2XU Size Guide
2XU (Two Times You) is a performance activewear brand built around graduated compression, recovery wear, and triathlon kit. Sizing is deliberately tighter than everyday sportswear: compression tights, shorts, and sleeves are engineered to feel snug in targeted zones to support blood flow and muscle stability. Lifestyle pieces such as Aero shorts and mesh tanks follow a more familiar fit and often run true to size. Most compression bottoms use height-and-weight grids on the official 2XU UK site, while tights and shorts also map closely to waist and hip measurements. Women’s fits typically have a higher rise and shorter inseam than men’s; unisex compression should be chosen primarily from waist and hip, not dress size alone.
How to Measure
- Waist — measure around the narrowest point above your belly button, keeping the tape level and snug but not tight.
- Hips — measure around the fullest part of your lower body, usually across the seat.
- Chest — for tops, bras, tri suits, and jackets, measure around the fullest part of the chest with arms relaxed at your sides.
- Calf — for compression socks and calf sleeves, measure the widest part of your calf; this is often more important than shoe size.
- Height — stand barefoot against a wall and mark the top of your head; measure from floor to mark in centimetres or feet and inches.
- Weight — use kilograms or pounds on the same scale you would use when consulting 2XU’s height/weight compression charts.
Women’s Compression Tights & Shorts
2XU publishes a detailed height-and-weight grid for women’s compression tights and shorts on its UK site. The table below summarises the waist-and-hip mapping commonly used for Core Compression and similar bottoms. Length codes such as XST (extra-short), ST (short), MT (medium-tall), and LT (long-tall) adjust inseam for your height; consult the official chart when you are tall, petite, or between weight bands.
| Size Label | UK | US | EU | Chest (inches) | Waist (inches) | Hips (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 6–8 | 2–4 | 34–36 | 32–34 | 23.5–26.5 | 33.5–36.5 |
| S | 8–10 | 4–6 | 36–38 | 34–36 | 26.5–29 | 37–39 |
| M | 10–12 | 6–8 | 38–40 | 36–38 | 29.5–32 | 39.5–41.5 |
| L | 12–14 | 8–10 | 40–42 | 38–40 | 32.5–35 | 41.5–43.5 |
| XL | 14–16 | 10–12 | 42–44 | 40–42 | 35.5–38 | 44–46 |
At lighter weights (approximately 30–65 kg / 66–144 lb), sizes from XXS through L appear across heights from 145 cm (4’9”) to 185 cm (6’1”). At heavier weights (approximately 70–110 kg / 155–242 lb), sizes from M through XXL and long-tall codes apply across similar height ranges. If your height and weight point to different sizes, prioritise the size recommended for your weight band on the official grid.
Men’s Compression Bottoms
2XU men’s compression tights and shorts are sized separately from women’s and are generally longer in the torso and broader across the chest. Official men’s compression bottoms use a height-and-weight chart rather than a simple dress-size conversion. Measure your height and weight, then cross-reference the men’s compression tights size guide on uk.2xu.com. Do not rely on women’s waist/hip tables for men’s kit. Men’s tops in standard training ranges typically follow familiar alpha sizing (S–XXL) based on chest; compression tops should still feel snug but are less dependent on calf or hip measurements than bottoms or socks.
Youth Compression Bottoms
| Size Label | Height (cm) | Height (ft/in) | Weight (kg) | Weight (lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S (Small) | 120–140 | 3’11”–4’7” | 20–30 | 44–66 |
| M (Medium) | 130–150 | 4’3”–4’11” | 30–40 | 66–88 |
| L (Large) | 140–160 | 4’7”–5’3” | 40–50 | 88–110 |
| XL (X Large) | 150–160 | 4’11”–5’3” | 50–60 | 110–132 |
Full-Length Compression Socks
2XU full-length compression socks are sized by shoe size and calf circumference. Where shoe size and calf size suggest different codes, calf measurement should take priority for compression fit.
| Size Label | UK | US Men’s | US Women’s | EU | Foot Length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 2.5–4 | 3.5–5.5 | 5–7 | 35–37.5 | 22.5–23.5 |
| Medium-1 | 5–7 | 6–8 | 7.5–9.5 | 38–41.5 | 24–26 |
| Medium-2 | 5–7 | 6–8 | 7.5–9.5 | 38–41.5 | 24–26 |
| Large-1 | 8–10 | 9–12 | 10–13 | 42–46 | 26.5–28.5 |
| Large-2 | 8–10 | 9–12 | 10–13 | 42–46 | 26.5–28.5 |
| X-Large | 11–12 | 12.5–14 | 14–15.5 | 46.5–48.5 | 29–30.5 |
Calf circumference ranges: Small 30–37 cm (11.75–14.5 in); Medium-1 32–37 cm (12.5–14.5 in); Medium-2 38–43 cm (15–17 in); Large-1 36–40 cm (14–15.75 in); Large-2 41–46 cm (16–18 in); X-Large 43–50 cm (17–19.75 in). Medium-1 versus Medium-2 and Large-1 versus Large-2 share the same shoe-size bands but differ by calf width.
Product-Specific Guidance
Core Compression Tights — Signature graduated compression feels very tight on first wear; that is intentional. Size from waist and hip measurements, not UK dress size alone. Women should use the height/weight grid for length codes (XST, ST, MT, LT) when inseam matters.
Recovery Compression Socks & Calf Sleeves — Always measure calf circumference at the widest point. Athletic calves often need Medium-2 or Large-2 even when shoe size suggests a smaller code. Sleeves follow similar calf-based logic rather than shoe size.
Aero Shorts & Training Tanks — Lightweight mesh lifestyle pieces run closer to true size. Between sizes, you may size down for a fitted gym look; they are not designed with the same compression tension as Core tights.
Youth Compression Bottoms — Sized by height and weight bands with overlap between sizes. If a child sits in overlapping ranges, choose the size whose height band best matches current stature rather than sizing up for growth.
Triathlon Suits & Race Kit — Gender-specific cuts with chest and torso length differences. Use chest, waist, and height together; a snug wetsuit-style fit is expected, but restricted breathing or shoulder pinching usually means the wrong size, not normal compression feel.
Sizing Tips
- Do not size up for comfort on compression tights or socks — 2XU is meant to feel tighter than standard activewear in performance zones.
- For women’s tights, waist and hip measurements are more reliable than dress size when choosing between XS and M.
- When height and weight suggest different sizes on the official grid, follow the weight-band recommendation for compression bottoms.
- Measure calf circumference for socks and sleeves; shoe size alone often misleads on Medium-1/Medium-2 and Large-1/Large-2 splits.
- Women’s compression tights have a higher rise and shorter inseam than men’s; do not assume unisex or men’s sizing will fit the same.
- Aero shorts and mesh tanks behave like conventional training wear — true to size with optional size-down only if you want a closer fit.
- First wear of new compression can feel restrictive; if seams dig in, waist rolls, or toes feel numb in socks, the size is likely too small.
- Compare against SKINS or similar compression brands: 2XU generally fits comparably to other high-compression labels and smaller than relaxed brands such as Nike training wear.