On and Roger Federer Quietly Released a New Shoe That’s as Technical as It Is Stylish
On's experimental design division adds their own spin to the tennis legend's signature shoe.
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For such a well-rounded tennis player, Roger's Federer's longstanding partnership with On has been a collaboration of extremes. At least in the design department.
To the date, the pair have released dozens of shoe models — from the Advantage Pro to the off-court Clubhouse — each positioned at opposite ends of the performance-lifestyle spectrum .
The latest shoe, the Roger ADV Z5 , bucks that trend on its first serve, arriving smack dab in the middle with equal doses of flair and technique.
The Roger ADV Z5 is the newest installment to On's Z5 series of experimental designs. - Credit: On
Performance with personality
The shoe itself enters On's catalog as part of its burgeoning Z5 series of experimental designs blending performance technology with lifestyle aesthetics, as seen on the Cloudnova, Cloud X and Cloudsurfer .
In the case of the Roger ADV Z5, that means a robust list of features headlined by Helion foam (the same compound found in some of On's top running shoes) and a plate-like "Speedboard" for extra stability.
Helion foam, also found in On's top running shoes, makes up the midsole. - Credit: On
At first glance, the geometry of the midsole appears to follow the convention of a typical lifestyle shoe, a la the Clubhouse. However, a small cutout in the sole reveals On's signature CloudTec cushioning — basically small pockets, or "clouds," that feature on a majority of the brand's performance models.
CloudTec technology is visible through a small cutout in the bottom of the herringbone outsole. - Credit: On
Classic looks, competitive edge
At launch, the Roger ADV Z5 comes in two classic colorways "inspired by racket sports," On says.
According to On, the colorways are inspired by racket-sport design. - Credit: On
Both the "Cream" and "Ivory" hues show off the shoe's slightly near-transparent mesh upper, and they are complements by elastic laces reading, "On Court."
The engineered mesh doesn't just look cool — it gives the shoe ample amounts of breathability on and off the coart. - Credit: On
The laces read, "On Court." - Credit: On
A full-length herringbone pattern on the bottom of the shoe is the final flourish. Not only does the detail play into heritage styling, it gives the shoe added grip both on and off the court.
Price and availability
The Roger ADV Z5 is available now for $170 from On's official website , as well as authorized retailers.
On The Roger ADV Z5
For a more understated look, On recently revamped the Roger Clubhouse , while also lowering the price from $150 to $120.
About the Author:
Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.
