2XU co-founder Aidan Clarke has launched SA1NT Layers, his first performance wear venture after selling the final trache of 2XU in 2018.
Clarke sold the activewear brand to LVMH Group subsidiary L Capital for $75 million. The serial entrepreneur has since traded a range of motorcycle and workwear ventures under his SA1NT business.
"There were commonalities in problem solving with material, in this case tough fibres and abrasion resistance," he tells Ragtrader. "We were able to disrupt with product innovation in a single layer CE rated fabric for moto, and a denim patented for the workwear industry.
"However, in 2021 when we considered transferring our workwear business SA1NT Works to our friends at RSEA Safety, we realised we would have some more bandwidth in production. We also noticed there was little innovation in the compression space, and old friends and athletes were encouraging us to return."
Clarke claimed while a number of pureplay activewear brands have launched since 2XU, there is still a gap in the performance category.
"Although they had captured the new social media generation with their prolific posting, on closer inspection they were doing so with some ordinary fabrics and quality. I could see a similar opportunity to when we launched 2XU in 2005 - there was yet again space for a purposeful and high-quality sports brand.
"Given the restraint of trade we signed was only for a couple of years, we were clearly entitled to return to the sector we understood so well, with renewed passion and many ideas we never had time to execute on the first round."
The initial capsule range features a small number of performance SKUs across compression, run and gym for men and women. Clarke said further expansion is underway, with additional silhouettes and fabrics.
"We have added a few extra staff to help develop a stand-alone website and social platform for SA1NT layers, with a separate go-to-market focus. But our talented production staff have some great sports apparel experience and innovative approach, making the pivot into Layers an easy one. There’s also the addition of some new mills and factories that are more focused on the sports industry."
Clarke has recruited product development manager Anna Espino, who worked alongside him at 2XU for 11 years, to expand ranging across the initial squat-proof tights, anti-pull training tops, caps, bottles and towels. The current fabrications feature moisture management and medical-grade sports compression.
“This project hasn’t been created overnight," Espino said. "We’ve tried and tested world leading materials and rigorously researched fabrics and functional designs that allow consumers to take their training to new heights."
The current collection is priced from $29 for compression socks to $249 for a puffer jacket, with compression tights at $120.