Troy Lee Designs
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Action sports apparel, custom paintwork |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Founder | Troy Lee |
| Headquarters | Corona, California , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (including United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Benelux, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Philippines, Argentina, Peru, Canada) |
Key people | Troy Lee (Founder) |
| Products | Helmets, jerseys, gloves, pants, motocross and mountain biking apparel and protective equipment |
| Owner | Troy Lee and Fasthouse (investment partner) |
Troy Lee Designs (TLD) is a U.S.-based company specializing in action sports apparel and custom paintwork, established in 1981 and headquartered in Corona, California. As a privately owned enterprise, it is directed by its founder Troy Lee and co-owned alongside investment partner Fasthouse.
The brand offers a range of products tailored for dirtbike and mountain biking enthusiasts, including helmets, jerseys, gloves, and pants.
History
Troy Lee, whose father Larry Lee was both an artist and motorcycle racer, and whose grandfather Marvin Lee co-founded the Bonneville Speed Trials, began his career as a motocross competitor in Southern California during the early 1980s. He eventually transitioned to creating custom-painted motocross helmets for professional riders. Initial offerings featured bespoke helmet visors shaped through vacuum forming at his mother’s residence in Corona, California. Due to concerns about plastic fumes, the operation was moved to a hangar at Corona Municipal Airport.
The lease agreement mandated that 40% of the facility’s use be allocated to aviation services, prompting Troy to paint registration numbers on private aircraft. It was at this site that TLD collaborated with Japanese manufacturer Shoei to produce mountain bike helmets. In 1991, the company relocated nearby to a larger site as it broadened its product range to include mountain bike apparel, helmets, visors, stickers, and sportswear. By 1998, motocross apparel was introduced, and by 2004 the collection had expanded into a comprehensive assortment of motocross and mountain biking apparel, helmets, and protective equipment.
Race team
In 2001, Troy Lee formed a supermoto racing team featuring himself alongside notable supercross and motocross athletes Jeremy McGrath and Jeff Ward, competing within the AMA Supermoto national championship with backing from Honda and title sponsorship from Red Bull.
By 2003, the company moved into the historic former Ganahl Lumber building, which houses both a showroom and a museum exhibiting Troy’s collection of sports memorabilia. The race team grew to include riders such as Doug Henry, Chris Fillmore, and Cassidy Anderson. Between 2004 and 2006, they secured several AMA Supermoto championships in the 250cc and 450cc categories with Ward and Anderson leading the successes.
Retail and distribution
Troy Lee Designs distributes its products worldwide through an extensive network covering 15 countries including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Benelux, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Philippines, Argentina, Peru, and Canada. Within the United States, prominent retail partners consist of REI, BTO Sports, TLD Ind, Fasthouse, and Backcountry Sports.