Vasia Condor 3 Advanced First Run: Softer, Bouncier, Still Heavy

Introduction

The Vasia Condor 3 Advanced is the latest update in Vasia’s line of more sustainable running shoes, and it arrives with a familiar look and a few meaningful changes underfoot. I have put about eleven and a half miles into it across two runs so far, including an easy six-mile steady run and a five-and-a-half mile mixed-pace session that finished with some short 200-meter intervals to test the top end.

The headline change is a new EVA-based dynamic plate that replaces the cushioning plate in the original Condor 3, aimed at better stability and energy return. The soft, forgiving ride that separated this shoe from firmer eco rivals is still here. Whether the added spring is enough to win people over from conventional daily trainers is the bigger question, and it is one worth sitting with before buying.

Key Specs and Sustainable Materials

The Condor 3 Advanced stacks 37mm of cushioning at the heel and 29mm at the forefoot for an 8mm drop. In a men’s UK 9.5 (US 10) it weighs 11.5 oz, or about 325g. Pricing sits at £160 in the UK and $200 in the US.

As with previous generations, Vasia leans on recycled and non-petroleum-based materials: sugarcane-based EVA in the midsole and recycled polyester up top. The engineering mesh upper looks nearly identical to the Condor 3, though the lacing has been widened by 5mm and simplified with fewer eyelets for a better fit. The heel collar keeps its medium padding, the gusseted tongue stays thin and wrapping, and lock laces are a nice touch. The outsole carries over the same broad rubber coverage and small studs for multi-terrain traction, with Vasia claiming improved abrasion resistance for better durability.

What Has Actually Changed

Visually, it is genuinely hard to tell the new shoe from the old one. The real update is in the midsole construction. The expanded EVA-based dynamic plate is designed to reduce midsole deformation, add a bit of rigidity, and improve energy return, giving the ride more stability and dynamism than the standard Condor 3.

The upper, lacing, and outsole changes are sensible rather than dramatic. This is an iterative update, not a reinvention, and that framing matters if you are already running in the previous model.

Ride Impressions: Cushioning First

The defining trait of the Condor line has been a midsole that stays soft, which is rare among sugarcane-based EVA shoes. Many sustainable rivals come across firm and blocky, but the Condor 3 Advanced keeps that pleasant, cushioned softness fully intact.

What is new is the energy return. There is a little more pop and immediacy when you pick up the pace, and the midsole feels more willing to move faster than before. On easy and recovery runs, it delivers exactly what you want: real cushioning, good protection, and a smooth, comfortable ride.

The limitation is weight. At 325g in a half size up (Vasia advised going a full size up from my usual), the shoe feels big on the foot, and there is a lot of room in the toe box. Lockdown feels secure, but the extra volume and mass take away some of the precision and agility you get from lighter daily trainers. As the pace climbs, the shoe does not quite keep up with the midsole’s new energy.

Who This Shoe Is For

If your running is built around easy miles, recovery days, and comfortable steady efforts, the Condor 3 Advanced fits the brief well. It is a genuinely competent daily cushioning shoe with thoughtful details and a ride quality that most eco-focused shoes still cannot match.

If you want a shoe for tempo work, intervals, or versatile pace range, the weight and generous fit hold it back. Runners coming from slimmer, more agile cushioned trainers will notice the difference immediately when moving through the gears.

How It Stacks Up Against the Competition

The sustainable running shoe category faces a tough question: is this shoe compelling enough to choose over conventional, often cheaper, petroleum-based options? Against its eco rivals, the Condor 3 Advanced is one of the stronger rides available because of its softness. Against regular daily trainers like the Vomero 16, Pegasus 41, ASICS Novablast 5, or Brooks Glycerin 22, it is less clear. That space is crowded, highly competitive, and full of shoes with more versatility and performance per pound or dollar.

A final verdict needs more miles, including longer runs beyond the hour mark and more structured speedwork. Early signs suggest the midsole has taken a few steps forward, but the overall package may not yet be special enough to stand out in that company.

Buying Advice

For easy-day runners who care about sustainability and refuse to compromise on cushioning, the Condor 3 Advanced is an easy recommendation. Its soft ride is a genuine step ahead of most sustainable competitors, and the durability and fit updates add everyday value.

If performance and versatility top your list, consider whether a conventional daily trainer at a lower price might serve you better until eco shoes close the gap. Trying the shoe in person is worthwhile, especially given the sizing guidance to go up a full size.

Conclusion

The Vasia Condor 3 Advanced is a careful, competent update. It keeps the cushioned softness that defines the line, adds a touch of spring through the new dynamic plate, and holds its place as one of the most comfortable sustainable trainers available. The weight and roomy fit keep it from being a do-everything shoe, but for easy miles with a lighter footprint, it does the job well.