May 16, 2026

The Best Premium Women's Activewear in Canada 2026: P.E. Nation, BOXRAW & Hand-Picked Picks

For years, premium women's activewear in Canada has meant one of two paths: pay full retail at a US-based site and absorb the shipping plus duties, or settle for whatever the big-box athletic retailers happen to carry. The middle ground — premium imported brands stocked in Canada by people who actually understand training — has been thin.

That's started to change. At UNDRGROUND ATHLETICS, we've spent the last few years building Canada's most considered women's activewear collection — premium pieces from P.E. Nation, BOXRAW Women, and a handful of other carefully chosen brands. We carry what we'd put on athletes we trust. This guide breaks down our best picks for 2026.

The short version, if you only have ninety seconds:

The longer version, with brand profiles, sizing guides, and use-case picks, follows below.

Why "premium" matters in women's activewear

The activewear market is flooded with mid-tier brands that look fine in product photography and fall apart after twenty washes. Premium activewear isn't about logos or pricing — it's about three specific things:

  1. Fabric weight and recovery. A $40 sports bra stretches out by month three. A $130 P.E. Nation Backswing Bra holds its shape for years. The difference is in the elastane percentage, the knit construction, and how the fabric was finished.
  2. Cut and fit. Mid-tier activewear is graded from a single fit model — the result is gear that fits exactly one body type. Premium brands grade across multiple fit models, which means the medium actually fits women who fall between sizes.
  3. Construction details. Flat-locked seams, bonded edges, considered placement of zippers and labels. Premium pieces are designed to feel like nothing during training and look intentional off the mat.

If you train 3+ times per week and you live in your activewear on rest days too, the math on premium gear works fast. One $156 P.E. Nation Backswing Legging that lasts three years works out to about $1 a week. Four $40 mid-tier leggings that each last six months works out to the same — without the cut, the recovery, or the fit consistency.

The Three Brands We Stand Behind

1. P.E. Nation

P.E. Nation is the Australian premium activewear label founded in 2016 by Pip Edwards and Claire Tregoning. The brand sits at the intersection of high-performance training gear and Australian street-sport aesthetics — equally at home in a Sydney Pilates studio and on Bondi Beach.

What sets P.E. Nation apart is their commitment to coordinated collections. Most activewear brands release pieces — P.E. Nation releases stories. The Press Play Collection, the Adventure Is An Attitude Collection, the Colour Up Collection, the Varsity Muse Collection — each has a coherent palette, fabric story, and aesthetic point of view. The result is gear that works as a curated wardrobe rather than mismatched purchases.

UNDRGROUND ATHLETICS is the authorized Canadian dealer for P.E. Nation. We carry sports bras, leggings, shorts, tanks, hoodies, jackets, and trackpants across multiple collection stories.

2. BOXRAW Women

BOXRAW is the London-based premium boxing apparel brand founded by Ben Amanna in 2017 around the "Chasing Greatness" philosophy. The men's collection has gained the most public attention, but BOXRAW Women has quietly become one of the strongest women's boxing apparel offerings on the market.

Where P.E. Nation leans Australian-street-sport, BOXRAW Women leans boxing-gym-as-fashion. The Whitaker tracksuit family, the Laila shorts, the Mia stringer tanks, the Lucia muscle tanks — all are built with technical fabrics and athletic cuts, but they're styled for women who want their boxing identity reflected in their clothing. Subtle BOXRAW branding, refined construction, premium hand feel.

UNDRGROUND ATHLETICS is the authorized Canadian dealer for BOXRAW. Read more on our BOXRAW Canada dealer page.

3. UNIQ

UNIQ rounds out our women's premium offering with European minimalism applied to Thai construction. The brand's lace-up gloves, head guards, and shorts are designed in Poland and hand-sewn in Thailand — gear that reads as refined European fashion while performing at competitive boxing standards. The Technical Black, Technical White, Mariniere, and Classic Beige colourways pair beautifully across the entire UNIQ range. Browse UNIQ Boxing Canada.

Our Top Picks for Canadian Women in 2026

Best Premium All-Around: P.E. Nation Press Play Black Edit ($414 CAD)

The cleanest premium training set in our collection. Three coordinated pieces from P.E. Nation's Press Play Collection:

Why it wins: this is the bundle for women who want their training wardrobe to do everything. The Backswing series is engineered to layer cleanly — short under legging on cold days, bra under any of P.E. Nation's tops or jackets. The all-black palette anchors a complete premium wardrobe.

Shop the full bundle: P.E. Nation Press Play Black Edit.

Best for Multi-Discipline Training: Boxing-To-Studio Crossover ($312 CAD)

If your week includes boxing rounds AND yoga flow, this is the bundle built for you. We took the strongest pieces from both P.E. Nation and BOXRAW Women:

  • P.E. Nation Tiebreak Legging in Black ($143) — high-rise 7/8 in semi-matte sustainable performance fabric, compressive enough for Pilates and flexible enough for boxing footwork
  • P.E. Nation Backswing Sports Bra in Black ($129) — longline crop with matte finish, designed for support across disciplines
  • BOXRAW Women's Mia Stringer Tank in Charcoal ($40) — lightweight stringer-cut tank, easy to layer over the sports bra for boxing rounds, easy to peel off for hot yoga

Why it wins: most women's activewear is designed for one discipline. This bundle takes the strongest pieces from two — premium yoga/Pilates fabric foundation, plus the boxing-DNA stringer tank that makes you look like you belong in a fight gym. Shop the crossover.

Best Statement Piece: P.E. Nation Varsity Muse Statement Set ($498 CAD)

Centred on the most distinctive piece in our women's catalogue: the P.E. Nation Defending Champion Hoodie in Beige from the Varsity Muse Collection. A 90s-sportswear-inspired oversized hoodie with embroidered varsity graphic and heavyweight cotton-blend fleece. Paired with the Take Charge Tank in Optic White and Stadium Short in Pristine to complete the neutral varsity palette.

Why it wins: this is the bundle for women who want one statement piece their wardrobe builds around. The Defending Champion Hoodie works in the gym, at the cafe, layered under a wool coat in winter, or just on a quiet Sunday at home. The Take Charge Tank and Stadium Short ground it in clean tonal whites. Shop the Varsity Muse Statement Set.

Best Boxing-Identified Apparel Set: BOXRAW Women's Training Set ($192 CAD)

For women who want their training apparel to reflect their boxing identity. Three coordinated BOXRAW Women's pieces in matching tonal greys and blacks:

  • Lucia Muscle Tank in Charcoal ($45) — lightweight, breathable, cut for movement
  • Laila Shorts in Grey ($54) — bestselling high-rise athletic shorts
  • Whitaker Jacket in Black ($93) — premium zip-up with subtle BOXRAW branding

Why it wins: most affordable premium-feel women's set in our collection. Shop the BOXRAW Women's Training Set.

Best Statement Metallics: P.E. Nation Silver Metallics Edit ($486 CAD)

The most distinctive women's set we carry. Three pieces from P.E. Nation's Silver story — Solar Tank, Static Short, and Solar Trackpant in coordinated silver. For the woman who treats training like a creative discipline rather than a chore. Shop the Silver Metallics Edit.

Best Cross-Brand Black: P.E. Nation × BOXRAW Black ($301 CAD)

P.E. Nation's most refined sports bra paired with BOXRAW Women's most coordinated tracksuit family. Backswing Bra, Whitaker Bottoms, and Whitaker Jacket — all in matching black. Shop the crossover.

How to Choose: A Decision Framework

Walking through the options can feel overwhelming. Here's the framework we use when fitting customers at our Langley, BC location:

  1. What kind of training is your week built around? If it's Pilates/yoga/barre-heavy, lean P.E. Nation. If it's boxing-heavy, lean BOXRAW Women. If it's mixed, the cross-brand bundles are built for you.
  2. What's your wardrobe ratio: gym vs lifestyle? If your training gear lives mostly in the gym, focus on performance pieces (sports bras, leggings, shorts). If your training gear is also your weekend wardrobe, prioritize the hoodies, trackpants, and jackets that translate.
  3. Are you building a wardrobe or filling a gap? If you're starting from scratch, one of our coordinated bundles delivers a complete look. If you're adding to an existing wardrobe, individual hero pieces (the Defending Champion Hoodie, the Backswing Bra) are stronger investments.
  4. What's your colour story? All-black is the safest foundation. The Sirocco/Pristine palette in the Optic White Edit works for women who prefer warm neutrals. The Silver Metallics Edit is for women who want their training wardrobe to make a statement.

Sizing Premium Women's Activewear for Canadian Women

Premium imported activewear sizing can be inconsistent across brands. Here's the rough guide:

  • P.E. Nation is sized XS, S, M, L using Australian/UK sizing. Most Canadian women take their usual size with the exception of the Backswing Sports Bra (snug for support — size up for relaxed feel) and the cropped tanks (slim fit — size up for more coverage).
  • BOXRAW Women is sized XS, S, M, L using UK sizing that maps closely to North American sizes. True-to-size with a slight athletic taper across most pieces.
  • UNIQ sizing varies by product type. Shorts and apparel follow standard XS–L. Gloves and headgear use sport-specific sizing.

If you're between sizes, our general rule is: size up for relaxed silhouettes (hoodies, trackpants, jackets) and stay true-to-size for performance pieces (sports bras, leggings, shorts). When in doubt, email us at sales@undrgroundathletics.com — we know these brands inside out.

How to Care for Premium Activewear

The single biggest determinant of how long your premium activewear lasts is how you wash it. Specific advice:

  • Wash cold, always. Hot water breaks down elastane fibres faster than anything else.
  • Wash inside out to protect the outer fabric and any prints or embroidery.
  • Skip the dryer. Air-dry flat or on a hanger. Dryer heat is the second biggest killer of premium activewear.
  • Use a gentle, sport-specific detergent. Regular detergent has fabric softeners that coat technical fibres and reduce moisture-wicking performance over time.
  • Wash with similar items only. Velcro from boxing gloves or sports bras will tear up technical fabrics. Wash activewear separately or use a delicates bag.

With this routine, a premium P.E. Nation legging easily lasts 3–5 years of regular wear. Skip these steps and the same legging will look tired after one season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy P.E. Nation in Canada?

UNDRGROUND ATHLETICS is the authorized Canadian dealer for P.E. Nation. We stock sports bras, leggings, shorts, tanks, hoodies, jackets, and trackpants across multiple collection stories. Free Canadian shipping on orders over $199.

Where can I buy BOXRAW Women in Canada?

UNDRGROUND ATHLETICS is the authorized Canadian dealer for BOXRAW. Our BOXRAW Women selection includes the Whitaker family, Laila shorts, Mia and Lucia tanks, and accessories. See our BOXRAW Canada dealer page for the full range.

How does P.E. Nation compare to Lululemon or Alo Yoga?

P.E. Nation sits at a higher price point than Lululemon and a similar tier to Alo Yoga, but with a distinct Australian-street-sport aesthetic that the major brands don't replicate. The fabric quality is on par or better than Alo Yoga in our experience. P.E. Nation's coordinated collection storytelling is what sets it apart — pieces are designed to work together as curated wardrobes rather than as standalone items.

What's the difference between BOXRAW and BOXRAW Women?

BOXRAW is the men's-focused main line. BOXRAW Women is the dedicated women's collection with women-specific cuts, fits, and silhouettes. The Whitaker family appears in both with brand-appropriate adaptations for women's bodies.

Can I wear P.E. Nation for boxing training?

Yes — particularly the performance pieces (Backswing Bra, Tiebreak Legging, Blast Bra). The fabrics are designed for high-movement, high-sweat training. The cuts work for boxing footwork, shadow boxing, and pad rounds. For sparring, you'll still want boxing-specific protective gear over the top.

Are P.E. Nation pieces sustainable?

P.E. Nation has committed to sustainable fabric sourcing across an increasing portion of their collection, with many pieces using recycled fabrics, organic cotton, or sustainable performance fabrics. Specific sustainability credentials vary by piece.

Do you offer in-person fittings?

Yes. Our Langley, BC location offers in-person fittings for women's activewear, boxing gear, and protective equipment. Email or call us at 604-690-1500 to book.

What if I'm between sizes?

Size up for relaxed silhouettes (hoodies, jackets, trackpants), stay true for performance pieces (sports bras, leggings, shorts). When in doubt, email us — we know these brands well enough to guide specific fits.

Final Recommendations

If you want one complete premium training wardrobe in coordinated black, start with the P.E. Nation Press Play Black Edit. It's the strongest single bundle in our collection.

If your training spans multiple disciplines, the Boxing-To-Studio Crossover is built for you. P.E. Nation's performance fabrics, BOXRAW's boxing DNA, all in one bundle.

If you want one statement piece, the P.E. Nation Defending Champion Hoodie in Beige is the most distinctive piece in our women's catalogue. Pair it with the Varsity Muse Statement Set for the complete neutral look.

For everything else, browse all our curated bundles or shop individual pieces from the full women's collection.

Questions? Email sales@undrgroundathletics.com or visit our Langley, BC location for in-person fittings.

UNDRGROUND ATHLETICS is the authorized Canadian dealer for P.E. Nation, BOXRAW, Fly Sports UK, UNIQ, YOKKAO, and a stocking dealer for Rival Boxing, Hayabusa, and other premium combat sports and activewear brands. Free Canadian shipping on orders over $199.

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Written by UNDRGROUND ATHLETICS

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