Details
Brand
Adidas
Heel To Toe Drop
11mm
Breathability
6.9/10
Latest Version
Supernova Riot 6
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Breathable upper design allows effective airflow• The Adiwear material is quite durable• The Continental rubber stands up to continuous• Synthetic upper overlays offer a more secure fit• Pro-Moderator feature helps to prevent overpronating motion• Compatible with My Coach chip
Upper
This upper design offers decent breathability and is suited to many different conditions. It is not waterproof but the breathable construction allows airflow to pass throughout the shoe and over the foot so in case you do get your feet wet, you can rest assured that they will dry reasonably quickly. The highly durable mesh and synthetic upper work together to keep trail debris out of the shoe. This shoe comes with a quick lace system which has an elastic pocket near the toe where you can tuck the laces to keep them out of the way.;The quick lacing system does an effective job at locking the feet into place, providing a more secure, confident fit and can also be easily adjusted during the run. The upper does a great job of locking the foot in and giving the shoe a secure fit.
Midsole
This is a well-designed midsole for anyone looking for comfort and protection from trail debris. A large amount of cushioning found in the total stack height of 23mm provides comfort and support for any foot strike. The combination of Adiprene and other materials is meant for and provides comfortable support over long runs. The shoe’s midsole features the brand’s Pro-Moderator, which is basically a plastic device which helps to keep the foot from the tendency to overpronate during transitioning.;Under the removable insole, you will find a spot to place their “My Coach” chip, sold separately, which tracks runs and gives you necessary feedback like pace and distance. Although the insole is quite comfortable for most, it is removable in case you require additional support using an alternate insole of your choice. The cushioning offers the ideal amount of comfort for those who might be fairly new to trail running.
Outsole
This outsole works hard to give you traction on any trail, in any conditions. The durable rubber is long lasting so that you can get the most out of this shoe. The sticky outsole prevents you from slipping in wet conditions. The independent heel cushioning helps to protect your foot from impact. The lugs are designed with a bunch of multi-directed lugged edges, so they can really dig into the trails.;The Continental rubber part of the outsole is made by the tire company, Continental, and is designed to provide durability. Rubber material extends up to where the toe box meets the outsole to prevent you from stubbing your toes on rocks or other trail obstacles. The outsole is durable and doesn’t wear down too badly after prolonged use. There is lots of clearance between the lugs making it is an easy shoe to clean. Although the shoe is well designed for all-around comfort and the large lugs don’t create pressure points in the foot, this shoe is not well designed for road use.
Breathability
The breathable mesh material of the upper is great for hot summer runs, and it has good airflow to keep your foot dry in the event you happen to get it wet. This is great for warmer weather. Pair them with some lightweight technical socks to really beat the heat.
Comfort
This is a good pick for anyone looking for a little extra cushion. The Supernova Riot 5 not only has lots of cushion throughout the foot, it also has an extra landing pad around the heel, which is great for impact protection. The EVA and Adiprene materials work awesome together, providing a smoother transition throughout. The Adiprene is highly durable so the cushion won’t wear out and have the same great feeling that it did out of the box, even after use. The shoe’s cushion is a more firm than plush, but there’s plenty of protection and the shoe has a really supportive feel to it. The ability to remove the insole is also helpful.
Style
Adidas had some fun with the colors of the Supernova Riot 5. Both the men’s and women’s version have a similar design with black and white mesh accented by black overlays. The laces are black and white with a colorful outsole design. Overall the style of the shoe is distinct without being loud and all of the color features work great together to make for a good-looking shoe.
Durability
Even though it’s not the lightest shoe, this shoe is durable and built to last many long trail runs. It is very durable from the bottom up, beginning with the Continental produced rubber outsole and the Adiprene midsole material. Both are meant to go the distance and provide the same traction and the same ride from the time this shoe was taken out of the box to its very last runs. The shoe’s upper is constructed of a tough mesh that will keep out debris along the trail. The synthetic overlays that you see on the upper are stitched to provide extra durability for the long haul. The stitching resists ripping or tearing and keeps the shoe looking great even after extended use.
Protection
With substantial cushioning underfoot, this shoe will protect you from anything on the trail. The EVA and Adiprene also provide great impact protection to prevent overuse injuries. The durable upper is great at keeping trail debris out and protecting your foot from rocks and other debris on the trail. The considerable height keeps some a bit of between your feet and the trail, great for those long distance training runs. The traction also provides great grip and keeps you on your toes, even on rough terrain. The additional overlays on top of the toe box help to protect you from any stones, sticks or other debris you might encounter. The highly breathable upper helps to prevent blisters caused from too much moisture in your shoe.
Responsiveness
This shoe has tons of firm cushioning. Although it is not low to the ground, nor does it offer a lot of ground feel, the firmness provides great feedback and a relatively responsive ride. This is perfect for anyone looking for a balance of responsiveness while still being very well protected for long training runs on rough terrain.
Support
There are many support features built into this shoe, great for someone new to the trails or for ultra runners who are worried about their form at the late stages of a race or long distance run. There is a lot of support under the arch, with the Moderator keeping the foot from pronating throughout the stride. The overlay locks down the foot giving the shoe a nice secure feeling, so you won’t need to worry as much about the foot shifting during your run. The insole offers yet more arch support and can be swapped for a custom insole if a different type of support is needed. The heel has a separate crash pad which protects against shock and impact.
Terrain
This rubber outsole is built for the trail. There is plenty of space between the multidirectional lugs to allow the shoe to really dig into soft terrain. While the lugs aren’t as high as the Supernova Riot 6, they have lots of sharp edges that really provide traction on rough terrain. The combination of hard rubber and softer sticky rubber give great traction over various surfaces, dry or wet.
Price
This one is a reasonably priced shoe for the quality you get. You can now get them for less, as there is an updated version out. There are a ton of features that will keep you feeling comfortable during any training run and these will last many miles.
Drop
The Supernova 5 has an 11mm drop and works really well as a neutral shoe or light stability shoe. While it provides the runner with a lot of support, the heel to toe offset doesn’t make the shoe feel clumsy or heavy at all. This offset also allows for extra cushioning on the heel, great for impact protection and preventing overuse injuries which are common with heel strikers.
Stability
There are a ton of light stability features in this shoe, but unlike a stability shoe, they don’t make the shoe look bulky in any way. There is a considerable amount of effective cushioning for anyone who needs impact protection. There is an independent heel section for any runner who tends to overextend their stride. There is the Pro-Moderator below the sole which helps to prevent pronation. The drop of 11mm also helps to transition from touch down to lift off, guiding the runner’s weight towards the ball of the foot. The great traction provides a stable feeling over a variety of different off-road surfaces.
Flexibility
This shoe certainly lacks flexibility but the stiffer ride provides even support on a very uneven terrain. The cushioning and rigid sole give a good consistent ride throughout, which is great for anyone who needs a little extra support. This is also a great shoe for someone who lacks strength or is looking to transition from a stability shoe to a more neutral shoe. The rigid design also helps support runners who are new to the trails.
Traction
The rather aggressive outsole design allows you to get confident traction on most trail surfaces, wet or dry. The large lugs will dig right into the softer ground and will provide great traction in wet conditions. The softer, stickier rubber grips wet rock or slippery trail surfaces to keep you on your feet in difficult conditions. Although you could run a bit on the road with this shoe, it is certainly more suited to off road running.
Bottom Line
These work wonderfully as a training shoe and would be an excellent addition to any trail runner’s shoe rotation. The lightweight stability focused features provide necessary support to runners who need it or for ultra runners who really need that extra bit of support and cushion late in the game. This shoe is specifically designed with a rugged trail in mind but still looks great. The neutral colors along with the fun accents make it a great accessory to any trail runner’s outfit. This shoe is also somewhat versatile and would be a decent alternative to hiking boots or fast packing.
