Adidas Supernova Solution 3 Review
By Matthew Klein
Adidas Supernova Solution 3Price: $139.95 at adidas
Weight: 9.9 oz, 280 g (men's size 9), 8.4 oz, 237 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 37 mm heel / 29 mm forefoot
Drop: 8 mm
Shoe Purpose: Stability Daily Trainer
Pros: Noticeable heel/midfoot medial stability, rockered ride, high durability, comfortable upper
Cons: Heavier than prior version, slightly clunky heel, firmer midsole
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Adidas Supernova Solution 3 is a stability daily trainer for those who want moderate medial stability in a firmer and snappier ride. The full-length DREAMSTRIKE+ midsole is a PEBA mix that provides a firmer but stable ride. A new medial post provides noticeable but well integrated medial heel and midfoot stability for those who need it. The Primeweave woven mesh upper provides a comfortable and comfortable fit for those with normal-width, low-volume feet. A true daily training shoe for easy and longer miles with a small amount of pace versatility, the Adidas Supernova Solution 3 is a mileage workhorse for those who need some mild-to-moderate stability.
SIMILAR SHOES: ASICS GT 2000 14, Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2
PAST MODEL: Adidas Supernova Solution 2
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The Adidas Supernova Solution 3 fits me true to size in my normal men's US size 10. The volume is lower throughout the length of the shoe while the width is normal in the forefoot/midfoot and slightly snug in the heel. The forefoot fits normal in width with a slightly tapered toe box. The Primeweave upper has stretch to it, although an overlay in the toe box creates a little more structure. The volume is lower in the forefoot but the upper allows stretch vertically. This continues into a lower-volume midfoot with a lightly padded and strongly gusseted tongue. The tongue wraps around the foot and sits mostly comfortably across the top of the foot. The instep (height) of the medial aspect of the midfoot sits low and did cause the tongue to drift laterally. Adjusting this at the beginning of runs fixed this issue but it has created extra pressure across the top of my foot, especially at the navicular area. Although there was some mild tongue slippage, the laces stay secure and lock down the foot well. I did not experience any heel slippage or forward translation in the shoe.
The heel fits normal to slightly snug thanks to a large amount of padding around the heel counter. There is a stiff heel counter in the back, but the extra padding and rounded shape did not bother my heel. Those with heel sensitivities (irritated Haglunds) may do well initially, but may notice the counter more as the shoe breaks in. The inner aspect of the upper is quite comfortable against bare skin and initially I enjoyed some sockless miles in these. However, the upper does retain sweat and gets wet, which on longer efforts has caused some hot spots. On shorter runs this is fine but I would suggest socks for longer efforts. Overall, this is a lower volume, normal width, secure upper with some stretch vertically in the forefoot.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: On Cloudboom Strike, Asics Gel-Nimbus 27, Xero HFS, Topo Cyclone 3, Adidas Adizero Evo SL
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Brooks Launch 11, Diadora Mythos Vigore 3
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Mild / Moderately Flexible
How Flexible is the Shoe: Less Flexible
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Somewhat
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Is This Shoe Orthotic Friendly: Yes
Recommended for Sockless: Shorter Runs Only
Durability Expectation: High / Above Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The Adidas Supernova Solution 3 is a stability daily training shoe. The midsole is full length Dreamstrike+, which is supposed to be a PEBA blend. While the midsole has some snappiness and responsiveness, it is noticeably firm from heel to toe. Combined with a little higher weight than previous, the Solution 3 feels like a solid, firmer daily training shoe. There is more stack height (3mm more in the forefoot and 1mm in the heel) despite the firmer ride that makes for an 8mm drop. It feels like an 8-10mm drop shoe thanks to the slightly clunky heel. While there is a posterolateral heel bevel, there is also a decent amount of posterior heel flare. This causes a slightly early initial contact but as the shoe breaks in helps roll the foot forward. The flare adds to the firmer ride in the heel that continues into the forefoot. On longer runs (>12 miles), my forefoot can feel a little raw due to the firmness. While the rest of the sole is not flexible, the forefoot does have mild to moderate flexibility along with a moderate forefoot rocker. This makes the forefoot transition easy and smooth, contrasting with the slightly clunky heel. Those with toe mobility deficits will not find enough stiffness in this shoe and those using the Solution 3 will need to have decent range of motion of their toes.
While the firmness makes the forefoot a little more snappy, the heavier weight and slightly clunky heel make this shoe less versatile at faster paces compared to previous. The Solution 3 excels at easy and daily miles, while those that hand handle a little firmer ride will do well with longer miles. It has some snap to the midsole that allows it to handle uptempo efforts like strides, hill repeats and less aggressive fartlek workouts. Any serious workout, like track intervals or tempo runs it starts to struggle. The Solution 3 has differentiated itself as part of the Supernova series as more of a training shoe compared to the Adizero series, which has far more speed versatility.
With it being a training shoe, the durability is even better than before. I have 75 miles on my pair and the midsole has not changed since my first run. The outsole as no wear at all, even in my usual spot, after all these miles. The traction is fairly good on both wet and dry roads. The ribbed outsole does add mild traction for tame trails, but on more technical terrain this shoe is not appropriate. So if you are looking for a firmer shoe for easy and longer miles with an excellent forefoot transition and durability, this may fit your needs.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The Adidas Supernova Solution 3 is a mild-to-moderate stability shoe. There are several methods of stability and guidance, including a more traditional medial post in the midfoot and heel, significant sidewalls and a wider base. The gray material on the medial side of the shoe is a medial post, which provides noticeable but well-integrated medial support in the heel and midfoot. This works well with sidewalls that run from the heel to the posterior midfoot on the medial side and the heel into the middle midfoot on the lateral side of the shoe. The final component is the wide sole. Despite some mild heel narrowing compared to the rest of the shoe, the width is wide throughout the length of the shoe. This creates sole flaring along the length of the shoe, which makes the entire thing more inherently stable. While there are guidance components on both sides of the shoe, this shoe will work far better for those with medial stability needs compared to lateral. This makes this a shoe with some guidance elements but the medial post makes it primarily a medial stability shoe that will work best for those with heel and midfoot stability needs.
Thoughts as a DPT: What is the Instep of the Foot?
By Matthew Klein
You will frequently hear the phrase "instep" used in reference to a part of the shoe or foot. The instep is a general term that refers to the top of the foot around the midfoot.
The midfoot is made up of several bones, including the navicular, 3 cuneiform bones and the lateral based cuboid. The instep height is referenced to how tall someone's arch is. Someone with a higher arch will have a more concave shape underneath the medial side of the foot, while a lower arch will see the midfoot bones sitting closer to the ground, sometimes called a flat foot. There has been a great deal of assumptions made about arch height and shoe selection. We have extensive evidence from large sample size military studies that arch height does NOT predict what level of stability a person needs (Knapik et al., 2014). However, what is does mean is that the volume of the shoe at the midfoot may or may not be problematic.
Those with a higher instep may need more volume in that area and may be sensitive to lower volumes that put pressure on the top of their foot. Those with lower insteps may need less volume and may have trouble locking down a shoe with more volume. This is an easier fix for those with lower insteps. Those with higher insteps can always loosen the laces in the midfoot or use a "Lydiard Style" lacing technique that reduces pressure on the top of the foot. So while the older understanding of arch height does not match, understand your instep is important as it relates to the volume of the shoe and potential comfort.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: The updates to the Solution 3 have made it a different shoe from version 2. It is far more stable and the outsole durability is far better. However, it is heavier, less bouncy and a little clunkier. It is far more of a solid trainer that will work better for those with true stability needs compared to the light methods that mostly sat in the heel of the prior version. While I am disappointed with the loss of a light stability shoe, I also get it for the market. My first suggestion is to increase the compliance and softness of the midsole. This may take an increase in the medial stability to offset the softness, but it will make the midsole a bit bouncier and more comfortable. My second suggestion is to reduce the posterior flare in the heel or increase the length of the bevel. The sharp bevel combined with the posterior flare makes for a slightly clunky transition that could easily be smoothed out with either of the above strategies. My final suggestion is to adjust the instep. A little more height in the midfoot may be helpful, combined with a little more tongue padding to adjust to the height increase. Outside of that, the Solution 3 is a solid, but different shoe from its past.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The Adidas Supernova Solution 3 is a mild to moderate stability shoe for those who want a lower volume for daily and long miles. The midsole will work best for those who want a cushioned but firmer underfoot feel. The fit will work for those with normal width and lower volume feet. The stability will work best for those with mild to moderate medial stability needs in the heel and midfoot. It is different than its prior versions as it is no longer a lightweight light stability shoe but is a far more stable and solid daily training shoe. It is not more in line with other stability shoes on the market, although it is firmer than most of the models and has a lower volume upper. This is the first time in a while Adidas has had a solid stability option in its line up and the cost is excellent in a time of $160+ stability trainers. It has a nice blend of stability and guidance features, so those who do not want the common softer midsole may enjoy this ride.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: B+ (Lower volume fit with secure upper. Lower instep causes some tongue slippage)
Performance: B+ (Firmer midsole provides some snappiness but weight is more conducive to easy and longer miles)
Stability: A- [Moderate Stability] (Medial post provides solid heel/midfoot support combined with good sidewalls, a firmer sole and a wider sole)
Value: A (High durability with a solid price makes this a great value of a shoe)
Personal: B+ (I almost have 100 miles on this shoe for a reason. It is solid shoe for daily miles but I miss the versatility of the prior versions)
Overall Design: B+
SHOP | SUPPORT DORAdidas Supernova Solution 3Price: $139.95 at adidas (coming soon)
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FURTHER READING
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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