| Founded | 1989 (age 37) |
|---|---|
| Founder | David Miers |
| Area served | Australia |
| Industry | Textile, footwear |
| Products | Teamwear, protective gear, football boots, clothing |
| Hq location city | Melbourne |
| Hq location country | Australia |
| Website | xblades.com.au |
XBlades is an Australian sports equipment manufacturing company that designs, develops, and sells 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 athlete injury.[2]
History
XBlades was established by David Miers, a biomechanist listed with AFL club Collingwood in the 1980s.[3] 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.[4]
Gloucester Rugby signed the company as its new kit supplier in April 2015 for their 2015–2016 season.[5] In January 2016, XBlades was acquired by former Callaway Golf director Leighton Richards and former AFL player Jimmy Bartel.[6]
XBlades and Major League Rugby (MLR) announced a multi-year partnership in December 2017.[7]
The company signed a four-year deal with the London Irish starting in the 2017–2018 season.[8]
See also
References
- ^ "THE XBLADES STORY". XBlades. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ "Aussie brand revamps logo after record year". Internet Retailing. 2017-12-06. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ "XBlades: The Future of the Footy Boot". Matters Journal. 2019-02-06. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Gloucester Rugby chooses XBlades to supply kit | Sports Management". www.sportsmanagement.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-01-02.
- ^ "Aussie brand revamps logo after record year". Internet Retailing. 2017-12-06. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
- ^ "Major League Rugby Announces XBlades as Official Apparel Partner". Seattle Seawolves Rugby. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
- ^ "London Irish agree long-term partnership with XBlades Sports | 5th July 2017 | News". London Irish. 2017-07-05. Archived from the original on 19 December 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-16.