One of the most exciting aspects of the running shoe world in recent years has been all the new technological advances and innovations. Brands have been working around the clock to deliver shoes that are lighter, more efficient, and faster to help you reach all your running goals.
These innovations are especially evident when you look at the growth of super shoes. Super shoes refer to an efficient, lightweight running shoe built for racing or uptempo runs. While every super shoe is different, they typically feature an aggressive rocker geometry, energetic carbon plate, and lots of bouncy, responsive foam underfoot.
Super shoes burst onto the running scene in 2016 with the Nike Vaporfly 4%. Since then, nearly every brand has joined in on the fun, creating dedicated race-day shoes built for speed and efficiency. And with research showing that these shoes improve running efficiency and reduce energy cost, it’s a safe bet that more and more brands will jump into the carbon plated shoe market.
In a saturated racing shoe market, it can be difficult to stand out. But with the FuelCell SuperComp Elite line, New Balance has created a unique super shoe line that appeals to a wide range of runners.
Now on its 5th iteration, the SuperComp Elite incorporates years of research to create a new and improved version of its beloved racing shoe. But with a loyal fanbase of runners over the years, how does the SuperComp Elite v5 hold up compared to its predecessors? And who should consider trying out this top-tier race day shoe?
In this New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 review, we’ll answer all these questions and give you a better idea of how this shoe feels and performs to help you decide if it’s the right shoe for your running needs and goals.
Our Review Process
Our goal at Marathon Sports is to help you make the most informed running shoe choice possible. Whether you’re looking for a dedicated race day shoe, an uptempo shoe, or are just curious about how the newest SuperComp Elite compares to its predecessors, we’re here to help.
Our experienced Marathon Sports review team put the newest SuperComp Elite to the test, taking the shoes on all different kinds of runs on nearly every surface. In this review, we’ll go over the results of our rigorous testing so you can know exactly what to expect when you head out for your first run in the SuperComp Elite v5.
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5: A Quick Overview
Looking for some fast facts on the newest FuelCell SuperComp Elite? You’ve come to the right place. Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect with the 5th edition of this super shoe:
- Advertised as a fast and efficient high-performance racing shoe
- Stack height: 40mm/32mm
- 8mm drop (up from 4mm in the v4)
- Weight: 7.6oz (M), 6oz (W)
- Midsole is made up of 100% PEBA FuelCell foam
- Carbon plate is embedded in the midsole for extra stiffness and energy return
- Energy Arc technology pairs a fine-tuned carbon plate with strategic geometric cutouts to reduce weight and improve propulsion
- Mesh FantomFit upper and padded heel and tongue provide immediate step-in comfort
- Pronounced rocker geometry increases efficiency and drives a propulsive ride
- New and improved outsole is thick and grippy for extra traction on all surfaces
- Price: $264.95
FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5: A Closer Look
Now that you have an overview of all the technical details, let’s take a deep dive into how these features play a role in the shoe’s all-around feel and performance.
Bouncy and Lightweight FuelCell Midsole
New Balance’s FuelCell foam has earned a reputation for being remarkably lightweight, bouncy, and energy efficient. And while the previous SuperComp Elite versions have featured the same type of foam, New Balance incorporated current research into the newest midsole, reformulating this beloved midsole foam to be even lighter and more efficient with every step.
Luckily, the redesigned midsole foam maintains everything that we and countless runners loved about previous iterations of the shoe. The 100% PEBA-based foam is remarkably bouncy, responsive, and soft underfoot, just as we’ve come to expect from New Balance FuelCell shoes. However, the new formula also features a couple of tweaks that result in an even lighter, more responsive foam.
The shoe feels slightly stiffer and snappier than its predecessors, in part due to the more responsive foam. But this snappy and responsive feel also comes from a slightly lower stack height in the forefoot.
Like any super shoe, the SuperComp Elite v5 features plenty of plush foam underneath, with 40mm of foam in the heel and 32mm in the forefoot. However, loyal New Balance fans may notice the forefoot features slightly less foam than previous iterations of the shoe. As a result, some runners may find the shoe feels firmer with more responsive toe-offs.
Fine-Tuned Carbon Plate
Embedded in this efficient, high-stack PEBA midsole, you’ll find a carbon plate for even more pop and responsiveness to keep you moving forward during races.
The full-length carbon fiber plate extends throughout the midsole for some extra pop and energy in each stride. The redesigned plate is also stiffer than in previous iterations of the shoe, offering even more propulsion and an aggressive ride to help guide you forward.
Shoe Geometry and Overall Design
The FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 is built to be lightweight and efficient, and every aspect of the shoe’s geometry and design plays a role in maintaining this efficiency.
Looking at the sole of the shoe, you’ll see unique cutouts with a hollow channel throughout the midsole. These cutouts are a part of New Balance’s Energy Arc technology, which pairs a fine-tuned, sports-specific carbon plate with geometric cutouts to reduce unnecessary weight and improve efficiency.
It’s easy to see the benefits of these cutouts and lightweight construction in the newest SuperComp Elite. At only 6oz for women’s shoes and 7.6oz for men’s, it’s one of the lightest-weight shoes on the market.
The aggressive rocker geometry also plays a major role in improving efficiency and energy return. This curved sole is more pronounced than ever in the SuperComp Elite v5, creating a fast and light feel that will propel you towards the finish line.
Upper Design and Fit
With any racing shoe, it’s crucial to have a secure lockdown and breathable, comfortable fit around the top of the foot. Fortunately, the upper in the SuperComp Elite v5 excels in this area.
This single-layer FantomFit mesh provides a secure, sock-like fit that minimizes unwanted movement and rubbing during long-distance races. And while the upper itself is thin, lightweight, and breathable, there’s some extra padding around the heel and collar for immediate step-in comfort.
The FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 fits pretty true to size, with a touch of extra width and wiggle room in the forefoot. Our reviewers found that the shoe fit narrow in the heel and midfoot and wider in the forefoot, making this a great choice for runners who appreciate some extra space and toe splay in their racing shoes.
Value and Durability
Super shoes are going to be more expensive, and often less resilient, than daily trainers, and the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 is no exception. However, with the newest iteration, New Balance takes some major steps to improve the value and longevity, allowing you to enjoy everything the shoe has to offer for more miles.
The newest edition of the shoe features a 1.7 mm-thick outsole with plenty of extra grip. Not only does this improve the shoe’s versatility, providing extra confidence on slippery surfaces, but it also improves the durability and longevity.
The SuperComp Elite v5 rings up at $264.95, making it pricier than any daily trainer on the market but in the middle range of carbon plated super shoes. If you’re looking for an affordable daily shoe you can do it all in, you’ll likely want to look elsewhere. But if you’re searching for a durable and versatile race-day shoe to add to your rotation, the SuperComp Elite offers great value for the price.
Road Test Results
At Marathon Sports, we’re always excited to lace up a new running shoe and take it for a test run. But this part of the review is always even more exciting with a renowned, long-awaited racing shoe like the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5.
After trying out several of the previous SuperComp Elites, we couldn’t wait to see how the newest iteration held up on runs. And with the FantomFit upper and extra padding around the back of the foot, the shoe left us with a positive first impression. The step-in comfort was immediate, and we appreciated the familiar yet improved feel compared to previous versions.
As we put some mileage on the shoes, a few key changes from the previous versions immediately stood out.
First, underfoot, the shoe felt a lot stiffer and more responsive than in previous versions. The stiffer carbon plate, paired with the lower stack height in the forefoot, gave an aggressive, propulsive feel that felt fantastic when picking up the pace.
The new outsole is another significant improvement, offering more grip and durability. From pavement to gravel to dirt roads, the thick rubber outsole offered superior traction and security that many carbon plated shoes lack.
A curved rocker geometry is designed to propel you forward in races or during uptempo runs, and the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 excels in this area. The pronounced rocker shape, paired with the Energy Arc design and energetic carbon plate, keeps you moving efficiently from one stride to the next. So whether you’re looking for some extra speed in a 5K or more energy return in a marathon, this New Balance shoe can help.
Carbon shoes can often feel too aggressive or unnatural for middle-of-the-pack or beginner runners, but previous versions of the SuperComp Elite have served as a great option for anyone just venturing into long-distance racing and carbon-plated shoes. The 5th iteration is no exception, offering the signature pop we’ve come to expect from plated shoes without feeling overly aggressive or inaccessible for athletes of all abilities.
Even with the more accessible feel, we wouldn’t recommend the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 as an everyday shoe or daily trainer. The updated outsole improves the longevity, but as a lightweight racing shoe, you’ll likely start to see some wear after 200-300 miles.
New Balance also made some adjustments to the platform of the SuperComp Elite that may be hit or miss for some runners. While previous versions featured a wider platform for extra stability, the SuperComp Elite v5 has a sleek, narrower midsole underfoot. While this reduces weight and gives the shoe a more nimble feel, it also sacrifices some stability and groundfeel that some runners may appreciate in their racing shoes.
However, all around, the SuperComp Elite maintained the energy, efficiency, and comfort that we loved about previous versions with a few positive adjustments. If you prioritize lightness, efficiency, and balance in your racing shoes, consider taking the SuperComp Elite for a spin.
Pros and Cons
With the road test, we were able to take a closer look at how the shoe truly performs. And while there was a lot to love about the shoe, there are also a couple of downsides to keep in mind if you’re thinking of adding the SuperComp Elite v5 to your running shoe rotation.
Pros
- Full-length carbon plate and Energy Arc technology offer exceptional energy return and propulsion with each step
- FuelCell PEBA foam strikes a balance of soft yet responsive and bouncy, perfect for extra comfort and speed during long-distance races
- Lightweight cushioning and geometric cutouts make the shoe even lighter than its predecessors
- FantomFit upper is light and breathable with a secure fit
- Pronounced rocker profile improves heel-to-toe transition and rolls you through each stride for improved efficiency
Cons
- New outsole improves the durability compared to other carbon plated shoes, but the shoe still lacks the longevity for everyday use
- Midsole design is stiffer than the previous iteration. This adds some responsiveness but may feel too stiff for runners who prefer a softer underfoot feel
- Increased drop may feel unnatural for mid or forefoot strikers
The FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 vs the Competition: How Does it Stack Up?
Since 2017, more and more running shoe brands have been jumping on the carbon plated shoe bandwagon. This gives runners the benefit of having more options to choose from for race day, but it can also make comparing shoes feel overwhelming. So, if you’re not sure which plated shoe to take to the start line, here’s how the SuperComp Elite v5 compares to the competition.
One of the best parts of the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 is its accessibility to all different athletes. The shoe has enough energy and pop for elite runners, but it doesn’t feel unnatural or uncomfortable for middle-of-the-pack runners looking to improve efficiency.
If you’re looking for a similar high-performance shoe, the On Running Cloudboom Max is another fantastic option. The high stack of responsive foam, glass fiber-infused speed plate, and breathable mesh upper gives this Cloudboom Max a similar propulsive feel meant to improve any athlete’s performance. However, weighing in at 8.8oz for women’s shoes and 10.4oz for men’s, the Cloudboom Max is slightly heavier and bulkier than the SuperComp Elite.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a top-tier racing experience with as much propulsion as possible, you may want to consider the Nike Vaporfly 4. As the original carbon plated shoe, the Vaporfly has nailed the rocker geometry, responsive cushioning, and propulsive feel that plated shoes are most known for. While front-of-the-pack runners might appreciate the more aggressive feel, the SuperComp Elite takes the cake when it comes to overall race-day comfort, offering softer landings and more stability over long distances.
Final Thoughts: Is the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 the Perfect Shoe for You?
Choosing the right race-day shoe can be a big decision. You want a shoe that not only feels fast but will keep you feeling secure and comfortable from the start to the finish line. And with a higher price tag than standard daily trainers, it’s important to try out different options and find the one that works best for you.
Fortunately, New Balance is always working to improve its shoes, and its newest iteration of the FuelCell SuperComp Elite uses years of research to create a comfortable, efficient, and speedy racing shoe.
From elite athletes to first-time marathoners, the FuelCell SuperComp Elite provides a lightweight and responsive ride that can help you improve your performance and reach all your running goals. The carbon plate and bouncy foam help keep your strides fast and efficient, while the extra padding and balanced cushioning ensure long-term comfort with every step.
When it comes to race day shoes, every brand and model has something unique to offer. While we can let you know what to expect with each shoe, the best way to decide which one is right for you is to stop by your nearest Marathon Sports and test them out for yourself.
With the right shoe for your next race – whether it’s the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite or any of the other top plated shoes at Marathon Sports – you’ll be ready to tackle all your running goals and reach the finish line in record time. So if you’re ready to feel lighter and faster at your next race, our dedicated footwear experts are ready to help you find the perfect shoe for you.
