Workshop made in France

After 10 years in the Loire, when Raidlight settled in Chartreuse, Benoît Laval decided to open a textile manufacturing workshop dedicated to lightweight and innovative products for trail runners. The workshop became operational in 2015: 500 m², about thirty machines, and a team that prototypes, tests, and manufactures as close to the field as possible.

In 2023, Raidlight strengthened its production capacity by opening a second Made in France workshop in Veurey-Voroize, on the outskirts of Grenoble. Then in 2024, the adventure expanded again with the takeover of a workshop in Notre-Dame-des-Millières. Today, there are three production sites between Grenoble and Albertville that bring our Made in France to life. With a team of about fifteen people, nearly 40,000 items are produced each year (backpacks, carbon poles, technical jerseys…). Made in France production now represents about 20% of our turnover, allowing trail runners to choose equipment designed, tested, and manufactured locally.

A historic partner of the Grand Raid de La Réunion, Raidlight produces a limited edition Made in France every year in its textile workshop. We also offer customization of French-made jerseys for clubs, races, and companies, on order. Already more than 200 clubs and over 100 races worldwide have chosen Raidlight’s Made in France to wear their colors.

The answer is simple: making 100% in France across the entire range would blow up costs — and therefore prices.

A waterproof-breathable jacket at €500, or prices doubled or tripled on most of our products… would that still make sense for trail runners? We want Made in France to stay a possible choice, not an unreachable luxury.

That’s why our Made in France products are designed with this reality in mind: short runs, high-end, minimalist, and very technical, bringing real added value. But this approach can’t apply to the whole range without giving up the accessibility of our gear.

Producing elsewhere isn’t a compromise on quality: it’s another way of making things, complementary to our workshop. We work with partners chosen for their expertise, building long-term relationships. We audit, visit regularly, and demand high standards of quality and working conditions. In a globalized world, this cooperation also supports the economic development of the areas where we produce.

Choosing Raidlight's Made in France means opting for premium products that combine comfort, performance, and responsibility. Our workshop lets us integrate cutting-edge technologies — laser cutting, heat welding, heat pressing — to create lighter, more durable gear with flawless finishes.

Choosing Made in France means supporting local and responsible production, while enjoying products designed to go far, for a long time.