R.A.D UFO Review
By Matthew Klein
R.A.D UFOPrice: $200 at R.A.D Global
Weight: 8.8 oz, 249 g (men's size 9 / women's size 10.5)
Stack Height: 42 mm heel / 34 mm forefoot
Drop: 8 mm
Shoe Purpose: Super Foam Performance Trainer
Pros: Bouncy Midsole, Great for Easy to Tempo Efforts
Cons: Excessive Sole Flare Makes Clunky Ride at Faster Paces, Mediocre Sagittal Plane Upper Security
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The R.A.D UFO is a performance trainer for those who want a tall superfoam midsole for training, uptempo miles, long runs and even races for recreational runners. The full-length dual-layer PEBA midsole provides a soft and bouncy feel that holds up over long miles. The relaxed upper provides a comfortable fit that takes some time to secure but feels comfortable against the foot no matter how long you run. While not the fastest shoe on the market, the rockered sole, soft foam and comfortable make this shoe great for longer efforts for easy to moderate paces. This combination makes it an excellent choice for those who want a PEBA midsole without the aggressiveness of a plate.
SIMILAR SHOES: Adidas Adizero Evo SL, Mizuno Neo Zen
PAST MODEL: New Model
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The R.A.D UFO fits me true to size in my normal Men's US size 10. While the toe box is tapered, the mesh does stretch thanks to a flexible heel counter. The volume of the shoe is a little lower, although the upper has some stretch that easily accommodates to people with normal-width feet. The forefoot widens from the toe box, although the volume stays low. This continues into a normal to slightly wider midfoot with moderate thick, gusseted tongue. The tongue is fairly secure although can shift just slightly lateral. The tongue has not been an issue for me but I have had to really tighten the laces at the midfoot to get a secure fit. The stretchy upper does not have many overlays or bits of security up front, which has cause some sliding side to side and front to back at the forefoot. Tightening the laces down does help, but if you do not tie them tight enough, the laces can come undone. This takes some take to work out but eventually, I can get them to stay mostly tied.
The heel fits normal in width with moderate heel collar padding a moderately stiff heel counter that only comes half the way up. I have not had heel slippage and the counter is low enough that it has not bothered my haglund deformity. However, those with greater sensitivities may notice this. The counter extends far forward on the medial and lateral side, which cups and supports the heel well. Most of the inner liner of the upper is extremely comfortable. I have run several sockless miles in this shoe. However, the stitching around the tongue did cause some blistering, so most people should wear at least thin socks with this upper.
Outside of some security issues, the upper will work best for those with normal width feet wanting a flexible upper. Those with narrow feet may sliding around too much and those with wider feet may do fine with everything except the toe box.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: On Cloudboom Strike, Asics Gel-Nimbus 27, Xero HFS, Topo Cyclone 3, Adidas Adizero Evo SL
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Brooks Launch 11, Diadora Mythos Vigore 3
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Somewhat
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Somewhat
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Mildly
How Flexible is the Shoe: Not Flexible
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Is This Shoe Orthotic Friendly: Somewhat
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Average to Above Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The R.A.D UFO is a superfoam performance trainer that functions as a daily/long run shoe for faster runners and a long run/workout/race shoe for recreational runners. The dual-layer, full-length PEBA-based midsole is called "SUPERFOAM." The top layer is quite soft, providing a highly cushioned and bouncy ride. The bottom layer is firmer, which has not been noticeable and the UFO's midsole does not bottom out. The heel is especially soft with its 42 mm stack height and the heel transition is smooth. This is thanks to a large heel bevel that offsets the significant posterior flare. There is a ton of lateral flare which initially makes for a clunky heel but the soft foam allows this to compress quickly after a few miles. There is an 8mm heel drop, although this feels lower thanks to the large amount of midsole compression. The forefoot is also soft, although more moderately so compared to the extremely soft heel. There is some flexibility at the forefoot thanks to the softness. Those with toe mobility deficits will not find enough stiffness here.
While R.A.D does not list any information about a plate, the rest of the shoe is pretty stiff. The moderate forefoot rocker (and some toe spring) to the overall rocker shape, which make for smooth and efficient transitions. This makes the UFO best for easy runs, long runs and uptempo runs. I have used this shoe for several long runs and although not quite stable enough for me, the cushioning easily holds up the whole time. Picking up the pace on fartleks and uptempo runs has been fine but feels like I am maxing the shoe out. Where it really struggles is with fast efforts. The foam and transition don't respond quite fast enough to handle anything quicker than tempo efforts. I struggled to get this shoe to turn over on the track and found it better for settling into long, efficient efforts. For those reasons, I think this will make a great workout and racing shoe for recreational runners. Many will find this a great half to full marathon racing shoe that isn't nearly as aggressive as super racing shoes but still has a great superfoam midsole. It also responds well at paces most recreational runners will typically hit even when running quicker. While not the lightest option out there, it still feels light thanks to the sub 9 oz weight (men's size 9) and bouncy foam.
The purpose will be limited to road as the limited outsole provides decent traction on road but should not be used on trail surfaces. The grip is fine on wet road but isn't stellar. The durability has been decent for its categorization, despite the amount of exposed outsole. At 40 miles, I have begun to wear into the exposed outsole but have not pulled off the posterolateral heel outsole piece. The midsole is holding up well and is softening a little more with time but is staying bouncy. I expect an above average number of miles out of the midsole, but an average to above-average number of miles out of the outsole for a performance trainer.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The R.A.D UFO is a neutral shoe. While there are some mild guidance methods, there are no traditional methods of stability. The guidance methods include large sidewalls in the heel and forefoot, a wider sole at the heel and forefoot and a central groove in the outsole. The sidewalls in the heel and forefoot are large, providing initial centeredness at those points. The lack of sidewalls at the midfoot is noticeable at slower speeds but less so at uptempo efforts as you transition quicker through the shoe. The significant sole flare, especially at the heel, does provide some centeredness. Initially, the extra lateral flare does cause a medial push upon heel strike. As the foam continues to soften, this has had less of an impact, likely due to the compression working in conjunction with the large heel bevel. In the forefoot, a similar situation occurs with the lateral flare but the medial flare also offsets this. The central groove that is most prominent in the midfoot is not obtrusive, but does help provide mild guidance. None of these components are major and they are all offset by the soft PEBA foam. Upon initial try on the sidewalls were more present. As the midsole softens, this creates a more solidly neutral shoe that isn't overly stable or unstable. The mild centeredness at the heel and forefoot are helpful, but this shoe will do far better for those with neutral mechanics.
Thoughts as a DPT: Why Super Trainers and Performance Trainers are Preferred Race Shoe for Recreational Runners
By Matthew Klein
Shoes like the R.A.D UFO, ie super trainer type shoes with superfoams, maximal geometries and lighter weights are better options for many recreational runners compared to aggressive super racing shoes. I've been writing and saying this for some time now, but the primary reason is that they better match the paces being running by recreational athletes compared to super racing shoes. Most companies design super racing shoes with their elite athletes in mind. Maybe a few recreational runners partake in wear testing but the primary group that has input on these shoes are going to be the ones running the fastest on national and world stages, often at (but not exclusive to) 5:30 minutes per mile down to 4:00 minutes per mile (or faster in some cases). These are not the paces being run at by recreational athletes, especially over long-distance races like marathons. These super racing shoes are extremely stiff, extremely bouncy, often unstable, borderline uncomfortable and designed to facilitate higher speeds. Super trainers and performance trainers like the R.A.D UFO are designed with the forces, speeds and biomechanics of recreational paces in mind. These shoes can handle training paces from 7:00 minutes (faster too) up to 15 minute or slower miles because they are designed for training!
Despite the "training" label, they can still be used for racing. Aggressive racing shoes carry their own risks. Faster, lighter, more aggressive shoes require better control, more tolerance and optimal biomechanics. More adaptable, less aggressive shoes that have a little more flexibility but are still fun bouncy shoes like super trainers may be better options for recreational runners because when you match the biomechanics and skill level to a type of shoe, people often have improved comfort and reduced injury risk. Super trainers are not slow shoes. They still have super foams, rocker geometries, lighter weights, stiffer profiles and can handle faster running. However, they are more versatile, comfortable and accommodating. Recreational and all runners should choose the best shoe for them on race day. That doesn't always mean the most aggressive shoe. It means the ones that match you best and not necessarily what the elite most runners are wearing.
Editors note: We are not saying recreational runners should not wear super racing shoes. We are saying some shoes are better than others. Just because an elite athlete wears it doesn't mean you should. Find what works best for your unique body and the unique speeds you move at.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: I am impressed with R.A.D's first running shoe. The rocker design, great midsole material choice and balancing of the softer midsole is great. It functions well for its intended purpose and is a great balance of super components while being accessible for most runners. That said, I think this could be lighter while retaining its structure and the upper could be modified for a little more security. My first suggestion is around the sole flare. I think there is a ton of it, which adds weight to the shoe. I think reducing that a little, while using the firmer bottom layer of PEBA to come up around the sides of the softer top layer of PEBA to provide a "bucket" to both stabilize the foam and keep the foot centered. The large heel bevel should be maintained, but this should drop weight while still keeping a stable ride. My major suggestions for the upper are to widen the toe box (not taper it), rib the laces so they don't slip (they came untied during a few runs),
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The R.A.D UFO is for those wanting a super trainer/performance trainer with a flexible upper and a ton of PEBA foam underfoot for training, workouts and even longer races. The SUPERFOAM midsole will be best for those who want a softer ride from heel to toe with a rockered geometry that rolls you smoothly forward. The upper will work best for those who want some flexibility, a little bit of width in the forefoot/midfoot and who are mostly running in a straight line. Many will find this to be a comfortable long run and uptempo shoe, while many runners will find this to be a great long-distance racing shoe for those who want PEBA foam without an overly stiff plate. While not anything drastically new, the R.A.D UFO is a refreshing take on this category of shoe. To have a super trainer use only high quality PEBA foam without a mix that maintains its soft and bouncy nature with a truly rockered and smooth geometry is rare, particularly in a company's first shoe. The $200 is justified by the high-quality foam and solid durability and is great when most comparable shoes are starting to hit $230-$250. R.A.D has definitely caught my attention and I look forward to what comes next from them.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: B+ (Comfortable stretch upper. Tapered toe box, wider forefoot/midfoot and normal heel. Sliding in forefoot/midfoot requires extra lace lock down)
Performance: A- (Rockered geometry, PEBA midsole and smooth ride make for a solid long run/uptempo shoe )
Stability: B+ [Neutral] (Sole flare and sidewalls help offset an extremely soft shoe, making for a neutral ride)
Value: A- (Great PEBA midsole with a taller stack height and good durability make this a solid value)
Personal: B (A solid shoe that is a little soft for me and not quite secure enough in the upper)
Overall Design: B+
SHOP | SUPPORT DORR.A.D UFOPrice: $200 at R.A.D Global
Shop Men | Shop Women
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FURTHER READING
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