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New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Review

Not the fastest super shoe, but very comfortable and stable
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New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Review
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Price:  $250 List
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Manufacturer:   New Balance
By Nathaniel Bailey ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 3, 2024
73
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#5 of 30
  • Landing Comfort - 30% 8.1
  • Responsiveness - 20% 8.7
  • Stability - 15% 6.5
  • Upper Comfort - 15% 6.0
  • Weight - 15% 6.2
  • Traction - 5.0% 5.5
Length Sizing
Runs Small
Runs Large
Width Sizing
Runs Narrow
Runs Wide

Our Verdict

The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 is an extremely approachable super shoe. It's comfortable and stable. It's propulsive yet easy to control. The cushioning is excellent, with plush compression and high resilience. Transitions are smooth throughout the landing, and the rocker is gentle rather than aggressive. Runners looking to maximize performance will likely want to look elsewhere, as this shoe struggles at paces faster than threshold. This shoe is heavier than its competition and doesn't have the same top-end speed. However, for many recreational runners, this will likely be the most comfortable and easy-to-use option for both training and racing long distances.
REASONS TO BUY
Propulsive
Stable for a super shoe
Comfortable cushion
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Struggles at fast paces
Rocker may not work for all runners

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Top Pick Award
Best Running Shoes for Race Day
Editors' Choice Award
Best Running Shoes for Uptempo Training
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Men's Running Shoes
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for Your Buck
Price $250 List
$249.95 at Amazon
$250 List
$249.95 at Amazon
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$135 List
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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73
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70
Star Rating
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Bottom Line A confidence-inspiring super shoe for runners who value comfortOur choice for nearly any race, this shoe is fast, light and snappyAn all-around standout that can handle easy days as comfortably as hard workoutsA daily trainer that can handle most runs, the Novablast 4 is fun and extremely comfortableA daily trainer that blends comfort and versatility at a reasonable price
Rating Categories New Balance FuelCel... Asics Metaspeed Sky... Saucony Endorphin S... Asics Novablast 4 Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Landing Comfort (30%)
8.1
8.8
8.0
8.3
8.0
Responsiveness (20%)
8.7
9.7
8.0
7.0
7.0
Stability (15%)
6.5
3.5
5.7
7.0
6.0
Upper Comfort (15%)
6.0
5.0
7.5
8.0
7.0
Weight (15%)
6.2
10.0
6.8
5.8
5.3
Traction (5.0%)
5.5
3.5
5.0
4.0
9.0
Specs New Balance FuelCel... Asics Metaspeed Sky... Saucony Endorphin S... Asics Novablast 4 Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Measured Weight 9.46 oz 6.85 oz 9.03 oz 9.76 oz 10.07 oz
Measured Heel Stack Height 36 mm 39 mm 38 mm 43 mm 38 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop 5 mm 6 mm 11 mm 7 mm 11 mm
Plate Type Carbon Carbon Nylon None None
Rocker Angle 18.5 deg 24.5 deg 25.0 deg 22.5 deg 18.0 deg
Rocker Apex Location 59.2% 68.3% 67.7% 66.5% 66.7%
Style Race Shoe Race Shoe Daily Trainer Daily Trainer Daily Trainer
Upper FantomFit Motionwrap 2.0 Engineered mesh/knit Engineered woven/knit Engineered knit
Midsole FuelCell FF Turbo Plus PWRRUN PB FF Blast + Eco NITROFOAM
Outsole Rubber Asics Grip rubber Rubber AHAR Lo PumaGrip
Heel Tab Type None None None Finger loop None
Sizes Available 7-14 US, regular & wide 3.5-13 US, regular 7-15 US, regular 6 - 15 US, regular 7 - 14 US, regular

Our Analysis and Test Results

We tend to think of super shoes as far towards one end of the comfort-performance spectrum. They tend to be light, with pared-back uppers. They tend to sacrifice some grip and stability for low weight. The supercritical foams are often unstable. Most of those tendencies don't hold true for the SuperComp Elite v4.

Performance Comparison


new balance fuelcell supercomp elite v4 - the supercomp elite v4 isn't the fastest race shoe, but it might...
The SuperComp Elite v4 isn't the fastest race shoe, but it might just be the most comfortable.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Landing Comfort


The FuelCell foam in the SuperComp Elite v4 is made with PEBA, and we can tell. It's soft, as most FuelCell formulations are, but it has a higher resilience. This shoe likes to bounce and roll after it compresses, which is a very pleasant feeling. In the lab, we measured 36 mm of foam under the heel, with a 5 mm drop.

new balance fuelcell supercomp elite v4 - this super shoe loves to roll along and has a decent amount of foam...
This super shoe loves to roll along and has a decent amount of foam underfoot.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Landings in this shoe feel soft, and transitions through the foot are aided by a smooth rocker. We did notice that the comfort started to decrease the faster we went. By the time we were running 10K pace, the shoe no longer felt smooth or particularly fast. Fast strides felt extremely awkward.

Regardless, this shoe is one of the most comfortable overall super shoes we've tested, feeling more like a fast daily trainer than a thoroughbred race shoe. We think that comfort makes it a great choice for some long runs and as a training partner during a marathon build.

new balance fuelcell supercomp elite v4 - the shoe feels great at marathon effort but struggles to go much...
The shoe feels great at marathon effort but struggles to go much faster.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Responsiveness


It's a race shoe, but it just isn't as fast as our favorite options. The SuperComp Elite is ideal for marathons. Some runners will find it perfect for half marathons as well, but we prefer something a little more responsive for that distance.

Race Shoe Responsiveness Over Varying Effort Levels
ProductEasy (Recovery)Moderate (Marathon)Threshold (10K)Fast (5K+)
Best454.94.6
Average4.24.44.24
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v453.532.8
Worst53.532.8
The SuperComp Elite just isn't as responsive as the lighter, more snappy options in our lineup.

We found that the shoe doesn't really want to go much faster than threshold pace. We think some of that has to do with the rocker profile. The shoe promotes a smooth motion through the foot but doesn't seem to handle sharper power delivery as well. If your plan is to use this shoe for long runs and marathons, you'll likely love it. You can run your biggest workouts in it. We just wouldn't recommend it as an option for 5-10K specific training and racing.

new balance fuelcell supercomp elite v4 - we think some runners will find the geometry works well for their...
We think some runners will find the geometry works well for their mechanics down to about half-marathon pace.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Stability


The SuperComp Elite v4 is the most stable super shoe we've tested. It has a wide base and a stiffer upper that provide good foot security and a planted feel. We think the carbon plate and rocker geometry help to provide direction to the shoe. We don't recommend super shoes for runners with serious support needs; the soft foam and focus on performance don't do much to limit mechanical breakdown. However, we think the SuperComp Elite v4 is the best choice for runners who want a race shoe that has enough support to get them through a few hours of racing. It significantly outperforms other super shoes we've tested in this area.

new balance fuelcell supercomp elite v4 - this shoe excels in stability for a super shoe.
This shoe excels in stability for a super shoe.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Upper Comfort


The upper of the SuperComp Elite is lightweight but reasonably comfortable. Its FantomFit mesh upper is similar to that of the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4. We've found it works well to provide significant breathability and comfort without sacrificing stability or lockdown. The fit trends a bit wider than other race shoes, which many runners will appreciate.

new balance fuelcell supercomp elite v4 - the fantomfit upper is extremely breathable and reasonably...
The FantomFit upper is extremely breathable and reasonably comfortable.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

We did note that the heel collar rubbed against our Achilles through our socks when we ran faster workouts. Not all users are likely to find that to be an issue, but we would prefer a bit more padding along the heel collar.

new balance fuelcell supercomp elite v4 - when pushing off, we found that the heel collar rubber our achilles...
When pushing off, we found that the heel collar rubber our Achilles raw.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Weight


This shoe weighed 9.46 ounces in our testing. That's heavy for a racing shoe and puts it closer to a typical daily trainer's weight in our lineup. The top race-ready contenders in this category come in over two ounces lighter. On the other hand, for runners who are a little less concerned with all-out performance and want the increased traction and comfort, it might be a worthwhile tradeoff.

new balance fuelcell supercomp elite v4 - this shoe is way heavier than we expect of a race shoe.
This shoe is way heavier than we expect of a race shoe.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Traction


Traction on the SuperComp Elite v4 is about average — though significantly better than on other race shoes. It shares a similar tread pattern to most of New Balance's 2024 offerings, with a tacky rubber outsole cut into a diamond pattern. We've found it bites well on a range of surfaces. We particularly appreciate the full rubber coverage. While it does add to the overall weight of the shoe, it leads to improved grip. This shoe isn't targeted at racing shorter distances, and it seems designed to handle a large training load in the lead-up to a race. Because of that, the full coverage makes sense, as it gives confidence on wet or loose corners and leads to increased durability.

new balance fuelcell supercomp elite v4 - we love the grip that the supercomp elite has.
We love the grip that the Supercomp Elite has.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Should You Buy the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4?


If you're considering a purpose-built race shoe, consider what type of runner you are. Are you someone who wants the absolute best performance possible from a shoe? Or would you rather have the performance-enhancing benefits of a super shoe but in a more comfort-oriented package? If you fall into the second camp, then this is a great shoe for you. We recommend this shoe as an intro to super shoes. We recommend it as a training shoe for your key workouts in the lead-up to a marathon. We recommend it to runners who like a wider, more stable ride in their race shoes. On the other hand, if you're looking for peak performance from 5K to 10K and rarely race longer, we think there are better options.

What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?


The Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris is our go-to recommendation for runners seeking a no-compromise approach to race day. It's fast, versatile, and incredibly light. The Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 is an excellent all-around super shoe that is a little more comfortable than the fastest options. We think it does better at 5K through half-marathon efforts than the SuperComp Elite v4. Finally, if you want even more stability and comfort while running at marathon paces, check out the Asics Superblast 2. It combines highly resilient foam and a lightweight upper into a shoe that is extremely comfortable and versatile. For some runners, it could be a good comfort-oriented marathon race shoe.

Nathaniel Bailey