New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 review: Lightweight super shoe with real race day power

New Balance has been working for years to move away from the ‘sneaker brand making running shoes’ image. One of the main pillars of this strategy is the FuelCell SuperComp Elite line, which promises pro-level performance that rivals Nike’s Alphafly and Adidas’ Adizero franchises.

Historically, I found the FuelCell SuperComp Elite shoes a bit of a mixed bag. The last iteration was disappointing, with the outsole literally peeling away after three runs; the toe box could have been taller, too, to accommodate the inevitable swelling that occurs during long-distance races.

Knowing all this, it’s probably no surprise that when New Balance offered me SuperComp Elite v5 to test, I wasn’t too quick to jump on the opportunity, even though I knew Alex Yee ran a ridiculously fast time in them at the London Marathon this year. But again, he can probably run a sub-3-hour marathon in flip-flops.

First impressions count for a lot

The shoes arrived, and I put them on probably a week later… and found them absolutely delightful. The SuperComp Elite v5 felt supportive, with a lovey, not-too-tapered toebox (something Adidas really has to stop doing with its Adizero Pro line) and a peppy midsole.

My US11/UK10.5 weighs a mere 230g (~8.1oz), making it incredibly lightweight even in the super-shoe category. It might not be as light as the Asics’ Metaspeed Ray, but those shoes have an extremely tapered heel section that might not suit all runners, unlike the SuperComp Elite v5.

Propulsion without punishment

The FuelCell midsole – made with 100% PEBA foam – contributes to the lightness and provides lots of energy return. New Balance also added a stiffer forefoot carbon fibre plate to give yet more energy during toe-off. Surely enough, this combination works really well, making your legs feel almost weightless as you run.

The SuperComp Elite v5 is race-legal and has a maximum stack height of 40mm under the heel and 32mm under the forefoot, with an 8mm drop. Despite the taller stack of foam underfoot, the shoes feel responsive – as long as you don’t expect to have the same ground feel as the Altra Lone Peak 9+ or the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail Flow.

The outsole, one of my biggest grievances from the previous iteration, has been reworked and is designed to “feel grippier,’ the brand claims. So far, I have zero issues with it, and thankfully, New Balance has applied plenty of it under the forefoot, which helps you stay in control even during sharper turns.

I mentioned the toe box above, but the rest of the upper is also superb. New Balance says the tongue and collar were re-engineered for a “comfortable, natural feeling transition from training shoe to race shoe.” The laces are a bit long, but at least you have plenty of leeway to use the runner’s knot, should you need more stability around the ankles (I found the heel section on point, too).

Race-day ready at last

Full disclosure, I haven’t run a marathon in the shoes, but I did quite a few speed sessions with them, and the SuperComp Elite v5 performed really well. As I mentioned in my recent Nike Vomero Premium review – which is the complete opposite of what the New Balance has to offer – most running shoes strike a balance between cushioning and energy return. The SuperComp Elite v5 certainly offers more of the latter, but the soft PEBA foam also provides cushioning to keep the legs fresh mile after mile.

At $265.99 / £260 / $380 / €280, the shoes fall into the same price category as other super shoes. Far from cheap, but at least in this case, you get your money’s worth: a fast, lightweight racing shoe that isn’t too unwieldy or tight. I would highly recommend the SuperComp Elite v5 for runners like me with wide feet.

The FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 is available now at New Balance UK, New Balance US and New Balance AU.