NexTex Innovations, an Atlanta, GA-based textile technology developer, partnered with Lzrd Tech to launch an athletic arm sleeve engineered to grip a football and protect athletes’ arms by preventing abrasions and limiting turf burn.
Lzrd Tech, headquartered in Atlanta, GA, was founded by Georgia Tech Biomedical Engineering students Mike Pullen and Mathew Quon in 2019. Pullen, a football player in high school, believed there was a need for a better, less slick compression sleeve that would prevent fumbling of the ball while providing protection, cooling and healing. The idea of developing a multi-purpose athletic sleeve with a grip on the inside of the arm and moisture-wicking, quick-drying on the outside took hold after taking a material science and engineering of sports class and met Chad Lawrence, NexTex Innovations CEO, who was developing its TDry technology.
TDry technology is a “patent-pending fabric construction that harnesses the same capillary forces as tree root systems and moves moisture away from the skin, keeping users dry, comfortable and more equipped to maintain their core body temperature efficiently. The core mission of the technology is to provide consumers with the most comfortable, sustainable performance textiles,” said the brand.
“NexTex’s TDry Technology and, specifically, its TurboDry fabric, was exactly what we were looking for to make our athletic sleeves stand out,” said Pullen. “It is a high-quality material where you can demonstrate and visually see the moisture move.”
“It’s unique how we came together around the same time as our businesses were developing, during COVID no less,” said Lawrence. “It has been fun to watch Lzrd Tech’s success; at the same time, we’ve also been enjoying our own. Two no-names have teamed up to create something special for each of us.”
Since its launch, Lzrd Tech’s athletic sleeve has had distribution in Dick’s, Sheels and Academy. When COVID prevented team sports from happening, Lzrd Tech found another following for its athletic sleeve with package delivery services. The athletic sleeve’s grip and other performance benefits are helpful to carriers.
Photo courtesy NexTex Innovations x Lzrd Tech
