XBlades
 | |
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Textile, footwear |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | David Miers |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | Australia, U.K., U.S. |
Key people | Leighton Richards (CEO) |
| Products | Teamwear, protective gear, football boots, clothing |
| Brands | Jet, Voltaic, Animal, Intercept |
| Website | xblades.com.au |
XBlades is an Australian sports equipment manufacturing company engaged in the design, development and selling of products primarily related to footwear and clothing. The company was established in 1989 to make shoes for athletes who played rugby union and Australian rules football.[1]
The company is the original creator of the bladed sole football boot, designed to minimize injury for athletes.[2]
Products commercialised by XBlades include sportswear, football boots, clothing (t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, shorts, socks, caps), protection (shoulder pads, head covers), and accessories (bags, backpacks).
History
XBlades was established by David Miers, a biomechanist who was listed with AFL club Collingwood in the 1980s. He suffered many knee injuries throughout his career, which he attributed to his studded boots, leading him to create a rubber-soled shoe with X-shaped 'blades' as an alternative.[3]
In 2016, XBlades was acquired by former Callaway Golf director Leighton Richards and former AFL player Jimmy Bartel.[4]
Sponsorships
The following teams wear XBlades uniform kits:
Association football
Australian rules football
Rugby league
Rugby union
Gloucester Rugby
Major League Rugby (all teams)[7]
See also
References
- ^ "THE XBLADES STORY". XBlades. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ "Aussie brand revamps logo after record year". Internet Retailing. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ Waterworth, Ben (22 November 2017). "AFL draft 2017: Gryan Miers looms as one of AFL's next big cult heroes". Fox Sports Australia. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
- ^ "Aussie brand revamps logo after record year". Internet Retailing. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
- ^ Gloucester City become first football club to wear X-Blades by John Palmer, 25 May 2018
- ^ KR ANNOUNCE NEW KIT MANUFACTURER AND FIRST EVER TRAINING WEAR SPONSOR
- ^ MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY ANNOUNCES XBLADES AS OFFICIAL APPAREL PARTNER on MLR, 20 Dec 2017
