Products
Tested using Methodology v0.15
Updated Sep 03, 2026 04:09 PM
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New Balance
Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Sep 21, 2026 02:41 PM
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Altra
Heel Stack Height
39.2 mm
Weight
187.1 g (6.60 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.9 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Heel Stack Height
40.2 mm
Weight
235.1 g (8.29 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.0 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Our Verdict
New Balance SuperComp Elite v6
Altra Vanish Carbon 3
The Altra Vanish Carbon 3 and New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 are carbon-plated racers with different priorities. The lighter, snappier New Balance is better for chasing fast times, particularly in shorter races. Choose the Altra for its wide anatomical toe box, greater cushioning, and more stable, smoothly rolling ride for long-distance racing. The Altra comes only in a standard width, while the New Balance also offers wide sizes.
Variants
- SuperComp Elite v6 (Fresh Air/Alkaline Green - (Women - US 7))
- SuperComp Elite v6 (Satsuma Orange/Digital Mist - (Men - US 9))
- Vanish Carbon 3 (White/Black/Fiery Coral - (Women - US 7))
- Vanish Carbon 3 (White/Black/Sonic Blue - (Men - US 9))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
8.1
8.0
Weight
8.5
7.0
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
6.5
8.0
Outsole Arch Width
60 mm (2.4")
79 mm (3.1")
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
8.5
7.0
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
187.1 g (6.60 oz)
235.1 g (8.29 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
39.2 mm
40.2 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
30.3 mm
34.2 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.9 mm
6.0 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.0 mm
4.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
77 mm (3.0")
86 mm (3.4")
Outsole Arch Width
60 mm (2.4")
79 mm (3.1")
Outsole Forefoot Width
114 mm (4.5")
117 mm (4.6")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
1.96
2.14
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.76
3.42
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
275 mm (10.8")
276 mm (10.9")
Internal Heel Width
65 mm (2.6")
68 mm (2.7")
Internal Forefoot Width
90 mm (3.5")
95 mm (3.7")
Wide Sizing Available
Yes
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
8.2
8.1
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
-1.0 mm (-0.040")
5.1 mm (0.201")
Toe TTS Deviation
-6.1 mm (-0.239")
7.9 mm (0.309")
Forefoot Fit: Height
6.8
6.4
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-3.8 mm (-0.151")
-4.3 mm (-0.169")
Arch Fit: Width
8.3
9.9
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-2.9 mm (-0.113")
1.7 mm (0.065")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
6.8
8.4
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
20 mm (0.8")
31 mm (1.2")
Heel Apex Position
24.9%
21.0%
Heel Rocker Angle
15.9°
26.9°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
7.9
8.6
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
56 mm (2.2")
67 mm (2.6")
Toe Apex Position
57.3%
56.9%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
25.0°
28.2°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
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Secondary Foam Picture
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Primary Foam Name
Infinion Foam
Primary Foam Name
FAST RCE
Primary Foam Type
A-TPU
PEBA
Secondary Foam Name
N/A
Secondary Foam Name
No Secondary Foam
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
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Lace Type
Flat
Sawtooth
Width
5.0 mm (0.2")
5.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.7 mm (0.1")
1.7 mm (0.1")
Stretch
12.5%
1.7%
Breathability
7.5
Breathability Video
Upper Breathability
Upper Microscope Photo
Time-To-Dry
9.0
Time-To-Dry Timelapse
Time-To-Dry Graph
Preview Graph
Time To 30% Dry
4.0 hrs
Time To 70% Dry
10.8 hrs
Time To Dry
17.1 hrs
Water Absorption
9.7
Dry Weight Photo
Wet Weight Photo
Water Absorbed
21.2%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
8.8
8.3
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
86.4%
82.6%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
8.8
8.5
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
86.2%
83.9%
Heel Cushioning
7.8
8.2
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
4.02 J
4.01 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
9.29 J
9.87 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
14.95 J
16.20 J
Forefoot Cushioning
7.0
8.4
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
4.58 J
5.35 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
7.54 J
9.15 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
10.70 J
13.54 J
Heel Firmness
6.8
6.6
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
35.1 N/mm
36.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
49.1 N/mm
48.7 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
72.2 N/mm
70.4 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
8.0
6.0
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
54.8 N/mm
49.0 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
74.3 N/mm
64.9 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
105 N/mm
90 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
6.5
8.0
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
7.01 J
8.70 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
6.90 J
8.56 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
6.84 J
8.47 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
6.78 J
8.39 J
Rocker Stiffness
6.9
7.7
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
83 N
108 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
9.1
8.8
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
83.1%
79.3%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
8.9
8.9
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
33.4 N/mm
33.1 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
353 N
368 N
Heel Compression Depth
6.8
6.7
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
15.7 mm
15.1 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
22.4 mm
22.6 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
26.3 mm
27.0 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
6.0
6.9
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
14.6 mm
16.3 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
17.5 mm
20.0 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
19.5 mm
22.7 mm
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New Balance SuperComp Elite v6
Altra Vanish Carbon 3
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New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 vs Altra Vanish Carbon 3: Main Discussion
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