The Roger: The New Fashionable Lifestyle Sneaker
By Samantha Krevolin
World-renowned tennis player Roger Federer will now not only be known for his tennis skills but his fashionable sneakers. Like Stan Smith, a tennis player who came before him, Federer decided to design his own shoe that can be worn daily, have the comfort of athletic footwear, and maintain the style of fashionable sneakers. Federer recently started working with On, a traditional running shoe company from Switzerland, in addition to his ongoing $300 million deal with Uniqlo. From his partnership with On, “The Roger” was born.
After working with Uniqlo and Nike throughout his almost two-decades-long tennis career, Federer has learned a lot about comfortable athletic wear, and what goes into making apparel and sneakers. Although “The Roger” may look like tennis sneakers upon first glance, they are actually intended for lifestyle and day to day use. He proves this intention through its creation and detail. Federer wanted the outside of the shoe to look like fashionable sneakers, which are on the rise in today’s society. Through its all-white appearance and vegan leather, it gives the shoe a sleek look. The comfort and athletic portions of the shoe are included through his use of On’s signature comfort and running technologies. Although the soles of “The Roger” does not look like On’s typical shoes with CloudTec, which allows for a walking on air feeling, Federer ensured to incorporate. He intended to do so for comfort and made it more practical looking by flattening out the sole. The Speedboard that was created by On to enhance running agility is also included within the sneaker, but unnoticeable to the eye. These added technologies not only adds a new layer to the fashion industry but enhances the desire of comfort among consumers when it comes to fashionable footwear.
Federer is keeping tennis in the back of the public’s mind and fashion at the forefront. Although tennis may be on pause for now due to the current pandemic, fashion never stops. Federer announced the drop of these sneakers in honor of the 17th anniversary of his first Wimbledon win. “The Roger” is his first sneaker of potentially many to come. There are currently only 1,000 available at $250 from On’s website. Consumers can enter a raffle to win a pair of the limited available sneakers now through On’s website. The classic Stan Smith sneaker is now experiencing fashion competition from another tennis star.