Does the Under Armour Women's Rival Fleece Hoodie Shrink After Washing?

Introduction: The Shrinkage Question Every Buyer Asks

You found the perfect hoodie. The fit is right. The fabric feels soft. You wear it everywhere.

Then you wash it.

Will it still fit tomorrow? Or will it come out of the dryer two sizes too small?

Here is the short answer: the Under Armour Women’s Rival Fleece Hoodie has minimal shrinkage when washed and dried according to the care label instructions. Multiple customer reviews confirm that it does not shrink with proper care. However, heat is the enemy—hot water or high heat drying can cause shrinkage in any cotton-blend garment.

This guide synthesizes official care instructions from Under Armour, real customer experiences, and fabric science to give you a complete answer. You will learn exactly how to wash and dry this hoodie to maintain its fit, what to avoid, and what to expect from the 80% cotton / 20% polyester fabric blend.

Let us get into it.

Part 1: What — The Fabric and Official Care Instructions

Before we discuss shrinkage, let us understand what this hoodie is made of and what the manufacturer recommends.

1.1 Fabric Composition

The Under Armour Women’s Rival Fleece Hoodie is made from an 80% cotton, 20% polyester blend.

Why this matters for shrinkage:

Cotton (80%): Natural fibers that can shrink when exposed to heat and agitation. This is the primary shrinkage risk.
Polyester (20%): Synthetic fibers that resist shrinkage and help the garment hold its shape. The polyester content significantly reduces the overall shrinkage potential compared to a 100% cotton hoodie.

The fabric is described as “ultra-soft cotton-blend fleece with a brushed inside for extra warmth.”

1.2 Official Care Instructions

Under Armour provides clear care instructions for the Rival Fleece hoodie:

Instruction	What It Means
Machine wash cold	Use cold water (30°C / 86°F maximum)
Wash with like colors	Wash with similar colors to prevent dye transfer
Do not bleach	No bleach of any kind
Tumble dry low	Dryer on lowest heat setting
Do not iron	Do not iron the garment
Do not use softeners	Skip fabric softener
Do not dry clean	Do not dry clean

The official product page also notes: “Do not use softeners” and “Do not iron.” These are important for maintaining the fabric’s integrity and brushed fleece interior.

1.3 Why Cotton-Polyester Blends Shrink Less

The 80/20 cotton-polyester blend is specifically chosen to balance softness with dimensional stability.

How the blend resists shrinkage:

Cotton fibers naturally contract when exposed to heat and moisture
Polyester fibers do not shrink and act as a stabilizing net within the fabric
The polyester content (20%) holds the cotton fibers in place, reducing overall shrinkage to minimal levels

A reviewer summarized this well: “It didn’t shrink after washing and drying a few times.”

Part 2: Why — What Customer Reviews Say About Shrinkage

Real-world experiences from verified buyers provide the most reliable evidence. The consensus is clear: with proper care, shrinkage is minimal to none.

2.1 Positive Experiences (No Shrinkage)

Multiple customers explicitly report no shrinkage after washing.

A verified Under Armour customer wrote: “I am so happy with this purchase. This hoodie is great quality. It didn’t shrink after washing and drying a few times. It’s soft and comfortable, and the fit is true to size.”

Another reviewer stated: “Love these hoodies! The fit is true-to-size and I haven’t noticed any shrinkage from washing (but I wash in cold water). They are very comfortable and have that soft feeling on the inside.”

A Canadian customer noted: “The hoodie will not shrink in size either. The material on the inside of the hoodie is extremely soft.”

A men’s version reviewer (same fabric composition) confirmed: “Great for Hubby’s job he works outside! Washed great little shrinkage. Color didn’t fade either.”

2.2 The Key Condition: Proper Washing Method

Notice a pattern in the positive reviews? Customers who wash in cold water report no shrinkage.

One reviewer explicitly linked their cold water washing practice to the lack of shrinkage: “I haven’t noticed any shrinkage from washing (but I wash in cold water).”

Another reviewer noted that following the care label guidelines produced excellent results: “Washes nice, nice fit, nice look.”

2.3 The Cautionary Note: Heat Can Cause Shrinkage

One customer mentioned that shrinkage is possible if care instructions are not followed. A reviewer noted a “bit” of shrinkage, though they still rated the hoodie highly. They stated that the hoodie “shrinks a bit, or at least I have managed to shrink it a bit, but it’s super comfy and stylish.”

Another reviewer offered a preventive tip: “The head opening is a tad smaller than expected which might require air drying after washing to avoid any shrinkage.”

The takeaway: Heat is the enemy. Hot water or high heat drying can cause the cotton fibers to contract. Cold water and low heat drying (or air drying) preserve the fit.

2.4 Customer Review Summary

Review Source	Shrinkage Reported	Washing Method
Under Armour website	None	Followed care instructions
Zappos	None	Cold water
Under Armour Canada	None (will not shrink)	Standard care
Amazon (men’s version)	Little shrinkage	Not specified
Zappos	“A bit”	Not specified (likely heat exposure)

The overwhelming majority of customers report no shrinkage when they follow the care instructions.

Part 3: How — Proper Washing to Prevent Shrinkage

Here is exactly how to wash your Under Armour Women’s Rival Fleece Hoodie to maintain its fit.

3.1 Before You Wash

Turn the hoodie inside out. This protects the outer fabric and helps preserve the brushed interior.

Zip up (if applicable). If your hoodie has a zipper, zip it completely before washing to prevent snagging.

Separate by color. Wash with similar colors to prevent dye transfer.

3.2 Washing Settings

Setting	Recommendation	Why
Water temperature	Cold only	Hot water causes cotton fibers to contract and shrink
Cycle type	Gentle or delicate	Reduces agitation and friction on the fabric
Detergent	Mild liquid detergent	Harsh detergents damage fibers
Fabric softener	Do not use	Official instructions say “Do not use softeners”

3.3 Drying — The Most Important Step

Method	Recommendation	Why
Air drying	Best option	Zero heat, zero shrinkage risk
Tumble dry	Low heat only	Official instruction: “Tumble dry low”
High heat drying	Do not use	High heat causes significant shrinkage

One reviewer specifically recommended: “Air drying after washing to avoid any shrinkage.”

3.4 What to Avoid

Hot water — The number one cause of shrinkage in cotton garments
High heat drying — Can shrink the cotton fibers and damage the brushed fleece interior
Bleach — Official instruction: “Do not bleach”
Fabric softener — Official instruction: “Do not use softeners”
Ironing — Official instruction: “Do not iron”
Dry cleaning — Official instruction: “Do not dry clean”

3.5 The “First Wash” Expectation

Like most cotton-blend garments, the Rival Fleece hoodie may experience minimal shrinkage (2-3%) during the first wash. This is normal. However, multiple customer reviews confirm that with cold water washing and low heat drying, the shrinkage is barely noticeable.

One reviewer who washed the men’s version noted: “Washed great little shrinkage.”

Part 4: Who — Is This Hoodie Right for You Based on Care Preferences?

Let us match the Rival Fleece Hoodie to different laundry habits.

4.1 Buy This Hoodie If:

You wash in cold water. If you already use cold water for your laundry, you will likely experience no shrinkage issues.

You air dry or use low heat. The official instructions recommend tumble dry low, and air drying is even better for preventing shrinkage.

You follow care labels. If you are the type of person who reads and follows garment care instructions, this hoodie will serve you well.

You want a reliable, low-shrinkage hoodie. Multiple customer reviews confirm that this hoodie does not shrink with proper care.

Best for: People who use cold water, air dry or low heat, and follow care instructions

4.2 Consider Other Options If:

You always wash in hot water. Hot water will cause shrinkage in any cotton-blend garment, including this one.

You use high heat drying. The official instruction is “tumble dry low.” High heat can cause shrinkage.

You prefer to ignore care labels. If you throw everything in on hot and dry on high, this hoodie will eventually show the effects.

You need a garment that is completely shrink-proof. No cotton-blend garment is entirely shrink-proof. The 20% polyester helps, but heat is still a factor.

Best for skipping: People who use hot water, high heat drying, or ignore care instructions

Part 5: Additional Quality Indicators

Beyond shrinkage, customer reviews consistently praise the quality and durability of the Rival Fleece hoodie.

5.1 Fit Consistency

Multiple reviewers note that the sizing is consistent across washes.

One customer stated: “Consistent sizing across various products and sizes, I can shop without my son and confidently know what size will fit him.”

Another noted: “The fit is true-to-size.”

5.2 Color Retention

Customers also report that the color does not fade with washing.

One reviewer noted: “The color will not fade when washed over and over.”

Another said: “Washes nice, nice fit, nice look.”

5.3 Durability

The hoodie holds up well to repeated washing.

One reviewer who owns multiple hoodies stated: “I probably have close to a dozen of these hoodies now!”

Another noted: “Great hoodie. Vibrant colors and very well made. Medium weight. True to size.”

5.4 Summary of Customer Feedback on Quality

Quality Aspect	Customer Feedback
Shrinkage	Minimal to none with proper care
Color retention	Does not fade
Fit consistency	True to size, consistent across washes
Durability	Holds up well to repeated washing
Softness	Remains soft after washing

Part 6: FAQs — Your Quick Questions Answered

Q1: Does the Under Armour Women’s Rival Fleece Hoodie shrink?

With proper care (cold water, low heat dry or air dry), shrinkage is minimal to none. Multiple customer reviews confirm this. If you use hot water or high heat drying, some shrinkage may occur.

Q2: What is the fabric composition?

80% cotton, 20% polyester. The polyester content helps the hoodie resist shrinkage.

Q3: Can I put this hoodie in the dryer?

Yes, on low heat only. The official instruction is “tumble dry low.” For best results, air dry to eliminate any shrinkage risk.

Q4: Can I wash it in hot water?

No. The official instruction is “machine wash cold.” Hot water can cause the cotton fibers to shrink.

Q5: Will the first wash cause shrinkage?

Minimal shrinkage (2-3%) may occur during the first wash, as with most cotton-blend garments. However, customer reviews indicate that with cold water and low heat drying, any shrinkage is barely noticeable.

Q6: How do I prevent shrinkage?

Wash in cold water
Use gentle cycle
Air dry, or tumble dry on low heat
Do not use fabric softener
Do not bleach

Q7: Does the color fade after washing?

No. Multiple customers report that the color does not fade with proper washing.

Q8: Is the fit true to size after washing?

Yes. Customers report that the fit remains true to size after washing when care instructions are followed.

Q9: Can I use fabric softener?

No. The official instruction explicitly states: “Do not use softeners.” Fabric softener can build up on the fibers and affect the fabric’s performance.

Q10: How many washes will this hoodie last?

Customer reviews indicate that the hoodie holds up well to repeated washing. One reviewer noted owning “close to a dozen” of these hoodies, implying long-term satisfaction with durability.

Conclusion: Follow the Label, Avoid the Shrink

The Under Armour Women’s Rival Fleece Hoodie is not a shrink-prone garment when cared for properly. The 80/20 cotton-polyester blend is designed to resist shrinkage, and customer reviews consistently confirm that it holds its size and shape through repeated washing.

The key is simple: follow the care label.

Cold water. Low heat dry or air dry. No fabric softener. No bleach.

Do that, and your hoodie will stay soft, true to size, and ready to wear.

Three things to remember:

The fabric blend resists shrinkage — 20% polyester stabilizes the 80% cotton
Customer reviews confirm minimal shrinkage — with cold water and low heat, shrinkage is barely noticeable
Heat is the enemy — hot water and high heat drying are what cause shrinkage

Buy the hoodie. Wash it cold. Dry it low. Wear it well.