What Is Oakley Factory Team?

Oakley has experienced a strong resurgence in its footwear line in recent years, marking a notable shift from its traditional focus on eyewear and apparel. While a few sneaker silhouettes—like the early 2000’s Flesh model—gained cult status, Oakley’s presence in the footwear space remained relatively quiet for years. So, what’s driving the renewed interest and momentum behind Oakley’s footwear revival? A Partnership with California based creative consortium, Brain Dead.

Like many other footwear groups, Oakley has created an entirely new division for their more creative, boundary pushing projects. The Oakley Factory Team is Oakley and Brain Dead’s collaborative brain child created to  “…take our rich legacy of innovation and crank it up, breaking every rule in the footwear game for next-gen humans who don’t wait for the future…” according to the pair. The collaborative partnership dates back to 2022 when they revisited the footwear archives to release three new color ways of Oakley’s Flesh silhouette.

Fast forward to the present, and Brain Dead has pushed Oakley’s footwear evolution even further, moving beyond the iconic laceless Flesh model. Their collaboration has expanded into clogs, boots, and sneakers—all rooted in a forward-thinking, utilitarian aesthetic that defines the partnership. In 2024, they introduced the ‘Ibex’—a silhouette that reimagines performance footwear through an organic, nature-inspired design lens. The latest iteration of the Ibex is now available online in two distinct colorways.

This resurgence isn’t just a nostalgic play—it signals Oakley’s broader ambitions in the performance lifestyle footwear space. By leveraging Brain Dead’s cultural relevance and design-forward ethos, Oakley has found a way to bridge its technical heritage with fashion-forward credibility. The result is a line of footwear that appeals to both longtime brand loyalists and a new generation drawn to experimental design. As Oakley continues to expand the Factory Team concept, the brand is positioning itself at the intersection of innovation and countercultural cool. With a rising presence in fashion capitals and niche digital communities alike, Oakley’s return to footwear is more than a revival—it’s a bold reinvention.

Shop items from Brain Dead & Oakley’s factory team in-store and online now.