Supernova Prima 3 vs Supernova Rise 2

The Supernova Prima 3 is adidas' comfort-first daily training shoe, a max-cushioned road trainer built to soak up easy miles and keep you fresh over the long run. With a 38mm heel and 8mm drop it sits firmly in the plush, protective camp, and the Dreamstrike+ foam is what gives it that soft, forgiving landing. This is not a shoe chasing pace. At 290g it is on the heavier side for a daily trainer, so you feel it more as a mile-eater than a snappy one. What you get in return is a smooth, stable ride that holds up well as fatigue sets in, helped by the Support Rods that add a touch of structure without turning it into a stability shoe. We rate it as a straightforward everyday running shoe for runners who value cushioning and calm over speed. If you want more energy return for tempo days, the lighter Supernova Rise 3 is the more versatile sibling.

The Supernova Rise 2 is adidas playing it safe, and mostly getting it right. This is a cushioned neutral daily training shoe built for the miles most of us actually run: easy days, steady runs, the odd long one. It is not fast and it does not pretend to be. At 277g it sits on the heavier side of the daily trainer class, so if you want pop and turnover you will look elsewhere. What you get instead is a soft, forgiving ride with a stable, planted feel that shrugs off tired legs. The 10mm drop is traditional and suits heel strikers well. We rate it as a comfort-first workhorse rather than a do-everything running shoe. If your week is mostly relaxed mileage and you value a dependable, plush trainer over a lively one, it earns its place. Runners chasing tempo work will want a lighter shoe, and the newer Supernova Rise 3 is worth a look if you want the latest version.