Supernova Rise 3 vs Novablast 5

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 Novablast 5 is Asics at its most fun: a bouncy, do-it-all daily training shoe that turns easy miles into something you actually look forward to. It sits in the high-stack daily trainer bracket, with an 8mm drop and a springy ride that rewards a relaxed cadence. At 135 pounds RRP and around 255g it is not the lightest in its class, but the energy you get back more than pays for the weight on everyday runs. This is a versatile running shoe rather than a one-trick pony. It will cover recovery jogs, steady long runs and the odd faster session without complaint, even if it is happiest cruising. If you want something firmer and more locked-down for tempo work, the Asics Superblast 2 is the pricier, sharper sibling. But for most runners after one shoe to carry the bulk of their training, the Novablast 5 is an easy shoe to recommend. We rate it as one of the most enjoyable daily trainers you can buy.