adidas Supernova Rise 3 Adaptive review

The adidas Supernova Rise 3 Adaptive is an interesting option for:

• Those who already own the Rise 3 but want a more convenient and faster lacing system.
• Runners with disabilities who need a running shoe with adaptive features for easier entry and a more secure fit.
• Anyone looking for a quick-lacing, durable, and dependable daily trainer at a reasonable price.

The adidas Supernova Rise 3 Adaptive is an interesting shoe, but it won't suit runners looking for a lightweight daily trainer, as it's even heavier than the regular version.

If you can pass on the adaptive features, we suggest checking out the adidas Adizero EVO SL from adidas, or the ASICS Novablast 6 if you're open to another brand.

Shock absorption is no concern with the Supernova Rise 3 Adaptive. Using our specialized lab equipment, we recorded 140 SA in the heel and 116 SA in the forefoot, making it a well-cushioned option for a wide range of distances.

Energy return didn't surprise us because the midsole is the same Dreamstrike+ foam from the Supernova Rise 3, so we knew it was going to be good but not great. And we got proper confirmation: 59.5% in the heel and 63.1% in the forefoot.

The Rise is the best-selling Supernova thanks to its versatility, making it an excellent choice for runners who don't need or want a maximalist stack height.

With 36.9 mm of cushioning under the heel, we believe there's no need for any more foam for its daily-training duties. And it's a more approachable shoe for casual wear too.

At 26.5 mm, the forefoot is also very close to the current lab average, so runners looking for a shoe that avoids the extremes should be happy with the Rise 3 Adaptive.

The difference between the heel and forefoot is 10.4 mm, slightly more than adidas' stated 8 mm. As a result, we believe it may be somewhat better suited to heel strikers than we initially expected.

The Dreamstrike+ foam used by adidas has a pleasantly soft feel, which we confirmed with our digital Asker C durometer. It registered 32.0 AC, and we agree that it feels noticeably softer than most shoes.

This may come as a surprise, especially for those who remember the firmer feel of adidas shoes with Boost foam. However, Dreamstrike+ marks a clear shift toward a softer cushioning experience.

Like most modern daily trainers, the adidas Supernova Rise 3 Adaptive features a rockered midsole. It's nowhere near as aggressive as the rocker on the adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra 2, but it still provides noticeable forward momentum regardless of where you land.

To compare the Supernova Rise 3 Adaptive with its regular counterpart and other shoes from the running shoe market, we created a replica of the shoe's interior.

Our first measurement came in at 96.2 mm, making it slightly narrower than the regular version but still wider than the current average.

We found an almost identical toebox design, measuring 74.2 mm. Therefore, most runners should find the fit inside the Rise 3 Adaptive comfortably familiar.

Our final fit check is toebox height. We usually look to avoid extremes here, as too little or too much vertical space can make the shoe feel either restrictive or sloppy.

With 28.3 mm of height, adidas avoids both extremes and opts for a safe, well-balanced design.

Adidas has had a mixed reputation for traction in recent years, delivering excellent grip on some models while falling short on others. However, the Rise 3 Adaptive joins the brand's top-tier performers, scoring an impressive 0.87 in our wet-concrete test. That's seriously impressive.

The Rise 3 Adaptive shares the same fully redesigned outsole as the regular Rise 3, marking a clear departure from previous Supernova generations.

Adidas combined generous rubber coverage for enhanced traction and durability with large grooves that preserve torsional flexibility.

With only minor changes to the upper and the rest of the shoe remaining identical to the regular version, we expected a similar result in our 30-degree bend test. Instead, the Rise 3 Adaptive registered 16.0N versus 16.6N, a difference that's impossible to notice underfoot and keeps the shoe comfortable for easy runs and walking.

Those upper modifications come with a trade-off: a 6.5% increase in weight.

We expected some weight gain from the added features, and for us this isn't a deal-breaker by any means. However, runners looking to pick up the pace may not be thrilled, as the shoe feels slightly more sluggish underfoot.

The wider base, increased stiffness, and firmer heel counter give the Supernova Rise 3 a noticeably more planted feel than previous versions. The Adaptive may feel slightly more supportive than the regular version, although the difference is fairly subtle.

We found the Adaptive version to be slightly more rigid than the regular model, scoring 13.8 Nm versus 11.4 Nm. Could this added stiffness be contributing to the extra supportive feel? We think so!

The heel counter is firmer than what's typical for road running shoes, earning a 4/5 rating in our test. For heel strikers who need additional support, this is definitely good news.

At 113.4 mm, the forefoot width is slightly below average, but the difference is very small and we actually enjoy that it keeps the shoe agile.

The forefoot width also sits comfortably within the range of most neutral daily trainers, measuring 92.6 mm. Therefore, runners looking for a dependable shoe without extreme dimensions or sensations should feel right at home here.

The toebox durability is excellent, earning a 4/5 rating in our test. That's well above average, making the Rise 3 Adaptive a highly-durable option for runners concerned about premature wear in this area.

A 3/5 score is not a major concern here, and only runners who tend to wear through their shoes very quickly may need to keep a closer eye on this area.

The outsole durability is solid too, with just 0.9 mm of wear in our test.

This result is better than average and confirms that the rubber will hold up well over time, making the Rise 3 Adaptive a durable choice for daily training and everyday use.

Despite being just 2.2 mm thick, the excellent durability result suggests that adidas has managed to make the rubber highly durable without adding unnecessary thickness or extra weight.

The Supernova Rise 3 Adaptive comes with a 4.3 mm-thick insole, which is nothing out of the ordinary.

The insole is removable and can be replaced with a custom orthotic, an important feature for a shoe designed to accommodate runners with disabilities.

After spending 20 minutes in our freezer, the Dreamstrike+ foam firmed up by 21%. Although this is a reasonable result for cold-weather performance, we expected a little more resistance to temperature changes from a PEBA-based foam.

The Primeweave upper of the adidas Supernova Rise 3 Adaptive lacks any reflective elements.

The highlight of the adidas Supernova Rise 3 Adaptive is its lacing system. We found a setup similar to Salomon's Quicklace, featuring an adjustable toggle, but with a clever improvement: adidas has added a magnetic closure. We loved it!

We also noticed that adidas has completely redesigned the tongue compared to the regular version. It features a new pull tab and substantially more padding, reaching a maximum thickness of 9.6 mm, making it clear that comfort takes priority over performance in this Adaptive model.

The tongue is fully gusseted, providing a secure lockdown from the first step and making the Rise 3 Adaptive ideal for runners who prefer a close, foot-hugging fit around the instep.

Adidas has added a finger-loop heel tab to make getting into the shoe easier than in the regular edition, which lacks this feature.

The adidas Supernova Rise 3 Adaptive comes at the same attractive price as the base model, which isn't always the case with these variants. Therefore, this is definitely good news!