Supernova Prima 1 vs Supernova Rise 3

The Supernova Prima is adidas leaning all the way into soft, protective cushioning: a deeply padded max-cushion running shoe built for easy miles and long, gentle recovery days rather than speed. It sits above the daily Supernova Rise in the range, trading a little snap for a plusher, more forgiving ride underfoot. At 290g it is on the heavier side of the category, and with no plate and an 8mm drop this is a comfort trainer first and foremost, not a tempo tool. What you get for the £160 RRP is a smooth, cushioned road shoe that soaks up the pounding on higher-mileage weeks and keeps your legs feeling fresh. We rate it as a specialist rather than an all-rounder. If you want one shoe to do easy days and workouts, look elsewhere. If you want a dedicated cruiser for long, relaxed miles, it makes a strong case.

The Supernova Rise 3 is adidas doing the sensible thing well: a cushioned, neutral daily training shoe built to soak up easy miles rather than chase a time. It sits squarely in the do-everything daily-trainer bracket, with a 35mm heel and a 7.8mm drop giving you a protective, slightly rockered ride that suits steady runs and building a base. At 264g it is not the lightest daily shoe out there, and you feel that weight when you try to pick up the pace. That is the honest trade-off here. This is a comfort-first running shoe, not a tempo tool. If you loved the Supernova Rise 2, this is a familiar, refined step on. In our view it earns its keep as the shoe you reach for most mornings, and at a £130 RRP it is priced to be exactly that.