Kit & Gear

adidas Supernova Rise: Q&A with JT Newcomb

adidas Global Running Category Director, JT Newcomb, tells us all we need to know about the new adidas Supernova Rise.

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SHOP ALL ADIDAS SUPERNOVA RISE RUNNING SHOES HERE

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Hi JT! We're very excited about this latest shoe release! Let's start by asking the most important question - What type of runner is the Supernova Rise aimed at?

The Supernova Rise has been developed with performance running technologies that have been reimagined to provide unparalleled comfort, enabling everyday runners to stay focused and free from distractions during their everyday runs. adidas designed these shoes for people who run at any pace as part of their routine – running to make their lives better, without necessarily training to become faster.

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Where does it fit into the Supernova franchise and the wider adidas running shoe range?

Supernova Rise is just one of three new silhouettes brought to everyday runners via the revamped franchise and has been designed to deliver maximum comfort.

With regards to where the Supernova franchise sits within the full adidas running portfolio – these new shoes are for everyday runners specifically and complement our other offerings, such as the Adizero range which offers a suite of running shoes designed for racing and training to race.

Something we’re incredibly proud of is being able to cater to all types of runners with our full running portfolio depending on the use case and individual preferences and product needs.

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Can you tell us about any new technologies used and how does it differ from its predecessors in the Supernova franchise?

The revamped Supernova franchise features a host of exciting new technologies designed to harmonize comfort and support for everyday runners. However, there are three key new features that stand out.

The first is Dreamstrike+, a new midsole foam that takes inspiration from LIGHTSTRIKE PRO, the midsole material utilized across the record-breaking Adizero franchise, but tuned to the specific comfort needs of everyday running. To provide runners with a tailored comfort offering suited to their own needs, the material forms the entirety of the midsole on Supernova Rise and Supernova Solution, whilst on the Supernova Stride model, it is positioned in the forefoot region alongside an EVA compound midsole.

In the Supernova Rise and Supernova Solution models, the Dreamstrike+ midsole is complemented by a Support Rod System, the second key innovation brought to the franchise. Inspired by the physiology of the foot in motion, this new technology is embedded in the outsole to grant harmonized support and transition, as well as stability where it is needed. The Support Rod System in Supernova Solution slightly differs from that featured in the SUPERNOVA RISE, with the two middle rods splinted together to offer a higher level of support for runners who seek it.

And, finally, is the Comfort Heel Fit. Using a combination of cushioning foam and soft textile designed for maximum comfort and support, the Comfort Heel Fit is expertly crafted to ensure that all runners’ needs are accommodated.

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What challenges and barriers did you face when revamping the franchise?

As is the case when developing any products, there are always challenges along the way. Creating a great shoe that offers everyday runners exactly what they need is not easy and from experience, we have learnt that developing a shoe like this requires both scientific and artistic input to ensure all components worth together seamlessly.

In the case of developing the revamped Supernova franchise, the main challenge we faced was achieving perfect balance - we weren’t aiming to provide a single stand-alone benefit from the product. Providing only great comfort, or just perfect fit, or support wasn’t enough. Our goal was to create exceptional running shoes that offer all three of these benefits because from research, these were most important to everyday runners.

Whilst the journey to achieve this wasn’t easy, we are incredibly pleased with what the three silhouettes provide everyday runners – maximum comfort to help them be distraction-free.

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Please can you tell us about the research, testing and development that went into this shoe. How long did the whole process take and how many people were involved?

Research, testing and development underpins every product we create here at adidas – all three elements are critical throughout the journey of bringing a concept to reality as they allow us to truly create products that provide consumers with exactly what they require.

In the case of the Supernova, the Product and Design teams utilised research we conducted with 1,300 female runners which revealed harmonizing comfort and support to be the most important criteria for everyday runners when selection a running shoe. But we also tapped into our heritage. We have 75 years of experience in making only the best products for all athletes, and so we were able to assess cutting-edge technology from other adidas Running franchises and apply it to the new SUPERNOVA silhouettes.

Our goal was to create a shoe that provides unparalleled comfort, fit, and stability for everyday runners and I’m incredibly proud that we’ve done exactly that.

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SHOP ALL ADIDAS SUPERNOVA RISE RUNNING SHOES HERE

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