New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 vs Nike Vaporfly 3

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4
Nike Vaporfly 3

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Oct 30, 2025 08:35 PM

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New Balance

Tested using Methodology v0.8.2

Updated Oct 20, 2025 09:37 PM

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Amazon.com
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Marathon

Our Verdict

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4

Nike Vaporfly 3

The Nike Vaporfly 3 and New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 are both super shoes but cater to different priorities. The Nike is notably lighter, offering superior energy return and a more aggressive feel underfoot, making it a better choice for runners aiming for maximum efficiency for shorter races. On the other hand, the New Balance provides a more cushioned experience and enhanced stability. While the Nike excels in pure speed, the New Balance's versatility makes it a comfortable, reliable option suitable for a wider range of runners and racing scenarios.

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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))
  • Vaporfly 3 (Black/Black/Oatmeal/Metallic Gold Grain - (Women - US 7))
  • Vaporfly 3 (Black/Olive Aura/Metallic Medium Ash - (Men - US 9))
  • Vaporfly 3 (Electric Pack - (Women - US 7))
  • Vaporfly 3 (Laser Orange/Citron Pulse/Sail/Hyper Violet - (Women - US 7))
  • Vaporfly 3 (Mint Foam/Sunset Tint/Barely Volt/Sail - (Women - US 7))
  • Vaporfly 3 (Multi-Color/Volt/Hyper Pink/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Vaporfly 3 (Sail/Crimson Tint/Guava Ice/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Vaporfly 3 (Sail/Crimson Tint/Guava Ice/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • Vaporfly 3 (Sail/Glacier Blue/Volt - (Men - US 9))
  • Vaporfly 3 (Sail/Olive Aura/Volt/Glacier Blue - (Women - US 7))
  • Vaporfly 3 (Volt/Scream Green/Barely Volt/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • Vaporfly 3 (White/Black/University Red/Habanero Red - (Men - US 9))
  • Vaporfly 3 (White/Dk Smoke Grey/Particle Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • Vaporfly 3 (White/Sea Coral/Pure Platinum/Topaz Gold - (Women - US 7))
  • Vaporfly 3 (White/Vivid Purple/Purple - (Men - US 9))
  • Vaporfly 3 (White/Vivid Purple/Purple Agate/Black - (Women - US 7))
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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

8.1
8.2

Weight  

6.8
8.5

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

35.9 mm
29.4 mm

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.8
8.5

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

Weight 
 

239.9 g (8.46 oz)
188.0 g (6.63 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

Heel Stack Height 
 

39.5 mm
37.6 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

35.9 mm
29.4 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

4.7 mm
8.2 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

4.0 mm
8.0 mm
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External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Outsole Heel Width 
 

86 mm (3.4")
74 mm (2.9")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

74 mm (2.9")
52 mm (2.0")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

111 mm (4.4")
107 mm (4.2")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.17
1.97

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.09
3.64

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Internal Length 
 

270 mm (10.6")
267 mm (10.5")

Internal Heel Width 
 

58 mm (2.3")
55 mm (2.2")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

95 mm (3.8")
91 mm (3.6")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

8.2
8.5

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

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See details

Heel Energy Return 
 

81.9%
84.0%
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Forefoot Energy Return 
 

8.1
8.4

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

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See details

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

81.4%
83.1%
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Heel Cushioning 
 

7.8
6.2

Heel Cushioning Picture  

Heel Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.77 J
3.26 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

9.44 J
7.72 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

15.67 J
12.53 J
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Forefoot Cushioning 
 

8.3
6.0

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

Forefoot Cushioning  

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See details

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

5.23 J
3.82 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

9.07 J
6.44 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

13.24 J
9.39 J
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Heel Firmness 
 

5.9
7.3

Heel Firmness  

See details
See details

Firmness At 550N 
 

52.1 N/mm
66.4 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

120.0 N/mm
152.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

270.5 N/mm
348.2 N/mm
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Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.5
8.9

Forefoot Firmness  

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See details

Firmness At 800N 
 

92.4 N/mm
136.9 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

197.5 N/mm
280.4 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

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

7.4

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

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Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

7.99 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

7.88 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

7.81 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

7.76 J

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4

Nike Vaporfly 3

Comments

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New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 vs Nike Vaporfly 3: Main Discussion

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