Adidas Supernova Rise 2 First Run: Tweaks, Not a Revolution

Introduction

The Adidas Supernova Rise 2 is a first-generation refresh in the most literal sense. Not a huge amount has changed between this shoe and the original Rise, and after the first few miles, the changes that did land are mostly in the upper. Adidas is pitching the Supernova as a neutral everyday shoe, a starting point for daily training that could work well for beginners. After a first run of just over seven miles, the picture is clear: this is a shoe that tweaks rather than revolutionizes.

Quick Details and Specs

The Supernova Rise 2 sticks with a relatively conservative stack by today’s standards: 36mm in the heel, 26mm in the forefoot, for a 10mm drop. It weighs 9.6oz (272g) in a men’s UK 8.5. Adidas claims it has shaved 4% off the weight versus the first generation, which came in at 9.7oz (275g) in the same test size, so the real-world difference is marginal. Still, coming in under 10 ounces keeps the Rise fairly competitive on weight for a daily trainer.

Pricing stays the same too, at £130 or $140, which now sits towards the cheaper end of the daily trainer shelf.

The updates are minimal and largely restricted to the upper: a new mesh that is marginally thinner and a little less structured across the toe box, less padding in the heel, thinner tongues, and softer eye stays, all in an effort to boost comfort and save weight. The midsole unit stays the same, with the PE-based Dreamstrike Plus foam made from a small percentage of recycled materials.

Ride Feel: Firm, Connected, and Responsive

Because the midsole is essentially identical to the Rise 1, the ride is very similar. Dreamstrike Plus has some of the bounce of a performance foam but not the full energy return of a super foam. What you get is a more traditional feel underfoot: not a huge amount of soft cushioning, just enough to take the edge off the road, with quite a lot of ground contact coming up through the shoe. It felt a little firm to begin with and there is a stiffness that suggests some break-in time, though that directness is arguably part of the appeal.

The most distinctive sensation is an immediate, snappy response from the midsole. It compresses slightly, feels quite firm, and then returns quickly. This is a shoe that rewards quick turnover and midfoot-to-forefoot landings. When you move with lighter feet at a slightly faster pace, the shoe comes to life and softens the overall impact. Land heavily on your heels at a slow pace, and there may not be enough cushioning for some runners, particularly at the easier end of training.

There is an upside to the firmer platform, though: a connected, stable, and reliable ride. Landings feel consistent, the narrower platform feels a little more compact than big-stack alternatives like the Novablast 5 or New Balance 1080 v14, and there is real potential to pick up the pace. It will deliver some of your faster running, but you still do the work. You cannot expect the cushioning to bounce you forward the way more versatile daily trainers try to.

Comfort and Fit

Comfort on foot is excellent. Fit runs true to size in a regular Adidas running shoe size (UK 8.5 / US 9.5 in testing). The shoes are not the roomiest, but there is just about enough wiggle room in the toe box, and they lace up and lock in comfortably with good midfoot lockdown.

The heel collar remains really well padded, particularly at the back, with fairly stiff heel counters that enhance support and heel hold. The padded heel secured the heel well with no slipping. You still get a well-padded traditional tongue with no gusseting, and underfoot there is a generous covering of durable Adiwear rubber. Overall, this is a shoe that screams long-mile durability.

Who Should Buy the Supernova Rise 2

The clear target is beginner runners who want a workhorse daily trainer that can handle a lot of runs and soak up that 80% of easy mileage. The caveat is that in a market where many shoes now offer more softness and cushion for easy running, not everyone will love the firmer ride here. If you want to feel less of the road, a softer option like the Novablast 5 or 1080 v14 will suit you better.

If you prefer a slightly more traditional, direct ride with a bit more ground feel, the Rise 2 delivers that really well. It sits in a ballpark closer to a Brooks Ghost 16 or a Glycerin, or even a Kayano-adjacent kind of feel, though with a little more softness and cushion than the most direct trainers.

One important note: if you already own the original Rise, there is little reason to upgrade expecting a lighter shoe with the same ride. You get the same ride, and the weight saving on the scales is not something you notice on foot.

Conclusion

The Adidas Supernova Rise 2 is more of the same, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. It offers a connected, comfortable, lightly cushioned but not spongy, firmer and stiffer ride that relies on response and fast turnover rather than big foam. It is controlled, stable, nicely balanced, comfortable on the foot, and competitive on weight at a price that undercuts much of the daily trainer field. Runners who want maximum softness should look elsewhere; runners who like a more direct, traditional ride will get on with it very well.