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 v0.10

Updated Feb 13, 2026 07:50 PM

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Tested using Methodology v0.8.2

Updated Oct 21, 2025 07:59 PM

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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))
  • Vaporfly 3 (Black/Black/Oatmeal/Metallic Gold Grain - (Women - US 7))
  • Vaporfly 3 (Black/Olive Aura/Metallic Medium Ash - (Men - US 9))
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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 
 

Compare High-Res
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Vaporfly 3 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Vaporfly 3 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

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

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Vaporfly 3 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
Show Text 

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Nike Vaporfly 3 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  

Preview 3D
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Nike Vaporfly 3 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 

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.0

Forefoot Width Photo  

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

3.8 mm (0.149")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

3.9 mm (0.152")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

10

Forefoot Height Photo  

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

1.8 mm (0.072")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

9.6

Arch Fit Photo  

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-1.0 mm (-0.040")

Length Fit 
 

10

Toe Clearance Photo  

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Toe Clearance Photo

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
Nike Vaporfly 3 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  

 Preview Graph
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Nike Vaporfly 3 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

81.9%
84.0%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

8.1
8.4

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Nike Vaporfly 3 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

81.4%
83.1%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

7.8
6.2

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Nike Vaporfly 3 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Nike Vaporfly 3 Heel Cushioning

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
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

8.3
6.0

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Nike Vaporfly 3 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Nike Vaporfly 3 Forefoot Cushioning

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
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

5.9
7.3

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
Nike Vaporfly 3 Heel Firmness

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
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.5
8.9

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
Nike Vaporfly 3 Forefoot Firmness

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
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

7.4

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

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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