Following an injury-related DNF at my final marathon, I used to be prepared and keen to attempt one thing completely different forward of the New York Metropolis Marathon. Shoutout to Amanda for setting me up with New Steadiness’s newest and biggest so I can convey you a New Steadiness FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 evaluation simply in time for race day!

Let’s see how New Steadiness’s carbon-plated racer dealt with all 5 boroughs of the New York Metropolis Marathon. I imply, there’s no higher place to check a racing shoe than in a World Main, proper?

My first impression of the SuperComp Elite was that it LOOKS snug. That has by no means been my preliminary considered any plated shoe, so straight away I knew I used to be in retailer for one thing completely different.

My eyes instantly gravitated to the thick foam surrounding the arched carbon plate. Somewhat consolation, just a little velocity? Don’t thoughts if I do! And my goodness, the SuperComp Elite was a clean and speedy tour information on my date with the TCS New York Metropolis Marathon.

I’m all the time sincere in my shoe critiques as I need you all to seek out the shoe that works greatest for you. I’ve but to seek out that unicorn shoe (sounds cool, proper?) the place I can’t discover one thing I’d modify, however hey, possibly that is the one!

Who Is It Good For?

Who’s New Steadiness FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 a superb match for? Let’s break it down with some frequent classes:

• Broad Ft: In contrast to many carbon plated sneakers, we do suppose this one will work for wider ft. AND it’s accessible in extensive.
• Heavier Runners: The width of the shoe provides a pleasant contact of stability, so that they’re nice for runners with wider ft or those that have ankle points.
• Lengthy Runs: 100% that is designed to hold you over the miles with good cushion, assist and vitality return
• Entrance of the Pack: We predict that is going to attraction extra to the center of the pack runners.

To put it out when it comes to paces, the SuperComp Elite is ideal for anybody who’s seeking to run a marathon in 3:40:00 or extra. Anybody seeking to it sooner than which may have a look-see at extra aggressive carbon-plated races just like the Saucony Endorphin Elite or the Nike Vaporfly 3.

New Steadiness Gasoline Cell SuperComp Elite v4 Evaluate

I logged round 50 miles within the SuperComp Elite. This mileage included shorter speedwork periods (4×400, 4×800) forward of my journey, in addition to a couple of relaxed efforts, a Central Park shakeout, and your entire New York Metropolis Marathon (together with navigating out of the finishers’ space and again to my resort…woof).

The SuperComp Elite is New Steadiness’s high-performance carbon-plated racing shoe, designed for long-distance runners in search of a mix of velocity, responsiveness, and cushioning.

The shoe boasts an eye catching coloration scheme and distinctive geometric design, in addition to simple rocker form. And the midsole is THICK, manufactured from peba foam (extra on that in a bit), layered round a skinny carbon fiber plate.

And the outsole is comprised of a sturdy rubber and options the geometric sample for added traction. None of us wish to slip and slide throughout a race, proper?!

The toe field is beneficiant with loads of room to splay your toes each which means. The SuperComp Elite is obtainable in extensive, which is uncommon for a brilliant shoe, so props to New Steadiness for remembering our wide-footed pals!

The higher is manufactured from an ethereal mesh that gives simply the correct quantity of assist when mixed with the standard lacing design. The tongue is comparatively skinny however does function a centered information loop to assist maintain it in place. I do want the tongue was a contact longer, because it tends to slide beneath the lace line. Not an enormous inconvenience, however value calling out.

The collar does experience a bit excessive, so there may be potential for irritation if you happen to want to put on low or no-show socks. I want to put on quarter socks, so it was a non-issue for me, however I don’t need any of you coping with blisters!

Whereas it doesn’t have the bouncy really feel frequent to different tremendous sneakers, the SuperComp Elite does provide outstanding consolation not present in its counterparts. When you’re searching for a cushioned and speedy plated race day shoe for a half-marathon and past, the SuperComp Elite must be your new working mate.

New Steadiness Gasoline Cell SuperComp Elite v4 Specs

The midsole consists of New Steadiness’s proprietary FuelCell PEBA foam wrapped round a skinny carbon plate.

New Steadiness dubbed the combo of the carbon plate, foam, and geometric midsole design the Power Arc, which feels like one thing from a comic book e-book film…however is claimed to ship a excessive quantity of vitality return whereas offering a cultured experience.

Keep in mind after I talked about the sneakers rubber outsole?

One sudden impediment surfaced through the race at a couple of of the help station zones as there have been pockets of cups, gatorade, and water blanketing the streets. The unbelievable volunteers have been hustling to half the ocean but it surely was SLIPPERY. The outsole and the shoe’s grip have been each excellent as I maneuvered by way of these areas unscathed with out ever shedding traction.

The SuperComp Elite has my vote of confidence in moist situations!

SuperComp Elite v4 Match

Whenever you’re buying racing sneakers for a half-marathon or longer distance, I extremely suggest bumping up a half-size. Our ft are inclined to swell throughout longer races, so having just a little further room can spare your ft a little bit of ache throughout and after (and possibly save a toenail or two).

That being stated, I usually put on a measurement 11 however opted for an 11.5 within the SuperComp Elite. From my expertise, this shoe runs true to measurement.

I discovered the match of the SuperComp Elite to be a contact on the broader facet. And the mixture of the shoe’s width and durable higher introduced an sudden, however reassuring stability aspect to the match.

Earlier, I discussed the shoe’s beneficiant toe field, however I wish to add that I felt safe within the midfoot and higher, and locked down within the heel collar. I skilled zero points with hotspots or my ft slipping.  As somebody with extra slender ft, the shoe carried out brilliantly for me.

One small nitpick I’ve is with the laces themselves, that are rounded and tremendous skinny. I’m speaking, attempt tying your shoe with cooked spaghetti noodles skinny. Nevertheless, they’re an acceptable size and I didn’t run into any bother with them coming untied.

Really feel

The few periods I had within the SuperComp Elite forward of the NYC Marathon have been improbable. The shoe felt quick, cushioned, and responsive. After working my means again from an harm on the finish of the summer time, I used to be seeking to take pleasure in a relaxed effort, with an choice to take just a little chunk out of the Large Apple over the past 10K if I used to be feeling good.

Fingers downs, this was my most snug expertise sporting a plated tremendous shoe in a marathon.

In races previous after I’ve worn different carbon-plated tremendous sneakers (notably the Saucony Endorphin Elite and the Nike Alphafly 2) and skilled foot discomfort within the later levels of the races (largely from mile 20 and after) the place each sneakers felt agency and unforgiving. The bounce and reasonable consolation they displayed within the first few miles have been lengthy gone.

I solely level this out as a result of my expertise with the SuperComp Elite was the precise reverse from what I simply described: clean crusing from the Begin to the End Line.

The shoe includes a refined rocker form that gives a smooth touchdown and mild ahead propulsion. Whether or not you’re a heel striker, midfoot runner, or forefoot flyer, it delivers consolation in each stride.

The arch of the carbon plate helps create ahead momentum, by giving your heel that little little bit of elevate.

The NYC Marathon course options quite a lot of challenges, together with a number of bridges (views galore), loads of climbing and quick descents, genuine New York Metropolis potholes, and a jaunt by way of Central Park. And I’m completely happy to say, the SuperComp Elite swiftly conquered each considered one of these challenges.

I took within the majority of the race at my endurance tempo, which is round 8:20/mile and skilled ZERO foot discomfort. I surged a couple of instances on a rely of the raucous crowds (Brooklyn and Queens are my faves) and located the shoe transitioned seamlessly to sooner paces (I maxed out at 7:12/mile). 

For as soon as, I caught to my race plan, had lots within the tank for the ultimate miles, and crossed the end line feeling bulletproof. The SuperComp Elite was the right match for me on the New York Metropolis Marathon.

Sadly, the SuperComp Elite’s standout function comes with a couple of strings connected.

That cushioning is outstanding, however the tradeoff is that the shoe lacks vitality return and the snappy really feel we’ve come to anticipate in plated supershoes. It’s the quickest NB shoe to this point however it’s nowhere close to the speediest racer in the marketplace.

SuperComp Elite v4 vs SuperComp Elite v3

I haven’t logged many miles within the earlier model of the SuperComp Elite however right here’s a breakdown of how the v3 and v4 evaluate.

• v4 is barely heavier at 8.1 oz vs v3 at 7.7 oz
• New Steadiness resigned the higher, choosing a supportive, mesh higher in v4 departing from the bootie development higher of v3.
• The midsole foam of v4 is manufactured from Peba foam, which is firmer than the blended foam featured in v3, however produces higher vitality return.
• The texture of v4 is barely firmer and sooner, with v3 feeling extra plush and spongy.

The v4 does have extra of a bouncy racing shoe really feel, however maintains sufficient of the consolation that made v3 a hit. When you have been a fan of v3, I’ve a good suggestion what your subsequent buy goes to be.

Plated Racers Just like the New Steadiness Gasoline Cell SuperComp Elite

Seeking to see what could be much like determine if that is the correct match for you. Listed below are some we’d listing:

And if you happen to’re searching for  extra, checkout out our Finest Carbon Plated Working Sneakers >>

Who Will Not Like The SuperComp Elite

• Runners in search of a sub 3:40:00 marathon.
• Entrance of the packers seeking to faucet into speeds sooner than their half marathon tempo
• These searching for an aggressive plated tremendous shoe with a handy guide a rough really feel and robust ahead propulsion.
• Runners in search of the quickest of quick racing sneakers

And that’s our official New Steadiness FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 evaluation!

We’d love to listen to your suggestions. Have you ever run on this or different NB sneakers?  Drop a remark beneath. All of it helps different runners who’re deciding what shoe to attempt subsequent.

In search of extra working shoe critiques?