Shoes are valuable items. Just ask any sneakerhead or runner. And shoes have become an even more valuable commodity since a new government order requiring brands to test their shoes before selling them in India. Brands have struggled to complete the required testing, and the entire situation is proving to be a major problem for runners as running season gets into full swing. In the coming months, the Tata Mumbai Marathon (January 19th), Apollo Tires New Delhi Marathon (February 23rd), Tokyo Marathon (March 2nd), Boston Marathon (April 21st) , and the TCS London Marathon (April 27th). And fast.
Training shoes and race day shoes have evolved as two distinct categories with vastly different prices, longevity, and uses. Lounge Road tested two training shoes (ISI marked) launched in December 2024 and tested them for multiple activities (running, cricket, padel, weight training, walking, bar training) to help you make an informed decision. Hopping).
Adidas Supernova Ease
Since Adidas’ successful Ultraboost running shoe moved into the lifestyle space, Adidas has introduced the Supernova series as a top-of-the-line training shoe for serious runners, with last summer’s Supernova Rise becoming the mainstay of the lineup. I did. The latest product in this family is the India-specific Supernova Ease, which has been developed keeping in mind the price sensitivity of the market. Dreamstrike foam replaces the more advanced Dreamstrike+ foam in the more expensive Supernova Rise. The shoe features a new mesh upper that is even more breathable, making it ideal for the warm Indian climate.
The shoe’s look is a departure from the bulky platform running shoes that dominate stores today. The 34mm stack height provides plenty of cushioning, but the design retains the rocking boat shape of modern shoes, harking back to a time when sleek shoes were synonymous with speed.
The Supernova Ease is a very versatile shoe, mainly thanks to the slightly stiffer Dreamstrike sole. This shoe performs well not only in cricket, but also in padel, where frequent changes of direction and lateral movements are required. It’s sturdy and won’t buckle under your weight, even if you suddenly move it from one side to the other. Although we don’t recommend using running shoes to perform Olympic lifts, these shoes are generally suitable for gyms that use treadmills or elliptical trainers and do free weight training or machine exercises. Masu.
Now, let’s talk about the important thing: running. I was initially skeptical about the Dreamstrike foam and this shoe because I don’t like its more expensive sibling, the Supernova Rise. I find it dull, a little tight, and very warm. Supernova Ease, on the other hand, has a much lower price tag. For both midfoot and heel strikers, there is ample energy return when stepping. It’s great for slow, long runs, and responds equally well to pushing harder during speed, tempo, and interval training. It is also extremely easy to walk. I used this pair quite a bit on all the bar hopping I did in December.
Adidas doesn’t use Continental rubber for the outsole, so I found the shoe struggled a bit with grip while speeding around the red clay track in a park in Bangalore. However, there were no such problems when driving at low speeds. Priced similarly to the world’s most popular running shoe, Nike’s Pegasus 41, this shoe is a versatile pair to have in your shoe closet when you get back to marathon training.
price: INR9,999.
Verdict: A very versatile pair that performs better than more expensive shoes.
asics nova blast 5
The first thing to know about this shoe is that it is meant for training, not racing. That’s not only because there’s no carbon plate to add a significant edge, but also because the sole height is 41.5 mm, higher than the 40 mm allowed by World Athletics rules. Another important thing about this shoe from Asics is that it is manufactured in India. It is one of the few high-performance shoes manufactured in India. These shoes are similar in appearance and performance to the highly successful Hoka One One running shoes, and generally have better cushioning, making them useful for both beginners and older runners.
This is the fifth version of the successful Asics running shoe that does not feature the classic Gel technology. Between the previous generation and this generation, ASICS has completely changed the sole foam by using a more advanced, softer and more resilient FFBlast Max. Thanks to this high level of cushioning, you can feel as if you are floating on the ground while wearing them. While you can perform well on a treadmill or machine, it’s not a good idea to do squats on one. While playing padel, the soft foam bent when I suddenly tried to change direction, almost twisting my left foot. I don’t like wearing them while playing cricket either.
I’ll admit I was a skeptic and believed the thick sole would only make this shoe suitable for long distance runs. This shoe has plenty of rebound and shock absorption, perfect for long runs, and shifts your weight forward toward your toes when you land. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how well they performed at high speeds. Yes, the grip was slightly worse than the Adidas Supernova Ease while sprinting down a red mud track, but I had no such issues on tarred concrete roads. I also used it for a 5km race and was able to maintain a pace of less than 4 minutes 20 seconds throughout the entire distance without having to work hard on the toe-off. Many well-cushioned shoes tend to have the problem of weight that hinders your speed, but this shoe doesn’t have that problem.
price: INR13,999
Verdict: An improvement on an already great shoe thanks to the new FFBLast Max foam. Suitable for running and walking only.
Shrenik Avlani is a writer, editor, and co-author of the functional fitness book, The Shivfit Way.
