Supernova Rise 2 vs Velocity Nitro 5

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.

At £110, the Velocity Nitro 5 is one of the cheaper daily trainers from a major brand, and that price is a big part of its appeal. It's a neutral running shoe for everyday miles: easy runs, steady efforts and the odd pickup in pace. Puma has dropped the heel-to-toe drop to 8mm from the 9.7mm of the Velocity Nitro 4 and added a little stack, but reviewers mostly describe it as a modest update rather than a new shoe.

Grip and stability are where testers agree. The PumaGrip outsole holds on wet roads and towpaths better than most trainers, and the ride stays planted. Cushioning is where they split. One reviewer found the Nitrofoam soft and forgiving, others felt the forefoot went thin on longer runs. If you want more bounce for faster days, Puma's Deviate Pure Nitro costs £40 more. As a dependable, grippy daily training shoe at a fair price, we'd call it a good buy, not a class leader.