Adidas Supernova Rise 2 review

We believe that the Adidas Supernova Rise 2 is a fantastic pick for:

• Runners who enjoyed version 1, as this update keeps the same core feel but improves key elements like the lighter build and upgraded upper.
• Those looking for a dependable daily trainer that performs well across most distances, offering comfort without relying on a towering stack height.
• Heel strikers who want a highly-flexible running shoe that also feels great for casual, everyday use.

We believe that the Supernova Rise 2 is not the best option for those chasing maximum underfoot protection, as it skips the oversized midsoles that have taken over the market. If you're looking for  sky-high cushioning, we think the ASICS Novablast 5 or Adidas Supernova Prima will better suit your needs.

From our point of view, forefoot strikers may also find the shoe less appealing due to its steep heel-to-toe drop. We’re convinced that lighter, more balanced options—like the ASICS Noosa Tri 16 or the Topo Atmos—offer a smoother ride for these runners.

From a visual standpoint, the differences between the Adidas Supernova Rise and this update are minimal—we’re clearly looking at what the automotive world calls a mid-life restyling, and in this case, it mostly affects the upper.

We discovered just a 1 mm bump in stack height compared to last year, now measuring 33.5 mm. It’s a modest change that highlights the Rise 2’s role as an all-purpose daily trainer.

The forefoot also stays near average at 24.0 mm. This result offers solid cushioning while still providing a strong ground feel, especially for heavier runners.

While many shoes today avoid this, we appreciate that Adidas is building a daily trainer without a maximalist midsole.

Like other daily trainers from Adidas, the Supernova Rise 2 features a high heel-to-toe drop—something we’ve come to expect from the brand. We measured 9.5 mm, making it a solid choice for heel strikers.

Last year, Adidas finally caught up with the competition by launching Dreamstrike+, a solid PEBA-based foam for daily training. For this version, they kept the same compound unchanged.

This midsole feels quite average in softness, and just like the stack height, it’s clearly built to satisfy the widest range of runners. Our 21.0 HA reading from the Shore A durometer confirmed this setup.

When it comes to energy return, Dreamstrike+ is a big step forward from older EVA foams. However, bounce still isn’t its headline feature. For daily miles it performs fine, but don’t expect the springy ride of the Adizero EVO SL.

One of the main advantages of PEBA over EVA is its impressive resistance to cold—unlike EVA, it maintains its softness. We tested the Supernova Rise 2 in the freezer, and it only got 6% firmer after 20 minutes!

One of the main advantages of PEBA over EVA is its impressive resistance to cold—unlike EVA, it maintains its softness. We tested the Supernova Rise 2 in the freezer, and it only got 6% firmer after 20 minutes!

Those looking for a rockered running shoe won’t find it in the Supernova Rise 2. It’s a classic, no-frills daily trainer with a moderate heel bevel and slight forefoot curvature—not one of those wild, wave-like rockers we’ve seen lately!

We actually liked that. In our tests, this flexible, moderately-stacked setup paired with a high drop gave us a relaxed and natural running experience, especially during easy miles and recovery runs.

The Supernova Rise 2 keeps the heritage alive from its predecessor in terms of fit, offering a roomier-than-average feel. That's a welcome touch for long-distance workouts.

Our gel testing confirmed this. We used our custom-made mould and digital callipers, and found a generous max width of 98.7 mm.

However, despite offering a roomier-than-average fit in the widest area of the toebox, it still features a somewhat pointy shape.

At 72.6 mm in our second measurement, runners with square-shaped feet may feel their toes slightly squeezed.

The toe area boasts a tall design, reaching 28.4 mm.

We found this especially helpful during long long runs and daily wear.

The Supernova Rise 2 is a neutral running shoe with some stability features. Small sidewalls wrap the heel, and the angled rear section adds a gentle push for heel strikers—something we often see in Adidas shoes. It also includes a firmer layer of red REPETITOR foam below the Dreamstrike+ midsole, working as a guidance-focused element called Support Rods.

In our view, we think that the Supernova Rise 2 is a great pick for runners who seek a neutral ride with a touch of stability, but a shoe like the ASICS GT 2000 13 is a better pick for those with moderate pronation needs.

Adidas tends to keep its daily trainers quite flexible, and the Supernova Rise 2—while slightly more rigid than its predecessor—still fits the bill with a 3/5 score in our manual lab test.

We also observed a subtle tweak in the heel counter, as Adidas dialed it down from a maxed-out 5/5 to a more suitable 4/5 in this update. Previously, it felt excessive for a daily trainer, and this adjustment shows they took feedback seriously.

Since this minor update focuses on fine-tuning and small-scale improvements, the midsole width stays nearly identical to last year. It still features an extra-wide midfoot for added stability, paired with a more compact forefoot measuring 113.9 mm.

Speaking of compact, that’s exactly how the heel feels. It’s surprising that Adidas keeps it below average for a daily trainer, yet they seem fully committed to this approach with 86.0 mm in this area.

From our perspective, in a market dominated by wide running shoes, this agile and nimble shoe from Adidas stands out as an interesting alternative.

One trend we keep seeing with higher stack heights is reduced flexibility across the board. But not in the Supernova Rise 2, as its 17.6N result in our 90-degree bend test shows it’s still a comfort-first, walk-friendly option.

Despite being a minor redesign, Adidas made a meaningful improvement by trimming the weight of the Supernova Rise 2. The first version reached 9.8 oz or 278g on our scale, while this updated model dropped to 9.05 oz or 257g. That's awesome!

Adidas has revamped the upper with a lighter engineered mesh, contributing significantly to the Supernova Rise 2's weight reduction. Despite this change, we found that breathability remains impressive, earning a solid 4/5 score in our lab tests. 

This ensures the shoe's suitability for both winter and summer runs, though pairing it with season-specific socks is advisable.

Notably, Adidas has enhanced ventilation in the midfoot area—a departure from the current trend where brands focus on airy toeboxes while minimising airflow elsewhere. This more uniform design approach is evident in the Supernova Rise 2.

Upon microscopic examination, we observed that Adidas employs a double-layered engineered mesh.

Although the ventilation holes appear obstructed, the secondary layer is exceptionally thin, allowing sufficient air circulation.

The upper is well-padded, providing a comfortable on-foot experience. However, it's important to note that they don't exude a luxurious feel, which is totally understandable given the shoe's competitive price point.

The Supernova Rise 2 keeps hitting all the right notes without showing any major flaws so far, and durability doesn’t seem like a concern either. It earned a decent 3/5 in our first wear test.

The heel padding even outperformed our earlier test, reaching a fantastic 4/5. It’s clear that early wear in the upper won’t be a concern for anyone running in the Supernova Rise 2.

The outsole of the Supernova Rise 2 keeps the same design as its predecessor. It combines average-density rubber at 79.2 HC in both the heel and forefoot with a strip of translucent crystal rubber through the midfoot. And why this layout? The latter tends to feel slippery on wet roads, so Adidas smartly limited its placement to the centre zone, where traction isn’t as critical.

Grip is decent, but nowhere near what you get from a Continental-equipped outsole. In our view, this remains one of the few elements where the Rise 2 falls behind some competitors.

In terms of durability, we measured 1.1 mm of damage after lifting the Dremel—a just-okay result. This falls noticeably short compared to what we usually see in Continental-equipped outsoles, and as we said before, we’re not holding our breath for a switch.

The midsole thickness came in at 2.5 mm, and that's even slightly more than the 2.1 mm we recorded last year. That makes the overall weight reduction even more impressive in our view.

Adidas kept the Supernova Rise 2 at the same price as last year, matching other daily trainers like the Nike Pegasus 41 and Brooks Ghost 16. It’s an intelligent move in a budget-conscious segment where even a $5 gap can turn buyers away.

Another win for the Supernova Rise 2 here. While not all daily trainers include hi-vis features, this one stands out with its reflective three stripes that remain clearly visible even from a distance.

If something works, don’t mess with it—that seems to be Adidas’ approach to the tongue and lacing system. We discovered the same breathable mesh and nearly identical design carried over from the previous version.

The tongue feels impressively plush. It includes a well-placed loop to help keep it centred—essential for a shoe that doesn’t feature a side-gusseted construction.

As we already mentioned, the tongue on the Supernova Rise 2 still isn’t gusseted. We found this mildly frustrating, as it can disrupt an otherwise stable and comfort-driven ride.

In fact, it’s a minor fix that many brands have already implemented, and we’re still hoping Adidas finally adds it in version 3.

The Supernova Rise 2, like most Adidas running shoes, skips the finger-loop heel tab in favour of a clean and simple heel design.

The insole in the Supernova Rise 2 is removable, and we had no trouble fitting custom orthotics during our tests.