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While I don’t think I’m that competitive when it comes to running, I do spend a little too much time clocking my Strava stats and giving kudos to my mates. So, whenever the opportunity arises to test out some new running gear, be it activewear, headphones, or shoes, I always put my hand up to be the guinea pig: today’s road test, Adidas’ best-selling Supernova Rise running shoes.
Now, I like to keep my exercise routine diverse, so my go-to running shoes need to be versatile. They need to be comfortable and supportive enough to wear during everything from slow, hilly laps along the coast to treadmill intervals and even a little hike here and there.
Who were the Supernova Rises made for?
The Supernova Rises are designed for daily runs rather than hectic speed sessions. Regular runners who happen to be heel strikers will love them because they’re stable, durable, and reliable companions, and beginners will pick up a pair because they’re versatile and reasonably priced.
First impressions
When I unboxed the Supernova Rises, the first thing I noticed was the shape and size of the heel. Much like a lot of running shoes these days, there’s a lot more cushioning from midsole to heel.
This particular pair uses Dreamstrike+ technology through the midsole and dense foam support rods, which creates that rocker shape to support your heel strike throughout your stride.
I got an all-black pair, and they’re a sleek-looking running shoe.
Fit and feel
Lacing up, I noticed that it had a slightly wider toe box than what I’m used to. However, apparently, that can be better for your feet so your toes can find that nice, even spread. I liked the way they laced up, too. The tongue was a nice thickness, so it didn’t leave my foot with that tight, itchy feeling your laces can sometimes give the nerves in your foot after a long run.
Once I stood up, I could feel the cushioning in action. It wasn’t a melt-into-it, cloud-like feeling; it was more of a supportive bounce. I also liked that as I moved from heel to toe with my step, I could feel that support and heel-to-toe drop of around 9mm. My first impressions tell me that it’s not going to have the spring forward that you’d get from more of a speed shoe.
First run
To be honest, I barely noticed I had them on for the first few kilometres of my run — which is a good thing. They were showing up in all the right ways without me noticing any shit bits. Typically, when trying new running shoes, I notice every little annoyance, especially if it’s slowing down my time because it’s not the right shoe for my foot strike.
I found the level of support to be perfect without squeezing my foot to death or stiffening my movement. The foam cushioning was the right firmness. It didn’t feel like concrete underneath my feet, but it didn’t feel like a marshmallow either.
My legs also didn’t reach the heaviness they typically would towards the end of my run, which tells me my joints have been supported with every strike.
While the shoe didn’t weigh me down or make me feel like I was struggling to maintain a good pace, it also didn’t give me that extra push forward from the toes as another pair I own. It was slightly clunky when I tried to up my pace a bit. Slower off the mark, I’d say.
Fifth run
Yep, they made it to a fifth run — which is more than I can say for some other pairs I’ve tried. I enjoy these as a regular run shoe for my shake-out or recovery runs. I probably wouldn’t reach for them for half-maras or marathons where I’m trying to hit a certain time/pace. But that’s not to say that you couldn’t. They’d be more than supportive and comfortable.
Price
The Adidas SuperNova Rise will set you back $220, which sits around the market average for a daily runner.
Overall
They’ve become a pair of running shoes in my rotation. I’ve mostly found myself lacing up the Supernova Rises for Saturday Parkruns. They’re an excellent jogging shoe for when I’m sitting around a 5:30 pace chatting to the girls. I also like them for my shake-out shoes if my legs need a good flush. If you’re looking for a new daily jogger, these are a good op, IMO.
Image Credit: adidas / Bree Grant
