New Steadiness FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Introduction
There’s no tremendous shoe sequence which has undergone extra drastic adjustments over time than the SuperComp Elite.
The primary 3 variations all had very completely different designs, completely different rides and completely different ranges of consolation. You get the sensation that New Steadiness continues to be looking for the successful formulation for his or her flagship long-distance racer.
One factor that’s been constant in all 3 variations is the FuelCell midsole, an excellent gentle mix of nitrogen-injected TPU and EVA. Whereas being squishy and plush, it lacked the explosive vitality return of a ZoomX or a Lightstrike Professional.
I appreciated the midsole of final yr’s SC Elite v3 however I hated its sloppy higher. The collar poked into my ankles and I couldn’t get a very good lockdown due to its bootie building higher. I didn’t assume it was as quick as different tremendous footwear and I by no means raced in it.
This yr’s SC Elite is essentially the most important replace as a result of we get a brand new technology of FuelCell in its midsole. The FuelCell within the SC Elite v4 is 100% PEBA. Nike, Saucony, Hoka and even Decathlon are already utilizing PEBA foam of their racers.
The SC Elite v4 weighs 8.4 oz (237 g), which is 0.5 oz (19 g) heavier than model 3. It’s 40 mm within the heel, 36 mm within the forefoot, precisely the identical as v3. It additionally maintains its $250, the usual flagship tremendous shoe worth.
New Steadiness FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 First Impressions
My first run within the SC Elite v4 was a 20 kilometre, steady-paced run on the car-free Sunday metropolis loop. I used to be instantly impressed with the brand new, improved higher which felt tremendous snug and really safe.
The journey to me nonetheless felt very gentle, nonetheless it felt firmer than earlier variations of the SC Elite. I used to be in a position to maintain a gradual tempo simply and transitions felt very easy.
It didn’t really feel like a really aggressive journey although and the shoe that it jogged my memory of most was the Endorphin Professional 4.
The SC Elite v4 felt slightly bit chunkier with extra cushioning whereas the Professional 4 felt extra nimble. It was a enjoyable first run but it surely didn’t blow me away.
New Steadiness FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Higher
The change from a bootie building to a standard design is the change that I wished most desperately so I used to be relieved to seek out out that New Steadiness had carried out so.
The brand new higher materials resembles the higher of the Insurgent v3. It’s additionally tough to the contact and it doesn’t stretch but it surely’s thinner and extra breathable.
The brief, flat tongue will not be gusseted but it surely does have a loop in the course of it for the laces to undergo. Even with the loop, I skilled a small quantity of downward tongue slide although but it surely doesn’t trouble me.
Heel lockdown is superb though I do have to make use of a runner’s knot. Fortunately there are double first row eyelets supplier, not like the earlier model.
The match for me is true to dimension and really accommodating, particularly within the forefoot so this can be a racer I’d suggest to wide-footed runners.
New Steadiness FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Sole Unit
The SC Elite v4 feels quicker than model 3 and despite the fact that each variations have the identical stack heights, v4 feels taller. With every footstrike, your toes sink down into the midsole much less which permits for quicker turnover.
The uber bouncy sensation has been toned down a bit as a result of the midsole void beneath is shorter and doesn’t prolong into the forefoot like in v3. I don’t thoughts this transformation however that is the place a few of the weight enhance comes from.
I can’t really feel the plate within the SC Elite v4 and on this model, it’s been made thinner. That is good if you’d like a mellow racer which is simple in your calves, ankles and toes. This isn’t good if you’d like an aggressive, inflexible, snappier racer which makes it really feel prefer it’s throwing you ahead. I fall into the second group.
The SC Elite v4 doesn’t really feel as quick as the highest tier racers for 2 causes: its cushioning is simply too gentle and its forefoot rocker will not be outstanding sufficient.
The brand new FuelCell foam isn’t extraordinarily completely different to the non-PEBA FuelCell. It’s slightly bit firmer and returns a bit extra vitality however total, it’s nonetheless very related in journey and feels tremendous gentle underfoot. I positively choose it to the outdated model but it surely must be even fimer. A firmer midsole will help you enhance your turnover simpler.
After I’m toeing off, I don’t really feel the ahead tipping sensation- once I lean ahead and attempt to interact the rocker, it doesn’t really feel as responsive as different, extra aggressive tremendous footwear. This has to do with the plate rigidity and its form which is simply too flat.
To me, the SC Elite v4 seems like a long-distance cruiser moderately than a speedy racer. That is due to its substantial 8.4 oz weight. It must be lighter and extra aggressive to distinguish it from its coaching counterpart, the SC Coach v2.
For me, the candy spots for the SC Elite v4 are marathon tempo and regular tempo. For something quicker, it’s a bit too heavy and too gentle, nonetheless, for those who’re a slower runner, I feel it will likely be wonderful for quicker exercises and short-distance races.
My favorite factor concerning the new model is that outsole sturdiness is a lot better. There’s extra rubber protection and the outsole is flatter so put on is distributed extra evenly. The brand new midsole foam additionally holds up a lot better as a result of it’s firmer so it doesn’t get scraped by the highway.
On the subject of traction, I discovered it first rate on dry roads. I didn’t get an opportunity to check it on moist surfaces however I don’t assume it will likely be an enormous challenge as a result of the outsole rubber has a raised triangular sample to assist it grip onto the highway.
New Steadiness FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Conclusions
The SuperComp Elite v4 is pure pleasure to run in: it’s extremely cushioned, energetic, steady and it’s sturdy.
However in the case of racing, I received’t be choosing it.
It doesn’t have the punch or the aggression of the top-tier racers and I don’t assume that New Steadiness has discovered their tremendous shoe successful formulation but.
The SC Elite v4 will certainly keep in my rotation for lengthy runs, and lengthy tempo runs. I like the brand new higher, midsole and outsole and it has no main flaws.
Model 4 is an improve over model 3. It has a way more snug higher and a extra strong construct. I like the brand new midsole foam greater than the earlier one and I feel New Steadiness is heading in the right direction, nonetheless, they should discover a approach to get it again below 8 oz, to agency up the froth much more and to make the forefoot rocker extra outstanding.
If you happen to’re aiming to run a marathon in 3 hours 30 or slower, the SC Elite v4 is a superb choice however for something quicker, there are higher choices (for a similar worth or cheaper) which provide extra pace help.
