"Comfort" and "Support" are key considerations behind the redesign of the SUPERNOVA franchise, while material innovations and lessons learnt from developing Lightstrike Pro served as main inspirations behind new Superfoam
In an exclusive interview with SportPlus.sg, JT Newcomb, Category Director, adidas Running Footwear, shared that the design and development of the new adidas SUPERNOVA silhouettes and category of shoes were motivated by the findings in a survey with 1,300 women who shared that "comfort" and "support" were what they needed most in a daily trainer.
Sharing that the brand has recognised its need to re-establish the strong relationship they had with runners from the advent of SUPERNOVA in 1997, when the franchise was a go-to daily trainer for runners, Newcomb added that the adidas SUPERNOVA family of shoes is created with the everyday runner in mind.
He said, "We are building the SUPERNOVA shoes first and foremost for normal runners - everyday runners. I would like to think of more the runners who are in the middle to the back of the pack, who see running as part of their lifestyle but are not obsessed with running. They know that you don't need the fastest equipment all of the time."
"We knew we wanted to build something that's very different from anything that's been in the range before, certainly very different from the last couple of shoes that have been part of the adidas SUPERNOVA family - so RISE is a completely different model," he added.
"SUPERNOVA RISE is the beginning of a new chapter, a new family of SUPERNOVA shoes. And in February when we release SUPERNOVA SOLUTION and SUPERNOVA STRIDE you will start to see that family built out, kind of like how adizero comes together as a family with specific models," Newcomb explained
So what helped with the redesign of the SUPERNOVA series and how similar is it to the adidas ADIZERO family? This was the question SportPlus.sg asked adidas. The answer? The foam used in SUPERNOVA is an evolution from the Lightstrike Pro, which is found in the ADIZERO family of shoes.
"RISE is something that is totally new - what's new about it is that we saw an opportunity to pull in the technology of superfoams into everyday running - building on the material innovations, the lessons learnt, the things that we did in building Lightstrike Pro," shared Newcomb.
"We knew that while superfoams are used in racing first and foremost for comfort, the lightness and energy return, because they are very comfortable, can be a huge unlock for us so we briefed our foams team and asked them to develop a version of that is more suitable for everyday running."
"And since women in that survey told us they wanted comfort and support for daily training, what we got back was a superfoam based on the formulation of Lightstrike Pro but denser. That doesn't mean it makes the shoe heavy. SUPERNOVA RISE is 50g lighter than the Solar Glide was for reference, so it is a significantly lighter shoe."
"But Dreamstrike+, while being the same base compound as Lightstrike Pro, is about 14 per cent more dense, thus offering just enough support for your daily runs."
In the SUPERNOVA RISE and SUPERNOVA SOLUTION models, the Dreamstrike+ midsole is complemented by a Support Rod System. Inspired by the physiology of the foot in motion, this new technology is embedded in the outsole to grant harmonised 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 additional support for runners who seek it. With both technologies working in tandem, Dreamstrike+ and the Support Rod System provide runners with a comfortable, yet well-supported running experience.
Other key product features include a Comfort Heel Fit, which uses a combination of cushioning foam and soft textile designed for maximum comfort and support. While the engineered sandwich mesh and expertly crafted details ensure that all runners’ needs are accommodated.
For the colourway of the SUPERNOVA RISE, the adidas Design team - inspired by nature and the energy of bioluminescence - selected a dark base of Black and Aurora with Semi-Green Spark detailing. The Supernova Rise is priced at S$189 and will be available for purchase from December 1, 2023 at the following select adidas retail stores:
• adidas ION Orchard
• adidas Brand Centre Orchard
• adidas VivoCity Performance (L1)
The SUPERNOVA SOLUTION and SUPERNOVA STRIDE will be introduced starting from February 15, 2024.
Comments