New Balance SC Trainer vs More V4: Two High-Stack Trainers Compared

Introduction

New Balance currently offers two very different takes on the high-stack trainer: the SC Trainer, with a carbon fiber plate sandwiched in its FuelCell midsole, and the More V4, a max-cushion shoe with no plate at all. Both are super high stack, but they serve noticeably different purposes in a rotation. Here is how they compare.

New Balance SC Trainer

The SC Trainer grew on us over time. Early impressions were lukewarm, partly because the shoe is on the heavier side, but the more miles it collected, the better it felt. The key is the FuelCell midsole paired with a plate: 47 millimeters of stack in the heel and 39 in the forefoot, for an 8 millimeter drop. The Energy Arc setup, with cutouts, two pads, and a concave plate, is all aimed at energy return.

Where it fits best is as a cruiser. On a long Saturday run it pampers your legs and helps you feel ready for the next run sooner. The plate is there if you want to pick up the pace, though the weight works against you when you try. Out on the road, the plate and geometry give a nice roll through, and the miles tend to fly by.

The upper is one of the favorites this year: it dials in well for narrower feet, with a tongue stitched in on one side and gusseted on the other, giving almost a slipper-like slip-in feel while keeping openness and airiness over the toe box. It costs $180, and you are paying for New Balance’s premium FuelCell foam plus the carbon fiber plate.

New Balance More V4

The More V4 sits in a similar high-stack category but is over 10 millimeters lower in stack, and it looks less cushioned than it is. You sit down into the foam. There is no carbon plate here, so it lacks the bounce and responsiveness of the SC Trainer, but it delivers a genuinely plush, comfort-first feel.

This is the shoe that takes care of your feet. If the SC Trainer gives a little more pop off the toe, the More V4 counters with soft, pampering cushioning that leaves you feeling great the next day. It runs $150, a $30 saving over the SC Trainer, though you are not getting the premium FuelCell foam or a plate.

The upper is a little more generous, which is not a plus for narrow feet but is a real advantage if you have wider feet and want more room in the toe box. It also comes in wide sizing options for men and women, so it accommodates a broader range of foot shapes.

Which One Fits Your Rotation?

If only one shoe can be the daily trainer, the pick here is the SC Trainer. It was a surprise: heavier than expected for what it seemed to be for, but it turns out to be a fun shoe to just get miles in. It feels good underfoot, it can roll, and the upper fit wins out over the More V4.

If budget and plush comfort matter more than bounce, and especially if you need a wider or roomier fit, the More V4 earns its place instead.

Conclusion

Both are high-stack New Balance trainers that do their jobs well. The SC Trainer is the $180 plated cruiser with the premium foam and standout upper fit, while the More V4 is the $150 plush comfort option for easy, recovery-focused miles. Pick the SC Trainer for a do-everything daily trainer, and the More V4 for maximum softness on easy days.