What Is Sizing Like at 2XU? A Stylist's Honest Guide

By Ella Blake — Fashion Stylist | Tellar Fashion Hub — Always honest, unbiased & unsponsored

2XU runs small to true-to-size — if you're between sizes, go up, and if you have any shape through the thighs or hips, size up at least one from your usual activewear size. I learnt this the hard way when I ordered my regular medium in their compression tights and spent a very unglamorous few minutes trying to yank them up in a changing room. They're brilliant, yes — but they are cut for a lean, athletic silhouette and do not have a huge amount of stretch forgiveness.

Who Is 2XU?

2XU (pronounced "Two Times You") is an Australian performance sportswear brand founded in 2005. It's built a serious reputation in the triathlon, running, and gym communities for its compression technology, which genuinely works — I've worn their compression tights during long-haul flights and noticed a real difference in leg fatigue. They're not cheap, but this isn't fast fashion pretending to be sport. This is technical kit, and the sizing reflects that precision-led approach.

How Does 2XU Sizing Work?

2XU uses a standard international sizing system (XS–XXL), but the cuts are athletic — meaning they are designed to sit close to the body with compression in mind. Their women's sizing is based on height and weight banding as well as traditional measurements, which I think is actually quite clever, though it does mean you need to check their size chart rather than just grabbing your usual size.

A few key things to know:

Compression tights and shorts — size up if you're between sizes or have fuller thighs. The compression is real and strong.
Sports bras — these run small and have limited bust coverage. I'd go up a size if you're a C cup or above.
Jackets and tops — these are slightly more forgiving but still cut slim. Check the chest measurement if you're fuller on top.
Tri suits and wetsuits — size strictly by height and weight using their chart. Don't guess these.

2XU Women's Size Guide

Use the table below as a guide — always cross-reference with the specific product's size chart on their website, as cuts vary by category:

2XU SizeUK SizeEU SizeUS SizeBust (cm)Waist (cm)Hips (cm)XS6–834–362–480–8462–6687–91S8–1036–384–684–8866–7091–95M10–1238–408–1088–9370–7595–100L12–1440–4210–1293–9875–80100–105XL14–1642–4412–1498–10480–86105–111XXL16–1844–4614–16104–11086–92111–117

My Honest Fit Verdict

2XU is not a brand I'd recommend buying blind online without knowing your measurements. The compression is part of the point — it's meant to feel tight — but there's a big difference between supportive compression and "I can't breathe." If you're new to the brand, I'd suggest starting with a non-compression piece, like their training shorts or a lightweight jacket, to get a feel for how the sizing works for your body before investing in a compression suit.

That said, once you find your size? They are exceptional. I have clients who swear by their post-workout compression tights for recovery, and for anyone training seriously for endurance events, 2XU is genuinely worth the investment.

Brilliant Alternatives to 2XU — At Every Budget

Whether you want something similar in fit and function, or just need a quality workout kit without the 2XU price tag, here are my picks:

High Street & Accessible Brands

Sweaty Betty — arguably the closest UK equivalent to 2XU for women. Their Power leggings have excellent compression and come up consistently true-to-size with a flattering fit. Brilliant for yoga and running alike.
Lululemon — the gold standard for activewear fit and sizing consistency. Their Align and Fast and Free ranges are exceptional, and their size chart is very reliable.
Gymshark — great for training kit on a budget. Their Vital Seamless range has a nice compression-lite feel. Runs small, so size up.
M&S — don't underestimate M&S for activewear. Their Good Move range is genuinely well-made, supportive, and significantly more size-inclusive than 2XU.
H&M — their Move range has improved enormously and for basics like training shorts and sports bras, it's good value. Sizing is fairly reliable.
Next — solid mid-market activewear with good size availability. Not technical kit, but great for casual gym-going and everyday movement.
Asos — useful for finding a wide range of activewear brands in one place, including their own label which runs fairly true to size.

Independent & Left-Field Picks

Thousand Miles — a UK-based independent brand making beautifully designed, performance-grade running kit with a focus on sustainability. Sizing is true to size and the quality is genuinely impressive for the price point.
Mover London — a small London-founded activewear label with a cult following among the running community. Cut for real bodies, good size range, and the quality is exceptional. Worth discovering if you haven't yet.

Premium Options

Vuori — premium Californian activewear with a slightly more relaxed take on performance fit. True to size, excellent quality, and the fabric handle is beautiful.
Alo Yoga — for the more fashion-forward end of activewear. Runs small, so size up, but the quality is exceptional and the pieces double as streetwear beautifully.

The Bottom Line on 2XU Sizing

Go up a size, take your measurements seriously, and always check the product-specific size chart — not just the general brand guide. 2XU is a brilliant brand for serious sportswear, but it rewards a little homework before you hit "add to basket." Get it right and you'll wonder how you trained without it.

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