Adidas Supernova Rise 2: review, price and key features

This Adidas Supernova Rise 2 review finds a shoe well suited to runners looking for a daily trainer: it combines balanced cushioning, a relatively stable ride and a manageable weight. It is at its best on easy runs and steady efforts, rather than fast intervals or all-out racing.

The second version updates the upper while retaining the Dreamstrike+ midsole and Support Rods. Its reference price at launch was €150, although retail prices can vary. An unsecured tongue and a less explosive response than faster shoes are its main trade-offs.

Who is it suited to?

The Supernova Rise 2 is a neutral road running shoe that can work for beginners and experienced runners alike. It is particularly well suited to a weekly routine built around easy runs, warm-ups and controlled long runs.

It is also an option for runners who want one training shoe rather than a different pair for every session. It can handle gradual pickups and moderate changes of pace, although it lacks the sharper response of speed-focused models during demanding intervals. It does not have a carbon plate and is not designed to deliver that kind of propulsion.

Possible uses include 10K and half-marathon distances, as well as longer runs during marathon preparation. Whether it works for those sessions depends on how the runner responds to its cushioning and how long they spend on their feet, not just the distance on the training plan.

For lighter and medium-weight runners, its combination of foam and support may be sufficient for regular mileage. There is no automatic weight limit above that range, but it becomes more important to assess whether the forefoot provides the desired cushioning on long runs. Runners who prefer a very soft base may be better served by a more heavily cushioned daily trainer.

Cushioning and stability without a plate

The midsole uses Dreamstrike+, a foam designed to balance softness and responsiveness. This is not an extreme-feeling shoe: it keeps the runner closer to the ground than some high-stack alternatives while retaining cushioning for everyday use.

Published lab measurements put stack height at 33.5 millimetres at the heel and 24 millimetres at the forefoot, producing a 9.5-millimetre drop. The stated figure for the model is 10 millimetres. Drop describes the difference in height between those two areas; it does not require a heel strike or guarantee compatibility with a particular running style.

Measured forefoot energy return was 68.1%, compared with an average of 61.5% across the shoes tested in the lab. That describes how the material behaved under specific conditions, not how much energy a runner will save or how much faster they can expect to race.

The Support Rods are foam rods built beneath the midsole to add support and help guide the transition. They are not the racing components used in the Adizero family. They give structure to a neutral shoe, but do not make it a corrective device or replace an individual assessment when specific support is needed.

Weight and flexibility: what the measurements mean

As a reference, the shoe is listed at around 275 grams for men and 230 grams for women. A published lab measurement recorded 257 grams for one shoe. Weight changes with size and version, so those figures should not be treated as a direct comparison between equivalent pairs.

The force required to bend the shoe was 7.3 newtons, compared with an average of 15.5 newtons across the shoes measured. The result points to a shoe that was easy to flex in that test and helps explain its less rigid design compared with many plated models.

That construction also broadens its use beyond training: it can work for walks or everyday journeys. For runners who use the same pair for running and walking, flexibility is useful, although wear from both activities also adds up.

What changed from the original Supernova Rise?

The second generation retains the main Dreamstrike+ and Support Rods construction. The most visible change is above it: adidas has reduced some of the padding around the tongue and collar and updated the mesh to reduce bulk and improve ventilation.

The update makes this a lighter option on paper, but does not change its purpose. Anyone happy with the original should find a similar proposition underfoot; the clearest reason to switch would be a preference for a less bulky upper, not a dramatic change in cushioning.

That does not mean an older pair needs replacing if it still fits well and retains its structure. If the original continues to do its job, the upper update alone may not justify the expense. For runners who found the padding around the ankle excessive, however, the new construction is worth considering.

Fit, sizing and foot hold

The toe box provides room for the toes, while the midfoot can feel more contained. A lab measurement recorded a width of 98.7 millimetres, compared with an average of 95.2 millimetres. That describes the area measured, not a guarantee that the rest of the shoe will feel roomy on every foot.

The tongue is not attached at the sides and may move while running. The laces allow the fit to be adjusted, but it is worth checking for pressure over the instep and for a secure heel hold. A wide version is also available, although availability can vary by retailer and size.

To choose a size, measure your foot in centimetres and consult the official adidas size chart. Try both shoes with your usual running socks and check that your toes have room without the heel slipping. If you use orthotics, try them inside the shoe: they change the available space and can affect the fit.

Adiwear outsole: roads, rain and wear

The outsole uses Adiwear rubber arranged in several sections, rather than a Continental compound. It is primarily designed for asphalt, although it can also be used on compact dirt and even park paths. It does not have the lugs or protection of a trail shoe.

Forefoot traction recorded a lab value of 0.38, compared with an average of 0.53. That test does not reproduce every urban surface: in wet conditions, smooth paving, road markings and metal covers require particular care, regardless of how the shoe behaves on dry asphalt.

The outsole durability test recorded 1.1 millimetres of wear, matching the average for the shoes measured. That result cannot be converted into an exact lifespan: terrain, landing pattern and daily use all influence how a pair ages.

Rather than relying on a universal mileage target, look at the condition of the rubber, visible deformation and changes in fit or cushioning. An outsole that still has tread does not by itself show that the midsole behaves as it did when new.

Price and value compared with other daily trainers

With a launch price of around €150, the Supernova Rise 2 sits in the daily-training category, below many plated racing shoes. Its value depends on the actual price available and whether its features match the intended use.

Compared with a more heavily cushioned trainer, it offers a less bulky construction and a ride that can feel closer to the ground. Compared with a speed shoe, it prioritises everyday comfort and flexibility over a stiff transition or a particularly aggressive response. Neither choice is inherently better: they serve different training needs.

If you already own a speed shoe, this adidas can take care of easy runs. As an only pair, the trade-off is that it covers regular training well but lacks the more specialised character needed for racing or short intervals.

A shoe for the daily routine, not every surface

Choosing a daily trainer also depends on the routes you regularly run. Someone who alternates between cycle paths, pavements and compact park trails will make better use of a road outsole than someone who frequently runs on rocky or muddy trails. The surface underfoot matters as much as the planned mileage.

For an urban routine, the flexibility and ventilated mesh make the shoe useful beyond running. For frequent speed sessions or technical trails, however, a second specialist pair can meet needs this construction is not designed to cover.

How we put this review together: we have not tested these shoes. We wrote it by reading published lab tests, brand information and runners’ opinions.

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