R.A.D Mallow Overview & First Run Review
The Mallow is R.A.D’s introduction to the max-cushion comfort side of running. With 42mm of SwellFoam, a 40% Bio EVA + OBC blend, an 8mm drop, and a weight of 302g, this daily trainer has some serious potential Below we will compare it to R.A.D’s super shoe, and hobby jogger favorite, the UFO, and help you decide if the new Mallow is a shoe you should add to your rotation.
R.A.D is entering the max cushion world with the Mallow, a max cushion daily trainer that feels heavily inspired by the UFO super trainer but tuned for easier miles. The Mallow rocks the same 42mm stack and 8mm drop while swapping the premium PEBA setup for a new SwellFoam bio-based EVA/OBC blend aimed at comfort, durability, and stacking daily mileage. At $150 and 302g it features a gentler rocker geometry focused more on cruising than picking up the pace.
Specs of the R.A.D Mallow
Heel Stack & Drop: 42mm of foam in the heel with an 8mm drop
Price: $150
Midsole Construction: Non-plated SwellFoam, a 40% bio-based EVA/OBC foam
Sizing & Fit: R.A.D recommend going a 1/2 size up and we agree. It is not as wide and accomodating in the forefoot as the UFO.
Heel Geometry: Reminiscent of the heel in the beloved UFO
R.A.D Mallow
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R.A.D Mallow vs R.A.D UFO
Marketing Brief and Purpose
While the R.A.D Mallow is positioned as a max cushion shoe designed to provide smooth comfort and reliability for stacking daily mileage, the UFO is marketed as a versatile, bouncy, and fun super trainer that’s comfortable for daily miles, but can also pick up the pace.
Specs
Both shoes have 42mm of foam in the heel with an 8mm drop, but the Mallow weighs 302 grams while the UFO comes in at 249 grams in a Men's sample size 9.
Midsole Construction
The Mallow has a gentle rocker geometry and a Bio EVA/OBC blend optimized for comfort and durability. On the other hand, the UFO features a 100% PEBA race foam midsole and a rockered geometry designed to roll you through your stride.
Price
The price difference accurately reflects the fun-factor of each of these shoes with the more normal feeling Mallow being priced at a very competitive $150 and the UFO—the more fun, bouncy super trainer—coming in at $200.
R.A.D UFO
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First Run Review in the R.A.D Mallow
We were initially surprised at the high weight to stack ratio of the Mallow and the less responsive feel of the foam compared to the beloved UFO, but once we adjusted our expectations for the shoe to match R.A.D's intention for its use case and purpose, we were not disappointed. Our Men's size 10.5 came in around 325 grams, making it a more direct competitor of stalwarts like the Hoka Bondi 9, ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28, and the Puma MagMax Nitro 2. It excels as a very normal feeling, comfortable, highly protective shoe for recovery days and relaxed miles. It is not as versatile and fun as the recent crop of super trainers, such as the ASICS Superblast 3, ASICS Megablast, Adidas Hyperboost Edge, or even the Nike Vomero Plus, but it is also not marketed as such and it is priced accordingly at $150.
For Yowana's full first run review video, check out the Supwell YouTube channel:
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