Adidas adidas Supernova Rise 2 Introduction
The Adidas Supernova Rise 2 is a daily trainer that sits in their Supernova line of shoes. For comparison, the Adizero line of shoes is typically built for high performance whereas the Supernova line is built more for comfort and/or stability.
Said a little differently, you’ll lean towards a Supernova shoe if you want something that is reliably built and you’re not overly concerned with performance features.
The Rise 2 is adidas’ daily trainer and is meant to be a workhorse-type shoe that handles all types of runs. In many ways, lots of beginner runners or runners doing 5k/10k type races would typically look into the Supernova line and turn specifically to the Rise 2 as a potential shoe of choice. A few major differences between the two lines comes in the type of midsole foam that is used, the outsole rubber, and the density of the upper. The short version is that the Supernova line will have a softer midsole with less energy return, have lower end outsole rubber, and have a softer, denser upper to increase comfort. The Supernova line prioritizes everyday comfort over performance.
The Rise specifically compares well to the Brooks Ghost, NB 880, and the Asics Gel-Cumulus. This shoe compares well to the softness and cushion of the Gel-Cumulus.
The Rise 2 is 9.7 ounces in weight compared to 9.0 ounces in weight for the Gel-Cumulus, the heel drop is 10mm compared to 8mm for the Gel-Cumulus, and both shoes are priced at $140 USD and have wide width options. From a feel perspective, this shoe feels comfortable right out of the box and is easy to slip on and off. A notable difference in this shoe is that it uses a PEBA based foam, which is becoming a popular foam for many daily trainers after being used exclusively in super-shoes.
This is an update to the first version of this shoe. Much of the primary features remained the same in terms of the type of foam used, the heel drop, and the weight. Adidas claims that this shoe is 4% lighter but it doesn’t seem like that is a big difference overall.
One bigger difference is the re-engineering of the upper. It seems the previous version had a more narrow toe box. This newer version helped to make the fit of the toe box feel more spacious while also making the shoe feel a little longer. Overall, small changes in the shoe have helped improve the runner experience in the shoe.
Adidas adidas Supernova Rise 2 First Impressions
My first impression of the shoe upon putting it on was how easy it was to slip on/off. One complaint after opening the box is that the laces were not tied to the last loop. It’s a small thing but still a thing.
I took the shoe on a long run and the shoe seemed to disappear on my feet. I wasn’t pushing for pace but it felt easy throughout. I actually ended up moving a little faster than my normal run pace (around 8:15/mile) and even pushed a 7:40/mile pace towards the end. No rubbing, discomfort, or other complaints about the shoe throughout the run. It felt good!
Adidas adidas Supernova Rise 2 Upper
The upper of the shoe is well done. It’s not the lightest and it’s not the most breathable. It is something you would want from a daily trainer. The material feels good when you’re putting it on and it doesn’t feel restrictive in any way.
I wore this shoe with both thick and thin socks and the comfort level remained for both. Thicker socks didn’t seem to make it feel tight. This is an improvement from the previous iteration of this shoe.
The tongue is not gusseted but is soft and has a loop to keep in touch with your laces so it won’t slip down. The laces were fine and did not come undone once for me on a single knot. The heel tab is great although it’s possible that some people might feel that the heel area is tight for them. It was not the case for me but I can see how it’s possible for some.
Adidas adidas Supernova Rise 2 Sole Unit
I think the sole unit is where this shoe shines the most. The PEBA-based Dreamstrike foam is soft and responsive. While I’m not sure I would race in these shoes, I can imagine scenarios from enough runners that it could be used as such.
The midsole drop is 10mm, which is something to consider for those who have been using lower or higher drops. For me, I’ve been using shoes with lower drops so this shoe felt like there was a bit of a rocker type thing going on as I was transitioning from heel to toe. It helped my pace but not in the energy return type of way. More like the shoe was able to help me transition quickly.
The outsole of the shoe uses Adiwear rubber, which is not their high end Continental rubber found their higher end Adizero line of shoes. The grip on these shoes was fine. I ran in wet conditions and icy/snowy conditions and never felt like the rubber on the shoes was a problem. The outsole is relatively flat so I’m not certain how well this shoe will do on uneven surfaces. I don’t have a lot of access to those surfaces so proceed at your own risk if you do. I imagine you might prefer a shoe with more lugs on it than this one. In terms of wear and tear, the shoe has held up after 50 miles with no noticeable wearing on the outsole.
The ride on the shoe overall is good. It seemingly gives me a nice transition. There are support rods throughout the midsole to help provide stability but I never really felt that difference. It might be that I typically don’t need stability so that’s why I didn’t notice it. I do think that the shoe holds up well at all paces. I took this on a threshold run and did some strides in it. The ride was great on all of it and I didn’t feel like I was held back by the shoe.
Adidas adidas Supernova Rise 2 Conclusions
Overall, the Adidas Supernova Rise 2 is a great daily trainer that is versatile enough to handle all types of runs. I recommend this shoe to all types of runners. It will be a primary part of my rotation as my daily trainer.
I have other shoes I would prefer for the speedier days but I wouldn’t be disappointed if I accidentally brought these shoes along.
At $140, it’s priced right in the range as other shoes that are comparable. I do wish that there would be a shoe brand that would look at their pricing and try to separate themselves in that space. If this shoe were, say, $130, it would be a no-brainer for me.
If you’re wearing the Asics Gel-Cumulus, I’m not certain you’re making the switch to this shoe. If you’re wearing the Brooks Ghost or the NB880, this shoe is softer and has a smoother ride than those options. Compared to all of these options at this price point, I think the Rise 2 is the most versatile as it can handle speedier runs the best.
