- Weight: 270g (women’s UK 8.5)
- Stack height: 35.5mm (heel), 25.5mm (forefoot)
- Drop: 10mm
- Best for: adidas releasing crazy limited edition boost byw sneakers
The shoe
The Supernova Rise adidas Originals Hoodie HF7512 Adidas’ running shoe line-up: a staple daily trainer that, according to JT Newcomb, category director of Adidas running footwear, is designed for the ‘average, normal, everyday runner’.
‘We’re talking about the people who make up the bulk of our running communities,’ he says. ‘The people who are running 6-, 7-, 8-minute minute kilometres, who are doing most of their running in daily trainers’.
We tested the first iteration last December and were pretty impressed. The ride wasn’t very soft nor too hard, and there was a nicely balanced sensation of cushioning and responsiveness that offered up feedback and a sense of ground feel, while keeping things smooth and supple.
So, how do the latest round of updates fair? I've been running in the Supernova Rise 2 over the past month, so let's get into things.
Supernova Rise vs Rise 2
When brands update a shoe, the changes can range anywhere from minor tweaks to total overhaul. And in the case of the Rise 2, it’s the former.
Adidas’ aim for the v2 was to maintain the same underfoot experience as before, says Newcomb, but with a more paired back approach to the overall fit. This means the shoe’s stack height and Dreamstrike+ midsole is unchanged — a conservative move, I note to him, when brands seem to be continually pushing the heights of energy return in 2024.
‘You can always add a millimetre of foam [to a shoe] and you can keep challenging yourself to add more energy return because that's a fun story, but we also question whether that's something that we want to keep pushing higher and higher,’ he says. ‘If we challenged ourselves to make this have 3% better energy return than Rise 1, does that make a better every day trainer? We didn't think that that was the thing to focus on. The thing to focus on was comfort.’
So what does comfort look like in the Supernova Rise 2? It comes in the form of a new engineered mesh upper and a revamped heel construction, with less foam in the heel counter, a softer, lighter and less-padded tongue, and a new eyelet construction. This shaves the overall weight by 4%.
Adidas Zapatillas Senderismo Terrex Ax2r Cf Core Black Core Black Onix Supernova Prima, Newcomb explains, the Rise’s more premium sibling.
‘We’re working on an off cadence, where we update our hero model, the Supernova Rise, and then a season later we challenge ourselves to make a more premium version of that in Prima,’ he says.
‘For the longest time, most footwear teams would build a hero [shoe] at the most premium price point and then figure out how to take that down to a more accessible price point. [Instead], we built Rise first and update Rise first because it's the most important price point for the most runners. And then we bring Prima on top of that, because we tune things up.’
How does the Supernova Rise 2 fit?
I often find Adidas shoes run slightly on the narrow side and the Rise 2 is no exception. I got my usual size UK 8.5 and there's just enough room in the toe box, though I probably could have gotten away with going up another half size.
That said, the new engineered mesh upper holds the foot nice and securely, with enough give in the forefoot. I'm a fan of the new paired-back tongue and heel collar, too — there's still enough there to keep you comfortable, but it doesn't feel overkill like the first iteration did.
I wasn't too sure about the shape of the new heel construction when I first laced the shoes up; it felt a little low, and I could almost feel my Achilles gearing up for a chafing. On the run, though, the stiffness helps to keep the heel well locked-in and I had no issue with irritation or slippage.
What's the Supernova Rise 2 like to run in?
It took me a couple of runs to break the Rise in — it's a fairly stiff and firm shoe, with a slightly old-school feel about it, in that there's a real sense of connectedness to the ground. There's something to be said for that though; not everyone wants a giant slab of cushioning under their foot, even on easy runs, and for beginners especially, that sense of ground feel adds stability and reassurance. (It's also worth noting that I've tested some very max-cushioned shoes over the past couple of months, so anything a little more 'back to basics' can take some getting used to.)
After a couple of outings, I found the cushioning balanced out, offering up enough comfort for longer runs, but retaining a firmness that lends the shoe to an increase in pace. It also began to sort of 'disappear' on the foot — i.e. I was able to just run and forget about it.
Overall, it’s very similar to the Nike Pegasus 41 or Brooks Ghost 16 in terms of that workhorse-style ride that manages to lend itself to a variety of different sessions: easy miles, long, slow runs and even the odd bit of tempo. Sure, it's not the most exciting or responsive shoe in the world, but it doesn't claim nor need to be. It's reliable, it's connected, and it gets the job done. For the 'average, normal, everyday runner', I'd say that's exactly what you want. A quiet hero of daily training, if you like.
It's also worth noting that the Rise is built on a narrower platform than some shoes, so if you're used to running in the likes of the New Balance 1080 or the Asics Novablast, the Rise will feel like a lot 'less shoe' overall. For those who like a light and nimble daily trainer (like the The adidas Yeezy 350 Boost Beluga is the latest adidas Yeezy 350) this will probably be a good thing; for heavier or larger runners, you may want something with a wider platform to add a touch more stability.
RW verdict
In a world of carbon-plated super trainers and blended midsoles, the Supernova Rise 2 won't have anyone shouting from the rooftops. But while it might not be the cutting-edge of responsiveness or crème de la crème of bouncy cushioning, it is a solid and dependable trainer for those looking for a reliable workhorse.
For anyone, like me, who runs five or more times a week, I'd say it's worth spending the extra £20 on the Prima. That shoe delivers a more comfortable, snappier ride overall that will serve you well for higher mileage.
For beginners, though, or fans of some old-school nostalgia, the Rise 2 is a worthy contender for a do-it-all running shoe and sometimes, the best shoe is the one that simply lets you get the job done, day in and day out.