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FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5
38% stiffer carbon plate. 30g lighter than v4. PEBA midsole
Today's tracked prices
- 01Deporvillage.co.uk12d ago£165.56£220.00−25%
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Price history
Our verdict
The FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 is New Balance at its most serious: a carbon marathon racing shoe built to chase a personal best on the road and nothing else. This is a full super-shoe, with a PEBA midsole and a carbon plate that New Balance says is 38 per cent stiffer than before, and at 213g it is genuinely light for a shoe carrying this much foam. That combination is the whole point. You get a tall, energetic stack that protects your legs deep into a marathon, and a plate rigid enough to snap you onto your toes when you hold race pace. It sits right at the top of the road racing market on price at 220 pounds, up against the Nike Vaporfly 4 and the rest of the carbon crowd. We rate it as a true race-day tool. It rewards a committed effort and feels flat if you jog. Buy it to race, not to train.
Key features
- Carbon plateRuns 38 per cent stiffer than the previous version, so it snaps you through toe-off and adds real pop when you hold race pace
- PEBA midsoleDelivers the high energy return and light weight that define a modern super-shoe, springing back under every stride
- 213g race weightKeeps the shoe light for its size, 30g lighter than the v4, so your legs stay fresher deep into a marathon
- 40mm heel stackGives you a tall, protective platform that shields your legs from the pounding of 26.2 miles
- 8mm dropSits in familiar racing territory, encouraging a smooth roll onto the forefoot without forcing a big calf change
- Engineered race upperWraps thin and breathable over the foot and locks you down for surges and corners with no slippage
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Marathon and half marathon racers chasing a personal best on the road
- Efficient midfoot and forefoot runners who want maximum return at pace
- Runners who want deep cushioning that still feels fast late in a race
- Existing New Balance racers upgrading from the v4 for a lighter, snappier ride
Who should not buy it
- You are a beginner who needs a stable, forgiving everyday shoe
- You are a heavier heel-striker who wants support and durability
- You want one shoe for both training and racing
- You have wide feet and need a roomy forefoot
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
The SuperComp Elite v5 fits true to size for most runners, so take your usual New Balance running shoe size. The fit is a racing fit rather than a roomy one. The forefoot is snug and holds your foot low over the plate, the midfoot wraps close, and the heel locks in well without much padding, which is exactly what you want when you are pushing pace. The engineered upper has just enough give across the toes for a marathon, but if you run in thick socks, size over long distances, or simply like room to splay, going up a half size is a sensible call. Wide feet are the main caution here. This is a performance last, not a generous one, so runners who need volume may find it tight late in a race. Try before a goal event rather than racing in them cold.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
The ride is fast, firm and demanding in the best way. Hit marathon or half pace and the stiff carbon plate and PEBA foam work together, rolling you forward and giving real pop through toe-off. Hold the effort and it comes alive. Slow down to an easy jog and the magic fades, because the plate wants pace to flex the way it should. Compared with the softer, rockered feel of a shoe like the SC Elite 4 that came before it, this v5 feels snappier and more direct underfoot thanks to the stiffer plate and lighter build. There is plenty of stack for late-race leg protection, yet it never feels vague or mushy. It is a shoe that gives back what you put in, so run it with intent.
Cushioning
With a 40mm heel and 32mm forefoot stack, there is a big slab of PEBA foam under you, and it does its job over marathon distance. The cushioning is protective rather than plush. You sit on top of a firm, springy platform that soaks up the pounding of 26.2 miles without going soft or dead late on. That firmness is deliberate for a racer, because a mushy foam would sap the energy return you are paying for. For fast running the balance is excellent, holding your legs together in the closing miles while still feeling quick. For slow running it will feel harder than a daily trainer, which is the trade-off you accept in a shoe built purely to race.
Stability
This is a neutral racing shoe with no stability features, and the tall 40mm stack makes that clear. On the run the platform feels planted at speed, because pace and a committed footstrike keep you centred over the plate. Slow down, run tired, or land off-centre and you will notice the height, with a little side-to-side sway through the midfoot. That is normal for a super-shoe and not a fault, but it does mean the v5 suits efficient midfoot and forefoot runners more than heavy heel-strikers. If you need support or correction, this is not the shoe. Come to it with reasonable form and a strong effort and it stays stable exactly where it matters, which is at race pace.
Upper & comfort
The engineered upper is thin, light and built for speed rather than lounging. It breathes well, which counts on a warm race day, and it holds your foot securely over the plate with minimal fuss. There is little padding, in keeping with a shoe that shaves grams wherever it can, so the tongue and heel collar are stripped back rather than cushy. Most runners will find it comfortable enough for a full marathon straight out of the box, though the snug forefoot is worth checking on a long run first. Lockdown is the strong point here. Lace it up and your foot stays put through corners and surges, with no slippage to distract you when you are working hard.
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FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Race |
| Surface | Road |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Heel Stack | 40mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 32mm |
| Weight | 213g |
| Carbon Plated | Yes |
| Stability | No |