What McDavid does

McDavid designs and markets sports medicine, sports protection, and performance apparel targeted at athletes, active consumers, and orthopedic patients. Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, the company operates as a subsidiary brand within the United Sports Brands portfolio alongside the related HEX brand. Its core product categories include protective gear built around the proprietary HEX® closed-cell hexagonal foam padding technology (marketed in multiple variants including HEX VIZ and HEX Next-Gen), the Infused Therapy garment line embedding Far Infrared-emitting bio-ceramic particles, the SportMed line of braces and supports, Bio-Logix™ anatomical supports, compression apparel, and cold therapy products.

The company's technology base is anchored in material science rather than software. The HEX® system is engineered to disperse impact energy through a hexagonal cell structure while remaining flexible for athletic motion; the Infused Therapy line uses FIR-emitting materials embedded in fabric to deliver a recovery and circulation benefit at a price premium versus standard compression apparel. Product pricing spans roughly $11 for entry-level supports up to approximately $180 for premium braces and performance apparel, indicating a multi-tier product architecture spanning consumer, athlete, and medical-grade price points.

McDavid operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct-to-consumer sales through McDavidUSA.com with national retail distribution through DICK'S Sporting Goods and other sporting goods retailers, plus engagement with the medical reimbursement channel via HSA/FSA eligibility. The company targets three primary customer segments: contact sport athletes (football, basketball, baseball, pickleball), general fitness consumers seeking compression and recovery apparel, and orthopedic patients requiring medical-grade bracing. In October 2025, McDavid signed NBA guard Kyrie Irving as the global brand ambassador for its HEX line, signaling a deliberate brand elevation effort aligned with elite basketball positioning.

Name

McDavid

Legal name

McDavid

Website

https://mcdavidusa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

McDavid designs and markets sports medicine, sports protection, and performance apparel for athletes, active consumers, and orthopedic patients. Founded in 1969, the Fountain Valley, CA-based company sells directly via McDavidUSA.com and through DICK'S Sporting Goods retail.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Protective Equipment

NAICS

Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (33992), Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113), Sporting Goods Retailers (45911), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (3159), Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949), Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)

akta.pro primary industry

Protective Armor & Impact Protection Retail (Body/Back/Chest) (CRAMANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Team Sports Protective Gear & Sports Medicine Retail (CRAMAEAJ), Compression Therapy for Venous/Lymphedema (Bandages, Wraps, Garments) (HLAHALAF), Safety Accessories & Wearables Retail (Neck Braces, Hydration, Earplugs) (CRAMANAL)

Keywords

• Sports protective gear
• Athletic braces supports
• Compression sportswear
• Sports recovery products
• Impact protection padding

Headquarters

HQ city

Fountain Valley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales: McDavid generates revenue through direct-to-consumer sales of sports protection gear, compression wear, braces and supports, and recovery products via its e-commerce platform and retail distribution partnerships. Revenue is primarily one-time hardware/product sales with varying price points from budget to premium tiers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

McDavid designs, manufactures, and markets sports medicine, sports protection, and performance apparel products. Its core offering spans proprietary impact-protective HEX® hexagonal-padded sleeves and shirts, therapeutic SportMed® braces and supports for every major joint, Bio-Logix™ elite recovery braces, Infused Therapy Far Infrared recovery sleeves, Rival™ integrated padded compression gear, compression wear, and cold therapy wraps. Products are sold through McDavidUSA.com and major sporting goods retailers to athletes across basketball, football, baseball, lacrosse, MMA, running, soccer, pickleball, and tennis.

Product overview

McDavid is a sports protection and performance gear company offering a comprehensive product portfolio organized around several core lines: HEX® (proprietary hexagonal cushioning protective gear in Original, VIZ, Force, and High Impact variants), Infused Therapy (recovery-focused Far Infrared bamboo knit and buttersoft sleeves), SportMed® Braces & Supports (orthopedic supports across all body parts in Light to Maximum Plus protection levels), Compression wear (arm/leg sleeves, tops, bottoms, socks), Flex Ice Therapy (cold therapy wraps), Rival™ Integrated padded gear, and NRG Spring Hinge advanced knee supports. The company also offers protective accessories including cups/supporters, athletic tape, and sport-specific gear for basketball, football, baseball, soccer, and other sports. McDavid operates as a subsidiary of United Sports Brands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HEX: Protective gear line featuring hexagonal padding technology for impact protection in sports including basketball, football, lacrosse, baseball, and MMA. Products include padded leg sleeves, arm sleeves, shirts, and knee/elbow/shin pads. The HEX line includes variants: HEX VIZ (lighter weight, more flexible), HEX Original (best-selling impact protection), HEX FORCE (high-abrasion construction), and HEX HIGH IMPACT (firmest protection).
• Infused Therapy
• SportMed
• Bio-Logix
• Rival

Products and services

• HEX® Protective Gear Line Proprietary protective gear featuring hexagonal cushioning for impact protection in contact sports. Includes HEX Original (9mm padding), HEX VIZ (lighter/flexible), HEX Force (high-abrasion), and HEX High Impact (maximum protection) variants across padded leg sleeves, arm sleeves, tops, bottoms, and knee/elbow/shin pads.
• Infused Therapy Collection Recovery-focused product line utilizing Far Infrared (FIR) technology in Bamboo Knit and Buttersoft sleeve variants for knee, arm, and elbow. Reflects the body's natural thermal energy to boost circulation, reduce oxidative stress, and accelerate muscle recovery.
• SportMed® Braces and Supports

Quantifiable outcome

• HEX® Viz pads 40% thinner (5mm vs 9mm) with equivalent protection
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• United States Tennis Association (USTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcDavid has established a partnership with the United States Tennis Association, positioning the brand in the professional tennis space and expanding its presence in racquet sports.
• Kyrie IrvingflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerNBA superstar Kyrie Irving serves as the lead brand ambassador for McDavid's HEX protective gear line. Irving has used HEX products throughout his professional career and launched the next-generation HEX collection featuring 40% thinner pads. The partnership includes dedicated product lines, promotional appearances, and exclusive designs available at McDavidUSA.com/Hex.
• United Sports BrandsflagshipOthersMcDavid is owned by United Sports Brands, a portfolio company that also includes Nathan Sports (performance hydration), Pearl Izumi (cycling), Glukos Energy (sports nutrition), Shock Doctor (mouth guards), and Cutters Sports (football gloves).

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Shock Doctor: Sister brand under United Sports Brands specializing in mouth guards and sports protection. Directly comparable in product category (athletic protective gear) and distribution model, targeting the same athlete consumer base.
• Mueller Sports Medicine: Long-standing US-based competitor in sports medicine braces, supports, and taping products. Closely comparable product portfolio (knee braces, ankle supports, compression) sold through similar athletic retail and pharmacy channels.
• Bauerfeind: German manufacturer of orthopedic braces, supports, and compression stockings (including the Sports line). Direct competitor in the premium orthopedic brace and medical-grade compression categories where McDavid competes with Bio-Logix and SportMed lines.
• Breg: US orthopedic company specializing in braces, cold therapy, and bracing for post-surgical recovery. Comparable in SportMed braces and Flex Ice cold therapy categories, with overlapping clinical and sports channels.
• CEP Compression: Premium compression sportswear brand owned by medi. Directly comparable to McDavid's compression sleeves and leg/arm sleeves, targeting the same performance-oriented athlete segment with medical-grade positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Össur: Global orthopedic leader in bracing, supports, and prosthetics. Competes with McDavid in the orthopedic back/knee brace category and is listed alongside McDavid as a key player in the Medical Back Brace market.
• Enovis (DJO Global): Major orthopedic device company encompassing DonJoy, Aircast, and ProCare brands. Direct competitor in sports medicine bracing and recovery, with deeper clinical distribution.
• Under Armour: Broad athletic apparel and compression brand with overlapping compression sleeves and protective base layers. Larger scale but less specialized in injury-prevention bracing and impact protection.
• Nike Pro / Nike Basketball: Global athletic apparel leader with compression and protective basketball gear overlapping McDavid's HEX and compression categories. Vastly larger scale with broader product portfolio.

Emerging players

• AQ Support (AQ Bio): Japanese compression sportswear brand gaining global traction with medical-grade compression apparel. Comparable in compression wear category but smaller scale and primarily international distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mcdavidusa

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about McDavid