Adidas Supernova ST General Info

Adidas keeps changing up their shoe offerings, and for the Supernova titles, Supernova ST follows their Supernova Sequence 9, a completely different shoe that I liked so much more.

Initially upon unboxing I saw the structured lines along the toe box upper and was looking forward to running in what I thought would be my favorite stability shoe from adidas and my preference from them with “Supernova” in the title–what played out was the opposite of that!

It’s not a ghastly shoe, but I’m so disappointed in the change in fit and weight, that I can’t yet get over it.

Today for my long run I couldn’t bring myself to plod through 15 miles in the ST and rejoiced at choosing the Supernova Sequence 9 instead.

My size is only .8 ounces heavier per shoe, but combined with the looser fit, removal of secure overlays, bulkier heel, awkward toe box feel, and laces that bother my ankles to get a secure heel fit, adidas totally bombed with the ST as a follow-up to Sequence 9, in my opinion.

I’m surprised. Since I liked the boost foam so much, I thought more would be better. Nope! They had a good thing going for a cushioned, securely locked-down stability model and threw it all away.

Adidas Supernova ST Sole Unit

Adidas boost™ midsole foam is made up of individual capsules of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) that somehow combine superb cushion with responsiveness. As more boost™ is placed in the sole unit however, the shoe absorbs more of the energy applied: a little is responsive; a lot starts tipping the scales away from that end of the spectrum.

Supernova ST has a plastic shank in the medial heel (similar to Sequence 9’s, thicker than Supernova’s) as well as thicker boost™ to counter overpronation and gentle support through the midfoot from the shoe’s TORSION® SYSTEM (a thin plastic plank in the center sole unit that minimizes twisting) and a highly cushioned arch.

The STRETCHWEB outsole offers both comfort and traction with its dotted platform of Continental™ Rubber performing well on a variety of surfaces. I like this outsole for a shoe that can move from outdoor running to the treadmill without bringing tiny (destructive) rocks along with. With Supernova Sequence 9, I initially had durability concerns given the low rise of the treads.

When reviewing Supernova, I read other reviewers say that they have put 500-600 miles on the Continental™ Rubber with no durability concerns and so parroted their claim.

Now as I look at Sequence 9’s outsole, I do find wear showing after only about 150 miles on the shoe. That’ll teach me to take people’s word for it!

Adidas Supernova ST Upper Info

The upper’s stripes look more attractive than the previous design in Sequence 9, but unfortunately the change is for show and not function. Adidas eliminated the overlays, and the lock-down suffers because of it. A FITCOUNTER heel support securely wraps the heel while allowing optimal Achilles movement, to counter excess heel movement.

To hold my heel in place, I have to use the top heel-lock shoe laces, and the design fits uncomfortably on my ankle.

The mesh toe box is engineered with more firm plastic-feeling strips along the sides that narrow the fit.

As I snug the laces for the secure midfoot fit I prefer (and found in Supernova Sequence 9), the toe box uncomfortably pinches along the sides while leaving roominess upward: the whole thing is just awkward to me.

Adidas Supernova ST Conclusions

I really try to like a shoe, but this one is just too heavy for me to overlook the other features that aren’t my favorite and still give 3 or more stars in overall performance.

The increased weight and confusing toe box of this stability model overpowers my hesitancies with the Supernova, to cause me to dislike running in this shoe.

However, the only way that you’ll know if it’s the right shoe for you is if you lace them up and try ‘em for yourself!

The ride is surprisingly flexible, and for as much as I knocked the shoe compared with its predecessor, it isn’t terrible…just isn’t for me.

I still love Supernova Sequence 9, adidas’ first shoe I tried, and it’d be great if they could bring back this similar stability with less bulk, a more secure upper, and less weight in the next version.

Let us know if this one works for you!

We thank the nice people at Adidas for sending us a pair of Supernova ST to test. This did not influence the outcome of the review, written after running more than 50 miles in them.