New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 review: what runners say

Fit

Narrower than the V4, both in the forefoot and heel. True to size confirmed by most testers; the heel has been redesigned, eliminating the hotspot issues of the previous version.

Feel

100% PEA foam — reactive and propulsive. The stiffer carbon plate creates a more aggressive toe-off than the V4; the ride is nimble and suits both shorter sessions and marathon distance.

Durability

Outsole uses less rubber than the V4, with triangular lugs. Mileage data unavailable from sources; grip rated good on wet asphalt and mixed surfaces.

Best for

Race shoe for efficient, high-cadence runners. Covers the half marathon to marathon range; less suited for runners seeking a highly stable or heavily cushioned ride.

Weak points

Upper considered by some as not racing-oriented enough compared to competitors. In the 2025 market, struggles to differentiate itself from lighter shoes or those with more aggressive rockers such as the Puma Fast R3, Asics Meta Speed, or Hoka Cielo X1.

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