Specs and takeaways:

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Super shoes exist in a constant state of evolution. Records and dollars are on the line for the running shoes that can carry runners—pros, elites, and everyday racers—to the finish line fastest, with every mechanical advantage the rules allow. The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 is one that’s ticking off boxes in a big way.

This is New Balance’s flagship carbon plate road racer, built as a marathon shoe with a full PEBA FuelCell midsole and Energy Arc system sitting right at the legal 40mm stack height ceiling. Where the SC Elite v4 drew comments about weight, width, and instability, the Elite v5 marks a direct response: a narrower platform, reduced forefoot stack (down from 36mm to 32mm), increased drop (4 mm to 8mm), and updated outsole rubber for better grip. Feels like New Balance wanted to give racers a super shoe that feels closer to something of a traditional racing shoe—light, stiff, and snappy—without the marshmallow softness or extreme rocker geometry found elsewhere.

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite V5 Sole

Outsole

The Elite v5 wears a thin outsole rubber layer (roughly 1.7mm) that New Balance developed for high traction at minimal weight. The forefoot features broad rubber coverage with shallow triangular lugs optimized for road grip, while the heel uses two rubber strips—one lateral, one medial—with what appears to be a dual-density approach: softer, stickier compound up front, firmer rubber at the heel. A large midfoot cutout sits over the Energy Arc cavity, exposing the midsole where rubber would only add unnecessary weight. There are minimal traditional flex grooves here; the full-length carbon plate keeps this platform stiff torsionally and through the

forefoot.

Midsole

The FuelCell midsole is full-length PEBA FuelCell foam, designed to maximize energy return while maintaining softness even in cold temperatures. New Balance tops this with a solid EVA insole (not perforated) to improve step-in cushion over the Elite v4. Stack height comes in at 40mm at the heel and 32mm at the forefoot per brand specs, yielding an 8mm drop—a notable increase from the previous version’s 4 mm.

The Energy Arc system integrates the carbon plate with a midfoot void, allowing the FuelCell foam to deform and the plate to deflect for energy storage and return. The rocker geometry has been revised: stiffer in the forefoot with tuned curvature for quicker toe-off, but less dramatic than some competitors. We’ve heard it described as “muted” compared to ultra-rockered models like the Nike Vaporfly 4 or Adidas Adios Pro 4, giving the SC Elite v5 a more traditional shoe feel through the gait cycle.

Sole Performance

For a racing shoe like this, the durability surprised me. Expect around 300 miles of wear, which is excellent for a race-day shoe of this class. The cutaways in the outsole rubber allow for good flexibility despite the stiff carbon plate, and traction is solid—even on a bit of packed snow, I didn’t feel like I was going to wind up with a broken tailbone on each potentially slippery step. Grip on dry and wet roads inspires confidence for any runner, and the shoe handles light dirt or crushed gravel without complaint, though it’s still firmly one of those road running shoes not meant for technical terrain.

The toned-down rocker allows the foot to do more of its own thing without overpowered influence underfoot. Some runners will appreciate this (I did), while others may miss a bit more roll. Although the FuelCell foam is rather soft, the midsole delivers good responsiveness, making for a shoe that helps keep legs fresh over long runs. The narrower platform and stiff plate limit excessive deformation, channeling energy more directly into forward motion compared to the predecessor.

New Balance found a better balance here. The Elite v5’s sole unit feels more refined and intentional than the SC Elite v4—less squishy, more controlled, with a carbon plate that engages without feeling gimmicky. The durability alone makes this a more practical super shoe than many similar shoes, and the traction gives you one less thing to worry about on race morning. If you prefer a running shoe that lets your foot mechanics shine rather than dictating an aggressive rocker-driven stride, this sole unit delivers.

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite V5 Upper

Materials and Construction

The new upper is a single-layer engineered mesh with FANTOMFIT support elements providing structure at minimal weight. Zoned ventilation targets breathability where it matters, with reinforcement in high-stress areas. External overlays are minimal; support comes largely from an internal FANTOMFIT frame and stitched construction at the eyestay and heel. A semi-rigid lower heel counter pairs with a more flexible upper collar and targeted Achilles padding—a direct response to rubbing issues some v4 users reported. The tongue is thin, lightly padded, and semi-gusseted (attached on both sides) for midfoot security. Flat laces with slight elasticity allow secure cinching without excessive pressure, though they’re not particularly grippy in texture.

Upper Performance

Very comfortable for a racer. The single-layer mesh and ventilation zones provide above-average airflow, making this well-suited for warm-weather marathon racing or a hot tempo run. While I did wear this running shoe on a snowy run, the upper definitely lends itself to warmer conditions, especially for any runner with a tendency toward cold feet.

Lockdown is great in this shoe, but I found myself wanting to tighten the laces more than normal for no apparent reason. I can’t tell if that was a mental thing—which I tested by going looser with no adverse effects—or maybe brought on by the light shoe feel of the upper telling my brain I needed more security. Either way, once dialed in, the midfoot feels snug and the heel stays put. The improved heel counter padding has largely resolved the rubbing issues that plagued some SC Elite v4 users.

The main durability concern is abrasion resistance at the toe box; testing suggests vulnerability to wear-through with heavy use. But in typical race-focused use—workouts plus race days—upper failures haven’t been widely reported.

New Balance nailed the upper comfort here. The Elite v5 feels more like a light training shoe than a harsh racer, which is exactly what you want when you’re 20 miles into a marathon. The breathability makes it a warm-weather favorite, and the lockdown improvements over the Elite v4 are noticeable. Just know this isn’t a cold-weather upper, and if you’re hard on toe boxes, keep an eye on wear.

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite V5 Fit

The SC Elite v5 fits true to size for most runners, with a snug, performance-oriented midfoot and secure heel hold thanks to the semi-rigid heel counter and additional padding. The toe box measurements suggest it’s relatively roomy for a racing shoe, but real-world feedback is mixed—some find it adequate while others note a narrow, low-volume feel over the small toes. Runners with wider feet may want to size up half a size or take advantage of New Balance offering both D and 2E widths, which is uncommon among super shoes like the Adidas Adios Pro 4, Brooks Hyperion Elite 5, Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite, or Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro. Fit guidance suggests the shoe works best for average-width feet, average arch and volume, and relatively narrow heels.

The shoe fit me true to size in a men’s size 11, with a very comfortable, almost custom fit feel throughout the back two-thirds of the shoe in particular. Most testers report instant comfort with little adjustment needed—secure without aggressive pressure points for many foot shapes.

Marathon-distance and half marathon testing shows good comfort for neutral-footed runners, though wide feet may prefer the 2E size or slightly shorter distances. The tight upper, narrow platform, and stiff sole unit combine into a very race-focused, “locked-in” package. One note: the Elite v5 feels less stable when walking or at very slow paces, but stability improves noticeably as pace increases toward marathon pace and beyond.

This is a running shoe that rewards commitment. At easy jogs the SC Elite v5 can feel a bit wobbly on that narrow platform, but once you’re moving with purpose, everything clicks into place. The Elite v5 fit through the heel and midfoot is excellent, and the 2E width option is a genuine differentiator in this category. If you’re between sizes or have wider feet, try before you buy—but for average-width neutral runners, it should work out of the box.

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite V5 Ride

Great pop from the Energy Arc carbon plate, though not quite as much as some peers like the Adidas Adios Pro 4 or Nike Vaporfly 4. This is a definite improvement over version 4 of the SuperComp Elite. The ride comes together and the SC Elite v5 feels more secure the faster I went—at tempo run pace and above, the running shoe rewards you with a lively, efficient sensation. The stiff forefoot plate and revised rocker provide a clear forward snap when loaded properly, and forefoot strikers will get more benefit from the geometry than heavy heel strikers.

The cushy FuelCell PEBA foam isn’t one of the super bouncy kinds you may find in similar shoes, but that brings with it more control to the running experience underfoot. The Elite v5 feels soft and lively without being squishy or unpredictable. Some people think the rocker is too subtle for runners wanting maximum roll and bounce, but for those who prefer a more traditional shoe feel—a modern racing shoe with super foam benefits—the SC Elite v5 hits the mark. The v5 is lighter than its predecessor at roughly 7.3–7.6 oz in men’s size samples (about an ounce lighter than the v4), and the weight of the New Balance feels very light on foot, though it’s still a touch heavier than the absolute lightest competition shoes.

We’ve heard this marathon racing shoe recommended most commonly for 10K through marathon racing, with some testers preferring it for half marathon or long runs where other models may feel more forgiving over the full 26.2. It also works well for tempo runs and intervals at marathon pace.

This is a controlled, confidence-inspiring ride rather than a bouncy, aggressive one. If you want a trampoline underfoot, look elsewhere. But if you want a super shoe that lets you run your race—one that’s efficient and lively without feeling like it’s running you—the Elite v5 provides exactly that. The improvement over the SC Elite v4 is substantial, and the shoe genuinely gets better as you go faster. The Elite v5 isn’t trying to be the bounciest or most aggressive racer out there, and the Elite v5 doesn’t need to be. It knows what it is.

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite V5 Overall

At $264.99 MSRP, the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 sits at the premium end of the super shoe market. That’s a steep price tag for those not used to competition shoe costs, but it’s worth it—especially given the relative durability. This is a great running shoe that can handle the races as well as a lot of the preceding training, making it more versatile than pure race-day-only options.

The Elite v5 marks a meaningful evolution for New Balance. It’s lighter, snappier, and more refined than the Supercomp Elite v4, with excellent traction, a comfortable upper, and a controlled ride that rewards faster paces. Like the SC Elite line has always aimed to be, it’s a serious tool for serious racing. The Elite v5 isn’t the single fastest super shoe on the market, and runners wanting maximum bounce or an aggressive rocker may find it too subtle.

The narrow sole unit can feel a bit wobbly at slower paces. But for neutral runners who want a light, stiff, responsive marathon shoe that behaves like a modern racing shoe with all the PEBA FuelCell midsole and carbon plate benefits—and who value control over chaos—this is a strong choice for everything from 10K to marathon.

Very comfortable, genuinely durable for its class, and available in multiple sizes including 2E width.

View More: Cushioned Running Shoes, distance running shoes, Energy Arc, Half Marathon Shoes, Long Distance Running Shoes, Marathon shoes, New Balance FuelCell SuperComp V5 Review, Nike Vomero Review, Road racing shoes, run, Running shoe review, running shoes, SuperComp Elite V5