adidas is known for making great shoes that offer all-day support, whether you’re out on a run or on a job. However, with the rise in popularity of cardio-based sports, such as pickleball and recreational running, it’s no longer possible to market any one athletic shoe to every athlete.
Lately, adidas has been targeting more high-mileage runners and other athletes who may put a lot of wear and tear on their shoes. Their collaborative pop-up stand with Runner’s World at the 2023 NYC marathon is proof enough of that. Adidas wants you to know that, when you’re preparing to start a literal journey, their brand is a trustworthy one to turn to.
Even in their products, adidas has hoped to draw in those who measure their performance in distance as well as time. The Adidas Supernova Prima is a distance runner’s dream shoe. Our comprehensive Adidas Supernova Prima review goes into all the details you need to know before lacing them up for your next long run.
Our Review Process
No two runners are the same. That’s why, for every review we write, a few of our team members will try the shoe out for size. Once we have a feel for how they perform, we feel qualified to write a thorough review.
How a shoe holds up on gravel is often different from how it does with a gym floor or indoor track. Our reviewing team brings their shoes to a variety of different landscapes so that you can be sure your shoes can withstand your favorite activities.
The Main Highlights
Before you hit the road or the track, get to know the adidas Supernova Prima.
- Men’s size 9 weights 10.2 oz; Women’s size 8 weighs 8.5 oz
- 38 mm/30 mm stack height
- 8 mm drop
- A powerhouse of a shoe designed for long-distance running
- True-to-size fit
- Dreamstrike+ foam at the midsole offers plenty of cushioning
- Transitions are stabilized by Bottom-Loaded Support Rods
- Lighttraxion outsole adds grip to the shoe without adding unnecessary weight
- Mesh upper that is engineered to be breathable without letting your foot slip
- Price: $159.95
The Supernova Prima also features a construction that promotes a smooth heel-to-toe transition. It’s available in both bold and neutral colors in men’s sizing and women’s sizing.
The Nitty-Gritty of the Supernova Prima
Thinking about investing in the adidas Supernova Prima shoes? Take a deeper look at some of its great features.
Dreamstrike+ Foam Midsole
Who says you need to be a pro to get professional-level shoes? The Dreamstrike+ foam in the midsole of this shoe is a Peba-based product — the same Peba featured in shoes designed for high-level athletes of all sorts. However, a full sponsorship is not necessary to enjoy the perks that come with the installation of this foam.
As a feature of the thick midsole, this shoe is plush and comfortable. When experienced with the 8 mm drop, we found that these shoes can put some extra spring in your step without sacrificing that cushy feeling we love. While the density of the foam, along with other foam features, doesn’t make this the lightest shoe on the market, we feel that the support provided by the midsole makes up for it in spades.
Lighttraxion Outsole
A brand new feature for adidas, the Lighttraxion outsole brings grip to the shoes without slowing you down. Fans of adidas may already be aware of the Traxion outsole that they put on many of their hiking boots and other outdoor shoes. This new, innovative take offers the same level of stability that you would want in a trusty hiking boot but doesn’t alter the weight distribution of the shoe.
That being said, we certainly didn’t feel like we were going for runs in hiking boots! The shoes still felt lightweight enough to withstand a marathon without sacrificing the traction needed to perform.
Gusseted Tongue
Runners who find that the edges of their shoe tongues can get uncomfortable may find this design appealing. Instead of a super thick tongue all the way around, the tongue in the Supernova Prima is only padded right where you need it. It’s also gusseted so you won’t need to wiggle it around as much to find just the right spot for it on your foot.
Foam Support Rods
The foam rods built into the shoe have been featured in a number of athletic footwear products. However, Supernova Prima upgrades on this design. The EVA foam rods are a bit denser and wider than those installed in previous adidas running shoes. The experience of this kind of foam in the shoes creates a more stabilized run that may be more appealing to runners who strike closer to the midsole or the forefoot.
Padded Heel
The name of the game for this shoe really is “stability.” Nowhere is that more apparent than in the heel.
One of the first things you may notice when you pick up a Prima is the heel. The thick padding makes it all but impossible for a properly laced shoe to create heel lift or any slipping whatsoever. Some runners love this; others, not so much. Whether the thick heel padding is right for you truly is a matter of preference.
Pros and Cons of the Supernova Prima
TL;DR? Let’s break it down another way.
Pros of the Supernova Prima
These shoes are great for runners who love to go the distance. The ergonomic design used for the Prima is specifically aimed to support those whose step count is consistently high.
The support rods and thick heel padding make sure your foot stays in the shoe for your entire workout. We love the subtle support that these features provide because it means that we can take our minds off our shoes and onto the track or path in front of us.
A gusseted tongue and midsole made using Dreamstrike+ foam make the overall experience of running in these shoes feel comfortable and supported. What’s more, the new Lighttraxion outsole felt like it gave us the stability of an outdoorsman without sacrificing any speed.
Supernova Prima Pros:
- Dreamstrike+ midsole cushioning provides a plush, soft ride
- Combination of high stack height and support rods offer a cushioned yet responsive running experience
- Lighttraxion outsole adds more durability and traction without adding unnecessary weight
- Mesh upper is light, secure, and breathable
Cons of the Supernova Prima
There is no such thing as the perfect shoe (or, at least, we haven’t found it yet). Some runners felt that this was not the springiest shoe they had ever tried on. While the Primas certainly aren’t heavy, they may also create a dragging feeling in runners who are adapted to super-lightweight shoes.
Although several features attempt to minimize the weight of these shoes, they can’t eliminate or negate the density of the foam support rods.
Those with wide feet may also not be inclined to go for this shoe since it does have a narrower toe box than some others. The thick heel definitely doesn’t help in this area; it may lead to an even more squished feeling if you already tend to lean away from narrow athletic shoes.
As with many high-end athletic shoes, the price tag greater than $150.00 was also noted amongst several reviewers. However, this is still often considered a fairly-priced shoe considering how many premium features it carries.
Supernova Prima Cons:
- Not as responsive as other daily workhouse options
- Can feel dense and heavy
- Narrow fit makes this a less versatile option for every foot type
Adidas Supernova Prima vs Other Shoes
The Supernova Prima is far from the first in the adidas running shoe series. In the wider selection of adidas running shoes, we feel that this shoe builds on many of the best aspects of the other installments in the Supernova franchise.
Vs. Supernova Stride
Coming in at roughly the same weight, the Supernova Stride can be thought of as a beginner’s guide to the Supernova franchise. These shoes offer similar amounts of padding and, like the rest of the lineup, are designed to help distance runners go farther.
One of the biggest stand-out differences of the Stride is its price. At most retailers, these shoes can run $40-$60 cheaper than other shoes with the Supernova title.
Because this is the “budget shoe” of the bunch, the Stride lacks some of the features that make the Prima so attractive. The Stride has the same thick, padded tongue found in many athletic shoes. The Dreamstrike+ foam is also only found in the forefoot; the rest of the sole is mainly composed of EVA foam.
Vs. Supernova Solution
Athletes focused on finding a shoe that promotes stability may tend to want to compare the Supernova Prima to the Supernova Solution on their own feet. The Solution features fused medial support rods that can create additional support near the middle of the foot. The same mesh upper that is found on many adidas shoes is also installed on these. The Solution also has the Adiwear outsole that adidas lovers have come to know and appreciate.
The offset in the Solution is 10 mm. This means that it may not be as beneficial for runners who strike in the midsole or closer to the toes.
Vs. Supernova Rise
As the immediate predecessor to the Prima, the adidas Supernova Rise has the most features that directly compare to the Prima. It’s a little lighter than the Prima, but these shoes offer the same Dreamstrike+ midsole and bottom-loaded support rods.
Some of the biggest differences between the Rise and the Prima are found in the outsole and the tongue. The Supernova Rise still has the Adiwear outsole, which seems to offer less stability and traction over time when compared to the Prima’s Lighttraxion outsole. But with slightly less cushioning and a more responsive feel compared to the high-cushion Supernova Prima, the Rise may be a better choice for runners looking to pick up the pace with speed workouts and tempo runs.
These shoes also received some comments about fitting a bit too tightly. Some reviewers even felt forced to size up in order to have a good run with the Rise.
Final Verdict: Adidas Supernova Prima
The adidas Supernova Prima is a great all-around shoe. Its many innovative stabilizing features make this a shoe that we would depend on for our next long-distance run. Those who tend to wear out their shoes quickly when pursuing distance running may want to try on a pair of Primas for size.
Find Adidas Supernova Prima in Stores
If our adidas Supernova Prima review has you ready to try the shoes on for yourself, head over to your local Marathon Sports. We keep a wide selection of athletic shoes that is sure to get you the perfect fit.
Pop into any of our New England stores to try on a pair of adidas Supernova Primas for yourself. Can’t make it to the East Coast? Shop online to experience superior customer care by athletes for athletes.
