years ago, I noticed a lot of clothing stores were featuring puffy jackets at the front of their stores. Not sure if that was a trend a the time, or just a New Yorker thing, but I wanted one too, they were just too expensive. This is kind of why I selected the Caleo Jacket to review. It doesn’t look as puffy as other jackets, but has a very simple design with solid colors. When I first tried on the jacket, I noticed immediately how warm it kept you. I actually got too warm while wearing it inside my room. And this is why I’ve been looking forward to colder temperatures this winter. I want to really test how warm this jacket can keep me! I’ve still worn this jacket out a few times, it’s been very helpful on more than one occasion just wearing it at work (the AC is constantly on at unbearable temperatures). I’m definitely looking forward to wearing the jacket when I go snowboarding this season.
All in all, I’ve been very impressed with the RYU brand. They offer quality fitness apparel and prices that are comparable, if not lower than most other big name brands. They are made from a unique material that is either organic or from recycled materials which is great. I’d definitely recommend everyone consider RYU either as a gift for the upcoming holidays or just for yourself!
