Inside the Gymshark x R.A.D footwear launch: Founders talk strategy, vision, and design

British brand Gymshark is expanding into footwear for the first time, partnering with performance footwear brand R.A.D. for a limited-edition launch. Gymshark founder and CEO Ben Francis and R.A.D. founder Ben Massey delve into the details...

Under the new collaboration, the range features R.A.D’s ONE V2 and R-1 styles, updated in Gymshark's signature muted colour palette, available online at the sportswear brand from 10 September.

Speaking to TheIndustry.fashion about the collection, Francis said: "We make apparel for anyone who wants to hit the gym and better themselves. And our collections are, naturally, extensive. Tees, leggings, stringer vests, sports bras, you name it, Gymshark has everything you would need for the gym. Well, nearly everything. One key piece of the gymwear puzzle was always missing.

"The R.A.D ONE V2 is an all-round training shoe that delivers 360 stability for lifting, ultimate grip, durability, and flexibility. It features specific design elements to withstand movements such as rope climbs, handstand push-ups, toes to bar, and burpees.

"The R.A.D R-1 is a lightweight, versatile cross-training shoe for the gym, HIIT, and run training that provides responsive energy return, whether you're racking up reps or logging miles on the road."

The move comes after ongoing demand from Gymshark’s community for the brand to offer gym-specific footwear.

"For years, our community has asked 'when are you going to launch a shoe'. It’s something we have thought about for many years, but the time had to be right. With the success of our recent 'We Do Gym' campaign, it’s clear the time is now right," shared Francis.

"I’ve been watching R.A.D.’s journey for a while now. It has revolutionised training footwear in the last few years. It's trainers are not only built for performance, but they also look incredible. A seemingly perfect, but untapped storm that no-one had nailed until Ben Massey and his crew came along and ripped up the rulebook.

"It honestly reminded me of the early days of Gymshark [which was founded in 2012], when we saw a gap in the market for gym apparel that not only performed well but also made you look great.

"I love the fact that, when it comes to British brands that were born in the gym, there really are only two. Gymshark and R.A.D. We are both tuned for training: founded on the value that training is a universal language, no matter what form you do it in or your goals."

Founded in 2022, R.A.D has developed a cult following in UK and US fitness communities with its high-performance training footwear, engineered by former Nike and Adidas designers. Its first product, the R.A.D ONE, sold out within minutes of launch.

The new partnership with Gymshark marks R.A.D’s most significant collaboration to date, bringing together two brands with a shared focus on performance and innovation in the gym space.

R.A.D founder Ben Massey tells TheIndustry.fashion: "R.A.D was created to fill a gap in the performance footwear market - I didn’t think there was a brand that captured how I felt during training. In the mid-2010s, all brands emphasised the grind and embracing pain, but that didn’t resonate with my view of training or sport. I wanted to build a brand that reflected the joy and euphoria of sport.

"Additionally, there was no product that looked cool. For many, training has become such an essential part of life that it’s now a major aspect of their identity and lifestyle. I aimed to make a product that performed exceptionally well, had a lifestyle aesthetic, and was presented under a brand with cultural relevance.

Massey added: "Our primary focus is on establishing a grassroots presence in every category we enter. We assemble teams for each category, made up of people from that category, and we are deeply committed to understanding our customers and the category for which we develop shoes. This dedication allows us to create outstanding performance footwear and connect with our customers authentically and credibly, since we are the customers ourselves.

"For us, this collab is wild. To have the Gymshark logo sitting on our shoes, a brand that’s become a global symbol of training, is a real pinch-me moment. We’ve always seen ourselves as the underdog, building from the ground up, so teaming up with a giant in the gym space feels like worlds colliding in the best way."