New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 vs FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Oct 30, 2025 08:35 PM

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New Balance

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Oct 30, 2025 06:18 PM

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New Balance
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Marathon

Our Verdict

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5

The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 is the successor to the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4, yet in many ways, it marks a significant departure. While still a relatively accommodating race shoe, the v5 has a considerably narrower platform, making it a less stable option. But by whittling down the platform, New Balance managed to trim off nearly 40g of weight, resulting in a much nimbler and livelier shoe than the v4. 

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Variants

  • FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 (Cyber Jade/White/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 (Cyber Jade/White/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 (White/Angora/Hot Mango - (Men - US 9))
  • FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 (White/Angora/Hot Mango - (Women - US 7))
  • FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 (Urgent Red/White/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 (Urgent Red/White/Black - (Women - US 7))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

8.1
8.4

Weight  

6.8
8.1

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

8.1
8.6

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.8
8.1

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

Weight 
 

239.9 g (8.46 oz)
200.5 g (7.07 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

Heel Stack Height 
 

39.5 mm
39.4 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

35.9 mm
30.5 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

4.7 mm
8.9 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

4.0 mm
8.0 mm
Show Text 

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Outsole Heel Width 
 

86 mm (3.4")
75 mm (3.0")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

74 mm (2.9")
55 mm (2.2")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

111 mm (4.4")
106 mm (4.2")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.17
1.90

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.09
3.48
Show Text 

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Internal Length 
 

270 mm (10.6")
276 mm (10.9")

Internal Heel Width 
 

58 mm (2.3")
64 mm (2.5")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

95 mm (3.8")
90 mm (3.5")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Semi-gusseted

Plate 
 

Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
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Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

8.2
8.6

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details
See details

Heel Energy Return 
 

81.9%
84.8%
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Forefoot Energy Return 
 

8.1
8.6

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

See details
See details

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

81.4%
84.6%
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Heel Cushioning 
 

7.8
7.2

Heel Cushioning Picture  

Heel Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.77 J
3.89 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

9.44 J
8.66 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

15.67 J
13.82 J
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Forefoot Cushioning 
 

8.3
7.9

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

Forefoot Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

5.23 J
5.08 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

9.07 J
8.46 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

13.24 J
12.15 J
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Heel Firmness 
 

5.9
6.9

Heel Firmness  

See details
See details

Firmness At 550N 
 

52.1 N/mm
58.9 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

120.0 N/mm
143.4 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

270.5 N/mm
328.3 N/mm
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Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.5
8.1

Forefoot Firmness  

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See details

Firmness At 800N 
 

92.4 N/mm
103.6 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

197.5 N/mm
223.0 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

378.0 N/mm
445.3 N/mm
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Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

7.4
7.2

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

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See details

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

7.99 J
7.78 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

7.88 J
7.65 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

7.81 J
7.56 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

7.76 J
7.49 J
Show Text 

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5

Comments

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