The Adidas Supernova Rise 3 and the Adidas Adizero EVO SL come from two complementary families at Adidas. The Supernova is the comfort line, built for no-fuss daily training. The Adizero is the performance line, with roots in racing. Two shoes in the same price range, two different missions.
The EVO SL is noticeably lighter, with more than 40 g / 1.4 oz less on the scale. The platforms are comparable in height, but the Supernova Rise 3 keeps a more conventional drop, while the EVO SL sits closer to a low drop.
The foams tell the whole story. The Supernova Rise 3 runs on Dreamstrike+, reworked to be plusher than ever: the cushioning is soft, protective, made for easy runs and recovery. The EVO SL packs the Lightstrike Pro from the Adizero racing shoes: more bounce, more responsiveness, a midsole that kicks in as soon as you pick up the pace.
The ride follows suit. The Supernova Rise 3 is the more planted of the two: stable ride, smooth transitions, it reels off easy miles (like base endurance runs). Its responsiveness stays moderate, though: this is not a shoe for intervals.
The EVO SL covers a wider spectrum: easy runs, tempo, long intervals, it stays enjoyable from slow paces to sustained ones.
On fit, the Primeweave upper of the Supernova Rise 3 is plush and wraps the foot, with excellent heel hold. The EVO SL’s upper stays thinner, with materials inherited from the brand’s elite models.
Supernova Rise 3 or EVO SL: which should you choose?
If you are looking for a shoe for easy, comfortable running, the Supernova Rise 3 is a good choice: it suits a wide range of runners, for easy runs and recovery.
The EVO SL is the more complete of the two: if you vary your paces and like a responsive ride, it does everything the Supernova does, with speed on top. It is the shoe we recommend to runners who want to improve.
