Supernova Rise 3 vs Torin 8

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 Altra Torin 8 is a cushioned zero-drop daily training shoe built for runners who want a soft, roomy ride with their heel and forefoot sitting level at 0mm drop. This is Altra's classic everyday road runner, and the eighth version keeps the recipe honest: a natural foot-flat platform, a wide anatomical toe box and enough foam to soak up easy miles. At 278g it is not the lightest daily trainer around, and the zero-drop geometry asks more of your calves and achilles than a raised-heel shoe does, so it rewards runners who are already comfortable running flat. If you like the feel of the ground under a level foot but still want proper cushioning, this is one of the most complete zero-drop options on the market. Newer to Altra? The lighter Escalante 4 is a gentler place to start.