Lorraine Kelly
Gymshark has spent the last decade conquering wardrobes across the globe, but now the British fitness powerhouse is finally stepping into the footwear game. In partnership with cult performance brand R.A.D®, the company is launching its first-ever training shoes — a move many in the fitness community have been demanding for years.
The collaboration will see two limited-edition models — the R.A.D® ONE V2 and the R-1 — released on Wednesday, 10th September. Early access kicks off at 5 pm, with the full public drop following at 7 pm via gymshark.com.
Two Bens, Two Visions
This union is more than a marketing play; it’s a meeting of minds. Both brands were born in the gym and founded by British entrepreneurs named Ben. Gymshark’s 33-year-old founder, Ben Francis, has turned a garage-born clothing brand into a global empire since 2012.
On the other side, Ben Massey, 36, launched R.A.D® in 2022 and quickly developed a loyal following thanks to footwear that sold out in minutes.
A Collaboration That Fits
For Francis, the decision to finally put the Gymshark name on shoes wasn’t made lightly. “Gymshark isn’t a sports brand, or an athleisure brand – it’s a gym brand,” said Francis. “A year ago, we launched our ‘We Do Gym’ campaign, putting our stake in the ground and claiming we had everything you would ever need for the gym, but we could never offer the full complete wardrobe – until now…
We knew that if we were to bring out a shoe, it needed to not only look great, but also one that was going to perform. One that the community would love and use both in and out of the gym.
I’ve been a huge fan of what R.A.D® has been doing from the outset – as a brand, Ben and the team have changed the game in the training footwear space. R.A.D® shoes aren’t just built for performance – they also look better than any other performance shoe you’ll find on the gym floor.
We wouldn’t collaborate on a shoe with just anyone – these guys are trailblazers in the training space, and I couldn’t think of a better brand to do it with.”
Massey was equally candid about what the collaboration means for his still-young brand. “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.”
The Shoes Themselves
The Gymshark x R.A.D® drop features two distinct models, each tuned for different demands of modern training:
- R.A.D® ONE V2 – The heavy-duty all-rounder, built with 360 stability, rope-climb resistance, and grip designed for everything from burpees to handstand push-ups. Available in Pebble Grey, Weighted Purple, and Triple Black. Price: £130.
- R.A.D® R-1 – A lightweight cross-trainer made for HIIT sessions, gym work, and short runs, delivering responsive energy return in every stride. Available in White, Silver and Weighted Purple. Price: £130.
Both come dressed in Gymshark’s trademark muted colour palette — understated enough for the squat rack, stylish enough for the street.
A Landmark Moment
For Gymshark, this is more than just a product launch. It’s the final puzzle piece in a brand that has long positioned itself as the go-to name for gym-goers everywhere. For R.A.D®, it’s a coming-of-age collaboration that catapults it from cult favourite to mainstream stage.
Come September, expect the release to move quickly. After all, when two Bens collide, the gym floor will never look quite the same again.
