The New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 is a carbon-plated super shoe that works well for midfoot strikers and runners with wide feet. The midsole foam is the brand's most energetic formulation to date, and the spoon-shaped carbon plate creates a good roll-through to a snappy toe-off. The shoe's cushioning is not that impressive, however, and the incredibly stiff forefoot makes most scenarios besides racing unnecessarily uncomfortable.
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Our Verdict
The New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 is a very good marathon shoe, especially for midfoot strikers. Its lightweight construction and snappy forefoot give it the springy, nimble feel of a true racing shoe. While the midsole foam is very light and springy, it isn't very absorbent. That means your legs will have to absorb a lot more of the impact from pounding the pavement for 26.2 miles.
Amazingly light weight is great for racing.
Excellent energy return makes the shoe feel very efficient at faster paces.
Cushioning is just barely adequate for long distances.
The New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 is a great shoe for racing shorter distances, thanks to its light weight and snappy forefoot. The carbon-plated midsole helps create a rigid platform that gives you significant leverage when pushing off, and the shoe really seems to come alive at faster paces.
Amazingly light weight is great for racing.
Impressively snappy forefoot.
Rocker is steep but not stiff, so assistance is less significant at faster paces.
The New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 is a satisfactory long run shoe if you want to do a few training runs in the same shoes you'll use on race day. It doesn't have the stability or cushioning to be a comfortable long-range cruiser, but its racing geometry and responsiveness make it well-suited to longer, uptempo training.
Excellent energy return makes the shoe feel very efficient at faster paces.
Cushioning is just barely adequate for long distances.
Disappointing stability makes tired legs work harder to maintain good form.
The New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 isn't a good shoe for daily training. The design is streamlined for racing, which means it's not very stable for more relaxed, everyday outings. The carbon plate has some advantages for racing, but it makes the ride unnecessarily rigid for easy miles.
Forefoot is too rigid for relaxed paces.
Disappointing stability makes tired legs work harder to maintain good form.
Changelog
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Updated Aug 24, 2026:
We've updated the Popular Comparisons section with more options of recently reviewed shoes.
- Updated Aug 14, 2026: Review published.
- Updated Aug 11, 2026: Early access published.
- Updated Aug 03, 2026: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Jul 28, 2026: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Jul 27, 2026: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
We've bought and tested more than 250 running shoes. Every pair purchased with our own money, never supplied or sponsored by brands. Our data-driven tests are designed to go beyond marketing claims, and since every shoe goes through the exact same methodology, you can directly compare results to find the right pair for your needs.
Test Results
Energy Return
The New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 has excellent energy return. Both the heel and the forefoot do an amazing job of rebounding when you put down force, so the ride feels lively no matter how you land. The midsole foam in this version of the SC Elite v6 is not at the front of the pack, but it's not far behind.
Very consistent rebound from heel through forefoot.
Excellent energy return makes the shoe feel very efficient at faster paces.
Still not the top tier in terms of racing foams.
The forefoot also does an excellent job returning the energy you put into it and feels very efficient at faster paces. It's still a step behind top-tier super shoes like the ASICS METASPEED SKY TOKYO or even the Li-Ning Feidian 6 Elite, but it's an improvement over the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5.
The energy return in the heel is amazing. The Infinion foam bounces back a bit better than the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5, and helps heel strikers move through the stride quicker.
Stability
The New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 has sub-par stability. It has a narrow, streamlined platform that is consistent with its intended use as a racing shoe, but it will test your stabilizer muscles. Heel strikers will need to be particularly mindful, as the combination of higher stack, softer foam and narrower outsole creates a less-than-reliable landing platform.
Very narrow outsole from the heel through the arch.
Heel is not very firm.
The heel of the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v6 firms up very quickly once you start to apply force, which partially helps offset the narrow heel platform to provide some lateral stability.
The forefoot of the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v6 is noticeably firmer than the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 and is even firmer than the Nike Alphafly 3, contributing to the much snappier ride in the 6th edition.
New Balance have done away with any gusseting of the tongue in this model, which could make lockdown a bit trickier. The plate is roughly the same as in the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5, with an aggressive spoon shape.
Cushioning
The New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 is decently, but unevenly cushioned. The heel does a better job of absorbing impact than the forefoot, but both struggle to cushion the heaviest impacts, so larger runners might find their legs are more beat up the next day, especially heavy forefoot strikers.
Heel cushioning is good enough for most heel strikers.
Cushioning is just barely adequate for long distances.
Midsole foam struggles to keep up with heavy impacts.
The cushioning in the heel of the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v6 is very good overall, although it does become less absorbent as more force is applied. Most runners will be fine, but it won't feel that soft underfoot.
The forefoot cushioning is barely satisfactory, and gets progressively harsher the more you push the pace. This will feel like a step backwards for runners who liked the cushioning in the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5.
There's a significant drop-off in the cushioning's shock absorption after the first 10k, which makes the SC Elite v6 seem better suited to shorter races than to the marathon distance. More capable marathon racing shoes like the Li-Ning Feidian 6 Elite or Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 are able to absorb more impact after 40k than the SC Elite v6 does when it's fresh.
Bounciness
The New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 has decent bounce, and you can feel the lively foam underfoot. It has excellent energy return, but it doesn't compress that deeply before rebounding, so the bounce you feel is not quite as pronounced as the rebound you're actually getting.
Excellent energy return.
Midsole resists compression, muting actual bouncy sensations.
Snappiness
The New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 is a very snappy shoe that rewards runners who push off strongly through the end of their stride. The forefoot unbends with incredible force, so it really does feel like it's snapping back after you push down. The carbon fiber plate helps maintain a stiff structure that gives lots of leverage as you toe off.
Forefoot springs back with incredible efficiency.
Very stiff platform under the toes feels snappy and direct.
The forefoot of the New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 returns more energy as it unbends than any shoe we've previously tested. That incredible snap back makes the shoe remarkably springy at toe off.
Roll
The New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 rolls pretty well through the stride, especially if you land toward the midfoot. From there, the early rocker tilts you forward onto the toes, where the rigid forefoot effectively transfers your forward momentum. Heel strikers will get much less assistance from the rearfoot rocker, and runners who land with a lot of force will have a less smooth rolling sensation, as the rocker flattens too easily.
Forefoot rocker starts very early.
Rocker is steep but not stiff, so assistance is less significant at faster paces.
Despite the carbon plate in the midsole, the rocker doesn't do a very good job of holding its shape under force, which makes the rolling sensation less smooth at faster paces.
The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v6 keeps the exact same dimensions as the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5. The heel-to-toe drop makes the shoe suitable for heel strikers, even if the heel rocker is not that pronounced.
True To Size
The New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 is well-proportioned for a racing shoe, and most runners can confidently buy their normal size. There's not a lot of vertical clearance above the toes, so this isn't a shoe where you can wear your thickest socks. New Balance continues to stand out for making one of the only carbon super shoes that's available in a Wide version.
Length is true to size.
Wide versions available.
Not much vertical volume in forefoot.
The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v6 is roughly 13 g lighter than the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5, which was already 40 g lighter than the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4. The 6th version feels very nimble and easy to pick up the pace.
The Infinion Foam in the New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 is quite different than the compound of the same name that was first introduced in the New Balance 1080v15. The Infinion in the SC Elite v6 rebounds much better, but it isn't as absorbent as the Infinion in the 1080v15.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v6 remains a fairly approachable carbon-plated super shoe, thanks to its wide sizing, a geometry that assists your stride without disrupting it, and a heel-to-toe drop that can suit multiple footstrike patterns. That said, this 6th version has taken a step backward in terms of cushioning, which feels out of step with the current market. Runners looking for a marathon racing shoe with better cushioning than the SC Elite v6 but still a relatively relaxed geometry might appreciate the Mizuno Hyperwarp Pro. For an even more cushioned racing shoe that has the same heel-to-toe drop as the New Balance, check out the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3. For runners chasing a PR and seeking an exceptionally efficient, energetic super shoe, check out the Brooks Hyperion Elite 6.
For more options for racing, check out our recommendations for the best marathon running shoes. For more shoes from New Balance, see our picks for the best shoes from the brand.
The New Balance SuperComp Rebel and New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 are both high-stack plated shoes, but the Elite v6 is the more race-focused option. Get the Elite v6 if you want a lighter, snappier shoe for chasing faster times, particularly over 5K and 10K. Get the Rebel if you want deeper cushioning and a more relaxed ride for long runs, workouts, and long-distance racing.
The New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 has several important updates that make it a rather different shoe than the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5. The new Infinion foam in the Elite v6 has better energy return, but absorbs less impact. If you liked the cushioning of the Elite v5, try to find it on sale before it disappears, as the v6 might be disappointing. Runners who want a snappier, more energetic shoe will appreciate the newer model.
The New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 and Brooks Hyperion Elite v6 are super shoes that cater to different preferences. The Brooks is best for runners who like a bouncy, cushioned racing shoe and can handle an aggressive rocker. The New Balance is better for runners who like a firmer, snappier ride or who have wide feet, as it's the only one of these two shoes available in multiple widths.
The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 and New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 are two super shoes that have very different selling points. The adidas is the better cushioned shoe, and has a steeper rocker that quickly pitches you forward onto your toes. The New Balance shoe is not nearly as soft, but it has a snappy forefoot that comes alive at faster paces. The standard version of the SC Elite v6 already has a more accommodating fit than the Adios Pro 4, but the New Balance is also available in a Wide version, making it the obvious choice for wide-footed runners. The adidas remains the better choice for runners who want a more cushioned, rocker-driven ride.
The ASICS METASPEED RAY and New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 represent two very different takes on a racing shoe. The RAY has supremely soft cushioning and a featherweight construction, but is wildly unstable. It's an excellent marathon racing shoe for runners who can maintain good form. The SC Elite v6 has much less absorbent cushioning, but it's much snappier and more stable (for a racing shoe). It's the better choice for shorter races, and it's available in multiple widths, so it's a more accessible racing shoe option for wide-footed runners.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v6 in men's U.S. size 9, as noted on the label for our pair. The color shown here is Satsuma Orange with Digital Mist. Other color options for this shoe are limited, but depending on the region, you can also find it in colorways like Fresh Air with Alkaline Green. Wide versions are available for both men (2E) and women (D). The design section applies only to the exact model we tested, but we expect other sizes to perform similarly.
