A new big name joins the Rudy Project team
Rudy Project is pleased to announce its partnership with British ultrarunner Josh Wade, who has chosen the Italian eyewear brand as his technical partner.
Josh Wade's passion for trail running is as vast as the mountains where he grew up. Born and raised in England's Lake District, he has dedicated his life to running on challenging terrain—with a special love for long distances.
Today, at 31, his goal is clear: to compete in the world’s most prestigious ultra-trail races, challenge the best athletes in the most iconic events, and establish himself among the elite in this discipline. His achievements include victories across various distances at the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia (including the 80 km race at the 2026 edition) as well as podium finishes at high-profile races such as the UTMB Mont Blanc and the Transgrancanaria.
The partnership with Rudy Project is initially set to last two years. During this time, Wade will wear the brand's eyewear and contribute to the development of new products through his feedback and insights gained from extensive use.
This partnership combines the technologies of the “Made in Italy” sports eyewear specialist with the needs of an athlete accustomed to extreme runs, terrains, and weather conditions. The goal is to help each other grow—in the search for groundbreaking solutions and products that enhance athletic performance during runs that include sunny stretches, changing light conditions in the forest, nighttime in the mountains, rugged terrain, and a wide variety of obstacles.
The first race Wade competed in with Rudy Project was the 80 km Ultra Trail Snowdonia by UTMB, which the athlete from the Lake District ran wearing the Turbolence model. He chose it because of the wide field of view and clear vision provided by the spherical Rudy Project lenses, as well as the special sweatband on the frame.
For athletes like Josh Wade, every detail counts: His choice of technical gear is the result of almost obsessive attention to detail—because in extreme ultra-trail races, even the smallest detail can mean the difference between victory and dropping out.
The Turbolence meets these requirements perfectly: It is ultralight (under 30 grams) and features an adjustable nose piece, a ventilation system, and ultra-soft temples that adapt to any face shape.
These glasses are also made from materials such as Rilsan Clear, which contributes to a more environmentally friendly production process.
„Running—whether in training or in competition—is my life. I eat, breathe, and sleep trail running. Everything I do is geared toward continuously improving myself in this sport. In ultra-trail races, every detail can affect performance: I chose Rudy Project because their products combine precision, reliability, and comfort even under the most extreme conditions. The lenses are incredibly important to us: It helps me read the terrain and spot obstacles and contrasts—both in the dark and under the glare of a headlamp—without straining my eyes, especially when my body is already pushing the limits of its energy reserves,“ commented Josh Wade.
„We work with athletes who view sports as a journey of continuous growth, and Josh Wade embodies this mindset: His ability to combine discipline, clarity, and a consistent focus on performance makes him an ideal fit. Seeing him choose Rudy Project for the toughest competitions fills us with great joy. Our eyewear is designed for everyone who lives the extreme as part of their everyday life—in situations where reliability and visual quality become an integral part of performance,“ commented Simone Barbazza, Marketing Director at Rudy Project.
The partnership with Wade strengthens Rudy Project’s position as a leading brand in trail running eyewear, following the UTMB World Series’ selection of the brand last year as the official eyewear partner for 2025–2027 for the discipline’s most important events.
The partnership with Josh Wade complements our collaboration with the Inov8 France team, triathletes Gregory Barnaby, Kieran Lindars, Nick Thompson, Ben Kanute, Jackie Hering, and Danielle Lewis, as well as the Organicoach XTerra Pro Cross-Triathlon Team.
Rudy Project is also a partner of the Italian Cycling Federation, the WorldTour team Bahrain Victorious, cross-country skiing stars Federico Pellegrino and Heidi Weng, and biathlete Johannes Dale, and serves as the official equipment supplier for the top national speed skating teams —including the Italian national team for the past 20 years.
More than 50 medalists at the most recent Winter Games wore Rudy Project helmets or goggles; they stood on the top step of the podium 14 times.
Source: www.rudyproject.com
