Adidas Supernova Prima 2 review

The Adidas Supernova Prima 2 stands out to us as a solid option for:

• Neutral runners looking for a daily trainer that blends good energy return, cushioning, and all-day comfort.
• Runners who prefer an average-width platform instead of ultra-wide designs but still want a decent amount of foam underfoot.
• Heel strikers who benefit from an aggressive heel bevel and want a running shoe for daily mileage.
• Fans of the first version who want a similar experience with small refinements and a lighter build.

We think that runners looking for a truly do-it-all, fast-paced trainer may find this shoe a bit limited. In our testing, it lacks the agile feel needed for tempo runs, so we believe there are better choices like the Adidas Adizero EVO SL or Saucony Endorphin Azura—both more dynamic and cheaper.

We also believe outsole durability is a concern. From our lab results, wear can appear sooner than expected, making it less appealing for long-term use. We recommend the Mizuno Neo Vista 2 or Brooks Ghost Max 3 as more durable alternatives.

The Supernova Prima 2 delivers good, but not top-tier, shock absorption, recording 127 SA in the heel and 110 SA in the forefoot in our lab.

While it does not lead the charts, this is more than sufficient for daily runs and, in our view, even long distances for most runners.

One of the main reasons to choose the Supernova Prima 2 over other daily trainers is the Dreamstrike+ midsole. With 66.9% energy return in the heel and an improved 69.0% in the forefoot, there are very few shoes at this price point that offer better bounce.

The Supernova Prima 2 is supposed to be the high-stack option compared to the Supernova Rise 3, but in our tests the difference is minimal. So small that the Rise 3 measured 35.0 mm in the heel, while we recorded 36.7 mm in the Supernova Prima 2.

We are not against the Supernova Prima 2 design at all, but if Adidas wants it to be the max-stack option within the Supernova lineup, this shoe needs to go beyond 40 mm.

We also took a measurement in the forefoot, which returned 28.7 mm in our digital callipers. That is more in line with a maximalist design, yet it is still only 1 mm higher than the Rise variant.

So again, we think that pushing the Prima 2 toward a true 31-32 mm forefoot stack would be ideal, as it is clear that in real use it falls slightly below that and that is also how it feels while running.

Where we cannot complain at all is the heel-to-toe drop. Adidas states in the official spec sheet that the shoe features an 8 mm offset, and we measured exactly the same value in our lab.

Moving training shoes toward Dreamstrike+ was a very important step for Adidas, and it is paying off well. This foam feels noticeably better than standard Lightstrike and is much lighter than Boost.

In terms of softness, the Dreamstrike+ midsole of the Supernova Prima 2 measured 33.7 HA in our Asker C durometer. That is slightly softer than the previous version and sits on the softer side of the spectrum by a few points, although there is a catch...

Like the previous version, the Supernova Prima 2 includes a firmer EVA layer beneath Dreamstrike+ to add support. Adidas calls this system Support Rods, and it is the reason why the shoe feels more balanced than truly soft.

However, we found a meaningful change. In the Supernova Prima, these rods measured an extremely firm 75.2 HA, while in this version Adidas reduced them to a still firm but more reasonable 45.2 HA.

The Supernova Prima 2 is a great example of how most daily trainers are shifting toward a rockered geometry. The forefoot rises close to 5 cm, and the heel curvature is also quite aggressive, featuring a unique heel flare shaped entirely by the secondary foam.

After filling the interior with our customised gel solution and letting it set in the freezer, we measured a generous 98.9 mm width.

This result is clearly to a roomy fit, although it may feel a bit too spacious for runners with narrow feet.

When we measured the toe area at 72.7 mm, it showed a more standard width, bringing the fit back in line with average running shoes.

The toebox sits slightly low, which may feel restrictive for runners who prefer more vertical space up front. However, the upper is very soft, and we believe that for most runners it should not be an issue.

We measured it at 25.8 mm, wrapping up our gel mould assessment before moving on to the next step.

We found a much better result in our forefoot traction test, with the Supernova Prima 2 reaching 0.69 compared to 0.43 in version 1. This makes it a far more reliable option for rainy days.

The outsole uses two different materials, combining LIGHTTRAXION in grey with the firm EVA midsole foam in green, which also functions as part of the outsole. The GCPU-based LIGHTTRAXION is placed in key impact zones where grip is needed most, while the heel and lateral areas rely more on the EVA.

The Supernova Prima 2 feels very similar underfoot, which makes sense as the midsole design remains largely unchanged. Only minor tweaks are present, and that is why we measured 1.3N more stiffness compared to its predecessor, now reaching 13.7N while still maintaining good flexibility.

The changes from version 1 may be minor, but they have a positive impact on weight. We discovered that the Supernova Prima 2 is 6% lighter than its predecessor, now tipping our scale at 9.3 oz or 264g, moving the series in the right direction.

The Supernova Prima 2 earned a low 2/5 score in our smoke test, showing a noticeable drop compared to the previous version.

Airflow is clearly limited, which may feel uncomfortable in hot conditions but slightly beneficial when temperatures drop.

Looking closely, the reason becomes clear. Although Adidas added small ventilation holes in the toebox, the rest of the Primeweave upper is built with a more structured approach.

Under our digital microscope, we found a dense material featuring teeny punched eyelets. It's clear that not much air can go through such a small gap.

The construction relies on tightly arranged multi-filament synthetic yarns forming a very compact grid, which is quite different from the more open designs we usually see and what the first-gen Supernova Prima featured.

It's clear to us that this setup prioritises support over ventilation, resulting in a secure and well-padded upper. However, we would have preferred improved airflow, even just one point higher in our test would have been enough to cover most summer runs.

It is no surprise that this second generation of the Supernova Prima performs very well in terms of stability for neutral runners. It keeps the stiff heel counter and the same Support Rods, which do an excellent job of stabilising the ride, while the aggressive heel bevel helps smooth and centre the first contact point for rearfoot strikers.

However, if you usually need serious support in your running shoes, we recommend the Supernova Solution 2. Same shoe design, but even more stable!

Without the Support Rods, this shoe would have scored a 2/5 or 3/5 in this test. However, they are present and increase torsional rigidity to 4/5, which may not appeal to those who prefer more flexible daily trainers.

A very stiff heel counter is always a double-edged sword. With a 5/5 score, it delivers excellent stability in the heel area, but it can also feel too harsh or bothersome, especially for runners with sensitive Achilles tendons or Haglund’s deformity.

Luckily, Adidas added a generous amount of foam to help offset that stiffness and improve comfort.

Adidas still avoids the trend of making extra-wide daily trainers, and we appreciate that as it helps maintain variety in the market. Even the Hyperboost Edge skipped that approach despite being a super trainer.

With the Supernova Prima 2, dimensions remain around average across the board. In the forefoot, we measured 115.3 mm.

The heel even comes in below average, measuring 88.9 mm in our lab. However, making it wider would not add much stability and would likely reduce agility while increasing weight, so we think it's a good decision.

The usual trade-off from reduced breathability appears here in the form of increased durability. After using the Dremel and examining the result, we agreed in the lab to give the Supernova Prima 2 a strong 4/5 score in this test.

The heel padding feels soft and comfortable, which may explain why it shows slightly lower resistance to abrasion. Nothing concerning, as a 3/5 result is still solid.

On the flip side, outsole durability was less encouraging. The LIGHTTRAXION rubber disappointed us, as we expected better abrasion resistance based on previous lab results. However, it is what it is, and losing 2.1 mm of rubber is clearly worse than expected.

Adidas opted for just 2.0 mm of outsole thickness, likely relying on the firm EVA foam to absorb part of the wear. However, based on our previous findings, this approach may feel a bit risky for runners concerned about long-term outsole durability.

There is nothing notable to report in terms of insole thickness, as the Prima 2 features a very similar setup to most competitors with 4.7 mm.

Swapping the insole is easy, as it is not glued to the last. We also found that the shoe accommodates custom orthotics very well thanks to its interior design.

After 20 minutes in our freezer, Dreamstrike+ showed only a 7% change in softness, which is an awesome result.

We found that the Supernova Prima 2 features the three stripes in a reflective finish.

Adidas played it safe with the lacing system, using punched eyelets, flat laces, and the usual extra eyelet for alternative lacing setups. We like this simple and reliable approach, as it delivers a secure and easy-to-adjust fit.

The tongue also performs well in terms of comfort, with 7.2 mm of padding from a single foam layer. The step-in feel is solid, and adding more would only increase weight unnecessarily.

We found a semi-gusseted tongue design, which works great for a daily trainer like the Supernova Prima 2. It improves lockdown and keeps the tongue in place without adding unnecessary weight.

The heel of the Supernova Prima 2 has a very similar design compared to the first version, but a closer look reveals a more refined build with improved materials. A nice update.

The Supernova Prima 2 keeps the same price as its predecessor and offers a solid mix of energy return, comfort, cushioning, and value. Based on our lab results, we believe it is fairly priced.