RAD Mallow Review: A Dense, Plush Daily Trainer That Rewards Patience

Introduction

RAD made a strong first impression with the UFO, a big, squishy daily trainer that hit the right numbers and looked good doing it. The Mallow is the brand’s follow-up, and the obvious question is how it differs from a shoe that already landed well. The short answer: it costs less, uses a different foam blend, and delivers one of the more distinctive rides in the daily trainer category.

On paper, the Mallow reads like a heavier, more traditional shoe: EVA-based foam, a conventional mesh upper, and a substantial weight. In practice, it turns out to be genuinely fun to run in, particularly for easy and recovery miles. After more than 20 miles of testing, the verdict landed at a strong B overall, with a green light for the right kind of runner.

Fit and Upper

Sizing runs a touch short. Testers at true-to-size reported a snug fit that shortened slightly further over longer runs, so if you are between sizes, going up a half size is the safer call. That recommendation also appears on the brand’s own sizing guidance.

The upper itself is deliberately unremarkable in a good way. It uses a traditional mesh that simply works, paired with a nicely padded, gusseted tongue, plain laces, and a small heel clip that adds a bit of rearfoot stability. Lockdown earned consistent praise: the foot sits securely without pressure points, and the padded tongue keeps the lace pressure comfortable even on longer efforts. Styling is one of the Mallow’s strengths, with roughly ten colorways available that lean bright and fun rather than safe.

Midsole: Swell Foam and a Putty-Like Ride

The midsole is where the Mallow gets interesting. RAD calls its blend Swell Foam, a mix of 40% bio-based EVA and OBC. OBC is generally regarded as more durable and slightly bouncier than standard EVA, which helps keep the ride lively where traditional EVA tends to flatten out.

The resulting feel is hard to categorize. It is not springy in the way modern superfoams are. Instead it compresses deeply on landing, then returns resiliency gradually, more like putty than a trampoline. Landing comfort is excellent, and there is a substantial amount of foam underfoot, but it is a dense foam, and this is not a shoe you will run fast in without real effort.

The stack measures 42 mm at the heel and 34 mm in the forefoot, an 8 mm drop. On 8-mile runs, the cushioning felt close to ideal, rolling smoothly through the stride.

Weight: The Spec Sheet Misleads

Weight is the Mallow’s most obvious compromise. The men’s size 10.5 weighs 11.5 oz (329 g), and the women’s 7.5 comes in at 8.85 oz (251 g). Expecting a heavy, lifeless shoe from those numbers is reasonable, but the actual experience is better than the stats imply. The density comes partly from the substantial upper and partly from the dense-but-alive midsole foam.

There is even an argument that the weight has an upside: doing daily miles in a heavier shoe makes faster work in a lighter shoe feel noticeably snappier, and the extra mass naturally keeps easy-day paces honest. It is worth acknowledging honestly, though, that the weight becomes noticeable as miles get longer.

Outsole and Durability

The outsole uses crystal rubber, and early signs are very good. After more than 20 miles, the outsole showed almost no meaningful damage, and even exposed foam areas remained largely unscathed. Traction was solid across testing, and the gum-rubber look on certain colorways is a nice bonus. Durability appears to be a real selling point here, which matters at a $150 price point.

Who the RAD Mallow Is For

The Mallow fits best as a daily training and recovery shoe. The day after a hard workout, this dense, sink-in cushioning feels exactly right. It also works as a club-run or general easy-mileage shoe, and it can stretch to long runs, though the weight starts to tell past that point.

Performance-focused runners chasing lightweight builds and bouncy foams will likely prefer alternatives at the same price. But for someone who runs for fitness, joins club runs, and wants a comfortable, well-built shoe for regular easy running, the Mallow is close to an A.

Design, Value, and Performance Ratings

Design earned an A from both testers. As a new brand in running, RAD commits to a distinctive look across its lineup, and the Mallow carries that identity with a wide range of bold colorways. Value also earned an A: at $150, a competitive daily-trainer price, it offers a unique ride, strong durability, and genuine fun factor. Performance came in at a B: the foam is comfortable and different, but it lacks the bounce and propulsion some runners want, and the weight limits its versatility. Overall, that lands at a strong B, just shy of an A.

Conclusion

The RAD Mallow is a pleasant surprise. The spec sheet suggests a heavy, conventional trainer, but the ride is comfortable, durable, and distinctive, and it excels at exactly the job it is built for: daily and recovery miles. Runners who prefer denser foam and a bit more construction in their trainer will find a lot to like, and it is exciting to see a newer brand already hitting its mark in the daily trainer space.