Supernova Prima 3 vs 880 14

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 New Balance 880v14 is the definition of a do-everything neutral daily trainer, and that is exactly the point. This is the shoe you reach for on Monday when you just want to run, not think about your shoes. It is not light at 304g and it is not flashy, but it gives you a dependable, cushioned running shoe that soaks up easy miles, marathon-block base runs and the daily commute-jog without complaint. New Balance pitches it against the neutral-daily benchmarks, and it holds its own next to the Brooks Ghost 17 and the Pegasus. The 8mm drop and generous cushioning suit heel and midfoot strikers who want protection over pop. If you want a softer, more premium ride from the same brand, the Fresh Foam X 1080v14 sits a tier up. But for a no-drama workhorse at £140, the 880v14 is an easy shoe to recommend.