R.A.D UFO Running Shoe Review – Honest Thoughts After Real Mileage

SAVE MONEY ON YOUR RUNNING SHOES

Before getting into performance, let’s address the obvious: the R.A.D UFO looks absolutely nuts. The colourways are bold, the design is unconventional, and it’s a shoe that instantly divides opinion. Some will love it, some won’t – and that pretty much sums up the R.A.D UFO experience as a whole.

R.A.D (they prefer “RAD”) is still a relatively new brand, having launched around 2022. Their first shoe didn’t land particularly well, but the UFO represents a clear attempt at a reset. This is their take on a modern super trainer, designed to reduce fatigue and handle long runs, progressive efforts, and even some faster workouts. I deliberately waited before publishing this review, as I wanted proper mileage in the shoe rather than a first-impressions take. And I’m glad I did.

What Is the R.A.D UFO?

The R.A.D UFO is positioned as a long-run-focused super trainer, aimed at runners who want cushioning, protection, and versatility without a plate.

Key Specs

• Weight: 273g (UK 9.5)

• Stack Height: 42mm heel / 34mm forefoot

• Drop: 8mm

• Midsole: Dual-layer PEBA-blended foam

• Plate: None

• Price: £180 (reduced from £200)

It fits true-to-size-ish, though fit is something I’ll come back to later.

GET 15% OFF AT SPORTSSHOES.COM

Midsole & Ride Feel

The standout feature here is the dual-layer foam setup. There’s a softer layer designed to reduce fatigue, paired with a slightly firmer layer to give some structure and return. Importantly, there’s no plate in this shoe at all. Despite that, the ride works surprisingly well.

The shoe is heavily rockered – to the point where it almost feels like there’s no flat section at all. That rocker helps transitions feel smooth, especially at steady and moderate paces. Combined with the wide base, the shoe manages to feel stable despite the softness of the foam.

When I first put the UFO on, I genuinely thought, “What on earth is this?” I was very close to not reviewing it at all. It had been heavily pushed to influencers, but I hadn’t actually seen anyone running in it in the wild. That alone made me sceptical. But on the run? It completely surprised me.

The foam setup is enjoyable, forgiving, and versatile. You can cruise easy miles, pick the pace up when needed, and settle back down again without the shoe fighting you. For long runs and progressive efforts, it does exactly what it’s designed to do.

Upper, Fit & Comfort

The upper is a well-executed engineered mesh with a gusseted tongue and plenty of padding around the heel collar. Lockdown is genuinely very good, and the lacing system works better than it looks.

Heel security is excellent, which is important given how soft the platform is. There’s a substantial heel counter and plenty of padding to keep things stable.

However, I did have one notable issue:The shoe cuts in quite aggressively around the pinky toe area. On both feet, this caused blistering over longer runs. If you have wider feet, unusual foot shapes, or are sensitive in that area, this is something to be aware of. It’s not a dealbreaker for everyone, but it is worth flagging.

Outsole & Durability

The outsole performed much better than expected. There’s a fairly thick rubber coverage protecting the exposed midsole, and grip has been solid in cold, frosty, and wet UK winter conditions. Early morning long runs on icy pavements didn’t cause any major issues, which genuinely surprised me. Yes, the exposed foam has taken a few knocks, but that’s expected with this kind of design. Overall, the outsole has exceeded expectations.

Performance Summary

Across easy runs, long runs, and progressive efforts, the R.A.D UFO has performed consistently well. It’s stable for its size, cushioned without being dead, and capable of handling a range of paces. Despite how wild it looks, it’s a genuinely good running shoe. It even gives off strong Nike Invincible vibes, which makes sense. For runners who loved that shoe and feel it’s been lost from Nike’s lineup, the UFO could scratch a similar itch.

The Big Problem: Price

This is where everything falls apart. At £180, even after a reduction, the R.A.D UFO is simply too expensive for what it is – especially from a lesser-known brand. At this price point, it’s competing with proven, trusted options like ASICS Superblast 2 and similar high-end trainers. That puts consumers in a tough position:

• Do you take a leap of faith on a newer brand?

• Or do you buy something you already know works?

For me, that’s the deciding factor. If this shoe were £155–£160, the conversation would be very different. At £180, it becomes hard to justify, no matter how much I enjoy running in it.

Verdict: Would I Recommend It?

Honestly? No – not at £180. And that’s a shame, because I really like this shoe. It’s fun, different, and enjoyable to run in. The ride is good, the foam works, and it does exactly what it claims to do.

But for the majority of runners – especially those watching this channel – £180 is too big a leap of faith for a newer brand when strong alternatives exist at the same price.

If you want something different, something bold, and you don’t mind paying a premium, you’ll get a good shoe here. But value matters, and at this price, I can’t confidently recommend it. Good shoe. Overpriced. And that really sums up the R.A.D UFO.

You can get discounts on your next running shoe purchase at Sportsshoes.com by either becoming an affiliated club member with FORDY RUNS Running Club where you will get 15% off or you can join the club for free and get 10% off your next purchase by getting our latest discount code from our website