New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 - Women's Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
Awards | Most Race Ready Road Running Shoe | Best Overall Running Shoe for Women | Best Value for a Women's Road Running Shoe | Best Balance of Comfort and Responsiveness | |
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Price | $250 List $249.99 at Amazon | $250 List $249.95 at Amazon | $140 List $139.95 at Amazon | $119.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $180 List $179.95 at Amazon |
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Bottom Line | This shoe features an updated carbon fiber plate to drive runners ahead, providing a comfortable and race-ready experience in this well-designed road shoe | This shoe provides the ultimate power and pep thanks to its natural-feeling rocker, trampoline-style midsole, and aerodynamic shape | This running shoe offers the performance technology and comfort needed to be your go-to shoe, no matter your running goals | Affordable and minimally-minded, the updated Kinvara is a great everyday shoe that is suitable for a myriad of running situations | Though it lacks the lightweight tech of super shoes, the balance between its responsive midsole and lateral stability makes this a powerful everyday trainer |
Rating Categories | New Balance FuelCel... | Asics Metaspeed Sky... | Asics Novablast 4 -... | Saucony Kinvara 15... | Brooks Hyperion Max... |
Landing Comfort (30%) | |||||
Responsiveness (20%) | |||||
Stability (15%) | |||||
Upper Comfort (15%) | |||||
Weight (15%) | |||||
Traction (5%) | |||||
Specs | New Balance FuelCel... | Asics Metaspeed Sky... | Asics Novablast 4 -... | Saucony Kinvara 15... | Brooks Hyperion Max... |
Measured Weight | 6.70 oz | 5.10 oz | 7.36 oz | 5.44 oz | 7.17 oz |
Measured Heel Stack Height | 34 mm | 38 mm | 38 mm | 27 mm | 35 mm |
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 4 mm | 6 mm | 8 mm | 3 mm | 8 mm |
Plate Type | Carbon | Carbon | None | None | Full length plastic |
Rocker Angle | 24.0 deg | 26.5 deg | 22.0 deg | 25.0 deg | 24.5 deg |
Rocker Apex Location | 58.4% | 68.0% | 69.5% | 64.7% | 65.0% |
Style | Racing | Racing | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer |
Upper | Mesh | Motion Wrap 2.0 mesh | Engineered knit mesh | Mesh | Mesh |
Midsole | FuelCell midsole | FF Turbo Plus | FF Blast Plus Eco | PWRRUN | DNA Flash v2 |
Outsole | Rubber | AsicsGrip rubber | AHAR outsole | Rubber | Rubber |
Heel Tab Type | None | None | Finger loop | None | Extended heel pull |
Sizes Available | 5 - 12 US, regular, wide | 5 - 14.5 US, regular |
5 - 12 US, regular | 5 - 12 US, regular |
5 - 12 US, regular |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The updates New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 features a 34 mm total stack, a 4 mm drop, and a whole lot of pep in its 6.70 oz body (women's size 6.5). Its geometric FuelCell midsole offers powerful energy return that is perfect for hitting challenging paces.
Performance Comparision
Landing Comfort
We aren't sure where to begin here. From the moment we slipped the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 onto our feet, we knew we were in for a powerful ride. New Balance redesigned the carbon plate, making it thinner and more responsive. This new design pairs beautifully with the 34 mm of FuelCell foam and rubber outsole. The midsole feels slightly firmer than previous versions, which adds to this shoe's overall wearability and longevity as a racing shoe.
The heel stands at 34 mm, and the forefoot at 30 mm, offering plenty of cushion between you and the punishing pavement. The SuperComp Elite v4 weighs slightly more than other racing shoes, but since this is because it offers comfort underfoot, the few extra tenths of ounces don't bother us too much. With a minor amount of arch support and underfoot cushion that rebounds after a beating, this is one of our most recommended racing shoes — provided you can stomach the price tag.
Responsiveness
The responsiveness of the SuperComp Elite v4 combines incredibly well with all of the shoe's other elements, making it one of our favorites for racing and speedwork. The propulsive plate is thinner and poppier than in previous versions, and the updated 100% PEBA FuelCell midsole offers a firmer launch pad for turbocharging your kicks.
This slight rigidity has truly changed the game when it comes to this shoe. Instead of feeling mostly propulsive with a side of mush, this midsole has the capability to return every bit of energy you are exerting. The rocker location has been moved, as well. The new rocker's apex sits at 58.4% forward from the back (we measure from the center of the apex), the shortest distance of all the speed shoes we tested. Generally, the smaller that measurement, the speedier the shoe, which is definitely true in the case of the SuperComp Elite. The responsiveness of this shoe is so well-packed and planned out that we recommend it to anyone looking for a new race-ready bestie.
Stability
While the SuperComp Elite v4 isn't going to be your overpronator-correcting shoe, for a super shoe, its stability is spot on. The 3.90-inch outsole width of this shoe is completely average, with other super shoes' widths landing within a quarter inch of this number. However, the ride and lockdown of the SuperComp Elite feel a bit more stable than equally wide shoes. While the overall base of support is similar to other shoes, the geometric design of this shoe makes it feel a bit more stable as you fly around tight corners. Much like other super shoes, the SuperComp Elite isn't one that is going to correct your gait pattern, but if a secure super shoe sounds like it might be a good fit for you, this shoe rides in a much less “tippy” way than some of its competitors.
Upper Comfort
Right off the bat, we noticed that the SuperComp Elite v4 runs a bit short. Because of this, we recommend that runners size up half a size to ensure a comfortable fit. Once the fit is properly dialed, the SuperComp Elite stands out as a super shoe with long-distance underfoot comfort. Its 34 mm stack of propulsive foam feels light even when your legs feel heavy — this balances really well with its breathable, lightweight upper. The upper mesh is incredibly breathable and lacks the flexibility of other shoe's uppers, which adds to its above-average stability. The heel collar offers just enough cushion to ensure comfort and hotspot-free runs without adding an unnecessary amount of bulk.
The tongue is lightweight with a very slight amount of comfortable stretch, but it doesn't offer the most thoughtful design. Every other millimeter of this shoe seems to have been designed in great detail, but the tongue is just sort of there. It is comfortable enough, lays flat during runs, and protects the top of your feet from the tension of the laces, but it doesn't offer the same type of tech and geometry that the rest of this shoe is centered around. We would have preferred a gusseted tongue because we find them to be a bit more comfortable and functional. This isn't a dealbreaker when it comes to this shoe since it doesn't detract from its comfort, but it is worth keeping in mind.
Weight
The SuperComp Elite v4 is heavier than some super shoes, but all told, it weighs 6.70 ounces per shoe in a women's size 6.5. In the grand scheme of shoe weights, this is not that much weight to tote around underfoot. Plenty of super shoes are weighing in an ounce or so lower, but the slight rigidity of the plentiful underfoot cushion of this shoe makes it worthwhile. Runners looking for the ultimate lightweight experience could go lighter, but this shoe and its weight distribution come together so perfectly that the extra ounce or so doesn't sway its standing.
Traction
While not the most suited for wet weather, we never had any issues while running in the SuperComp Elite. We have continued to reach for this shoe for many of our misty morning runs and have found its nemesis to be the oily eucalyptus leaves that litter the ground of coastal California towns.
Should You Buy the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4?
As more and more super shoes hit the market, there are bound to be some that work for some runners and some that work for others. Dare we say it — a shoe for every foot. We love the responsive comfort of the SuperComp Elite v4. It is a super shoe, but it offers a strong, updated rocker that can help you hit your PRs without compromising stability and comfort. Sure, other runners may prefer the fit of some of the more well-known Nike shoes, but we think the Elite is the bee's knees. It is light, fast, and ready to keep you comfortable on long-distance tempo runs, track workouts, and races. Truth be told, this shoe is expensive, so runners seeking a budget buy could find a better match.
What Other Road Running Shoes Should You Consider?
Nike makes two of the most popular super shoes on the market. The Alphafly 3 and the Vaporfly 3. Both are powerfully responsive and offer some comfort, but not in the same way as the SuperComp Elite v4. The SuperComp is a bit more stable and remains more comfortable over more miles. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is another speed shoe that focuses on comfort and propulsion. With a similar-feeling plate and stack, the Endorphin Speed is just as wonderful as the SuperComp Elite for runners who want to PR in comfort.