Details
Brand
Adidas
Heel To Toe Drop
10mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Riot 6
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Breathable upper keeps your feet cool and dry.• Adiwear is durable and provides superior protection.• Continental rubber will stand up to long runs time and time again.• Quality synthetic overlays keep the foot locked in place.• Adiprene technology is a high-quality material that provides overall comfort and some impact protection.• Torsion system throughout the midfoot allows natural rotation and medial support for overpronation.• Formotion allows the shoe to adapt to the ground ensuring a comfortable, smooth run.• GeoFit construction put padding where you need it most for improved stability and distribution of pressure.
Upper
This is a great upper for hot summer conditions. It is highly breathable and allows air throughout the shoe. The breathable construction is also great in case you get your feet wet on your run. It allows the foot to dry quickly to prevent blisters. The upper also incorporates GeoFit technology, a stitched micro-suede that provides a great forefoot fit while also supporting the natural flex zones of the foot. The lacing system locks down the upper and gives the shoe a customizable feeling. The mesh and synthetic upper work well together to both lock the foot in and keep trail debris out of the shoe. This shoe comes with a traditional lacing system with thicker laces which reduces the tension caused by traditional thinner laces. The lacing system design is great at giving the shoe a secure, comfortable feeling while evenly distributing the pressure throughout the upper.
Midsole
This is a great midsole for anyone looking for comfort and protection from trail debris. Far from a minimalist shoe, the dual type EVA/Adiprene material put some good cushion between you and the trail. They also work together to move you through the gait cycle, from heel to toe, while providing a springy liftoff. The impact protection that the cushion provides is also great for preventing overuse and impact related injuries. The two types of EVA material stand up to miles on the trail and continue to provide the same great cushion, run after run. The midsole also offers the Torsion support system which helps the midfoot and the rear footwork independently, giving the shoe great adaptive midfoot support. Under the sole, the shoe also has the Pro-Moderator technology which helps reduce overpronating and support the arch throughout the stride.
Outsole
The outsole was designed by the tire manufacturer, Continental. It provides solid traction on the most rugged terrains while also standing up to wear and tear. The oval-shaped lugs provide a ton of traction and are well spaced out so that this shoe can really dig into the trail. Some of these lugs are smooth while the ones around the outer edge of the shoe have smaller grippier areas, which are great for wet, smooth surfaces. The lugs also follow the natural pattern of the foot, providing traction exactly where you need it. The outsole is built primarily out of one type of rubber throughout, further improving its durability. The independent crash pad on the heel is great for impact protection and gives additional support should you land on your heel.
Breathability
The combination of mesh and synthetic overlays make for a highly durable, highly breathable upper. This shoe is great for hot summer days and will keep your foot cool, especially if you pair it with thin socks. The shoe also dries incredibly quickly thanks to the air that passes throughout. This is a great shoe for anyone looking for something breathable.
Comfort
The combination of EVA material and Adiprene make this a very comfortable yet firm shoe. The cushioning system is adaptable throughout the midfoot to ensure the smoothest run possible. The extra cushioned pad at the heel help dissipates impact if landing on your heels.;The Adiprene is also highly durable, so this shoe has the same great feeling out of the box as it does mile after comfortable mile. The GeoFit feature is also great for comfortably locking down the foot and creating a customizable, secure feeling. The removable insole and plush inner material give this shoe a great next to foot feeling.
Style
Whether you are looking for something bold on the trails or something a little more toned down, Adidas has taken into consideration every runner’s wants. The shoe comes in brighter colors such as bright orange for men or you could go for the more conservative monotoned grey color. The upper and midfoot are well designed to make the shoe look sleek and not bulky. The ankle collar is cut nice and low further improving the sleek appearance of this great looking shoe.
Durability
This shoe is built to last, from the ground up. Starting with a highly durable rubber outsole, it is made to stand up to any type of trail you throw at it, showing few signs of wear, even after several miles.;The Adiprene and EVA combination in the midsole is meant to stand up to everyday use and give you incredible comfort for many miles. The combination of mesh and synthetic overlays are great for standing up to trail debris while also securing the foot and being highly breathable. The lacing system is well built, and the eyelets are reinforced to prevent any tearing. Overall, this is a well-built shoe that is meant to last many miles.
Protection
Substantial cushioning provides protection from anything underfoot. The midsole material is great for impact protection and keeping overuse injuries at bay. The upper is durable and protects you from rocks and other trail debris. This shoe provides excellent traction on any trail surface, keeping you on your feet during your run. The Torsion midfoot system is also great at gripping a variety of trail surfaces. The upper does a great job of locking your foot in, giving you a comfortable, secure feeling, so you can hit the trails with confidence.
Responsiveness
The cushion is plentiful yet firm, giving the shoe a good responsive feeling even without a ton of ground feel. The cushioning helps to maintain propulsion and efficiency while still providing great protection. The consistent cushion from heel to toe also help to push your weight forward for toe off and keep the ride consistent throughout your stride.
Support
The Adidas Supernova Riot 4 has an 11mm drop which really provides great support and helps runners transition from landing to toe-off. It is great for promoting a natural stride while also protecting and correcting bad form. This heel-toe offset also provides a little extra cushion in the heel, which is most important for people who tend to land heel first.
Terrain
The oval lugs positioned along the bottom of the foot are great for traction on any trail terrain. This outsole can handle mud, rocks, gravel, and dirt easily and is ready to tackle any off-road terrain. Because of the protruding lugs and the considerable space between them, this is not an ideal shoe for extended use. It is built to dig into softer surfaces, rather than pavement or road.
Price
You find these online for under a $100, which is a great price for the quality of shoe you are getting. There are 2 newer editions of this shoe, the Supernova Riot 5 and the Supernova Riot 6, which means you might be able to get a good bargain on the Riot 4.
Stability
This shoe works wonders as a light stability shoe. It’s designed so that the collar of the shoe cut low around the ankle gives the foot some great flexibility and allows it to adapt to the trail surface. That combined with the stability features throughout the midsole is excellent for getting a good range of motion while still having all the stability you need.;The insole is designed to support the arch and the Pro-moderator is good for preventing overpronation. The Torsion system also allows natural rotation in the midfoot area while the upper locks the foot down and keeps you feeling secure and stable on any trail surface.
Flexibility
This is not a flexible shoe, but the lack of flexibility only makes it better as a support shoe and a highly cushioned trainer. Given the 23mm of EVA and Adiprene material underfoot, it is reasonable that this shoe would appear a little stiff, making this shoe great for anyone who lacks foot strength and is looking for a consistent stride.
Traction
The aggressive outsole design and the hard Continental rubber give great traction on a variety of surfaces. Some of the lugs are smooth and the ones around the outside of the outsole are a little more rough, which is good for gripping smoother surfaces. Formotion also allows the shoe to adapt to the terrain and provides a little extra grip on uneven trail surfaces.
Bottom Line
The Adidas Supernova Riot 4 was designed with rugged terrain in mind. The outsole is perfect for any off-road surfaces you have in mind. Be it gavel, dirt, or mud, this shoe will easily stand up to them all. It incorporates a variety of technologies to keep your foot and stride stable over varying terrain.;This shoe is well cushioned and features some light stability features to support your stride and cushion your ride. The upper is breathable and allows your foot to dry quickly should you encounter wet terrain. This is a great shoe no matter what you need on the trail.