New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Review

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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