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Following an injury-related DNF at my final marathon, I used to be prepared and keen to attempt one thing totally different forward of the New York City Marathon. Shoutout to Amanda for setting me up with New Balance’s newest and best so I can carry you a New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 assessment simply in time for race day!
Let’s see how New Balance’s carbon-plated racer dealt with all 5 boroughs of the New York City Marathon. I imply, there’s no higher place to check a racing shoe than in a World Major, proper?
My first impression of the SuperComp Elite was that it LOOKS comfy. That has by no means been my preliminary considered any plated shoe, so instantly I knew I used to be in retailer for one thing totally different.
My eyes instantly gravitated to the thick foam surrounding the arched carbon plate. Somewhat consolation, somewhat pace? Don’t thoughts if I do! And my goodness, the SuperComp Elite was a easy and speedy tour information on my date with the TCS New York City Marathon.
I’m at all times sincere in my shoe critiques as I need you all to seek out the shoe that works greatest for you. I’ve but to seek out that unicorn shoe (sounds cool, proper?) the place I can’t discover one thing I’d modify, however hey, possibly that is the one!
Who Is It Good For?
Who is New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 match for? Let’s break it down with some widespread classes:
- Wide Feet: Unlike many carbon plated sneakers, we do assume this one will work for wider toes. AND it’s obtainable in extensive.
- Heavier Runners: The width of the shoe provides a pleasant contact of stability, in order that they’re nice for runners with wider toes or those that have ankle points.
- Long Runs: 100% that is designed to hold you over the miles with good cushion, help and vitality return
- Front of the Pack: We assume that is going to enchantment extra to the center of the pack runners.
To lay it out when it comes to paces, the SuperComp Elite is ideal for anybody who’s trying to run a marathon in 3:40:00 or extra. Anyone trying to it sooner than which may have a look-see at extra aggressive carbon-plated races just like the Saucony Endorphin Elite or the Nike Vaporfly 3.
New Balance Fuel Cell SuperComp Elite v4 Review
I logged round 50 miles within the SuperComp Elite. This mileage included shorter speedwork periods (4×400, 4×800) forward of my journey, in addition to a number of relaxed efforts, a Central Park shakeout, and your complete New York City Marathon (together with navigating out of the finishers’ space and again to my resort…woof).
The SuperComp Elite is New Balance’s high-performance carbon-plated racing shoe, designed for long-distance runners looking for a mix of pace, responsiveness, and cushioning.
The shoe boasts an eye catching colour scheme and distinctive geometric design, in addition to straightforward rocker form. And the midsole is THICK, made from peba foam (extra on that in a bit), layered round a skinny carbon fiber plate.
And the outsole is comprised of a sturdy rubber and options the geometric sample for added traction. None of us wish to slip and slide throughout a race, proper?!
The toe field is beneficiant with loads of room to splay your toes each which manner. The SuperComp Elite is on the market in extensive, which is uncommon for a brilliant shoe, so props to New Balance for remembering our wide-footed buddies!
The higher is made from an ethereal mesh that gives simply the correct amount of help when mixed with the normal lacing design. The tongue is comparatively skinny however does function a centered information loop to assist maintain it in place. I do want the tongue was a contact longer, because it tends to slide beneath the lace line. Not an enormous inconvenience, however price calling out.
The collar does experience a bit excessive, so there may be potential for irritation when you favor to put on low or no-show socks. I favor to put on quarter socks, so it was a non-issue for me, however I don’t need any of you coping with blisters!
While it doesn’t have the bouncy really feel widespread to different tremendous sneakers, the SuperComp Elite does provide outstanding consolation not present in its counterparts. If you’re in search of a cushioned and speedy plated race day shoe for a half-marathon and past, the SuperComp Elite needs to be your new operating mate.
New Balance Fuel Cell SuperComp Elite v4 Specs
The midsole consists of New Balance’s proprietary FuelCell PEBA foam wrapped round a skinny carbon plate.
New Balance dubbed the combo of the carbon plate, foam, and geometric midsole design the Energy Arc, which appears like one thing from a comic book ebook film…however is claimed to ship a excessive quantity of vitality return whereas offering an aesthetic experience.
Remember after I talked about the sneakers rubber outsole?
One sudden impediment surfaced through the race at a number of of the help station zones as there have been pockets of cups, gatorade, and water blanketing the streets. The unbelievable volunteers have been hustling to half the ocean nevertheless it was SLIPPERY. The outsole and the shoe’s grip have been each excellent as I maneuvered by means of these areas unscathed with out ever shedding traction.
The SuperComp Elite has my vote of confidence in moist situations!
SuperComp Elite v4 Fit
When you’re buying racing sneakers for a half-marathon or longer distance, I extremely suggest bumping up a half-size. Our toes are likely to swell throughout longer races, so having somewhat further room can spare your toes a little bit of ache throughout and after (and possibly save a toenail or two).
That being mentioned, I usually put on a measurement 11 however opted for an 11.5 within the SuperComp Elite. From my expertise, this shoe runs true to measurement.
I discovered the match of the SuperComp Elite to be a contact on the broader facet. And the mix of the shoe’s width and durable higher introduced an sudden, however reassuring stability ingredient to the match.
Earlier, I discussed the shoe’s beneficiant toe field, however I wish to add that I felt safe within the midfoot and higher, and locked down within the heel collar. I skilled zero points with hotspots or my toes slipping. As somebody with extra slender toes, the shoe carried out brilliantly for me.
One small nitpick I’ve is with the laces themselves, that are rounded and tremendous skinny. I’m speaking, attempt tying your shoe with cooked spaghetti noodles skinny. However, they’re an applicable size and I didn’t run into any bother with them coming untied.
Feel
The few periods I had within the SuperComp Elite forward of the NYC Marathon have been unbelievable. The shoe felt quick, cushioned, and responsive. After working my manner again from an damage on the finish of the summer time, I used to be trying to get pleasure from a relaxed effort, with an choice to take somewhat chunk out of the Big Apple over the last 10K if I used to be feeling good.
Hands downs, this was my most comfy expertise sporting a plated tremendous shoe in a marathon.
In races previous after I’ve worn different carbon-plated tremendous sneakers (notably the Saucony Endorphin Elite and the Nike Alphafly 2) and skilled foot discomfort within the later levels of the races (largely from mile 20 and after) the place each sneakers felt agency and unforgiving. The bounce and average consolation they displayed within the first few miles have been lengthy gone.
I solely level this out as a result of my expertise with the SuperComp Elite was the precise reverse from what I simply described: easy crusing from the Start to the Finish Line.
The shoe contains a refined rocker form that gives a gentle touchdown and delicate ahead propulsion. Whether you’re a heel striker, midfoot runner, or forefoot flyer, it delivers consolation in each stride.
The arch of the carbon plate helps create ahead momentum, by giving your heel that little little bit of raise.
The NYC Marathon course options a wide range of challenges, together with a number of bridges (views galore), loads of climbing and quick descents, genuine New York City potholes, and a jaunt by means of Central Park. And I’m completely satisfied to say, the SuperComp Elite swiftly conquered each one among these challenges.
I took within the majority of the race at my endurance tempo, which is round 8:20/mile and skilled ZERO foot discomfort. I surged a number of instances on a rely of the raucous crowds (Brooklyn and Queens are my faves) and located the shoe transitioned seamlessly to sooner paces (I maxed out at 7:12/mile).
For as soon as, I caught to my race plan, had a lot within the tank for the ultimate miles, and crossed the end line feeling bulletproof. The SuperComp Elite was the proper match for me on the New York City Marathon.
Unfortunately, the SuperComp Elite’s standout function comes with a number of strings hooked up.
That cushioning is phenomenal, however the tradeoff is that the shoe lacks vitality return and the snappy really feel we’ve come to anticipate in plated supershoes. It’s the quickest NB shoe to this point however it’s nowhere close to the speediest racer available on the market.
SuperComp Elite v4 vs SuperComp Elite v3
I haven’t logged many miles within the earlier model of the SuperComp Elite however right here’s a breakdown of how the v3 and v4 examine.
- v4 is barely heavier at 8.1 oz vs v3 at 7.7 oz
- New Balance resigned the higher, choosing a supportive, mesh higher in v4 departing from the bootie development higher of v3.
- The midsole foam of v4 is made from Peba foam, which is firmer than the blended foam featured in v3, however produces higher vitality return.
- The really feel of v4 is barely firmer and sooner, with v3 feeling extra plush and spongy.
The v4 does have extra of a bouncy racing shoe really feel, however maintains sufficient of the consolation that made v3 a hit. If you have been a fan of v3, I’ve a good suggestion what your subsequent buy goes to be.
Plated Racers Similar to the New Balance Fuel Cell SuperComp Elite
Looking to see what could be just like resolve if that is the correct match for you. Here are some we’d record:
And when you’re in search of extra, checkout out our Best Carbon Plated Running Shoes >>
Who Will Not Like The SuperComp Elite
- Runners looking for a sub 3:40:00 marathon.
- Front of the packers trying to faucet into speeds sooner than their half marathon tempo
- Those in search of an aggressive plated tremendous shoe with a handy guide a rough really feel and powerful ahead propulsion.
- Runners looking for the quickest of quick racing sneakers
And that’s our official New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 assessment!
We’d love to listen to your suggestions. Have you run on this or different NB sneakers? Drop a remark beneath. It all helps different runners who’re deciding what shoe to attempt subsequent.
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