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Following an injury-related DNF at my final marathon, I used to be prepared and prepared to attempt one thing totally 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 assessment 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 totally different.
My eyes instantly gravitated to the thick foam surrounding the arched carbon plate. A bit of consolation, a little bit 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 trustworthy in my shoe opinions as I need you all to search out the shoe that works greatest for you. I’ve but to search 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 an excellent match for? Let’s break it down with some frequent classes:
- Broad Ft: Not like many carbon plated footwear, we do assume this one will work for wider toes. AND it’s accessible in huge.
- Heavier Runners: The width of the shoe provides a pleasant contact of stability, in order that they’re nice for runners with wider toes or those that have ankle points.
- Lengthy Runs: 100% that is designed to hold you over the miles with good cushion, help and power return
- Entrance of the Pack: We predict that is going to enchantment extra to the center of the pack runners.
To put it out by way of 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 quicker 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 Gas Cell SuperComp Elite v4 Evaluation
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 just a few relaxed efforts, a Central Park shakeout, and your complete New York Metropolis Marathon (together with navigating out of the finishers’ space and again to my lodge…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 shade scheme and distinctive geometric design, in addition to straightforward rocker form. And the midsole is THICK, product of peba foam (extra on that in a bit), layered round a skinny carbon fiber plate.
And the outsole is constructed from a sturdy rubber and options the geometric sample for extra 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 on the market in huge, which is uncommon for a brilliant shoe, so props to New Steadiness for remembering our wide-footed associates!
The higher is product of an ethereal mesh that gives simply the correct amount of help when mixed with the normal 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 trip a bit excessive, so there’s potential for irritation for those who desire to put on low or no-show socks. I desire 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 footwear, the SuperComp Elite does supply exceptional consolation not present in its counterparts. For those who’re in search of a cushioned and speedy plated race day shoe for a half-marathon and past, the SuperComp Elite ought to be your new operating mate.
New Steadiness Gas 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 Vitality Arc, which feels like one thing from a comic book e book film…however is claimed to ship a excessive quantity of power return whereas offering a cultured trip.
Keep in mind once I talked about the footwear rubber outsole?
One surprising impediment surfaced throughout the race at just a few of the help station zones as there have been pockets of cups, gatorade, and water blanketing the streets. The unbelievable volunteers had been hustling to half the ocean nevertheless it was SLIPPERY. The outsole and the shoe’s grip had been each excellent as I maneuvered via these areas unscathed with out ever dropping traction.
The SuperComp Elite has my vote of confidence in moist circumstances!
SuperComp Elite v4 Match
If you’re buying racing footwear for a half-marathon or longer distance, I extremely suggest bumping up a half-size. Our toes are inclined to swell throughout longer races, so having a little bit further room can spare your toes a little bit of ache throughout and after (and possibly save a toenail or two).
That being mentioned, 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 aspect. And the mixture of the shoe’s width and durable higher introduced an surprising, however reassuring stability component 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 toes slipping. As somebody with extra slender toes, 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. Nonetheless, they’re an acceptable size and I didn’t run into any hassle with them coming untied.
Really feel
The few periods I had within the SuperComp Elite forward of the NYC Marathon had been unbelievable. The shoe felt quick, cushioned, and responsive. After working my means again from an damage on the finish of the summer time, I used to be seeking to take pleasure in a relaxed effort, with an choice to take a little bit chew out of the Large Apple over the last 10K if I used to be feeling good.
Palms downs, this was my most snug expertise sporting a plated tremendous shoe in a marathon.
In races previous once I’ve worn different carbon-plated tremendous footwear (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 footwear felt agency and unforgiving. The bounce and reasonable consolation they displayed within the first few miles had 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 delicate rocker form that gives a mushy 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 raise.
The NYC Marathon course options a wide range of challenges, together with a number of bridges (views galore), loads of climbing and quick descents, genuine New York Metropolis potholes, and a jaunt via 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 just a few instances on a rely of the raucous crowds (Brooklyn and Queens are my faves) and located the shoe transitioned seamlessly to quicker paces (I maxed out at 7:12/mile).
For as soon as, I caught to my race plan, had a lot 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 just a few strings connected.
That cushioning is outstanding, however the tradeoff is that the shoe lacks power return and the snappy really feel we’ve come to count on in plated supershoes. It’s the quickest NB shoe so far 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 product of Peba foam, which is firmer than the blended foam featured in v3, however produces higher power return.
- The texture of v4 is barely firmer and quicker, 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 successful. For those who had been a fan of v3, I’ve a good suggestion what your subsequent buy goes to be.
Plated Racers Just like the New Steadiness Gas Cell SuperComp Elite
Seeking to see what is likely to be much like determine if that is the proper match for you. Listed below are some we’d checklist:
And for those who’re in search of extra, checkout out our Finest Carbon Plated Operating Footwear >>
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 quicker than their half marathon tempo
- These in search of an aggressive plated tremendous shoe with a quick really feel and robust ahead propulsion.
- Runners in search of the quickest of quick racing footwear
And that’s our official New Steadiness FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 assessment!
We’d love to listen to your suggestions. Have you ever run on this or different NB footwear? Drop a remark under. All of it helps different runners who’re deciding what shoe to attempt subsequent.
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