Supernova Rise 3 vs Experience Flow 2

The Supernova Rise 3 is adidas doing the sensible thing well: a cushioned, neutral daily training shoe built to soak up easy miles rather than chase a time. It sits squarely in the do-everything daily-trainer bracket, with a 35mm heel and a 7.8mm drop giving you a protective, slightly rockered ride that suits steady runs and building a base. At 264g it is not the lightest daily shoe out there, and you feel that weight when you try to pick up the pace. That is the honest trade-off here. This is a comfort-first running shoe, not a tempo tool. If you loved the Supernova Rise 2, this is a familiar, refined step on. In our view it earns its keep as the shoe you reach for most mornings, and at a £130 RRP it is priced to be exactly that.

The Experience Flow 2 is Altra's answer to runners who love the brand's roomy, natural feel but want a bit more snap. It is a lightweight daily training shoe that trades Altra's signature zero drop for a low 4mm, which nudges you onto your forefoot and helps the ride feel quick. At 238g it is genuinely light for a cushioned trainer, so it handles easy miles and picks up the pace for a tempo or progression run without feeling like a chore. Think of it as a do-most-things road shoe rather than a specialist. It is not a max-cushion recovery slab and it is not a carbon racer, but for daily running, faster sessions and the odd 10k it hits a sweet spot. If you have been curious about Altra's foot-shaped fit but found true zero drop a step too far, this is the easiest way in. In our view it is one of the more versatile shoes in the range.