On’s The Roger RF2 Set

The “RF2” logo adorning the latest launch from shoemaker On comes after tennis legend Roger Federer and Kith founder Ronnie Fieg squared their shared initials. The RF2 could also represent the fact that the pair teamed up on two new sneaker releases, one for on the court and one for off.

The Roger silhouette from On, already with three off-court styles and a Pro version worn on the court by Federer, Leylah Fernandez and Jack Sock, takes the next step with Fieg putting a lifestyle twist on the Pro and The Roger Clubhouse going Mid. And it all comes highlighted with a special-edition launch.

To celebrate the birth of the Clubhouse Mid, which launches in four different colors, The Roger RF2 Set, releasing Aug. 29 at Kith for $550, will include both a Fieg-updated The Roger Pro and a The Roger Clubhouse Mid pre-rubbed in red clay. The concept of the pre-rubbed clay on the Clubhouse references Federer’s earliest days in tennis. “My first challenger was on clay, my first satellite was on clay, the first player I beat was on clay,” he says. “So, clay came first.”

Federer further tells me that rubbing clay on a shoe connects to trends of the day, especially when working with the leadership at On. “Look at the On guys, they have the dirty shoe thing going,” he says, adding when he first saw the concept he found it odd. “Now I see it and it is a nice touch.”

The Roger RF2 Set includes a bag of clay for the consumer to customize The Roger Pro, should they choose to follow the packet’s instructions on how to best apply the clay.

The Roger Pro, first worn by Federer in March 2021, has only appeared in one colorway since. With its Zero Gravity foam midsole and an embedded carbon Speedboard, along with a wider forefoot and rubber toe cap, The Roger Pro was designed for professional-level play.

MORE: Roger Federer’s Evolving Sneaker Style

Fieg took his lifestyle approach to the performance shoe. With both men having the RF initials, they started there. “Roger’s RF logo is so iconic,” Fieg says. “So rather than alter it, we simply added the squared insignia so that it could represent the both of us.” The logo now sits debossed on a quarter panel and tongue. The Unisphere sculpture that sits outside the home of the U.S. Open in New York City highlights the shoe’s other quarter panel.

“Roger and I each carry a solid work ethic and a passion for our respective crafts,” Fieg says. “We both stive to be and remain the very best at what we do. That foundation of mutual respect, regardless of our profession, led to a sense of trust with one another in the design process.”

“Ronnie has an immense amount of knowledge in the sneaker world and that paired with my experience in tennis made for a great collaboration that we are both proud of,” Federer says.

The Roger off-court silhouette first released in 2020, launching in a Centre Court style before the addition of the Advantage and Clubhouse models. All three feature the brand’s signature CloudTec and Speedboard technology meant to provide performance-level features in a lifestyle design.

The introduction of The Roger Clubhouse Mid offers the next iteration in the line. While The Roger RF2 Set comes with a pair personally signed by Fieg, the new inline version of the Mid launches in four colorways, all meant to tie to tennis shoes of the ’90s when the pros preferred to play in the mid-top height.