Supernova Prima 1

Yes, for most runners it fits true to size, so start with your usual adidas number. The midfoot is secure and the toe box is on the standard-to-snug side rather than roomy. If you have wider feet, like extra space for long runs, or your feet swell over distance, going half a size up is a sensible move. There is no wide fitting, so genuinely wide feet may find it tight.

It can carry you through a marathon comfortably if your goal is to finish feeling protected rather than to race a fast time. The deep cushioning is kind to tired legs late in a race, but at 290g with no plate it is not built for speed. If you want a PB, a lighter carbon racer like the Adizero Adios Pro 4 is the tool for the job. Use the Prima for training miles and comfort-first race days.

Yes, it is a friendly choice for new runners who want maximum comfort and protection while they build up mileage. The soft, forgiving ride takes the sting out of hard pavement and the neutral platform suits most gaits. The main catches are the 290g weight, which feels a little heavy underfoot, and the £160 price, which is steep for a first shoe. If budget matters, the daily Supernova Rise 3 is a lighter, cheaper alternative.

The Prima is the softer, more cushioned, more premium shoe, aimed squarely at easy and recovery miles. The Rise is lighter, a touch more versatile and better suited to picking up the pace now and then, which makes it the better single-shoe pick for most runners. Think of the Prima as the plush long-run specialist in the range and the Rise as the do-everything daily trainer. If you only buy one, the Rise is more flexible; if you want dedicated comfort, choose the Prima.

Durability is one of its strengths. The upper materials feel robust and the cushioned midsole is built to absorb the load of high-mileage weeks, so it holds up well as a dedicated easy-day and long-run shoe. As with any softer max-cushion trainer, keeping it for its intended relaxed pace rather than sharp speedwork will help it last. For most runners logging steady miles, it should return plenty of comfortable kilometres before it packs out.