How does the upstart R.A.D Mallow stack up against daily training giants?

Introduction to the R.A.D Mallow

KARL: This year, we’ve seen an explosion of newer brands from around the globe coming onto the scene. They seem to be popping up out of nowhere, but for R.A.D, you can say they’ve been in the game for a little while now. R.A.D originally started as a footwear brand catering to weightlifting and CrossFit, but it has since begun developing running shoes — not a unique concept, as there’ve been plenty of brands that’ve done the same (looking at you, NoBull and TYR).

But what makes R.A.D a bit different is how they’ve been a bit more successful in that expansion. Most of the time, when a CrossFit brand tries to make a running shoe, it often falls flat. From my understanding, R.A.D has a few designers who come from notable running brands like Nike, which seems to help with nailing the fundamentals of making a great running trainer.

And with the overwhelmingly positive reception of the R.A.D UFO earlier this year, it’s pretty exciting to see their lineup grow. Along with the Synth, the Mallow is marketed as a daily trainer, whereas the UFO is marketed as a super trainer. Let’s check out how the R.A.D Mallow performs.

MEAGHAN: As Karl mentioned, R.A.D comes from the CrossFit space, which running enthusiasts tend to scrutinize heavily (myself included). So it’s been a genuine surprise to not only enjoy one shoe from the brand, but now two.

First came the UFO, and now the Mallow, a max cushion trainer with a more accessible $150 price point. The shoe features a mesh upper and 42mm of SwellFoam underfoot — a blend of OBC and 40% bio-based EVA. It also boasts full rubber coverage, an 8mm drop, and my W7.5 came in at 8.8 oz.

So where does it fit in the rotation? Let’s get into it.

What we like about the R.A.D Mallow

KARL: Off the bat, the R.A.D Mallow (and most of R.A.D’s shoes) have a very distinct and unique look — and it isn’t bad. I applaud the team at R.A.D for making bold, unapologetic design choices and for offering so many colors. Thomas, Meg, and I all received different colorways. I got the triple black, Thomas got the McDonald’s Grimace colorway, and Meg got the off-white with lightly sprinkled Grimace accents. I have to say they all look stunning — though we collectively agree Meg’s colorway is the best.

Moving on, the overall fit is pretty dialed in. Interestingly, R.A.D recommends going half a size up, and Thomas has been rocking a size US M10 as of late, but he went with a US M10.5 and felt it was perfect. By this logic, I should’ve gone up to a US M11, but I stayed with a US M10.5 and thought it felt fine. Sure, perhaps an extra smidge of room in the toebox would be appreciated, but I didn’t have any problems with my toes mashing into the front of the shoe. The upper’s mesh material also feels pretty pliable, so I think it helps offset any sizing issues in my case.

Sporting a well-padded, gusseted tongue, just the right amount of heel cushioning, and a plastic clip on the heel for added support, the R.A.D Mallow is a pretty comfortable trainer upon step-in. I also haven’t found breathability to be an issue, unlike many of the daily trainers I’ve tested so far this year.

The ride of the R.A.D Mallow is the star of the show, boasting a substantial amount of cushioning for a daily trainer. The SwellFoam (40% Bio EVA + OBC) feels much like what Thomas has been describing as “Silly Putty-like,” as well as making various sound FX around the office to describe it (seriously, what DOES putty sound like?). It’s got a soft sink-in feel to it, but also offers a reasonable amount of rebound.

I’m not sure if they named it Mallow because it’s soft like marshmallow (that would be too easy, right?), but I’d say it’s pretty on the money, though I’d say it’s a touch firmer than a marshmallow. Perhaps it’s closer to a marshmallow that’s been in the freezer for a few hours, then taken out to thaw for 45 minutes? Confectionery talk aside, it’s a very enjoyable ride that, combined with a slightly rockered toe off, makes this an everyday trainer I’d throw in the “fun” category.

I will go into a bit more detail in the next section, but in my size, the R.A.D Mallow weighs 11.5 oz (326g). On paper, that reads like it’ll be a brick, but in reality, it feels lighter than it is — which is why I’m marking this as a positive. I think the midsole formulation, combined with a bit of pop off the toe, keeps that weight manageable, but after a while, you’ll feel it…

Finally, at $150, the R.A.D Mallow is a great value. It competes with a lot of great daily trainers at that price point, but the ride is unique and fun enough to stand out from the rest, and that is ultimately a good thing. So much so that we had to re-shoot a part of our Best Running Shoes for $145 to $160 video to include the R.A.D Mallow.

MEAGHAN: R.A.D shoes command attention on the shelf, which is a double-edged sword: it sets them apart, but may give more traditional runners pause. Personally, I love it. The design is fun and distinctive, and the name “Mallow” couldn’t be more fitting, as that midsole genuinely looks like a marshmallow.

Beyond the looks, the step-in feel is excellent. The collar and tongue are well-padded, the flat stretch laces lock the foot down nicely, and a plastic heel counter adds a sturdy, supportive feel. I ran in my typical US W7.5, though R.A.D recommends sizing up a half size. My toes sat right at the edge, which wasn’t an issue for me on shorter efforts, but if you’re planning anything over 90 minutes, that extra room would likely be appreciated as your feet settle in.

The midsole is hard to pin down, and I mean that in the best way. It’s not overly soft, not particularly propulsive, and not gooey — it lives somewhere comfortably in between. I can’t quite get on board with the Silly Putty comparison Thomas/Karl made, but I understand the instinct. What I can say is that it feels good underfoot, and I found myself enjoying the ride most on easy runs and recovery days – the kind where you zone out and forget what’s on your feet. That’s always a good sign.

And then there’s the $150 price tag, which makes all of the above stand out even more. In terms of materials and overall quality, this shoe punches well above its price point.

What we don’t like about the R.A.D Mallow

KARL: Piggybacking off the weight I mentioned previously, you’ll start to feel the heft of the shoe the longer you’re in it, though it is marketed as a daily trainer, so it’s not that egregious of an offense. But this is the only reason I’m giving it a slight knock in the performance rating.

If you want to go longer and feel a bit more comfortable, I’d recommend going with the R.A.D UFO. I took this out on a 16-mile long run and started to feel weighed down around mile seven (again, not necessarily meant for that distance, but it’s doable). If R.A.D can shave off some weight and bring the next Mallow down to 10-10.5 oz in my size, then it’d be in heavy contention for best daily trainer overall, in my opinion (as long as they don’t change much of the ride and underfoot sensation).

MEAGHAN: I’ll join the weight conversation here, because it’s easily the biggest knock on this shoe — which, in a way, is a compliment in itself. The Mallow is not a light shoe. My US W7.5 came in at 8.85 oz, which isn’t the heaviest thing out there, but compared to others in this category, it runs one to two ounces heavier than nearly all of them. Does that matter on a recovery run when you’re just logging easy miles? Probably not. But it’s worth keeping in mind.

Final thoughts on the R.A.D Mallow

KARL: For the better part of this year, I’ve been reviewing a lot of the standard daily trainers. And so far, I’ve been pretty disappointed with what a lot of the bigger, more mainstream brands have to offer in this department. It seems most of them are spending a lot of time developing race shoes and super trainers, which is fine, but it feels like they’re neglecting the daily trainer. It’s just been a rehash of the same models with an upper change that, a lot of the time, seems to add weight rather than reduce it. But even so, the rides of those trainers are uninspiring, and the overall running experience is just flat and boring.

So when a smaller brand like R.A.D comes out with a shoe like the Mallow, and it’s priced competitively, it makes me wonder what the bigger brands with more resources and innovation labs are thinking in terms of their daily trainer models. If they’re going to charge the same prices, why can’t they put out a daily trainer as fun as the Mallow? So kudos to R.A.D for at least trying to liven up the daily trainer category.

If you’re looking for a daily trainer that’s a bit different than what the mainstream brands have to offer and want a bit of flair and character in the branding, then the R.A.D Mallow may be the daily trainer for you.

MEAGHAN: On paper, the R.A.D. Mallow doesn’t exactly inspire confidence — a heavier daily trainer with an EVA-blended midsole and no flashy technology, from a brand most runners haven’t heard of. But out on the roads, this trainer works.

It’s reasonably priced, comes in a wide range of colorways, and brings a bold personality to a category that can feel a little uninspired. It’s comfortable straight out of the box with a smooth, enjoyable ride. Is it my first reach in this category? Probably not — shoes like the Novablast 6 and Evo SL offer a bit more versatility and pop, making them better suited for a wider range of running. But if you’re in the market for an easy day or recovery shoe with some personality? The Mallow is a very compelling option.

You can pick up the R.A.D Mallow for $150 from R.A.D by using the buttons below.