Rad UFO Review: A Challenger Brand's $200 Super Trainer Delivers

Introduction

The Rad UFO arrives with an unusual amount of buzz for a shoe from a brand most runners had never heard of until recently. Rad, which describes itself as Rally Against Destruction and has skating-inspired roots, has positioned the UFO as a $200 non-plated super trainer, and the name makes the intent clear: this shoe is going directly after the established names in that category, most notably the ASICS Super Blast.

The core question is simple. Is an untested $200 shoe from a newcomer worth it against proven rivals like the Super Blast, Nike Vomero Plus, Adidas Evo SL, and Tier Maverick? After a first run, the answer is more promising than expected.

Who This Shoe Is For

Rad markets the UFO for aerobic builders, long distance runs, progression runs, and threshold runs. The company describes a dual-density PEBA blend, a soft top layer for cushioning and a firmer bottom layer for energy return, wrapped in rocker geometry they call a catch and release system.

In practice, this is a shoe for runners who want an energetic daily trainer that leans toward speed rather than slow recovery miles. It sits closest to the Adidas Evo SL and Mag Blasty end of the spectrum, though notably more comfortable than either on a first run.

Design and On-Foot Feel

The design is the most immediately striking thing about the UFO. The sculpted midsole carries flying-saucer motifs, and the overall silhouette reads more like a late-90s or early-2000s basketball shoe than a traditional running shoe. It is playful and approachable rather than self-serious, and the pink colorway is genuinely distinctive.

Fit is true to size in the tested size, with a comfortable step-in feel, generous padding around the tongue, and a locked-down upper that feels closer to a well-built basketball shoe than a typical performance trainer. Even the insole carries custom artwork, which speaks to the attention to detail throughout. At $200, part of what you are paying for is this level of considered, almost artisan execution.

Stack, Weight and the Rocker Story

The UFO weighs 275g in the tested size, which puts it well under the Vomero Plus, Mag Max, and Nimbus, and nearly down to Super Blast territory. That weight-to-foam ratio is the headline spec here.

Stack height is unusual. Because of the aggressive heel bevel and rocker, the heel cup measures around 37.9mm, while the midfoot fattens out to roughly 45mm. This is a shoe that puts its tallest foam under the arch and encourages a midfoot or forefoot strike. In motion that feels propulsive. Standing or walking, the forward tilt is noticeable, and the shoe clearly wants you moving.

Ride Impressions: Faster Than Expected

On an 8-mile steady run, the shoe consistently encouraged paces faster than intended without extra effort. The foam is energetic, the toe-off is snappy, and the rocker creates Evo SL-like geometry that pops you forward when you get up on the front of the platform. Think of it as roughly combining the Vomero Plus cushion with the Evo SL geometry and weight.

The main caveat: this is not a slow recovery cruiser. It wants a quicker cadence and rewards power. Runners looking for maximum soft squish will be happier with a Vomero Premium or Nimbus-class shoe.

Grip and Durability Watch

The outsole rubber proved notably grippy on dry roads, sticking and pulling through corners well. Wet-weather performance still needs testing.

Durability is the open question. PEBA foam can be firm or fragile depending on execution, and this shoe’s foam feels excellent out of the box, but long-term resilience will only show up after real mileage. A long-run test will be the next hurdle for the super trainer claim.

Buying Advice

If you like max cushion but not excessive squish, or you enjoy the Evo SL but find it harsh, the UFO threads that gap well. At $200 it undercuts nothing, but it delivers execution that feels like a brand with decades of experience. Against the Mega Blast it is more comfortable with a far better upper; against the Vomero Plus it is lighter and speedier. It could plausibly serve as a workout shoe, long run shoe, or even a 10K and half marathon race shoe for many runners.

Conclusion

The Rad UFO is an impressive first entry from a challenger brand, earning top marks on a first run. It blends comfort and speed better than most shoes in the non-plated category, and it may be one of the last great PEBA trainers as the market shifts toward TPU-based foams. The one trade-off is that it always wants to go fast. If your easy days are genuinely easy, keep that in mind. For everyone else, this is a banger.

A pair was provided at no cost for this review, and the assessment reflects independent testing.