Exclusive: Satisfy Reveals July Release for First Running Shoe + More Details on Remote Control Car-Inspired The Rocker
One of the most anticipated running shoes of 2025 is inspired by remote control cars.
Satisfy will make its debut independent footwear with The Rocker, a trail runner with elements of a super shoe that’s completely original from the top down to its outsole, which is rendered with circular lugs modeled after RC cars rather than the harder edges typically seen in the category.
Founded in 2015, the Parisian brand is at the forefront of the sport’s spike in popularity and the increased focus on style that’s come with it. Like Bandit out of Brooklyn, Satisfy has garnered a cult following and seen its performance garments become status symbols among runners who appreciate its considered features, material innovation and pleasing color palettes. Collaborations with Hoka and Crocs have brought its refined taste to footwear, and The Rocker constitutes a much deeper investment in the space.
Ahead of the release of The Rocker, which Footwear News can reveal exclusively will release in July for $280, Satisfy vice president of Footwear Jean-Marc Djian hopped on a video call in mid-January to discuss what he said will be one of the most technical trail running shoes on the market.
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At The Running Event in November, Satisfy unveiled The Rocker but didn’t allow any photos of the shoe to be taken. Many of those who saw the sneaker in person have been buzzing, and a series of teasers on social media have been feeding the hype with partial glances, cheeky bumper stickers and even a custom RC car revealed just last week.
Because the trail runner marks Satisfy’s first foray into independent footwear, the brand has found freedom in the lack of its own conventions. Having the creative director at the top of the organizational chart in founder Partouche also placed an emphasis on experimentation and gave those involved the license to challenge norms of every single component.
Although The Rocker is first and foremost for the trails, the idea is to deliver a long distance trainer capable of transitioning from “concrete to mud.” And whatever the surface, the experience of comfort underfoot should be just as great as any road shoe.
“Everyone who is running in this shoe has a road running background as well as trail,” Djian said. “So it means the type of plush experience, the comfort, the [sole] unit becoming one with the upper [from a road shoe] — everything was made to have this within a shoe with a great grip and to perform on long distances.”
Cushioning is provided by Euforia, one of three new technologies Satisfy is highlighting, and a blend of both Arkema PEBA and EVA foams. The unique formula is geared toward increasing durability in extreme conditions without sacrificing lightness and responsiveness. The midsole is formed using 3D-printed aluminum molds, which Djian said is better for blends than the steel molds more traditionally used in the industry. This makes production more expensive, but it also allows for a higher level of detail and eliminates the dropoff you can see from a sample to the bulk product.
Using Vibram’s Megagrip and Litebase construction, the TuneLug outsole features round lugs that Satisfy found to be more progressive than other shapes and less likely to keep mud on as a passenger. The lugs are precision-mapped throughout the surface, with some being more curved or a different size than others based on pressure points and other needs for specific regions. A 360-degree Wrap Construction sees the lugs warp onto the sides as well, much like you’d see on a tire in a bid for multidirectional traction and better durability.
“The designer told us we are totally nuts and crazy,” said Djian, who joined Satisfy in September after six years at The North Face as vice president of Footwear.
That was only repeated in regards to the outsole, but it could very well apply to Satisfy’s approach throughout The Rocker. Djian points to the company seeking out suppliers itself for each material on the shoe rather than turning to one factory with its own existing relationships as another example of its unorthodox approach.
Satisfy had to start at the yarn level for each color of its Rippy 66 upper Rippy 66 upper, which is made from a high-tenacity Nova Nylon 66 monomesh. Djian said this new material will have an instant feeling of comfort as it balances durability and protection along with breathability to match the brand’s apparel.
Throughout the two-year process leading up to The Rocker’s release this summer, Satisfy worked closely with Foarms, a design agency with studios in Paris and Taipei. The proximity in Paris, where Satisfy’s headquarters is just a half-mile away from its partner, allowed for a natural process of collaboration that favored dinner over briefs. It also didn’t help that Foarms, much like Satisfy, has shown the rare ability to incorporate both fashion and performance.
The Rocker will be packaged in robust box that drew some initial pushback from retailers because of the size. But the presentation is key as the start of the shoe’s premium experience, and the store representatives quickly got onboard upon seeing the cover and sticker pack as the box was opened.
Djian couldn’t get into details, but he was also willing to put on the record that The Rocker will just be the beginning of Satisfy footwear, with additional silhouettes to come. And where possible, collaborations with existing players in the industry won’t be obviated entirely by its own entry.
Beyond both concrete and mud running, The Rocker should also carry appeal in more casual settings, a natural side effect of Satisfy’s eye for style even if everyday wear was never the point.
By avoiding some of the more garish tropes of performance attire, first and foremost all the neons, Satisfy has made the sort of gear you wouldn’t be embarrassed to be seen in after a run while grabbing a coffee or a beer. Now a lot of eyes will be on the brand to see what it can do down at ground level, where the tech matters that much more.
About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.
