New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 vs Mizuno Wave Horizon 9: Which Running Shoe Is Better?

FEEDBACK

Products

Tested using Methodology v0.12

Updated Jun 22, 2026 03:59 PM

SEE PRICE

Amazon

Tested using Methodology v0.16

Updated Sep 29, 2026 08:04 PM

SEE PRICE

Mizuno

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Picture

Heel Stack Height 39.5 mm

Weight 239.9 g (8.46 oz)

Heel-To-Toe Drop 4.7 mm

Plate Carbon Fiber

Heel Stack Height 39.7 mm

Weight 312.8 g (11.03 oz)

Heel-To-Toe Drop 8.7 mm

Plate None

Recommended in 1 article:
Stability

Our Verdict

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4

Mizuno Wave Horizon 9

The Mizuno Wave Horizon 9 is a better shoe than the Mizuno Wave Inspire 22. Though both are stability shoes, the Horizon 9 is more stable, absorbs more impact, and is better suited to longer efforts. However, it's more expensive and significantly heavier than the Inspire 22, and its support features are much more assertive. Get the Inspire 22 if you want a cheaper stability shoe with a plated ride and don't need as much support; get the Horizon 9 if you want maximum security underfoot with the most protection of the two and don't mind paying a premium.

Variants

FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 (Cyber Jade/White/Black - (Men - US 9))
FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 (Cyber Jade/White/Black - (Women - US 7))

Wave Horizon 9 (Foggy Dew/Dark Slate - (Men - US 9))
Wave Horizon 9 (India Ink/Galaxy Silver - (Men - US 9))

Review

See New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Review

See Mizuno Wave Horizon 9 Review

Check Price

DicksSportingGoods.com

Notice: Two or more of the products being compared have been tested with different test methodologies. Some of the results aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our running shoes test methodology.

Threshold

0.10

Half/Full Marathon Racing

7.8

5.9

Weight

6.8

3.8

Forefoot Compression Energy Return

8.1

2.2

Forefoot Bending Energy Return

8.2

4.4

Heel Compression Energy Return

8.2

1.3

Full Comparison

Half/Full Marathon Racing

7.8

5.9

5K/10K Racing

7.4

5.5

Long Run

7.7

7.2

Daily Training

6.4

7.7

Energy Return

8.1

1.9

Stability

6.9

9.0

Cushioning

8.1

7.4

Bounciness

8.2

3.9

Snappiness

6.4

Roll

6.6

True To Size

9.6

9.5

Wet & Warm Weather

7.0

Design

Weight

6.8

3.8

Right Shoe Weight Photo

Compare High-Res

Mizuno Wave Horizon 9 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo

Compare High-Res

Weight

239.9 g (8.46 oz)

312.8 g (11.03 oz)

Stack Heights

Stack Height Photo

Compare High-Res

Mizuno Wave Horizon 9 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height

39.5 mm

39.7 mm

Forefoot Stack Height

35.9 mm

31.0 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop

4.7 mm

8.7 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop

4.0 mm

8.0 mm

External Shape

3D Model Full Shoe

Preview 3D

Mizuno Wave Horizon 9 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width

86 mm (3.4")

98 mm (3.9")

Outsole Arch Width

74 mm (2.9")

91 mm (3.6")

Outsole Forefoot Width

111 mm (4.4")

119 mm (4.7")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio

2.17

2.47

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio

3.09

3.84

Internal Shape

3D Model Internal

Preview 3D

Internal Length

270 mm (10.6")

279 mm (11.0")

Internal Heel Width

58 mm (2.3")

65 mm (2.6")

Internal Forefoot Width

95 mm (3.8")

98 mm (3.9")

Wide Sizing Available

Yes

Forefoot Fit: Width

9.0

9.2

Forefoot Width Photo

Compare High-Res

Mizuno Wave Horizon 9 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation

3.8 mm (0.149")

3.2 mm (0.126")

Toe TTS Deviation

3.9 mm (0.152")

3.3 mm (0.131")

Forefoot Fit: Height

7.9

Forefoot Height Photo

Compare High-Res

Mizuno Wave Horizon 9 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation

1.8 mm (0.072")

-2.6 mm (-0.101")

Arch Fit: Width

9.6

9.3

Arch Fit Photo

Compare High-Res

Arch Width TTS Deviation

-1.0 mm (-0.040")

-1.5 mm (-0.059")

Length Fit

Toe Clearance Photo

Compare High-Res

Mizuno Wave Horizon 9 Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry

7.9

6.0

Heel Rocker Photo

Compare High-Res

Heel Spring

25 mm (1.0")

15 mm (0.6")

Heel Apex Position

23.2%

15.8%

Heel Rocker Angle

20.7°

17.7°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry

8.6

7.5

Forefoot Rocker Photo

Compare High-Res

Mizuno Wave Horizon 9 Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring

65 mm (2.6")

52 mm (2.0")

Toe Apex Position

57.7%

66.3%

Forefoot Rocker Angle

28.4°

27.5°

Foam

Primary Foam Picture

Secondary Foam Picture

Primary Foam Name

Enerzy NXT

Primary Foam Type

EVA

Secondary Foam Name

Enerzy

Secondary Foam Type

EVA

Laces

Laces Picture

Lace Type

Flat

Width

6.0 mm (0.2")

Thickness

2.0 mm (0.1")

Stretch

7.5%

Breathability

6.0

Breathability Video

Upper Breathability

Upper Microscope Photo

Time-To-Dry

6.5

Time-To-Dry Timelapse

Time-To-Dry Graph

Preview Graph

Time To 30% Dry

7.8 hrs

Time To 70% Dry

19.8 hrs

Time To Dry

32.1 hrs

Water Absorption

8.8

Dry Weight Photo

Wet Weight Photo

Water Absorbed

32.5%

Other Features

Other Features Photo

Compare High-Res

Mizuno Wave Horizon 9 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type

Non-gusseted

Fully-gusseted

Plate

Carbon Fiber

None

Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return

8.2

1.3

Heel Compression Video

Heel Energy Return

Preview Graph

Heel Energy Return

81.9%

66.1%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return

8.1

2.2

Forefoot Compression Video

Forefoot Energy Return

Preview Graph

Forefoot Energy Return

81.4%

68.2%

Heel Cushioning

7.8

7.3

Heel Cushioning Picture

Compare High-Res

Heel Cushioning

Preview Graph

Energy Absorbed At 550N

3.77 J

3.17 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N

9.44 J

9.01 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N

15.67 J

15.83 J

Forefoot Cushioning

8.3

7.5

Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Compare High-Res

Forefoot Cushioning

Preview Graph

Mizuno Wave Horizon 9 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N

5.23 J

4.45 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N

9.07 J

7.92 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N

13.24 J

12.08 J

Heel Firmness

7.4

8.6

Heel Firmness Graph

Preview Graph

Mizuno Wave Horizon 9 Heel Firmness Graph

Firmness At 550N

39.3 N/mm

49.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N

51.9 N/mm

59.4 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N

74.5 N/mm

81.8 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness

7.0

8.9

Forefoot Firmness Graph

Preview Graph

Mizuno Wave Horizon 9 Forefoot Firmness Graph

Firmness At 800N

52.2 N/mm

65.4 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N

68.1 N/mm

83.3 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N

95 N/mm

113 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

7.4

6.8

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Preview Graph

Mizuno Wave Horizon 9 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km

7.99 J

7.43 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km

7.88 J

7.21 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km

7.81 J

7.09 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km

7.76 J

7.00 J

Rocker Stiffness

7.8

5.6

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Preview Graph

Mizuno Wave Horizon 9 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker

111 N

53 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return

8.2

4.4

Forefoot Bending Video

Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Preview Graph

Forefoot Bending Energy Return

73.0%

54.6%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness

8.3

6.6

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Compare High-Res

Forefoot Bending Resistance

Preview Graph

Mizuno Wave Horizon 9 Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness

21.0 N/mm

9.3 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force

357 N

270 N

Heel Compression Depth

5.4

Heel Compression Graph

Preview Graph

Heel Compression At 550N

11.2 mm

Heel Compression At 1100N

18.5 mm

Heel Compression At 1900N

23.2 mm

Forefoot Compression Depth

5.4

Forefoot Compression Graph

Preview Graph

Forefoot Compression At 800N

12.2 mm

Forefoot Compression At 1300N

15.6 mm

Forefoot Compression At 2050N

18.2 mm

Check Price

DicksSportingGoods.com

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4

Mizuno Wave Horizon 9

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 1 month ago

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 vs Mizuno Wave Horizon 9: Main Discussion

What do you think of these products? Let us know below.

Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Members have direct access to buying advice on our member forum.

PreviewBack to editorFormat guide

No comments yet, refresh to see new ones

To access

Become a member

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 vs Mizuno Wave Horizon 9

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Our Verdict

Variants

Review

Check Price

Main Differences for Half/Full Marathon Racing

Threshold

Half/Full Marathon Racing

Weight See Details

Forefoot Compression Energy Return See Details

Forefoot Bending Energy Return See Details

Heel Compression Energy Return See Details

Full Comparison

Half/Full Marathon Racing

5K/10K Racing

Long Run

Daily Training

Energy Return

Stability

Cushioning

Bounciness

Snappiness

Roll

True To Size

Wet & Warm Weather

Weight

Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight

Stack Heights

Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height

Forefoot Stack Height

Heel-To-Toe Drop

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop

External Shape

3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width

Outsole Arch Width

Outsole Forefoot Width

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio

Internal Shape

3D Model Internal

Internal Length

Internal Heel Width

Internal Forefoot Width

Wide Sizing Available

Forefoot Fit: Width

Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation

Toe TTS Deviation

Forefoot Fit: Height

Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation

Arch Fit: Width

Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation

Length Fit

Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry

Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring

Heel Apex Position

Heel Rocker Angle

Forefoot Rocker Geometry

Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring

Toe Apex Position

Forefoot Rocker Angle

Foam

Primary Foam Picture

Secondary Foam Picture

Primary Foam Name

Primary Foam Type

Secondary Foam Name

Secondary Foam Type

Laces

Main Differences for

Half/Full Marathon Racing

Weight

Forefoot Compression Energy Return

Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Heel Compression Energy Return