Adidas Supernova Prima Review
By Matthew Klein
Adidas Supernova PrimaPrice: $159.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 9.9 oz, 281 g (men's size 9), oz, g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 37 mm / 29 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Shoe Purpose: Neutral Daily Training Shoe
Pros: Good Cushioning, Comfortable Fit, Solid Bevel Despite Flare, Stable Forefoot
Cons: Excessive Posterior Flare/Lip Not Necessary, Firmer Than Expected for Cushioning
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Adidas Supernova Prima is a premium cushioned daily training shoe for those who want a highly rockered shoe with a comfortable ride. A comfortable mesh upper provides a normal to slightly wider fit with additional padding especially around the heel. A full-length Dreamstrike+ midsole creates a cushioned ride from heel to toe while bottom-loaded support roads provide some inherent guidance, especially in the forefoot. The Supernova series continues to be refined and the Prima provides a balanced ride that focuses on comfort.
SIMILAR SHOES: Adidas Supernova Rise
PAST MODEL: N/A
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The Adidas Supernova Prima fits me true to size in my normal Men's US size 10. The mesh upper provides a normal to slightly wider width with a slightly higher volume. The forefoot is slightly wider and somewhat rounded with some mild stretch for comfort. This transitions into a normal but slightly higher volume midfoot. There is a thin but strongly gusseted tongue that held my foot decently. The slightly higher volume did require me to tighten down the laces but I did not have to lace lock the shoe. The heel fits normal in width and features a large amount of heel collar padding. Although there is a stiff heel counter in the rearfoot, I did not notice it due to the large amount of padding and protection. Those with heel sensitivities may be ok in this shoe but shoe try it first. Although the inner liner is comfortable, I would not suggest going sockless in this shoe. The gusset of the tongue is not smooth and it caused some rubbing on my skin which immediately went away when I put on socks. Thus, I suggest wearing socks in this otherwise comfortable fitting upper.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: Saucony Guide 17, ASICS Kayano 30, Hoka Gaviota 5, Saucony Endorphin Elite, Nike Ultrafly
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Saucony Kinvara 14
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Altra Timp 5
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Mildly
How Flexible is the Shoe: Not Flexible
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes but large posterior flare
Recommended for Haglunds: Somewhat
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Above Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The Adidas Supernova Prima is a premium cushioned daily training shoe. There is a large amount of Dreamstrike+ foam, which is apparently both a PEBA-based foam and a slightly denser version of Lightstrike Pro. The underfoot feel is highly protective and moderately compliant. I do not feel much bounce from this shoe but it is cushioned. The midsole feels slightly firmer than I expected due to the stiffness from the bottom-loaded support rods. These do provide some rigidity to the sole, particularly in the forefoot. There is now an 8mm drop compared to the other Supernovas, which makes the heel feel smoother despite the large posterior flare. There is a large posterior lateral bevel with that flare, which makes for fairly smooth heel contacts. This transitions into a slightly stiff midfoot and a stiff forefoot. The forefoot is stiff side to side and moderately front to back. There is a large forefoot rocker that does keep the toes in some extension (toe spring). This makes the shoe more stable up front and requires some time for the forefoot to break in. Initially, the transition off the toes is stiff but it breaks in as the rods relax slightly. The cushioned, slightly stiffer and not so bouncy ride make the Supernova Prima best for easy and long runs. This shoe does not feel heavy but the foam and geometry do not feel as good picking up the pace compared to running easy. I have tried some uptempo efforts in this shoe and found it to be far better at easier consistent paces.
The durability is excellent as I have 50 miles on my pair and barely any wear. This makes the Supernova Prima an excellent daily workhorse for getting mileage in. The smoother outsole does make this shoe best for road miles but it can handle some mild trail. Overall, the Prima is best as an easy-effort shoe for racking up miles during the week.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The Adidas Supernova Prima is a stable neutral shoe. While there is not a post, there are several elements that make this neutral shoe decently stable. The first is the large posterior lateral heel bevel. This would create a lateral bias at the heel but it is angeled to bring the foot to the center. There are also mild sidewalls completely surrounding the heel that keeps things in the middle. This transitions into a wide midfoot that does not taper. While there are no sidewalls here, the wider shape and stiffer rods provide some inherent guidance. The forefoot is quite stable thanks to the highly apparent rods that add a large degree of stiffness. The shape of the forefoot is also wider and once it breaks in, the transition is pushed forward thanks to the large forefoot rocker and toe spring. This makes for a stable heel, mildly stable midfoot and a stable forefoot, providing a stable neutral overall ride.
Thoughts as a DPT: What Does a Combined Posterior Flare and Posterior Heel Bevel Do?
By Matthew Klein
As I have criticized posterior heel flares for many years, I was confused to see a combination of both large posterior heel flares and large heel bevels. The result is a continued early initial contact (landing) but a far smoother one that expected. Heel bevels are designed to help facilitate heel landings by replicating the natural curve of the heel bone (calcaneus). This helps roll the foot forward efficiently, reducing the strain (eccentric force requirements) from the anterior shin muscles (anterior tibialis is a primary one). A posterior heel flare is where the heel extends back behind where the foot sits. This often hits the ground prior to the runner's body and muscles being ready to absorb the shock of impact, resulting in extra stress through non-contractile (non-muscle) structures like bone, ligaments and placing greater torque on the ankle joint (more muscular force required from the anterior ankle muscles listed above). Combining the two of them still causes an early initial landing but smooths it out. In this way, the stance phase, or part of gait where the foot is on the ground, is extended. This is also referred to as ground contact time.
Generally, more efficient runners have shorter ground contact times, spending more time in the air as they bounce along. I think the point of these posteriorly flared heel bevel combination is to lengthen the stance phase and reduce the impact peaks commonly associated with heel striking and impact from a kinetic or force perspective. The problem is that this only looks at overall impact force and not the quality or where it may be applied differently. Looking at kinematics, or movements of the body, a heel flare still causes a greater torque at the ankle, rushing the forefoot down faster as the heel lands and requiring greater work from the anterior ankle muscles. While impact peaks may be different, this only looks at a small piece of the overall body. This is extremely common in biomechanics as it is easy to only focus on one thing. However, good biomechanics comes from looking at the whole picture, which is why I am still going to suggest reducing the posterior heel flare but keeping the awesome heel bevel.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: The Supernova Prima is my favorite of the Supernova series. The stiffer forefoot, while initially uncomfortable, provided a higher level of guidance that worked well for me. The upper is extremely comfortable particularly in the heel despite the counter. My major suggestions are to reduce the heel flare while maintaining the great heel bevel and softening the midsole. The posterior heel flare still causes a slightly early landing which puts more pressure on my anterior tibialis/shin muscles than I would like. It is not as noticeable thanks to the heel bevel but this still could be better. The midsole is also not as resilient as I would expect for a PEBA-based foam or even one based off Lightstrike Pro. While the cushioning is decent, adding a bit more resiliency would make the shoe more efficient and cushioned for mileage, rather than just cushioned.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The Adidas Supernova Prima is a premium cushioned shoe for those who want a cushioned but not mushy shoe for easy and longer miles. The Dreamstrike+ midsole is moderately compliant but not bouncy, making it best for those who just want to keep an easy consistent pace. The shoe has a large rocker and will work best for those who want curves but are not bothered by a large posterior flare. The shoe is stable neutral, although a great deal of that comes from a stiffer forefoot from the rods. This shoe will work especially well for those with forefoot guidance needs, especially if they respond best to a stiffer ride up front. The Prima is a great training alternative to the Rise as the heel is smoother despite the continued heel flare. It also works far better as a run/walk shoe given its more stable nature and better rocker. This provides more versatility than the other Supernovas, which is supported even more by the excellent durability.
The trio of Supernova shoes is a welcome change for Adidas given the recent history of confusing, clunky trainers. They are far lighter, more comfortable and functional than previous shoes. My only hope is that Adidas continues to work with this series and develop it. Now that they have something decent, consistency is the next logical step.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: A- (Comfortable, slightly wider and slightly higher volume upper with thickly cushioned heel)
Performance: B/B+ (Comfortable, rockered ride with slightly early heel landing, moderate cushioning and slightly stiff forefoot )
Stability: A- [Stable Neutral] (Heel guidance with large posterior lateral bevel, wider shape with midfoot that does not narrow and stiffer forefoot thanks to support rodes)
Value: A- (Good premium workhorse for easy miles with great durability)
Personal: B+ (Good stable neutral ride but forefoot is a bit too stiff from the rods and the heel flare still causes me to land slightly early)
Overall Design: B+/A-
SHOP | SUPPORT DORAdidas Supernova PrimaPrice: $159.95 at Running Warehouse
Shop Men | Shop Women
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FURTHER READING
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