Supernova Rise 2 vs Novablast 6

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.

The Novablast 6 is Asics at its most playful: a high-stack, bouncy daily training shoe built to make easy miles fun and steady miles feel effortless. At 249g with a big 41.5mm heel it sits in the upper reaches of the daily trainer class, closer to a max-cushion cruiser than a lean workhorse, yet the FF Blast Max midsole keeps it lively rather than dull. This is the do-everything running shoe for the runner who wants one pair for most of the week: warm-ups, recovery jogs, long runs and the odd relaxed tempo. It is not a race shoe and it is not a stability shoe, so if you overpronate heavily or want firm ground feel, look elsewhere. But as a cushioned, spirited daily trainer at a sensible price, we rate it highly. The Novablast 5 fans will feel right at home, with a touch more bounce underfoot.