Adidas Supernova Solution 3 review

We believe that the Adidas Supernova Solution 3 is a good choice if you:

• Want a daily trainer with mild stability that feels natural and not too intrusive.
• Enjoy Adidas’ new design language and are looking for a more supportive option than the Supernova Rise series.
• Prefer moderate-stack shoes that stay flexible but need a bit of guidance, all without moving into full stability models.

We think that runners looking for a light, fast-paced shoe may find the Supernova Solution 3 a bit heavy. In our testing, it doesn’t feel very quick, so we believe options like the HOKA Arahi 8 offer a more agile running experience.

We also believe that runners needing strong support may come up short here. The Solution 3 stays on the mild side, so we recommend the HOKA Gaviota 5 or ASICS Gel Kayano 32 for a more supportive ride.

The Adidas Supernova Solution 3 offers good shock absorption for most runs, and we measured 132 SA in the heel and 115 SA in the forefoot in our lab.

From our point of view, it feels hard to need more than that, although if you do, you should move toward a maximalist support shoe like the Saucony Hurricane 25.

Energy return is an interesting point with this shoe. We measured 51.9% in the heel and 55.3% in the forefoot, which is unusually low for Dreamstrike+, at least compared to what we have seen in other Supernova models over the past two years.

As we were really surprised, we repeated the test with the left shoe and got the same numbers. Then we re-tested the Supernova Solution 2 and the Supernova Rise 3, only to comfirm the same (higher) values again. So yes, energy return is clearly lower than expected, and it lacks the usual bounce of Dreamstrike+.

In terms of stack height, the Supernova Solution keeps an average design that avoids extremes. We think this is a smart choice, as it helps the shoe feel balanced and suitable for daily use beyond running. In the heel, we measured 34.7 mm.

The forefoot follows the same approach, measuring 26.4 mm and sitting very close to the current average for road running shoes. It provides enough foam for daily use, including longer runs for most runners.

These two stack height measurements leave us with an 8.3 mm difference from heel to toe. It is clear to us that Adidas aimed for a very universal design, as an 8 mm drop is widely seen as one of the most adaptable options for all footstrikes.

This version of Dreamstrike+ may not rebound as we expected, but it keeps its soft character even within this stability-focused setup.

Using our Asker C durometer, we measured Dreamstrike+ at 33.8 HA. That matches what we felt on our runs, although there is a slightly firmer touch coming from the Guide Your Ride support system, which we will cover next.

There is a major change in how Adidas approaches support in the Solution 3. The Support Rods from versions 1 and 2 are gone, which was an interesting concept but likely harder to execute and manufacture.

Now Adidas uses a secondary EVA foam in their new system called Guide Your Ride, but it is placed under the arch to limit excessive collapse and no longer runs through the entire outsole like before.

The Supernova Solution 3 features a moderate, easy rocker that works very well for daily running. It is not aggressive and, in our view, pairs nicely with the support needs of runners interested in this shoe.

The fit of the Supernova Solution 3 follows what we have seen in this updated Supernova line, offering a roomier feel compared to many other shoes.

In our first measurement, we recorded 97.5 mm, which provides good space around the ball of the foot, although we still need to complete the full fit assessment.

The second gel mold measurement also came in above average, this time at 75.3 mm. This makes it an interesting option for runners with wide feet who prefer to avoid low-drop shoes like those from Altra or Topo.

There is also plenty of vertical space for toe movement, measuring 28.7 mm.

This is a shoe that should not cause issues with toe pressure or discomfort.

The LIGHTTRAXION outsole from Adidas has been an important step to reduce reliance on Continental while still delivering solid grip. In our lab testing, it proved its value again with the Supernova Solution 3 by achieving an excellent 0.72 score in the SATRA TM144 test.

This also marks a clear improvement over its predecessor, which recorded 0.52 in the same test.

The outsole is very similar to the Rise 3, with only minor changes. It features improved rubber coverage compared to earlier versions and stands out as one of the daily trainers with more protection we have seen recently.

For a stability shoe, the Supernova Solution 3 is not overly stiff. In fact, it lands close to the average at 15.2N and feels just like that, not very flexible, but not harsh underfoot either.

However, it is a major change from the 7.1N measured in its predecessor, which was one of the few stability shoes with a very flexible build.

Where the Solution 3 will need improvement in the future is weight, coming in at 9.9 oz or 281g.

We found that it has increased compared to the Rise 3 at 9.2 oz or 261g and the Solution 2 at 9.3 oz or 264g, and it feels a bit high for the stack height of the shoe.

The new Primeweave upper delivered subpar ventilation in the Supernova Prima 2, so just by looking at the Solution 3 we already expected a similar result here.

Ventilation is more limited than we would like to see, and we agreed on a 2/5 score in the lab. Airflow is below ideal for summer runs, although it can feel better in colder conditions.

At least Adidas added small holes in the toebox, because without them it would have felt like a sauna.

When we inspected the Primeweave upper under our microscope, it became clear why ventilation scored so low. There is very little space for air to escape.

On the other hand, we liked the upper material and can confirm that comfort is very solid. The heel area stands out as especially cozy and well-padded.

The new Guide Your Ride system works well for runners with moderate pronation. This shoe is not a full stability setup, but rather something in between a traditional stability shoe and a neutral design.

The advantage is a natural-feeling ride that never feels intrusive. We think it is a great solution for runners who find neutral shoes slightly unstable and want a modest level of support, maybe around 20% or 30% compared to something ultra-stable.

We rated the torsional rigidity of this shoe at 4 out of 5, which is enough to provide a stable ride without feeling extremely rigid like a carbon-plated shoe.

Adidas has been using in the last few years the same combination of a heavily padded heel area and a very stiff counter, even in some neutral models from the Supernova line, so it was no surprise that this one reached the maximum score of 5 out of 5.

The Supernova series is a great option for runners who prefer to avoid a maximalist build.

Instead, Adidas keeps dimensions reasonable and contained, which helps maintain an agile feel underfoot, and we appreciate this approach as it adds variety to the market.

In the forefoot, we measured 114.7 mm, which again lands close to the lab average.

The heel, at 91.1 mm, follows the same approach, avoiding any sense of being too narrow or too wide. It sits right around the average, and that is exactly how it feels underfoot, stable yet still agile.

In our first Dremel test with this shoe, the Supernova Solution 3 achieved a solid 3/5 result, matching the Solution 2.

In our testing, the heel padding scored only 2 out of 5, which is a disappointing result. This clearly stands out as an area that needs improvement in the next version.

Speaking of durability, we pushed the outsole to its limits in our last Dremel test.

The result showed slightly more wear at 1.3 mm compared to other shoes, but nothing extremely concerning.

There is also more rubber than in the Rise 3, measuring 2.6 mm, which makes sense for a stability shoe that often sees higher wear, especially in the heel. 

This helps explain part of the weight increase compared to that model, with the rest coming from the Guide Your Ride support system.

Here is another result close to average, with 4.5 mm of insole thickness. It is also worth noting that the insole is made from recycled EVA, so it does not contribute much to energy return.

The contoured insole can be easily removed, and the roomy interior accommodates custom orthotics without much trouble.

Another disappointment from this Dreamstrike+ foam showed up here. It became 24% firmer after spending 20 minutes in the freezer, which is closer to EVA behavior than PEBA.

The Solution 3 does not include reflective elements, so it is up to you to rely on high-visibility gear.

The lacing setup keeps things simple, with flat laces running through punched eyelets and no fragile or complex elements. It feels as dependable as the rest of the shoe.

Comfort in the tongue is also solid, featuring 5.0 mm of padding from a single foam layer. That said, it uses a few millimeters less foam than the neutral models, likely to help offset added weight in other areas.

We also liked the semi-gusseted tongue design, although Adidas could have added a perforated fabric here as well, which would have been a nice touch.

The heel design skips a finger-loop tab, which we think makes sense given the overall design language of the shoe. The collar wraps the foot securely, and the material quality and finishing are excellent, a step forward for sure.

Speaking of price, the Supernova Solution 3 keeps the same MSRP as its predecessor, and we think that is the right call. It already sits in a very competitive range, where even a small increase could make it much harder to justify.