There’s something magical about testing a pair of running shoes not just in the sterile confines of a lab, but in the wild, unpredictable terrain of an actual city. And no city tests your gear like Delhi. It’s not just about potholes, uneven sidewalks, and the occasional startled cow, it’s about heat, smog, and the kind of urban chaos that will truly expose a shoe’s character.
So when I got my hands (or rather, feet) on the Adidas Supernova Rise 2, I knew the lab numbers and controlled treadmill metrics weren’t enough. I needed to feel them on Delhi’s unforgiving streets. From the colonial elegance of Connaught Place to the buzzing lanes of Chandni Chowk, these shoes saw it all.
This review isn’t about stats alone, it’s a story of how the Adidas Supernova Rise 2 performed in the real world, through sweat, dust, rickshaw dodging, and chai breaks.
First Impressions and Fit
Right out of the box, the Supernova Rise 2 has that no-nonsense aesthetic Adidas has become known for. Clean lines, a breathable engineered mesh upper, and a weight that made me double-check the specs. It doesn’t scream for attention, but it does feel like it means business.
I laced them up near India Gate at 6:00 AM. The city was just waking up, and so was I. The shoes felt snug, but not tight, thanks to a roomy toe box and a generous width across the forefoot. My feet tend to swell during long runs, especially in Delhi’s notorious heat, so this was a welcome discovery.
Within the first 2 kilometers, it was clear that these shoes were built for comfort. There’s a plushness to the tongue and collar, but it’s not overdone. The heel lockdown was solid, even without a gusseted tongue, a feature I sorely missed later in the day.
The Midsole Magic: Dreamstrike+ Under Pressure
Let’s talk about the heart of any running shoe, the midsole. Adidas’s Dreamstrike+ foam is PEBA-based, which means it’s lighter and more resilient than traditional EVA. On paper, it delivers 69.5% energy return in the heel. On the streets, it delivered something even better: trust.
Running past the Red Fort on a mildly busy Tuesday morning, I hit a patch of cobblestones and then an abrupt dip in the road. The cushioning absorbed the impact without feeling mushy. The shoe maintained its structure even when I landed awkwardly, a testament to the support rods embedded beneath the midsole.
Unlike maximalist shoes that overcompensate with thick slabs of foam, the Rise 2 keeps things moderate, a 33.5 mm heel and 24.0 mm forefoot stack. This 9.5 mm drop favors heel strikers like me. Every stride felt smooth, with no slap or lag in response.
Technical Specifications
All specifications are taken from Adidas ’s official website to maintain reliability and accuracy.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Heel Stack Height | 33.5 mm |
| Forefoot Stack Height | 24.0 mm |
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 9.5 mm |
| Weight (Men’s) | 257g (9.1 oz) |
| Midsole Material | Dreamstrike+ (PEBA) |
| Outsole | Adiwear + Crystal Rubber |
| Upper | Engineered Mesh (Double Layer) |
| Breathability Rating | 4/5 |
| Flexibility (30° Bend Test) | 7.3N |
| Torsional Rigidity | 3/5 |
| Heel Counter Stiffness | 4/5 |
| Toebox Width | 77.7 mm |
| Insole Thickness | 4.4 mm |
| Reflective Elements | Yes (Three Stripes) |
| Removable Insole | Yes |
| Price in India | ₹15,460 |
Heat, Smog, and Traffic: Real World Performance
By noon, I found myself wading through the chaos of Karol Bagh. The sidewalk was more of a suggestion than a path, and I had to hop over broken tiles, dodge scooters, and occasionally jog on the road next to auto-rickshaws.
This is where the Rise 2’s stability features came into play. I wouldn’t call them motion control shoes, but the firmer REPETITOR foam layer below the Dreamstrike+ added just enough support. The shoe never felt wobbly, even when I had to make sharp turns or sudden halts.
The grip, however, was something I had mixed feelings about. The outsole’s traction rating of 0.38 is decent, but not exceptional. On dry roads, it was fine. But I ventured into the shaded, damp alleys of Chandni Chowk after a water tanker had passed, and the crystal rubber midfoot struggled a bit. That’s when I missed Continental rubber.
Still, for 90% of urban running, the outsole held its own. And it showed minimal wear even after a full day of use. The 2.5 mm outsole thickness is slightly more than last year’s model, and it seems to improve longevity.
Comfort in Chaos: Breathability and Flexibility
Delhi in summer is no joke. Temperatures can soar past 40°C, and the streets radiate heat like a tandoor. Adidas’s choice to go with a lighter mesh upper made a big difference. The breathability, rated 4 out of 5, was consistent throughout the day.
What impressed me most was the airflow in the midfoot area. Most brands focus ventilation on the toebox, but Adidas gave love to areas that actually sweat more. After three hours of walking, running, and climbing flyovers, my feet weren’t overheating.
Flexibility was another highlight. At 7.3N on the bend test, the shoe is far more pliable than most daily trainers. This made it ideal for casual wear too. I ended the day with a casual stroll around Lodhi Garden, and the shoes felt just as comfortable as they did at dawn.
The Small Stuff Matters
The Rise 2 doesn’t come with a gusseted tongue, and that’s one of my few gripes. During longer runs, the tongue shifted slightly, which forced me to readjust. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s something Adidas should fix in the next iteration.
The heel counter stiffness was rated at 4/5, and it struck a good balance between support and comfort. I never felt like I was being held too tightly, nor did I feel loose at any point. Even after 20,000 steps, there were no hot spots or blisters.
As for reflective elements, the three stripes on the side lit up beautifully during a dusk run around India Gate. In a city where streetlights can be unreliable, this is more than just a design feature, it’s a safety asset.
Durability: Early Signs Are Promising
After a full day of use, including about 18 kilometers of running and walking, the shoes barely showed signs of wear. The toebox scored a respectable 3/5, and the heel padding came in at 4/5. There was some scuffing on the outsole, but nothing alarming.
The midsole maintained its softness even after being left in a chilled AC room overnight. With only a 6% increase in firmness in cold conditions, it’s clear that Dreamstrike+ is built for all-season use.
More Than Just a Daily Trainer
The Adidas Supernova Rise 2 isn’t trying to be flashy. It doesn’t have the biggest stack or the most aggressive rocker. But what it offers is reliability, comfort, and versatility, all at a price that doesn’t make your wallet wince.
In the real world, especially in a city like Delhi, that matters more than lab tests. When your run involves dodging scooters, leaping over puddles, and navigating crowded sidewalks, you want a shoe that disappears on your feet and lets you focus on the journey.
And that’s exactly what the Supernova Rise 2 does. It’s not a revolution, but it’s a damn good evolution.
Conclusion
If you’re a heel striker looking for a dependable daily trainer that can handle both short tempo runs and long recovery plods, this shoe is for you. If you live in a hot, urban environment and need something breathable yet supportive, it’s a solid choice. And if you simply want a shoe that feels just as good at 6:00 AM on Rajpath as it does at 6:00 PM in Hauz Khas, look no further.
Just don’t expect it to make up for bad roads, sudden showers, or crazy traffic. That’s Delhi’s job.
