Supernova Prima 3

Yes, for most runners it fits true to size, so your usual adidas size is the right place to start. The fit is secure and performance-oriented rather than roomy, wrapping close through the midfoot with a well-held heel. It suits a medium to slightly narrow foot best. If you have a wider forefoot, or you plan long hot runs where your feet swell, consider trying it on or leaning to the half size up for a little more room.

It is well suited to the easy and long runs that make up most marathon training, thanks to its deep Dreamstrike+ cushioning and planted, stable ride. It is comfortable up to marathon distance at an easy effort. It is not, however, a race shoe. At 290g it lacks the lightness and snap for fast workouts or race day, so most runners will pair it with a lighter tempo or carbon shoe for their quicker sessions.

Yes, it is a sensible choice for newer runners who want comfort and protection. The generous cushioning shields your legs while you build up mileage, and the stable, guided platform from the Support Rods makes it forgiving and easy to run in. The main caveats are the weight, which some beginners notice, and the closer forefoot fit, so if you have wider feet it is worth checking the fit before you buy.

The Prima is the softer, more cushioned and more protective of the two, built primarily for easy and long runs. The Supernova Rise 3 is lighter and more versatile, better able to handle a mix of paces including the occasional faster day. If your training is mostly steady mileage and you want maximum comfort, the Prima suits you. If you want one shoe that can pick the pace up when needed, the Rise is the more flexible option.

It is built as a daily trainer for exactly this kind of use, with a deep foam midsole and a substantial outsole designed to take repeated impact week after week. The generous stack and the Support Rods help it hold its shape and feel consistent as the miles accumulate. As always, expect outsole wear to depend on your gait and the surfaces you run on, but for steady road training this is a shoe designed to log a full training block.