Nike Vaporfly 4 vs New Balance SC Elite V5: Which Carbon Racer Fits Your Race Day?

Introduction

The Nike Vaporfly 4 and the New Balance SC Elite V5 are two of the most recognisable carbon-plated race shoes on the market, and both arrived with meaningful changes over their predecessors. After running north of 40 miles in the Vaporfly 4 and close to 30 miles in the SC Elite V5, across paces from interval sessions to long marathon-training efforts, the picture is clear: these are similar shoes in many ways, but they reward different types of runners.

Quick Specs at a Glance

The New Balance SC Elite V5 costs £260 or $264.99, weighs 22 g less in scale terms at 7.1 oz for men in a US size 9 equivalent, and has an 8 mm drop. The Nike Vaporfly 4 costs £239.99 or $270, weighs 171 g or 6 oz for men in a size 8 equivalent, and has a 6 mm drop. On paper, the Vaporfly is the lighter, lower-drop shoe, while the SC Elite V5 carries a bigger stack and slightly more weight.

How Each Shoe Has Changed

New Balance has radically changed the SC Elite with almost every generation, and the V5 is no exception. It moves away from the bulkier, comfortable V4 towards a leaner race option: the midsole foam is narrower, the weight is noticeably down, and a new carbon plate is stiffer in the forefoot to improve propulsion. There is also an updated outsole for better traction and a single-layer mesh upper for comfort and breathability without extra weight. Unlike many race shoes, it is available in a wide version.

Nike focused the Vaporfly 4 on producing a noticeably lighter shoe, trimming the outsole and midsole and modifying the upper, removing around 5 mm of stack height compared to the Vaporfly 3. The ZoomX foam is lighter than before, the carbon plate sits at a higher angle, and a lower heel-to-toe drop aims to improve propulsion. The upper is a lightweight engineered mesh with a reduced-size heel and tongue, and the outsole uses a thinner layer of rubber across the length of the shoe.

Fit and Sizing

In testing at a UK size 8, both shoes proved true to size in length. The Vaporfly 4 offers a race-hugging but comfortable fit: the upper wraps nicely and flexes with the foot, avoiding the cramped feeling some carbon race shoes create. Heel slipping can occur if lacing is casual, but precise lacing fixes it easily. The forefoot is roomier than expected for such a lean shoe, and the midfoot feels comfortable rather than narrow.

The SC Elite V5 is a different story on width. It is narrow, even for a race fit, which delivers excellent locked-in security with zero heel or midfoot movement. Runners with wider feet, or anyone planning efforts over an hour on feet, should strongly consider the wide version or going up half a size. Notably, earlier SC Elite versions felt shallow in the forefoot and caused rubbing, but the V5 shows no such issues.

Ride and Feel

The SC Elite V5 feels lighter and faster than its predecessor, though it is less stable and reliable underfoot, particularly when landing further back in the heel, where it feels loose and squishy with little control. The ride is soft and bouncy, with responsiveness most pronounced when engaging the shoe closer to the mid-to-forefoot. It is not as out-and-out propulsive as the very fastest super shoes, a trait it shares with the Vaporfly 4. Neither is as aggressive as shoes like the Puma Fast-R3, as bouncy as the Asics Metaspeed Tokyo Edge or Sky, the Hoka X2, or the Saucony Endorphin Elite 2.

The Vaporfly 4 delivers reliable landings and smooth, natural transitions. There is energy here without wildness, plus a slightly more minimal feeling closer to the ground with added firmness and snap. However, the reduced stack means less cushioning: many runners will not find enough protection for anything beyond a half marathon, and it is not recommended for marathons of four hours or more. For shorter distances, it feels nippy and quick, though the plate and ZoomX foam no longer feel exceptional. The SC Elite V5 has more bounce and a softer foam, and its bigger stack adds weight on the scales but returns more road and calf protection thanks to the higher drop.

Outsole and Grip

The Vaporfly 4 has a solid outsole, with thick rubber across the front section and two rubber patches at the back that held up well over 50 to 60 km despite a supinating stride. The front grips well, though the rear is not the grippiest. The SC Elite V5 outsole is superior: similar rubber coverage but tackier, thin, with small lugs, and a thick rear section. In wet side-by-side testing, the Elite V5’s grip proved more reliable than the Vaporfly’s, which performs well but less notably.

Which Shoe Should You Buy?

If you prioritise maximum pop, light weight, agility, and ground feel for shorter and faster efforts like the mile, 5k, or 10k, and you handle tight, twisty courses, the Vaporfly 4 is the snappier choice. If you want a shoe that mixes energy and efficiency with road protection over the long haul, the SC Elite V5 is probably the pick, and it likely suits more runners over efforts beyond 90 minutes.

The SC Elite V5 offers the better overall range across distances and race speeds, though it is pricier in the UK. Neither shoe ranks among the very best carbon racers currently available, so consider competitors if you want the absolute top tier. But between these two, the SC Elite V5 is the more versatile and complete package, while the Vaporfly 4 remains a solid lightweight option for runners who like a direct, connected ride.

Conclusion

Both are good race day options up to half marathon distance. The Vaporfly 4 rewards runners who value snap, ground feel, and a light shoe, while the SC Elite V5 brings more cushioning, better grip, and wider distance versatility at a higher price. Choose based on your race distances and how much road feel you enjoy.