New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 Review
By Andrea Myers and Matthew Klein
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2Price: $199.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 7.4oz, 209g (men's size 9), 6.4oz, 181g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 35mm/27mm
Drop: 8mm
Shoe Purpose: 5k/10k Super Shoe
Pros: Feels like its stated purpose for shorter races, firmer ride for a super shoe for those who do not like soft racing shoes, an excellent value at $200
Cons: Caused heel bleeding and blisters (Andrea)
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 is a super shoe designed for 5k/10k race distances. With a lower stack height than most super shoes, it has a lower to the ground feel while providing all of the underfoot protection and bounce that we expect from a super shoe. With an additional 10mm of midsole stack and a 100% PEBA midsole, this is almost a different shoe compared to v1. This shoe is for those looking for a super shoe with a firm and propulsive ride. It is ideally suited to the 5k/10k distance, but could certainly be a half marathon to marathon racer for the right person.
SIMILAR SHOES: On Cloudboom Echo 3
PAST MODEL: New Balance SuperComp Pacer v1
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
****Editor's note: New Balance has stated that they have improved the heel for the final release of the SC Pacer v2. We are reviewing based on the pairs we received. If we have an opportunity to try the new final production pair, we will update the review on the heel issue discussed in this review.
Matt: The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 fits me slightly short in my normal Men's US size 10. This has not caused me any issues over shorter distance runs but if I wanted to take this for longer distances I might consider a half size up. The width is normal with a little extra forefoot width and a lower volume throughout. The light mesh upper does have some mild stretch and is extremely well-ventilated. The forefoot, while slightly short with a tiny toe box taper, fits a little wider. This transitions into normal width midfoot with a thin, non-gusseted tongue. The fit has been mostly secure and as long as I tightened up the laces a little I was fine. This transitions into a normal to slightly snug heel.
The heel features mild heel collar cushioning with a small stiffer counter at the rearmost portion of the shoe. Those sensitive to heel counters should approach this shoe with caution but those who like them may find this one too small. The against-skin comfort of most of the inner aspect of this upper is great. The only challenge is the part that touches the Achilles tendon has a tendency to cause some blistering. Although I have only used this shoe for shorter distances, I still have had some mild hot spots on my Achilles tendon running sockless in this shoe. The rest of the upper is great but because of the heel I would at least encourage the use of thin socks with the Pacer v2.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: Saucony Guide 17, ASICS Kayano 30, Hoka Gaviota 5, Saucony Endorphin Elite, Nike Ultrafly
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Saucony Kinvara 14
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Altra Timp 5
Andrea: The New Balance FuelCell SC Pacer v2 fits true to size in my usual women's 9.5. I have about a half thumb's width from the front of my big toe to the end of the shoe, which is appropriate for a 5k/10k racing shoe. The toe box is lower volume and normal width, but the thin mesh upper did not create any hot spots or irritation at my 1st or 5th MTPs or on the dorsum of my toes. The midfoot and rearfoot are normal width and the overall fit is snug, but does not feel too small. The tongue is non-gusseted but is held in place by a lace loop. The flat laces have a little stretch and are easy to lock down.
The rearfoot has a small, semi-rigid heel counter and a lightly padded collar. Unfortunately, I experienced a major fit issue with the heel. The center of the heel counter and collar are offset laterally, and the superior aspect of the collar curves slightly towards the Achilles, which caused large blisters and pain on my first run. It didn't matter how I tied the shoes, I still experienced rubbing from the heel collar because of the offset and how it curves inwards. I used blister pads to protect my skin on my subsequent test runs, but during one run the left heel pad fell off because of sweat, and my heel ended up bleeding due to the abrasion from the shoe. I was in the middle of a workout in which I had run from home, so I had no option but to finish the workout despite the discomfort. By the time I got home, there was a large bloodstain on the rearfoot of the shoe. While I was able to do some runs in the shoe where the blister pads stayed in place and I did not experience any skin issues, I would never risk using this shoe in a race where the pad could fall off again.
Andrea's Typical Size: Women's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit Andrea well: New Balance Beacon v3, Brooks Hyperion Max, Topo Cyclone 2, Nike Vaporfly 3, Altra Via Olympus 2
Shoes that have fit snug: Saucony Kinvara 14 (length and toe box width), Altra FWD Experience (length and width), Hoka Cielo Road (toe box width), Saucony Endorphin Speed and Pro 1-3 (length)
Shoes that have fit large: Adidas Boston 12 (length), Adidas Adios 8 (length)
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: No
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: No
Is the Forefoot Flexible: No
How Flexible is the Shoe: Minimal
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The SC Pacer v2 is a short-to-moderate distance super racing shoe. The midsole is New Balance's new PEBA-based FuelCell and there is a full-length carbon plate sandwiched inside. This provides a snappy but softer feel throughout the length of the shoe. The foam does compress a great deal so this shoe feels lower than the 35 mm / 27 mm listed stack height. However, the midsole is highly compliant (soft) and moderately resilient. I actually found this shoe to do best at 10k to half marathon efforts. The midsole was too soft for me to use for 5k and below efforts, so shorter intervals and really fast stuff was a struggle. Where it shined was longer intervals and tempo runs when I wanted something nimble on my feet. The smaller size of the shoe relative to other super shoes makes it feel lighter than the listed weight. The bevel heel and softer foam provide a softer heel transition. This goes into a slightly stiff but smooth midfoot transition. There is no flexibility to the forefoot but there is a large and early forefoot rocker with significant toe spring. This makes the transition off the front fairly smooth and surprisingly less stiff than I expected.
The outsole traction has been good on road and track surfaces. The exposed PEBA has been torn up on trails, so unless you are on a smooth, non-rocky trail or dirt XC course, I would not consider this shoe. The durability has been mostly good but unfortunately, I have already caught the posterior lateral outsole corner and it is beginning to peel away. Those who don't catch that part should get an average number of miles for a lighter racer but those who are hard on shoes like me will get less.
Andrea: I absolutely loved Version 1 of the SuperComp Pacer, and I have been eagerly awaiting v2 because I had heard that it was an even better version that could be used for anything from the mile to the marathon. I like firmer, lower stack racing shoes, so I thought v2 might become my go-to racing shoe. If it weren't for the blister and bleeding issue, this shoe would be my new favorite. The shoe is stiff, feels perfectly suited to midfoot landings, has a great propulsive ride without being out of control, and is ideal for faster paces. I have tested the shoe in several workouts at paces ranging from mile pace to half marathon pace, and it has felt incredible during every workout. The lower compliance and high resilience of the midsole and plate make it feel like running on a firmer, rockered spring. My interval paces felt easier when I wore the shoe and my legs did not feel as fatigued afterwards. To compare the ride to other shoes, it feels like a firmer, lower stack version of the New Balance SC Elite v3 or the Nike Vaporfly 3. I would not run a marathon in it like Emily Sisson, but I would absolutely use it for any race from 1 mile to 10k, possibly up to half marathon.
Unfortunately, due to the blister issue, I won't be using it for any races. New Balance told us in an email that they fixed the heel fit issue for the version that is now commercially available, and I hope New Balance will send me a pair of the "fixed" version so I can test for myself.
Most of my runs in the shoe were on dry roads, but one workout was on wet roads and I had no traction issues, even on a wet running track. I have 30 miles on my pair and there is minimal wear on the outsole, even on the areas of exposed midsole. I would expect the durability to be more limited by the midsole than the outsole, although that will depend on how hard you are on your outsoles.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 is a neutral racing shoe. There are no traditional or major methods of stability. The platform is on the narrower side except for the forefoot. This is offset by a central groove in the outsole that does provide subtle central guidance. There are tiny sidewalls in the heel that are not noticeable. The plate does add some mild torsional rigidity. The most significance area of guidance is mildly in the forefoot with the sole flare, plate and large rocker. Those who need mild guidance up front may be fine but the Pacer v2 is neutral throughout the remainder of the shoe thanks to the above and the softer midsole foam.
Andrea: The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 is a neutral shoe without any significant stability features. The platform is relatively narrow, particularly in the rearfoot, although it does widen a bit in the forefoot. There is mild sole flare that runs the length of the shoe medially and laterally, but it does not really feel like it guides motion in any particular direction. The geometry of the shoe is 100% directed to forward motion, thanks to the plate, heel bevel, and early forefoot rocker. Runners will need sufficient hamstring and hip flexor strength to handle the shoe pushing you into hip extension more quickly. This is a shoe that is designed for fast running and is not the type of super shoe you can use on an easy 20 miler.
Thoughts as a DPT: Characteristics of 5k/10k Racing Shoes
By Andrea Myers
The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 is one of a few super shoes specifically designed for the 5k/10k distance. Super shoes are typically defined as a shoe that has a highly responsive midsole material, a stiffening agent, and rocker geometry. This small category also includes the Adidas Takumi Sen 10, Nike Streakfly, and Puma Fast-FWD Nitro Elite. These shoes have a lower stack height as compared to their respective brands' flagship marathon racing shoes, increased longitudinal bending stiffness, lower compliance, and high resilience. The stack height of these shoes tends to be in the low-mid 30mm range in the heel and mid-high 20mm range in the forefoot. These characteristics help these shoes perform better at faster paces, in which a softer ride is not as important for comfort due to the shorter race duration. A softer/more compliant shoe can also feel a little sluggish at faster paces, especially if the shoe is not highly resilient. Of course, racing shoe choice is very individualized and based on each runner's preferred movement pathway and comfort filter. I personally love Alphafly v1 for 5k-half marathon and Vaporfly 3 for the marathon even though Nike advertised Alphafly as their marathon shoe and Vaporfly as their do-everything racing shoe. Emily Sisson prefers the SC Pacer v2 for marathon distance even though it is advertised as a 5k/10k racer.
For those who prefer a softer, more flexible, and lower to the ground 5k/10k racer, the Hoka Cielo Rd, Saucony Sinister, and Topo Cyclone 2 all have PEBA midsoles and no stiffening agent. Both of these shoes have a more flexible sole and provide greater ground feel than any of the above mentioned shoes, and for those who prefer a more flexible, softer short distance racing shoe, one of these two may be an ideal option. The Hoka Cielo Rd and Saucony Sinister have significantly narrower toe boxes as compared to the Topo Cyclone 2, which has Topo's classic anatomical toe box that works well for wider feet and those who need a little more room up front. These shoes are more reminiscent of old school racing flats, like the Saucony Type A series, which has been discontinued.
There are several options available for shorter distance racing shoes. The best way for each person to figure out what works best for them is to actually test different shoes on the treadmill at their local running store, at your race pace (after a warm up of course). Whatever feels most comfortable and most natural for you at your race pace will likely be the best choice for you.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: The Pacer v2 is a comfortable, softer short to middle distance super shoe that has been quite fun to run in. My major recommendations center around the heel tab and the midsole. The heel did cause me hot spots but fortunately did not bleed like Andrea. I would encourage New Balance to consider a split heel upper around the Achilles to reduce chaffing. The midsole foam is also too compliant for my tastes in a shorter-distance racer. I would like a little firmer and more resilient foam as I found the softness almost comparable to the SC Elite v4, which I would take over the pacer for comfort reasons. I think a more resilient/slightly firmer foam combined with a slightly lower stack height might drop the weight enough to be a bit more competitive weight wise with other 5k/10k shoes. For now, I still feel like this is more of a 10k to maybe half marathon racer.
Andrea: I love the performance of the SC Pacer v2. All I ask of New Balance is that they fix the shape of the heel so it doesn't cause Achilles blisters. There is no reason for the heel collar to curve inward at that point, and it is surprising to find this in a New Balance shoe, as so many of their shoe have a heel collar that curves away from the Achilles. I did not experience this blister issue in the SC Trainer v3 or the SC Elite v3 (I have not received the SC Elite v4 for testing). If New Balance has fixed the issue, I hope to get a chance to try it so I can update this review and potentially have a new favorite racing shoe, assuming the problem is fixed.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The FuelCell SuperComp Paer v2 is for those who want a short to moderate distance super racing shoe. The midsole is slightly softer with a nimble ride for those who still want protection that can go up to half marathon distances. The fit is close with a little extra room in the forefoot, making it best for those with normal-width feet wanting a racing-style upper. The softer midsole is confusing to me but the lower shoe volume does differentiate this shoe from the SuperComp Elite v4. Most of the shoes in this category are a bit firmer, so those who want a little softness in something that feels light may enjoy this shoe as long as they put some protective tap on their Achilles tendon.
Andrea: For those who are able to run in the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 without getting heel blisters, this shoe is for those who are looking for a firm, stiff, highly resilient racing shoe for the mile to half marathon. This is a fast, fun shoe to run in and is definitely tuned for shorter race distances. I have been doing several mile-10k races in the On Cloudboom Echo 3 this year, and I would say the SC Pacer v2 has a slightly snappier, propulsive ride. If the SC Pacer v2 had not given me blisters, I would have done my most recent 7 mile race in the SC Pacer v2. At $200, this shoe is an incredible value compared to $260 for the Nike Vaporfly 3 and $290 for the Cloudboom Echo 3, both of which have similar stack heights and ride quality (although the Vaporfly is definitely more compliant than the SC Pacer v2).
GRADES
Matt
Fit: C+/B- (slightly wider forefoot with normal to snug midfoot/heel. Heel rubbing prevents sockless use despite shorter fit)
Performance: B+/A- (Softer PEBA based midsole with full length carbon plate. Best for 10k to half marathon efforts)
Stability: B- [Neutral] (Wider forefoot with neutral heel/midfoot. Offset by softer foam)
Value: B- (Cheaper than other super shoes but really expensive for heel rubbing and early outsole tearing)
Personal: B- (A bit too soft for faster efforts and upper that fits slightly short/rubs heel not my first choice)
Overall Design: B-
Andrea
Fit: F (Heel blisters and bleeding were a dealbreaker for me. I shouldn't have to wear blister pads to run in a shoe. There is no physiological reason to have the top of a heel counter curve inwards. Outside of this issue, the fit is snug and secure, as a racing shoe should be. If I didn't get blisters, the fit would get an A.)
Performance: A (I am leaving the blisters aside for this grade. The performance of the shoe is everything I hoped it would be - firm, stiff, and highly propulsive. It is perfect for mile-10k and possibly half marathon.)
Stability [neutral]: C (This is truly a neutral shoe that will require good mechanics and strength to run in. This shoe is all about forward motion.)
Value: A (Again, outside of my personal fit issue, this shoe is an incredible value at $200. There is no other comparable shoe priced close to this.)
Personal: C (C is what you get when you take the average of an A for performance and an F for fit.)
Overall Design: B+
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SHOP | SUPPORT DORNew Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2Price: $199.95 at Running Warehouse
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FURTHER READING
New Balance's high cushioned everyday trainer.
The training companion to their super shoe, the SC Elite v4.
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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