New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer V2: First Run Impressions of a Firmer, Faster Racer

Introduction

The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer V2 is the lower-stack racing shoe in the New Balance range, sitting below the SC Elite V4. The original Pacer had a racing flat feel: very low stack, firm, and honestly a bit punishing over long distances. V2 raises the stack height by around 4 to 5 mm and adds an all-new midsole foam, and the result is a shoe that finally feels like a proper super shoe.

On paper this sits at £180 or $200, weighs 216g (7.6oz), and has an 8mm heel-to-toe drop. Listed stack height is 32.8mm at the heel and 24.8mm at the forefoot, though that will vary slightly with your shoe size.

What Has Changed in V2

The biggest update is the midsole. V2 uses a 100% PEBA version of FuelCell foam, the same foam as in the SC Elite V4, which is softer and bouncier than the FuelCell in the original Pacer. That is a meaningful upgrade over the blended foams used in some other New Balance models like the Rebel v4.

Running through the midsole is the Energy Arc carbon plate, with the characteristic cutout visible below it. The upper is a very lightweight single-layer engineered mesh with very little padding, just a small internal heel counter at the back. Despite the weight focus, the outsole carries a surprisingly thick layer of rubber with good forefoot coverage and two strips at the rear, which bodes well for durability and grip.

Fit and Sizing: Tight in the Toes

The toe box runs quite tight. This has been a recurring pattern with New Balance’s racier shoes, and the Pacer V2 follows suit. Over a 16k (10 mile) run in my normal size it was not a real problem, and a snug fit actually suits shorter races. But for a marathon distance I would want more room, and if you are at the larger end of your usual size, going up half a size is a sensible move.

One caveat worth knowing before buying: many runners online have reported the heel counter rubbing their Achilles. It is surprisingly rigid for a racing shoe. My own run produced only the faintest hint of rubbing on the right foot, but if you have had issues with New Balance heel designs, including on the SC Elite V4, this is something to look out for. Heel lock lacing may help.

On the Run: Two Very Different Paces

The test session was a pre-race workout: two mile reps around 5:30 per mile, then 10 times 60 seconds on, 30 seconds off. Across both intensities the shoe impressed. It is far more comfortable than the original Pacer, with noticeably more cushioning and bounce, and it feels much closer to a full-stack super shoe than a racing flat.

The ride is firmer than the SC Elite V4, but not harsh. Even after 10 miles with fast sections included, there was no underfoot discomfort. The transition is snappy and fast rather than cruisy: at mile-rep pace you feel the speed more directly than in a softer, bouncier super shoe, and at 60-second pickup pace the lightweight turnover is genuinely quick.

It is worth noting it is not as nimble as some low-stack rivals. Compared with something like the Adidas Takumi Sen, you feel more shoe beneath you, more width, which helps comfort but removes some of that aggressive stride-shoe agility. A side-by-side short run against the SC Elite V4 on the other foot made the difference obvious: the Pacer V2 is deeper and springier than you might expect from the stack numbers, but noticeably firmer and more grounded overall.

Who Should Buy the Pacer V2

This is the tricky part. In a market where competitors such as the Adidas Adizero Metaspeed Edge and Sky Paris, and the new On Cloudboom Strike LS, all come in under 200g in the same size while offering plenty of cushioning, the Pacer V2 occupies an interesting niche: it feels essentially like a full-stack racer that is slightly firmer, rather than a truly lightweight low-stack shoe.

That said, there is real demand for that firmer, more grounded feel, especially with so many super shoes trending softer. If you found New Balance’s very soft and springy foam a little much in the SC Elite V4, this could be exactly the more controlled option you want. It is also a genuinely striking shoe to look at, and with more miles it may well come to life further.

Buying Advice

Buy the Pacer V2 if you want a lightweight racer with a firmer, more connected ride and you like feeling the pace beneath you. Consider a half size up if your toes are already snug in New Balance racing shoes, and approach with caution if you are prone to Achilles irritation from rigid heel counters.

Conclusion

The Pacer V2 is a big step forward from the original: more cushioning, real super shoe bounce, and a much more forgiving ride, while keeping the firm feel that some runners actively prefer. It may not be the standout in a crowded super shoe market, but as a snappy, beautifully designed racer with a slightly different personality, it is well worth a longer look.