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It’s been really cool seeing RAD break into the training shoe scene over the last few years. Whether you like their product or not, you can’t deny that they do a good job with marketing, community-focused events, and getting people to talk about their shoes.
To set the stage, I was a big fan of the original RAD ONE. I personally love it when you can take a training shoe into the gym and use it for everything and wear it outside of the gym, too, for casual wear. I call trainers like this the Swiss Army Knives of shoes.
The RAD ONE V2 has been interesting. I think there are areas where this shoe has notably and objectively improved in the gym for lifting and CrossFit, but I also think this shoe takes a step back in some areas, depending on what you’re after with your shoes.
Now, a lot of this ebb and flow will come down to personal preferences, and I’ll be the first to acknowledge that. Here’s how the RAD ONE V2 has performed for my testing.
RAD ONE V2
$150
Pros
- Well-rounded in the gym
- Comfortable midsole
- Good lifting performance
Cons
- Upper can run warm
- Wave design is hit or miss
Best For
- CrossFit (good do-it-all shoe)
- Lifting
- Cross-Training
- Streetstyle Lovers
Specs
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 6mm |
| Weight | 13.25 oz |
| Width | Medium/Wide(r) |
| Lifting Threshold | ~535 lbs |
| Mileage Threshold | <2 miles |
Who Should Buy This?
- CrossFit athletes. If your main means of training is CrossFit, then you’ll love the RAD ONE V2, in my opinion. They feel more versatile than the V1 with their midsole feel and have performed exceptionally well in WODs with short runs/jumping.
- You wished the RAD ONE V1 ran a bit wider. One thing I’ve noticed with the V2 is that they feel a bit wider, so I think they’ll work for a wider range of foot anatomies. If you were in the group of athletes that loved the V1 but felt they ran a little too snug, then you may be in luck with the wider fit of the V2.
- Streetstyle Lovers. I think the wave is a polarizing appearance feature, but I think this was done on purpose. For those who love more innovative or “loud” designs, then I think you’ll resonate with this shoe and how the colorways blend the upper, midsole, and outsole elements.
Who Shouldn’t Buy This Shoe?
- Feet that run warmer. If you’re someone who is constantly trying to find shoes that have the most breathable upper materials or if you live in a super hot climate, you may want to consider other options. The RAD ONE V2 does run pretty warm.
- Low-key style lovers. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t love the wave construction on the outsole. I do think some colorways look pretty good, like the triple black, but for the most part, I feel as though these look too much like basketball shoes for my daily wear-focused asks.
- Gym generalists. For anyone who’s a lot more recreational or generalist with their training, you can find good gym shoes that cost less than the RAD ONE V2. It’s a sick shoe. However, if you’re a beginner or on a budget and contemplating if spending $150 is worth it, you’re not missing anything by going with a cheaper shoe that may be more mainstream or big brand-esque.
What’s New With the RAD ONE V2?
I love it when smaller brands roll out new models because you get to see a lot of dialogue around the changes made. There are always a lot of opinions, including my own, on whether certain updates are upgrades, neutral, or downgrades.
- Reworked Upper Construction: Neutral change. The new upper construction and design have done well in terms of durability, but it comes at the cost of breathability. Thus, why I think it’s a neutral change.
- Wave Outsole Wrap: Neutral change. The wave outsole wrap has done a good job in the gym. However, its appearance is so-so for me. Plus, I’m starting to have a small bit of my wave wrap lip on the medial side of the shoe. Still too soon to claim this as a mass durability issue others will experience, though, hence why I think it’s a neutral change thus far. If you have something similar happen, please comment below.
- Forefoot Outsole Tweak: Positive Change. The outsole on the forefoot has a few breaks, which I personally like because it helps this shoe break in better, and the grip has been stellar.
- Midsole “Feels” Softer/Less Toe Spring: Positive Change. The SwellFoam midsole feels a little softer in this model, which I think is positive for versatility. There’s also less to spring so this model feels more “planted” when lifting.
- Reworked TPU In Heel: The TPU on the heel feels tasteful and isn’t overbearing while promoting a nice slide for HSPUs.
Sizing and Fit Suggestions
If you read the above about this shoe fitting wider than the V1 but have never tried the V1, this section is for you. I wear a size 10 in every shoe review so I can help better contextualize a shoe “should” fit per my analysis (it’s obv still individual).
For the record, I have an E/EE width foot and have a normal arch/instep. If you have specific sizing asks, please always feel free to drop a comment below or reach out via Instagram.
Narrow Width Foot Thoughts
- Go true to size.
These should feel spacious without feeling like too much space. I don’t think the toe box or midfoot will feel “too wide” for narrow feet and the upper volume is low enough with its thicker insole to help with security.
Medium Width Foot Thoughts
- Go true to size.
The RAD ONE V2 will feel best for medium to slightly wider feet (E/EE) widths. Similar to narrow feet, these should hug well without feeling too spacious or snug.
Wide Foot Thoughts
- Go true to size…for the most part.
I think the V2s will work for potentially up to a 3E foot width. However, you may notice the toe box taper a little more if you’re pushing a 3E+ foot width and have a blockier forefoot. These also have a bit of arch, so keep that in mind if you have flatter feet.
One tip to get more space in this shoe is to swap out its insole for a thinner insole. This can give you more upper volume and give them a “wider” feeling if you find they’re on the brim of feeling just a little too snug.
Performance Assessment
For my RAD ONE V2 testing, I held this shoe to a high standard due to their price point being here and for the V1 being such a strong shoe. I tested this model in multiple strength/hypertrophy sessions, CrossFit WODs, athletic-focused workouts, and short runs with daily wear.
Stronger Than the V1 for Lifting
Wait, didn’t you say the midsole is softer in this model? How are they better for lifting? Hear me out because even though this model runs softer, I still think it’s a better shoe overall for lifting asks. From a stability point of view, I don’t see the softer midsole being a problem for most in the gym.
I have yet to have issues with this model when deadlifting 450 lbs plus or squatting north of 300 lbs. Unless you’re pushing heavy heavy weight, like I’m talking 600+ lb lifts, then I think you’ll be fine in these. They’ve also been solid for my hypertrophy sessions, where I’m doing more machine work and exercises like lunges and split squats. They move well, feel planted, and have a good grip.
The outsole tread is one of my low-key favorite things about this shoe. One thing that I have always loved about the V1, and that is similar to the V2, is the grip of this shoe. The herringbone tread pattern and the rubber compound that RAD uses is super solid for promoting traction on different surfaces. You never really have slip issues on wooden platforms, machine platforms, rubber gym floors, and turf.
I briefly touched on this above, but I also appreciate that this shoe has a little less toe spring. I think this component blended with the wider platform gives this model a much more lifting-friendly feeling. They feel more “planted” when squatting and catching cleans, and I don’t feel like there’s as much forward pitch as I felt in certain movements with the V1. That all said, for lifting, I think the V2 has seen a buff in performance.
My only complaint about this shoe for the lifting-focused individual is its warmth. If you just want a shoe for lifting and like doing longer gym sessions, then you may want to explore similar stable options that breathe better. For example, the Adidas Dropset 3 could be a good option to look into if your only concerns are stability and a great gripping outsole for lifting.
One of the Top Dogs for CrossFit (and Cross-Training)
Hands down, the RAD ONE V2 is going to be a top three shoe for the CrossFit-focused athlete. It’s too well-rounded and dialed for that style of training not to hold one of the top spots, especially when you compare it to the market filled with generalists and CrossFit-focused shoes with “meh” constructions like huge TPU plated heels…*coughs* Nike Metcon 9.
I think the softer midsole in this shoe has made them a lot more forgiving and comfortable for workouts with a lot of double-unders and box jumps programmed. The forefoot feels lively, and these break in considerably fast, which is a subtle perk. The TPU layer in the heel doesn’t feel like it’s too much either and does a pretty good job with wall slide.
Here’s where we get a little into the weeds. From a performance point of view, the wave construction has done a really good job thus far with stability and general grip for things like rope climbs. I do have a little hesitation with the ends of the rubber wave parts, though, and with clipping.
One of mine is starting to lip ever so slightly, but I’m hoping I’m a one-off and rare case. I’m also curious if this is due to me wearing these for daily wear and having them on during a damper day. I could see there is an issue with that rubber and its adhesive and that suede upper material if you’re also wearing these a lot in damper climates. Again, though, I’m writing this with more curiosity than saying it’s going to be an “all-the-time problem” because the quality of these shoes does feel solid.
From a cross-training perspective, this model can be a good bet for anyone who cross-trains frequently but also likes to do CrossFit and lift every week. These wouldn’t necessarily be my go-to pick for the class and HIIT-focused individual. However, they’ll tick a lot of boxes for cross-training without necessarily being only built for that.
The upper security, midsole responsiveness, and outsole grip are all reasons why I like these for cross-training. They also have a nice platform to train and jump from, so if you’re doing a lot of single-leg hops and exercises, then I think you’ll enjoy the stability and balance you feel from these compared to higher stack height models like the Nitro Squared from Puma.
I think my only concerns with this shoe for cross-training revolve around its warmer upper, which I talked about above, and that this shoe has a bit of bulk to it. It’s not going to feel as lightweight as other models designed to be a little more minimalistic in design for cross-training, like the Nike Flex Control 4 and the Adidas RapidMove.
Okay for Short Runs and Hit Or Miss for Daily Wear
When I reference short runs, I’m talking about bouts of running that range from one mile and down. I think if you’re using these for short interval runs that range from 400-1,200 meters programmed in WODs or cross-training workouts, then you’ll be fine with them.
In the landscape of CrossFit and lifting-focused cross-training shoes, I’d put the RAD ONE V2 towards the “more forgiving” side of trainers. The V1 was a little dense for some lifters, and I’d agree with that statement for the most part, but the V2 feels better. For athletes who want that trainer for running 1+ miles at any given time in a workout, then I’d look into more hybrid-focused shoes like the F-Fly from Inov8.
For daily wear, I’m torn on this shoe due to its comfort and appearance. There’s no faulting that this shoe is comfortable from a straight up feel on the feet context. The SwellFoam doesn’t feel overly dense and you can walk long distances in them without feeling beat up. They do a little too much like a basketball shoe for me for true casual wear at times, but I also see where this could be a benefit for some.
The warmer upper can be a hinderance for all-day wear if you live in warmer climates. I also have concerns with that outsole lip in warm, damp climates. I put some feelers out on Instagram about it and have had some experience with similar things, but we’re keeping an eye on it and trying to draw conclusions as to “why” that may be happening.
Construction Details
From a physical touch context, the RAD ONE V2 feels solid and you can’t fault that it’s a well-built shoe. I know that doesn’t necessarily help you as a consumer, but this shoe doesn’t feel “cheap” by any means.
Outsole
- Full rubber outsole
- Herringbone tread pattern
- Medial/lateral wave outsole wraps
- Extended outsole wrap over the toe/heel bevel
Midsole
- SwellFoam midsole (medium-density foam)
- 6mm heel-to-toe drop
- TPU piece at the end of the heel above the midsole
- Foam removable insole
Upper
- Mesh upper through the forefoot into the midfoot
- Padded mesh heel/boot with lip for security
- Suede overlays cover the forefoot and midfoot
- RAD branding on lateral heel upper
- External heel tab to help push the shoe on
- Synthetix/textile overlays around the midfoot
Laces and Midfoot
- 5 core eyelets, 4 loop eyelets and 1 traditional eyelet
- Padded mesh tongue with a gusset
- RAD branding on the top of the tongue
Shop This Shoe
Final Verdict: Would I Buy Again?
I would, but in a different colorway.
I don’t love the wave construction, and they’re no longer a training shoe that I’ll bring on travel trips where I just want one shoe for training in and dressing up casually. Hence, why I’d buy a more toned-down colorway for this ask.
From a performance point of view, the RAD ONE V2 has done a great job, and you can’t fault how they do for lifting, CrossFit, and cross-training sessions. They have a better platform for lifting, and the reworked midsole gives them a more versatile feel.
I do wish RAD brought over the new platform/midsole feel into their old outsole wrap/design. I think we’d be cooking with gas, then. It would look sick and be more versatile and wider-fitting. However, that’s coming from someone who has no drip (I’m okay admitting that, lol) and doesn’t love how loud the waves feel at times.
If you have additional questions or feedback about the V2, drop a comment below or hit me on Instagram!
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