UFO

I’m **6’1” / 185 cm** and **257 lb / 117 kg**. I’ve been running for about **one year to a year and a half**. I’m not a super-fast runner, and as a heavier runner, stability, protection, lockdown, and how a shoe feels under my weight matter a lot to me. **My current rotation includes:** Puma MagMax 2 / MagMax Nitro 2 Adidas Evo SL Adidas Adios Pro 4 New Balance FuelCell Propel v5 New Balance Rebel v4 RAD UFO Trainer **Backstory** I originally didn’t even go looking for the ANTA C202 7. I was in Thailand for two months and saw an Instagram post calling the ANTA Zone 2 G9 an “Evo SL killer.” I liked the look of the shoe, so while I was in Pattaya, I decided to see if I could find an ANTA store. Turns out, there was one inside a mall in Pattaya. I went in thinking I was buying the Zone 2 G9, but I accidentally walked out with the ANTA C202 7 instead. In hindsight, I’m not mad at it at all. This shoe ended up being a pleasant surprise. **Upper / Fit / Lockdown** The upper is very airy and breathable. I can see this being a good shoe for summer or hot weather. Fit-wise, it does run a little narrow, but I still had room in the toe box. For reference, I wear a **size 12** in almost all my running shoes. The only exception is the **Adidas Evo SL**, where I wear my true size, **11.5**. The lockdown is excellent. The laces are good, and once tightened, the shoe feels secure from the midfoot to the heel. I had no heel slip, no hotspots, and my foot did not feel like it was moving around. The lockdown was almost *too* good at first. I had to loosen the shoe because I tightened it so much that it felt like I was cutting off circulation. Once I adjusted the laces, the fit felt much better. **Midsole / Cushioning** The midsole surprised me the most. I originally wanted the Zone 2 G9 because of the “Evo SL killer” comparison, but when I tried the C202 7 on, it still gave me some of that Adidas Evo SL feeling. The foam feels firm, which I personally like. At first, I wondered if it might be *too* firm, but once I ran in it, that changed. After flying back to Atlanta from Thailand and resting from the long flight, I took it out for a run. I was unsure at first, but once I started running, I immediately thought, yeah, I like this shoe. The best way I can describe it: It feels like an Adidas Evo SL with a carbon plate. It has that firm, controlled, responsive feel that I like from the Evo SL, but with more pop and structure from the plate. It felt bouncy, stable, and locked in without feeling overly soft. **Ride / Performance** The more I ran in the C202 7, the more I liked it. It has the firmness I like, but still gives bounce and plate assistance. It does not feel dead. This is definitely a speed shoe. It feels like something you pick up when you want to run faster or push the pace. I could see it working for faster efforts, long runs with assistance, and possibly marathon racing. I have never run a marathon, so I can’t speak from marathon experience. But based on the firmness, bounce, stability, and protection, I understand why it would work as a plated marathon shoe. I’m also curious to see how the midsole changes with more miles. My Adidas Evo SL got better the more I ran in it, so I wonder if the C202 7 will break in the same way. **Comparison: ANTA C202 7 vs Adidas Adios Pro 4** After running in the ANTA, I tried on my Adidas Adios Pro 4 again since both are plated marathon-style shoes. I still like the Adios Pro 4. It’s light, smooth, and I understand why people like it. But for me, the midsole feels a little bit soft. Sometimes the back of the shoe feels like it sinks in too much under my weight. The C202 7 feels firmer, more stable, and more controlled. The Adios Pro 4 probably feels lighter, although I haven’t weighed them side by side. But for my running style, the ANTA works better. For me personally, if I had to choose between the ANTA C202 7 and the Adios Pro 4, I’m choosing the ANTA. It’s just more my style. **Stability** For a plated shoe, the C202 7 feels stable. As a heavier runner, I don’t want a shoe that feels like I’m sinking into it or fighting to stay balanced. The ANTA feels controlled underfoot. The firmness helps, and the strong lockdown adds to that secure feeling. It gives me bounce and plate assistance without making me feel unstable. **Outsole / Traction** Traction was good. I didn’t have any issues with grip during my run, and the outsole felt secure underfoot. Nothing about the traction stood out negatively, which is usually a good sign. The shoe felt planted and reliable. **Build Quality / Construction** This might be the most well-constructed running shoe I’ve personally felt so far. I’ve only been running for about a year to a year and a half, so I’m not saying I’ve tested everything. But from what I’ve tried, this shoe feels very well-built. I didn’t notice excess glue, bad stitching, or anything that felt cheap. Everything felt clean, premium, and put together well. For a $140 carbon-plated marathon shoe, that’s honestly impressive. **Pros** Breathable upper, good for hot weather Excellent lockdown with no heel slip or hotspots Firm, bouncy ride with noticeable plate assistance Stable and controlled for a plated shoe Good traction Premium construction for the price Strong value at around **$140** **Cons** Runs a little narrow Lockdown can feel too tight if over-tightened Firm ride may not work for runners who prefer softer shoes Might be slightly heavier than the Adios Pro 4, but I haven’t weighed them Need more miles to see how the midsole breaks in

I just turned 40. For mefirmer shoes usually feel better because they give me more control and stability. When a shoe is too soft or too plush, my foot sinks in too much, and it can make me feel unstable and I have to work harder. A firmer midsole gives me a more stable platform. I tried shoes like the asics gel Nimbus, and honestly, I hated them. They felt too soft for what my body likes. But I also feel like firmer shoes break in better over time. At first they might feel a little stiff, but after some miles, they mold to your stride and become more comfortable without losing that stable feeling. That’s why I love the Evo sl so much. So for me, it’s not about wanting a hard shoe it’s more about wanting a shoe that feels controlled, stable, and consistent under my body. I need some bounce in my shoes basically. Also, I started incorporated a lot of leg workouts as well to help my legs and my joints and also a lot of mobility workouts also to help myself.

Sidenote, I just ran in my rad UFO today. This may be my fifth or six running them. I would highly recommend this shoe. Also I feel like it’s a good in between balance and for some reason I feel my knees feel so much better in the shoe.

If anybody has ran in both the Superblast 3 and R.A.D. UFO, please post comparison impression. So far I've only worn the newly arrived SB3 around the house and feeling like I much prefer the lock down, fit, comfort and roll-through-the-stride of the UFO. The SB3 slaps where the UFO rolls.

thanks for the comment! I broke down and took the SB3 out for a short run this morning. I was very impressed. The key for me in the SB3 was to really tighten down the laces (I'm narrow-footed) to get my foot locked in. With the laces well tightened down, it felt like a completely different shoe on my foot. For runners who are slightly between sizes, I'd suggest sizing down. Time will tell which I prefer but as of now, I'm a big fan of both the Superblast 3 and the R.A.D. UFO

Good review. Myself (65kg), I don't find SB3 heel-to-toe transitions particularly smooth. They're fine, I just wouldn't characterize theme as "smooth." If you want to feel smooth transitions, try the R.A.D. UFO

If anybody has ran in both the Superblast 3 and R.A.D. UFO, please post comparison impression. So far I've only worn the newly arrived SB3 around the house and feeling like I much prefer the lock down, fit, comfort and roll-through-the-stride of the UFO. The SB3 slaps where the UFO rolls.

The UFO is fantastic. Don't second guess yourself quite yet.

RAD UFO / Vomero 18 / Endorphin Speed 5 - That's my ideal 3 shoe rotation for training. I don't consider my "race shoes" part of a rotation, but if we did, then I'd put Adios Pro 3 in there.

I replaced my NB5s with the R.A.D. UFO. It's definitely been fun.

They have a R.A.D. Pro program for "certified coaches, gym owners, first responders, nurses, doctors, military personnel and teachers". You have to submit an application through their website. I submitted a copy of my nursing license, and it was approved in about 24 hours. Shoes come out to $150 + tax and shipping. I plan to get another pair now that they're included in the discount, I love them so much.