This week in our running shoes review series "Sole Mates", host John Yeong has a chat with Sebastian Cheong, co-founder of Superhero Runners, about New Balance's latest racing shoe - the New Balance Super Comp Elite v3
As part of an ongoing collaboration with Singapore's premier running specialty iRun Singapore, SportPlus.sg has teamed up with local running content creators and Key Opinion Leaders and athletes to have them share their thoughts on the latest running footwear.
The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3 is the latest version of New Balance's high-performance running / training shoe designed for elite-level athletes and serious runners.
But how would they fare against other shoes in the same bracket, and would they make the perfect sole mates for race day or your fast runs?
As with all our shoe review episodes, we first share the shoe's specs and latest upgrades and then bring in every day runners for an honest opinion about what they like and dislike about each of the shoes we feature.
Key Highlights
So what's new about the shoe? What are significant upgrades from earlier editions, and is it worth your money to get an upgrade?
1. Enhanced cushioning
Features New Balance's FuelCell technology, the. REVlite midsole, which provides enhanced cushioning and responsiveness compared to the previous version. Designed to be lightweight and offer exceptional energy return, providing a more comfortable and efficient ride
2. An Improved Synthetic Upper
Has an improved upper that is made with a breathable mesh material that is more lightweight, flexible and allows for increased airflow. Keep the feet cool and comfortable during long runs
3. Re-designed Outsole
Features a Dynaride rubber compound, which provides enhanced traction and durability. The Dynaride material is designed to grip on a variety of surfaces, making it suitable for use on roads, tracks, and light trails
4. Improved Fit
The V3 has a more comfortable and secure fit compared to the V2. The shoe features a bootie construction that eliminates the need for a traditional tongue, which helps to reduce pressure points and provide a more customized fit
5. Enhanced Heel Support
Has an improved TPU heel counter that provides better support and stability for the foot. The heel counter is designed to lock the foot in place and prevent it from slipping
SportPlus.sg First Impressions
The new synthetic upper gives the shoe an overall snug and supportive feel, while the tongue doesn't move around too much since it comes together in one piece which increases overall comfort of the shoe.
The shoe does a pretty decent job when it comes to overall stability and lockdown. Some runners have likened this to the trainer version, the SuperComp Trainer, which shows that it does have a similar ride and overall feel, but the benefit of the Supercomp Elite v3 is that it's a lot lighter.
The Energy Arc technology is one of New Balance's key selling points for this shoe and we feel it does have a bit of a rocker feel although the toe-off feels a bit less responsive until you open up your strides and probably hit a faster pace.
The midsole itself comprises of New Balance's higher end Fuel Cell foam, its most responsive foam doubled up with a carbon fiber plate in between which is supposed to give you added responsiveness in racing.
One thing that did surprise host John Yeong though, is the overall drop of the shoe, which is just 4mm (40mm in the rearfoot and 36mm in the forefoot), which is less steep that the average 8mm found in most race shoes / supershoes from other running brands.
Sebastian Cheong's Experience Running in the New Balance Fuel Cell SuperComp Elite v3
How much mileage have you clocked in the New Balance Fuel Cell SuperComp Elite v3?
I've run over 80 km, including a half-marathon 21km run. The rest were all fast 10km tempos. I still find it is okay, and I don't find any discomfort or blisters being formed when I run in this pair of shoes.
I personally may not recommend it or would wear it for runs more than 21km because it’s a soft shoe and it might not hold for the entire journey of my longer runs.
What do you like about the shoe?
I like the design of the shoe, as it shows the ‘NB’ logo which is aesthetically cool and looks futuristic, giving it a really nice look like an elite shoe. I mean if we are not an elite runner, we can now at least look like an elite.
The synthetic material is supportive over your legs, so you won't feel like your legs are moving around your shoes too much, and the tongue will not just move away as some of the shoes with separate tongues tend to do.
What would you like to see changed in future iterations of this shoe?
One area for improvement for me would be the heel collar area as it tends to rub against my ankle bone, which caused me a bit of discomfort and may cause abrasions for longer runs.
Who would you recommend this shoe to?
I personally would recommend this for those who want to do a fast 5-10k run. This is not so much for the slow, long distance kind of runs or recovery runs.
Overall Shoe Rating
Taking all this into consideration Sebastian would give the New Balance SuperComp Elite v3 an overall rating of 4 out of 5 soles.
New Balance SuperComp Elite v3 is currently going for S$329 and can be purchased from any iRun Store or online.