Adidas Supernova Rise 2 Review (2024)

Adidas Supernova Rise 2 Review
By Matthew Klein and Andrea Myers

The Adidas Supernova Rise was a refreshing restart for the Adidas non-Adizero running line. After years of incredibly heavy and clunky shoes, the Rise showed that a Supernova could still be light and comfortable. However, despite the Dreamstrike, PEBA-based midsole, it was still a more compliant than responsive midsole that didn't quite live up to the bouncy marketing. Version two returns to change that. A slight reduction in weight, a refined upper and a reworked Dreamstrike+ midsole make for a shoe that runs differently from its predecessor. But is it enough to Rise above?

Adidas Supernova Rise 2

Price: $139.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 9.7 oz, 274 g (men's size 9), 8.1 oz, 228 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 36 mm / 26 mm
Drop: 10 mm
Shoe Purpose: Neutral Daily Training Shoe

Pros: Responsive Midsole for a Trainer, Secure Upper
Cons: Clunky Heel, Slightly Less Stable Midfoot

RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY

The Adidas Supernova Rise 2 returns as daily training shoe with a PEBA-based midsole. A new Dreamstrike+ midsole provides a slightly firmer and more resilient ride than the prior version, creating a shoe that does well on moderate distance easy and workout paces. A slightly snug and lower volume upper sits up top, making this shoe best for those wanting a more snug/secure fit. A highly durable outsole creates a shoe that can handle tons of miles, making the Supernova Rise 2 a solid choice as a workhorse trainer for those wanting a little pace versatility. 

SIMILAR SHOES: Saucony Ride 18 
PAST MODEL: Adidas Supernova Rise

FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)

Matt: The Adidas Supernova Rise 2 fits me true to size in my normal men's US size 10. The fit is lower volume throughout the length of the shoe and slightly snug. The toe box tapers but does stretch slightly thanks to the engineered mesh. This transitions into a normal-width forefoot that has additional stretch width-wise but a lower volume height-wise. This continues into a normal to slightly snug midfoot with a thick, non-gusseted tongue. The tongue does slide a little and adds to the feeling of a lower instep secondary to the slightly lower volume. This continues into a normal to slightly snug heel with a large amount of heel collar padding. There is a moderately stiff heel counter that does have a decent amount of padding between it and the heel. Those with high heel sensitivity will not do well in this shoe but the counter has not bothered me due to the extra padding on the front of the counter. Thanks to the slightly snug fit, I did not have to tie the laces down very much to get a secure fit. I did have to tighten the laces around the heel to hold the tongue but did not experience any further issues. The inside of the upper is actually decently comfortable outside of some stiffness from the toe guard. Those wanting to go sockless with experience should be fine but most should wear socks with this shoe. 

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


Andrea: The Adidas Supernova Rise 2 fits mostly true to size, although slightly long, in my usual women's 9.5. This is typical of how other Adidas shoes fit me, including the Boston 12 and Adizero Adios 8. While the toebox width is average and overall volume on the lower side, I did not experience any pressure points at my 1st or 5th MTPs. I needed to snug the laces down more than I do in other shoes, but was able to achieve secure lockdown without needing to use a heel lock lacing technique. The mesh upper material is on the thicker side, which kept my feet warm while running in sub-freezing temperatures. One of my runs was on the treadmill and I was pleased that the upper did not feel warm indoors. The non-gusseted tongue is thick and partially secured by a lace loop. The rearfoot features a stiff heel counter that is balanced by a highly padded collar. My foot felt secure and protected in the shoe and I was pleased with the general fit, although the added length gave me issues with the toe spring that I will discuss further in the performance section.

Andrea's Typical Size: Women's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit Andrea well: New Balance Beacon v3, Brooks Hyperion Max, Topo Cyclone 2, Nike Vaporfly 3, Altra Via Olympus 2
Shoes that have fit snug: Saucony Kinvara 14 (length and toe box width), Altra FWD Experience (length and width), Hoka Cielo Road (toe box width), Saucony Endorphin Speed and Pro 1-3 (length)
Shoes that have fit large: Adidas Boston 12 (length), Adidas Adios 8 (length)

Doctors of Running Checklist

Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Moderately
How Flexible is the Shoe: Mild to Moderately Flexible
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes but offset by posterior flare
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Recommended for Sockless: Somewhat
Durability Expectation: Above Average

PERFORMANCE

Matt: The Adidas Supernova Rise 2 is a daily training shoe with some pace versatility. The midsole is full length Dreamstrike+, a PEBA based foam. The original version did not feel that responsive but was softer (more compliant than resilient), the midsole of the Rise 2 feels the opposite. The ride underfoot is slightly firmer but more resilient and a little snappy. Thanks to the noticeable 10mm heel drop, there is quite a bit of cushioning in the heel but this transitions to a more moderately stacked and snappier forefoot. This allows the Rise 2 to feel solid at training paces but the foam makes it easy to pick up the pace. While not a racing shoe, this shoe has done great during tempo runs and fartlek (time-interval) workouts on the road. It is not quite a fast as something like the Adizero Boston series but still has the ability to push the pace, making it a great option for those looking for one shoe that can handle training and some workouts.

The large posterior heel flare does make the heel somewhat clunky, although this is offset by the large posterior lateral bevel. This posterior flare makes the 10mm heel drop feel slightly higher, so those wanting a shoe that feels like it has a higher heel will do well here. The bevel is a little too steep to smooth out the posterior flare, so it remains slightly clunky until the shoe breaks in around 20-30 miles. The midfoot is slightly stiff thanks to the additional dense foam pieces (support rods). This transitions into a moderately flexible forefoot. The forefoot features a large amount of toe spring, which is offset by the moderate flexibility. This create a fairly smooth transition but one that requires a decent amount of toe flexibility to move through. Those with toe mobility issues will not do well with this shoe.

The traction is decent on roads but the outsole is smooth enough that this shoe will do best on smoother surfaces. I have taken this shoe on wet road, smooth trail and track. The wet roads were fine due to the decent outsole grip but I found trails to be less secure. Dry surfaces were fine but any softer and wetter surfaces were not. For that reason, I would keep the Supernova Rise 2 on smoother surfaces. From a durability standpoint, the Rise 2 continues to be a tank like the original. I have 30 miles on my pair with no wear on the outsole. I expect an above-average number of miles out of this shoe, especially with the slightly firmer and snappier midsole that has also maintained its feel.

Andrea: The Adidas Supernova Rise 2 is a neutral daily trainer with a protective, firmer ride. I have tested it on multiple easy runs and one run with short threshold bursts. The most noticeable performance feature for me is the stiffness of the midfoot combined with the large toe spring. I felt like I had to work harder to transition from initial contact at the lateral midfoot to pushoff in the shoe, which I attribute to the stiff midfoot, aggressive toe spring, and the fact the shoe fits slightly long. I do like the firmer, more responsive ride of the Dreamstrike+, which for me strikes a nice balance between underfoot protection and responsiveness. The shoe felt best at easy paces for me, but mostly because I felt like I was fighting the geometry of the shoe even more at faster paces. I think I might like the shoe more if the toe spring lined up better with my 1st MTP joint. The shoe feels like its states 10mm drop and I did notice the heel when running at slower paces, but it wasn't as noticeable for me as the stiff midfoot.

Objectively, the forefoot is quite flexible when it is off my foot and I bend it with my hands, but the forefoot does not feel flexible at all when running, which is likely due to the apex of the toe spring being located distal to my 1st MTP joint. The outsole traction is moderate, but I did experience some slipping on wet roads and in dirt. Like Matt, I would not recommend this shoe for dirt roads or trails. I have 25 miles on my pair and there is no visible wear on the high coverage rubber outsole. I would expect high durability from this shoe.

STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)

Matt: The Adidas Supernova Rise 2 is a neutral shoe. There are a few methods of guidance in this shoe but it is mostly neutral. There are mild sidewalls at the posterior-most aspect of the heel but not through the rest of the shoe. The large posteriolateral heel does create some mild lateral bias for heavy rearfoot strikers. The sharpness of the bevel and posterior flare do create a slight lateral flare, which then creates a medial push, especially if you land a little farther forward on the heel. The midfoot is slightly narrowed and more neutral, which does not offset that late medial posh. The forefoot is especially wide with mild medial and lateral flare. This makes this the most guided part of the shoe that is still mild at best. Those who are sensitive to guidance methods will do best in this shoe as it is neutral throughout the length.

Andrea: The Adidas Supernova Rise 2 is a neutral shoe with minimal guidance features. The most prominent guidance feature is the aggressive toe spring which may help with push off if it lines up appropriately with a runner's 1st MTP joint. There is mild sole flaring that is most prominent in the forefoot, but is largely unnoticeable. The shoe has a stiff midfoot, but the potential stability benefit of this is offset by the narrow midfoot base. Overall, this is a neutral shoe that does not provide much guidance in any direction.

Thoughts as a DPT: Heel Bevel Components
By Matthew Klein

Fortunately in today's footwear world, there are an increasing number of shoes with a heel bevel. A heel bevel refers to the upward curve at the back of the heel meant to imitate the heel rocker mechanism that is the curved heel bone. As shoes have gotten far taller, the natural rocker of the foot must be replaced to maintain efficient forward momentum during a heel strike. The lack of a heel bevel can cause an abrupt transition forward of the tibia/fibula bones (lower leg) and an accelerated transition of the foot down to the ground, both of which can put additional stress on the muscles and tissues that control those motions. A heel bevel can improve the comfort and transition during heel strike and may reduce stress on some of the muscles and tissues referenced above. 

However, the presence of any heel bevel or curve does not guarantee a smooth ride. The angle of the bevel or where the apex lies, the position (medial, central, lateral) and whether it is offset by other mechanisms like a posterior flare can all play into whether it functions as it is supposed to. An extremely sharp angled bevel with a short apex may still provide an abrupt or clunky transition. The sharp angles still create an aggressive transition forward and often only work at faster paces. On the contrary, a long bevel with a later apex can make the ride feel smoother to the point it can make things feel highly rockered enough to make the heel drop feel lower. This can also go too far where the contact point either gets moved forward or you get artificial midfoot bumps. The position can make a huge difference. Medial heel bevels are borderline useless since almost no one lands at the medial side of the heel. A centered bevel will work well for those who land more cnetrally, although that too is slightly rare. Most central heel bevels do not have rounded edges, which creates sole extensions that can get in the way of normal gait, which is to land on the outside edge of the heel. For that reason, a laterally angeled heel bevel is often best to facilitate a transition during heel strike as most people land more lateral to help set themselves up to adequately pronate. The final piece is where the heel bevel is positioned or whether it is offset by something like a posterior heel flare. A posterior heel flare refers to a posterior extension of the midsole beyond the position of the foot. This can create an early landing, which may add to an awkward or clunky heel transition. A heel bevel may offset this, but if the bevel is also offset posterior, this may not be enough to offset the early landings that can happen with a posterior heel flare.  

In summary, heel bevels are an important part of running shoe design. The majority of runners land heel first at easier paces, so the heel needs to be set up properly to imitate the roundedness of the calcaneus (heel) bone to facilitate a forward transition (Kasmer et al., 2013). A slightly longer heel bevel is often better for most people and either a central or lateral angeled bevel that is not offset by a posterior heel flare is best. While the central bevel can still be clunky for some people, this can be offset by rounded the heel on the lateral side. These angles are all about smoothing out transitions. So the more you know about this, the more you can predict how the heel of a shoe may feel for you. 

References:

Kasmer, M. E., Liu, X. C., Roberts, K. G., & Valadao, J. M. (2013). Foot-strike pattern and performance in a marathon. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 8(3), 286-292.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Matt: The midsole tweak is the biggest improvement in the Rise 2. While the prior version felt softer, this version feels more responsive and in line with the marketing around the Rise series. However, this is the only thing that has changed. My suggestions on reducing the posterior flare/increasing the length of the heel bevel and adjusting the toe box shape still stand. This shoe has an unnecessarily clunky heel in today's world that detracts slightly from its ability to change paces. The posterior-lateral angle of the bevel is great, but it is too short/steep to be effective at offsetting the posteriorly flared heel. So if that is fixed, the Rise 3 will be fantastic. 

Andrea: I like the midsole feel of the Adidas Supernova Rise 2, but my main issue with the shoe is that it runs slightly long, resulting in the aggressive toe spring not lining up with my 1st MTP. Runners who have short toes in comparison to their foot length (like I do) may have issues in this shoe. Aside from my personal alignment/fit issue, I think the shoe would perform better as a neutral daily trainer with a slightly more flexible midfoot and reduced toe spring. I like the feel of the less compliant and more resilient Dreamstrike+ in the shoe and I would recommend that Adidas keep this ride for v3.

WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?

Matt: The Adidas Supernova Rise 2 offers a slightly firmer but responsive and cushioned ride with a higher heel drop for daily training and uptempo workouts. The new Dreamstrike+ midsole provides a responsive feel with the ability to transition between easy efforts and workouts quite well. The fit is lower volume and normal to slightly snug, so those with normal to narrow feet will do best in this shoe. The slightly clunky heel will work best for those who either want a higher drop shoe or those who land farther forward. Personally, I think the more resilient midsole is a good upgrade from the more compliant midsole of version one. It now feels like a PEBA midsole, which is becoming common as more daily trainers begin to feature this newer foam types. It doesn't feel crazy like a super shoe, but still provides that little extra bounce that provides better versatility into faster paces. It is worth the upgrade from the original just for that, unless you want that softer ride. For how durable this shoe is, the price is justified, particularly with a PEBA-based midsole. With the lighter weight, this continues to make the Supernova series worth looking into for daily trainers. Thankfully, Adidas seems to be organizing their non-adizero line a little better, so hopefully the Rise/Solution/Prima models continue to be carefully updated and maintain clear places for the consumer to understand.

Andrea: The Adidas Supernova Rise 2 is a neutral daily trainer that can handle faster paces thanks to its firmer and more resilient ride. Even though the fit and forefoot geometry did not work for me, I think that this will be a nice option for those looking for a do-it-all neutral daily and performance trainer, if the toe spring lines up with your 1st MTP. I think the shoe is a good value at $140 based on its PEBA midsole, durability, and pace versatility. The ride feels slightly firmer and more responsive as compared to the Puma Deviate Nitro 3, without a plate and $20 cheaper. This is also a great shoe option for those who are tired of soft, mushy daily and performance trainers.

GRADES

Matt
Fit: B+/A- (Normal to slightly snug fit with tapered toe box, lower volume and slightly plush heel)
Performance: B+/A- (More resilient midsole that lends itself to moderate distance easier and workout efforts)
Stability: B [Neutral] (Neutral ride. Posterior heel flare causes slight medial acceleration)
Value: A- (High durability with a PEBA based midsole at only $140 makes for a solid purchase)
Personal: B+ (Solid neutral training shoe with updated foam. Better than prior version due to being slightly firmer and more responsive)
Overall Design: B+/A-

Andrea
Fit: B+/A- (overall fit was quite comfortable, but extra length and aggressive toe spring did not line up with my 1st MTP)
Performance: B/B+ (Dreamstrike+ provides a firm, responsive ride that is definitely not mushy. Shoe geometry did not line up well with my foot, resulting in increased perception of effort. If the shoe fits you better, this could be a nice do it all performance trainer.)
Stability: B [Neutral] (A great option for those looking for a shoe with minimal guidance features.)
Value: A ($140 for a shoe with a PEBA midsole and high outsole durability is a great value.)
Personal: B- (While I like the midsole feel and general fit of the shoe, the toe spring and stiff midfoot made running in the shoe feel harder than it should.)
Overall Design: B+

SHOP | SUPPORT DOR

Adidas Supernova Rise 2

Price: $139.95 at Running Warehouse

Shop Men | Shop Women

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Editor's Note: As always, the views presented on this website belong to myself or the selected few who contribute to these posts. This website should not and does not serve as a replacement for seeking medical care. If you are currently injured or concerned about an injury, please see your local running physical therapist. If you are in the Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Danbury and Stevens Point areas, we am currently taking clients for running evaluations.

***Disclaimer: These shoes were provided free of charge in exchange for a review.  We thank the people at Adidas for sending us pairs.  This in no way affected the honesty of this review. We systematically put each type of shoe through certain runs prior to review. For trainers and performance trainers, we take them on daily runs, workouts, recovery runs and a long run prior to review (often accumulating anywhere from 20-50 miles in the process). For racing flats we ensure that we have completed intervals, a tempo or steady state run as well as a warm-up and cool down in each pair prior to review. This systematic process is to ensure that we have experience with each shoe in a large variety of conditions to provide expansive and thorough reviews for the public and for companies. Our views are based on our extensive history in the footwear industry and years testing and developing footwear. If you are a footwear rep looking for footwear reviews or consultations on development, we are currently looking to partner with companies to assist, discuss and promote footwear models. Partnership will not affect the honesty of our reviews.

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