New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 Review: The Fastest SC Elite Yet

Introduction

The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5, which we will shorten to SC Elite v5, is the latest flagship carbon plate racing shoe from New Balance. It launched quietly with elite athletes at the London Marathon and went on sale globally in August at £260 in the UK and $250 in the US, the same price as the SC Elite v4.

Despite the familiar price, this is a very different shoe. New Balance has seesawed between cushioned, accommodating and nimble, aggressive designs throughout this line’s history, and the v5 swings firmly back toward lightweight and fast. After around 60k of testing across intervals, tempo runs, and progression runs, we think it is the best version of this shoe yet.

Design and Specifications

The SC Elite v5 weighs 210g (7.4 oz) in a UK size 9, which makes it lighter than the SC Elite v4 and even lighter than the SC Pacer v2, New Balance’s lower-stacked carbon racing option. Stack height is 40mm at the heel and 32mm at the forefoot for an 8mm drop, double that of the v4.

The weight saving comes largely from the midsole: less foam under the forefoot and a narrower overall design. The midsole uses a 100% PEBA version of FuelCell, the bounciest, springiest, and lightest foam New Balance makes, with a full-length Energy Arc carbon plate that is stiffer under the forefoot than the v4’s plate for a more propulsive toe-off.

The outsole has also changed, with a thin layer of rubber on the forefoot, two strips at the rear, and shallow triangular lugs. Grip and durability have both held up well so far. The upper is a single-layer, thin, breathable mesh, and the collar has been redesigned with a narrower fit and a little padding to hold the Achilles better.

Fit and Sizing

We tested our normal size, a UK 9 (US 9.5), and had enough room around the toes, so we recommend sticking with your usual running shoe size. New Balance racing shoes can run short, as with the SC Pacer v2, but that was not an issue here. Length feels similar to the v4, though the v5 has a narrower, less voluminous upper around the toes and a snug midfoot. A wide version may well be offered, as New Balance often does with its racing shoes.

The biggest fit improvement is at the heel. The SC Elite v4 rubbed and chopped at many runners’ Achilles and heels, especially beyond half marathon distance, which made us hesitant to trust it for a full marathon. The v5 holds the back of the foot more tightly without any rubbing, a genuine improvement for longer races.

Ride and Performance

Around 60k in, the SC Elite v5 has been used for 400m and 800m interval sessions, a hard half-hour at or slightly faster than marathon pace, and progression runs. As a high-cadence runner, the tester found the aggressive forefoot rocker and lightweight build easier to turn over late in races than the cushier v4.

The verdict on ride: this is the fastest New Balance racing shoe the brand has produced. The stiffer forefoot plate creates a punchier, more aggressive ride across all distances, from short reps and 5k or 10k races up to the marathon. The v5 is lighter than the SC Pacer v2 while keeping almost as much bounce as the SC Elite v4 in a more streamlined package, making it a better all-round racing shoe than both.

Things to Consider Before Buying

All that speed comes with trade-offs. The v5 is narrower, less stable, and has slightly less bounce under the forefoot than the v4, with a tighter pinch point at the midfoot where the foot can hang slightly over the edge. Runners who loved the v4’s wide, cushioned, accommodating ride, especially heavier runners, first-time carbon shoe users, or those racing at slower paces, may not enjoy the change.

There is also a market reality worth acknowledging. Lightweight, aggressive super shoes are everywhere now, and the v5 does not stand out as much as the v4 once did, which offered something genuinely different. Some competitors are lighter, bouncier, or cheaper.

How It Compares to the Competition

The Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 is a very similar shoe in performance, tested back-to-back during 800m reps on the track, and its foam felt a touch springier. The Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 and the Asics MetaSpeed series are lighter with more aggressive rockers, and the Hoka Rocket X 2 delivers an even more rockered, punchy ride. The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 balances comfort and speed impressively while weighing less, and the Nike Alphafly 3 adds extra bounce while staying lightweight and comfortable.

The SC Elite v5 holds its own against all of them; performance is right up there. It just does not offer a clear reason to choose it over the crowd, and some rivals cost less.

Buying Advice

If you love New Balance, you will run very fast in this shoe. It is compact, bouncy, propulsive, and works at any distance, and it is comfortably the best racing shoe in New Balance’s carbon line. If you are open to other brands, weigh it against the shoes above, since several are lighter, bouncier, or better value, and the choice may simply come down to taste. If you adored the SC Elite v4’s stable, cushioned character, be aware that this version does not share it.

Conclusion

The New Balance SC Elite v5 is a really good compact racing shoe and our favourite from the brand to date, with the best use of its PEBA foam, a lighter build, and a faster, more aggressive ride than the v4. The updates have worked. It is just not the shoe that stands out from the crowded carbon market, and some runners will miss what made the v4 unique. If a lightweight, nimble super shoe is what you want, this one deserves a spot on your shortlist.