Disclosure: The Adidas Supernova 2 was purchased with our own money. We provided links to a few online sites which sell the Adidas Supernova 2 in this article.
Introduction
Lace up in these adidas running shoes, and make the road to your first race a little smoother. They’re built for comfort as you train, with responsive BOOST in the midsole that energizes every step. Springy Bounce cushioning in the forefoot propels you forward as you run toward your goals.
Who says running needs to be uncomfortable? These shoes are designed to help you run comfortable every time, on any terrain. From a precisely balanced mix of Bounce and increased Boost in the midsole to a new padded tongue and heel patch construction, experience comfort with every step.
Product Specifications
- Price: US$100 (S$159/S$150)
- Size: US 12 / UK 11.5
- Weight: 320 grams (11.28 oz)
- Stack Height: 20mm to 29mm (9 mm drop)
- Insole Thickness: 6mm EVA
- Forefoot width: 11.5 cm
- Midfoot width: 7 cm
- Heel width: 9.0 cm
Runner’s Profile
Prior to the review, it is important to establish my runner profile to better gauge my opinions on the shoes. For example, a lighter runner will experience differently the effects of midsole compared to a heavier runner. I am on the heavy side for a runner (75kg – 80kg) range and stands at 1.75m tall. My average weekly mileage ranges from 25km to 35km. I am a mid-foot/fore-foot strike with a neutral foot. I am normally a US size 11, with 2E foot width, although it varies depending on brands.
FIVE KEY TAKEAWAYS
Pointer 1 – Good Lockdown & Padded Tongue for Comfort
The upper of the Supernova 2 is a dual layer mesh provides a good lockdown after lacing up. The laces works well without the need to retie after, unlike some other brands where the laces can come undone after awhile. A welcome feature is the padded tongue provides comfort and eliminate the pressure points from lacing. However, during my first run, the upper was not as breathable as it looks. While there are “holes” punched into the upper, the bottom layer blocks out most of the breathability.
Pointer 2 – “Comfort” isn’t A Word for Supernova 2 Midsole
The midsole of the Supernova 2 comprises of 2 different foams: Boost and Bounce. The setup of the midsole puts the Bounce at the mid to forefoot area while the Boost is concentrated at the heel. Boost is well known as providing comfort and cushioning. But the same cannot be said for the Bounce midsole. As I am a midfoot to forefoot runner, I experienced the Bounce more than the Boost during my runs. What I gotten was a firm forefoot and midfoot. However, trying heel striking provided a different story, the Boost midsole provided not only the cushioning but also energy return.
“Who says running needs to be uncomfortable? These shoes are designed to help you run comfortable every time, on any terrain.”
Adidas Supernova 2’s Product Detail
Yet, the setup of the midsole constraints the ability of the Supernova 2 to deliver on its marketing message. Comfort is not a word I will associate with Supernova 2. But, I do hope that with more runs, the Bounce midsole might break in and soften.
Pointer 3 – Great Outsole for Grip & Stability
The outsole of the Supernova 2 is made up of direct TPU injected rubber covering almost the entirety of the running shoes. With outsole coverage along the medial and lateral side of the running shoes, it provides the Supernova 2 with a good stable platform. The grip of the outsole is good even across some of the wet surfaces that I usually run on.
Point 4 – A Heel Striker’s Running Shoes?
Heel Strikers will be at home with the Supernova 2. The Boost midsole located at the heel providing ample cushioning and rebound. I have tested it through heel striking and it felt much more enjoyable. With this setup, it limits the potential of boost providing the cushioning and rebound it could have given.
Thus, I wonder if some of the Boost material could be shifted to the midfoot or forefoot area. This has been done in many older Adidas models such as the Supernova+, Boston 9, and even the Adizero Pro.
Pointer 5 – Not an Easy Day Nor a Fast Day Choice
As I am a forefoot to midfoot striker, the Supernova 2 isn’t a easy day option for me as it hardly hits the spot with the Boost midsole. Majority of the time it is the Bounce foam that I engaged with and isn’t that soft. But I wonder if it will soften up slightly after more runs in it.
At the same time, the Supernova 2 is not a Fast Day Option due to the weight distribution of the Supernova 2 being uneven. The Boost midsole, which is believed to be heavier than Bounce, created a lopsided effect for the Supernova 2 at the heel. But a heel striker might find it working for them.
Concluding Remarks
I think the current iteration of the Supernova 2 is a step in the right direction, Adidas has reduced the weight while seemingly having more Boost foam. Yet, the Supernova 2 is a missed opportunity to deliver what their marketing message is, comfort. I had the Adizero Pro and the first iteration of the Supernova, and Boost is a very capable and resilient foam. Could Adidas have move some of the Boost towards the midfoot area? Could Adidas draw lessons from their old but gold Boston 9 series or the Supernova+? Will we see a Supernova 2+?
Perhaps, the Bounce midsole might break in as I continue running or the outsole will wear down and soften up. We shall be validated after our long term testing.
What’s Next?
The important question remains to be answered as we take the pair of running shoes to 100KM or more: the durability and any changes after 100KM. It is important for us to review the performance and the durability of the running shoes.
We hope you have found our initial review of the Adidas Supernova 2 initial review informative and useful. Do share with your running friends and community if this has been helpful for you or anyone who might benefit from our work! Remember to check out our short clip for a first look at the Adidas Supernova 2 below.
Till next time, just keep running!
