Research Studio Eyewear: Q&A With Founder Mads Hancock

Out of The Underground

In just over a year, Research Studio has quietly built a following in the performance running world. They first popped up on my radar last year when I saw one of the most significant creative forces in fashion, Salehe Bembury, wearing a pair of really cool running glasses that I couldn’t identify. They were minimalist, clean, monochrome frames that somehow looked different. To my surprise, the brand was not only new and performance-focused but also waste-conscious and made right in the USA.

Research Studio has gained momentum for its unique yet subtle shapes, materials, and campaigns. These clearly say, “I’m a runner,” but they also have the “if you know, you know” X factor that quietly elevates them for a certain contingent of fashion conscious athletes. 

To learn more about the background and vision (no pun intended) of Research Studio, we sat down and talked to founder Mads Hancock on why it’s built differently, the desire to break out of the runner’s mold, and how a dragonfly ended up as their design blueprint.

Q&A With Founder Mads Hancock

BITR: Let’s start from the top—what’s the origin story of Research Studio? Where are you based, and how did it begin?

Hancock: The brand is kind of bi-located between New York and Copenhagen. I’ve lived in New York for three years now, but I travel back to Copenhagen often. The idea for Research Studio was born here in New York, though. I’ve worked in eyewear for over a decade, designing, manufacturing, and distributing, and even longer working with performance gear.

BITR: And RS was clearly focused on running from the start.

Hancock: Running hasn’t just become more popular; it’s stuck around. So I thought, why not create eyewear that reflects where the sport is now?  I saw a real need for a reset in the industry. Too much noise, too many shortcuts. I wanted to build something from scratch that focused on performance, precision, and sustainability.

BITR: What’s different about your approach compared to bigger brands?

Hancock: Big companies tend to rest on their size. There’s a lot of waste in eyewear production, and not much pressure to innovate. I wanted to build something different, sustainable, lower waste, and using modern tech. 

Our frames are 3D printed in the U.S. using a liquid polyamide. Leftover material goes straight into the next pair. No minimum order quantities. If I only need 24 units, that’s all I make.

BITR: So you control the whole process?

Hancock: Yeah. Where I manufacture is also my warehouse. That way, I don’t need to move inventory just to ship it. It keeps things streamlined and sustainable. It also means we only produce what’s needed, which cuts down on waste big time.

BITR: What about the lenses?

Hancock: We use Zeiss Thermal Force, which blocks 92% of infrared radiation and gives you super-clear contrast. It’s way better than standard polarized lenses, which aren’t actually ideal for running. They’re great for water sports, not for roads or trails. We also have TriPel coating that repels oil, dirt, and water.

BITR: Let’s talk about the product design. You mentioned a lot of prototyping. What did that process look like?

Hancock: Everything starts with research (literally the name). We break down what a frame needs to do in motion, fit, airflow, and balance. Then we go through fast-paced but detailed design stages – sketches, 3D modeling, virtual testing. Once we’ve got something we believe in, we prototype, test with athletes, tweak, repeat.

It took nearly 18 months before we launched our first two frames (Shadow and Uncut) because we refused to rush it.

Every face is different, and we knew we couldn’t make one frame that fits all. But we wanted to make sure people couldn’t criticize the build quality, even if they didn’t love the design. And there’s no loud branding—no giant logos. That was intentional.

BITR: What’s the inspiration behind the frame design?

Hancock: If you flip our frames and look at the side profile, you can see the shape of a dragonfly in motion. The curve of the temples and the wraparound lenses all mimic the anatomy. Even our ventilation system is inspired by the wing structure. It helps prevent fogging and adds stability. We wanted every design element to have a purpose.

BITR: It’s a lot of detail, especially for something that looks so minimal.

Hancock: Exactly. It’s subtle, but once you see it, you can’t unsee it. It’s for the people who really want to understand what they’re wearing. But even if you just think they look good, that’s fine too.

BITR: Tell me about your recent campaign “Tested by New Yorkers. Also great for running.”. It had a very different feel from typical running ads.

Hancock: We didn’t want to show runners. Everyone knows we’re a running brand. Instead, we spotlighted the people who see runners every day, like the florist, the finance bro, the chess player in the park, the construction worker. These are all real New Yorkers we street-cast. No actors. The idea was this: If Mike the construction worker can wear these glasses for 12 hours on a site, you can wear them on your 5K run.

BITR: It hit the right tone. You’re not parodying running, but you’re also not over-glorifying it.

Hancock: Yeah, exactly. A lot of running campaigns look the same, fit people, shirtless guys, big logos. We wanted to do something different. The tagline is “Tested by New Yorkers. Also great for running.” That leaves room for storytelling in future campaigns too.

BITR: What’s next for Research Studio?

Hancock: This fall, we’re dropping a new frame timed with the New York Marathon—our boldest design yet. It’s the final piece in our current eyewear system and really pushes the limits, both visually and technically.

We’re also partnering with select retailers globally who reflect our values, like KA_YO Kitchen in Stockholm, RICH & HANC in Copenhagen, and Bandit Running in the United States. Bandit is doing something special around community and performance, and having RS product within their universe just makes sense, as that’s something I have a lot of respect for.

BITR: Why such a small retail rollout?

Hancock: I wanted to build the brand first. No rush. I wanted to make sure people understood what we’re doing before scaling. We’ve had interest from a lot of big names, but we’re doing it slow and right. Not just chasing hype.

BITR: How would you summarize the ethos of the brand?

Hancock: It comes down to research, precision, movement, and reduction. The industry is noisy, greenwashing, outdated materials, over-design. We’re stripping it all down to what matters: performance, sustainability, and clean design. Nothing else.

You can pick up Research Studio Eyewear at researchstudio.com and follow them on Instagram here.