2XU
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports apparel |
| Founded | 2005 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Founder | Clyde Davenport, Jamie Hunt, Aidan Clarke |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
Area served | Australia, New Zealand, United States, Asia, Central and South America, Europe, North America |
| Products | Compression clothing for triathlon, cycling, running, open water swimming, fitness |
| Owner | Lazard Australia Private Equity (minority), L Capital (40% shareholding) |
| Website | 2xu |
2XU Pty. Ltd. is a multinational enterprise operating in Australia and New Zealand, focusing on the creation, innovation, and marketing of sports apparel, with a primary emphasis on compression clothing designed for triathlon, cycling, running, open water swimming, and general fitness activities. Established in 2005 by founders Clyde Davenport, Jamie Hunt, and Aidan Clarke, the company is based in Melbourne, Victoria.
The brand name 2XU signifies "Two Times You," symbolizing its commitment to boosting athletic performance.
Elite athletes such as triathlon world champion Emma Snowsill have worn 2XU products. The company has formal collaborations with entities like Rowing Australia, the Australian Paralympic Committee, the United States Ski and Snowboard Association, and the Australian Institute of Sport.
History
In 2003, after divesting his underwear business, Clyde Davenport invited Jamie Hunt and Aidan Clarke to join forces in establishing a new sportswear brand.
By March 2012, 2XU expanded its presence by acquiring Sports Multiplied, which was subsequently rebranded as 2XU North America.
In May 2013, the company introduced Athlete 2.0, an interactive microsite featuring resources aimed at improving athletic capabilities through equipment, recovery strategies, training programs, and nutrition guidance.
In 2017, 2XU partnered with Kanye West to create a wetsuit for his Yeezy Season 5 collection.
Ownership
Lazard Australia Private Equity took a minority investment in 2XU in 2011. Later, in December 2013, L Capital—a private equity group supported by LVMH Group—acquired a 40% shareholding in the company for around A$75 million (US$68.3 million).
Stores
Within Australia, 2XU operates 20 Performance Centres and is available through leading retailers such as Rebel Sport, Amart Sports, Anaconda, The Iconic, and the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC). The brand launched its inaugural U.S. Performance Centre in Santa Monica, Los Angeles in May 2013, followed by an additional location at Fashion Island in Newport Beach in June 2014. Internationally, 2XU distributes products via 24 partners across over 50 countries spanning Asia, Central and South America, Europe, and North America.
Sport affiliations
In the years 2013 and 2014, the Gold Coast Football Club was outfitted with apparel supplied by 2XU.
The company supports a variety of sports teams and events including the Surrey Men's League—a corporate-sponsored cross-country competition—and has hosted the annual 2XU Compression Run half-marathon in Singapore since 2011. Other sponsored events include New Zealand’s 2XU Stroke & Stride swimming-running biathlon and the cycling-focused 2XU Great Ocean and Otway Classic Ride originating from Torquay.
Furthermore, 2XU backs the New Zealand Davis Cup tennis team and acts as the official compression gear provider for organisations such as the Australian Institute of Sport, Ironman Triathlon, and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association.