The global drop of Gymshark Onyx V5 was always destined to cause a stir.
Early access pop-ups saw overnight lines in New York City. A London event sold out. A-list fitness influencers hyped the release like it was the Super Bowl of activewear.
And with past Onyx collections fetching resale prices of over $600 on eBay, Depop, and other platforms, the ingredients for a bot-infested mess were all there.
At 2PM EST, US fans flooded the Gymshark website, hoping to snag a piece of the most legendary Gymshark release yet. But when they arrived, something was off — Gymshark Onyx V5 was nowhere in sight.
Was it a delay? A glitch? Some elaborate PR stunt?
Unfortunately, it was none of the above. The real reason: bots. And lots of them.
Gymshark confirmed that the site was overwhelmed by automated bot traffic — run by resellers hoping to profit off limited stock and die-hard demand.
The response? A full pause on the launch and a warning to those behind the chaos.
Gymshark CEO and founder Ben Francis took to X (formerly Twitter), reacting to a post showing someone clearing out their cart with dozens of Seamless Onyx V5 shirts.
His message: “Onyx is for real fans — not bots. We will cancel all fraudulent and bot orders. Hang tight.”
An official statement followed: “Onyx is for the real Gymshark community, not for bots. Due to insane demand, we’re pausing the Onyx drop and canceling all bot orders. Onyx will return. We’re rescheduling the drop — more details soon.”
What Are Bots?
In this context, “bots” refer to software programs designed to automatically buy up limited-edition items online. They’re especially common in ticketing and sneaker culture, where speed is everything.
Bots can breeze through checkout in milliseconds, using multiple fake accounts, credit cards, and IP addresses to bypass quantity limits — all while real customers are still typing in their billing info.
What’s Next for Gymshark Onyx V5?
Gymshark has confirmed that Onyx V5 will relaunch — though it hasn’t confirmed when or how.
Some fans have suggested a raffle or lottery system to ensure real customers get fair access. Others are hoping for in-store exclusives or bot-proof waiting rooms.
A limited number of Gymshark Onyx V5 items will be available at the brand’s retail stores in London starting May 9.
What Is Gymshark Onyx V5?
The Onyx line is Gymshark’s most in-demand collection. Think superhero-style compression shirts with sculpting fits, bold designs, and enough tech to make you feel like a movie character mid-deadlift.
For Onyx V5, Gymshark leaned heavily into comic book vibes with campaign imagery reminiscent of Gotham and the DC Multiverse.
The drop includes short-sleeve, long-sleeve, and tank versions — all made with thicker material, bold rubber branding, and Spidey-esque paneling.
Available in Onyx Gray, Carmine Red, and Brand Blue (a returning fan favorite), the lineup is built to move — and built to sell out.
So, while bots may have won round one, real fans should stay locked in. Gymshark Onyx V5 will be back — and next time, it’ll be personal.
READ MORE: Gymshark Onyx Is Making a Long-Awaited Comeback – Here’s What You Need to Know
