New Balance Fuel Cell SC Elite V4

Doctors of Running describes the New Balance Fuel Cell SC Elite V4 as 'not the fastest of all the super shoes out there' but 'one of the more comfortable ones and one of the less aggressive ones.'

Doctors of Running recommended the SC Elite V4 to people 'just getting into a super shoe' as a great option.

Doctors of Running recommended the SC Elite V4 to people who are 'not the fastest runner' and 'don't want the most aggressive shoe' but still want a super shoe.

Doctors of Running finds the SC Elite V4 'very comfortable' and says 'I could even walk around in this and it was fine.'

The Run Testers characterizes the SC Elite V4 as one of the more friendly carbon plate shoes, accessible to lots of runners, while the SC Elite V5 is a move toward a more aggressive racing shoe that will suit some people better and some people worse.

The Run Testers finds the key takeaway of the SC Elite V4 is that it is a very accessible marathon shoe that does not detract from the experience, delivering a very polished ride, but it is competing against a lot of strong carbon racing shoes.

The Run Testers (Nick) finds the SC Elite V4 is a very accessible shoe, very comfortable, and quite mellow for the amount of propulsion and punch it delivers; it feels quite chilled on the foot but still delivers a fast ride.

The Run Testers finds the SC Elite v4 is not his favorite race shoe among the carbon plate racers out there, but calls it a solid comfortable option that is quite accessible for a lot of people.

The Run Testers finds the SC Elite v4 is a good accessible option for people looking for a carbon racer who do not want something like the Endorphin Elite or the Alphafly; it is a little more natural feeling than those.

The Run Testers finds that for most people the SC Elite v4 is going to be a really solid comfortable option.

The Run Testers states the SC Elite V4 is a more approachable carbon shoe all round compared to the SC Pacer V2.

Doctors of Running describes the New Balance Fuel Cell SC Elite V4 as 'not the fastest of all the super shoes out there' but 'one of the more comfortable ones and one of the less aggressive ones.'

Doctors of Running states some people have run 'some really fast times' in the SC Elite V4, but it is 'just not the top top racing shoe on the market at that time.'

The Run Testers finds the SC Elite V4 probably is not as aggressive and propulsive as some other shoes in the video but is much closer to being a marathon-friendly New Balance shoe than previous versions.

The Run Testers finds the SC Elite V4 is a really cruisy shoe that protects legs really well, but it may lack the top gear and range available from other carbon shoes, possibly because New Balance also has the SC Pacer V2 in its lineup.

The Run Testers finds the SC Elite v4 is not as aggressive as some of the carbon plate racers.

The Run Testers finds the SC Elite v4 is definitely not the most propulsive shoe out there; it does not feel like it is really pushing you forward.

The Run Testers finds the SC Elite v4 is better for longer distance events, specifically better for a marathon than for 10k and 5k events; it does not have a lot of pop for those shorter distance races.

The Run Testers states he still probably would not pick the SC Elite v4 for a race because they just do not have the aggressiveness, responsiveness, and bounce that he likes from his shoes.

Yowana observes that the New Balance SC Elite V4 has 'absolutely no get up and go'.

The Run Testers finds the SC Elite V4's midsole feels a lot nicer for longer distances.

The Run Testers finds the SC Elite V4 definitely leans much more towards long distances; the reviewer has done some workouts in it and prefers longer stuff and workouts at marathon race pace rather than moving anything faster than that.

The Run Testers finds the SC Elite v4 is better for longer distance events, specifically better for a marathon than for 10k and 5k events; it does not have a lot of pop for those shorter distance races.

The Run Testers observes that for longer distance races the SC Elite v4 has a nice consistent transition and feels quite comfortable to wear.

The Run Testers states the SC Elite V4 would be a very good option for the marathon and you could do short distances in it as well.

Doctors of Running states the SC Elite V4 is 'the more relaxed ride' that he thinks 'is going to work a lot better for recreational runners.'

The Run Testers (Kieran) states that New Balance's race shoes have a tendency to cut people's heels up, and attributes that experience to the SC Elite V4 specifically.

The Run Testers (Kieran) observes that the SC Elite V4 gave him holes in his heels, which prevented him from being able to put it back on; he speculates that he should have sized up or half-sized up.

The Run Testers (Kieran) says the only thing that felt good about the SC Elite V4 was everything else apart from the fact that it makes holes in you.

The Run Testers notes the only thing not accessible about the SC Elite V4 is potentially the heel design, which has chopped up some people's heels, but the reviewer has been okay with it.

The Run Testers experienced an issue with the SC Elite v4: rubbing quite a lot on the top of his feet, especially on downhills during the Big Half race.

The Run Testers speculates he should have sized up half a size in the SC Elite v4; he wore size 8 and thinks he should have gone for 8.5 because the upper section of the front of the shoe is a little bit shallow on his toes, causing rubbing.

The Run Testers speculates that going half a size up in the SC Elite V4 would not have hurt for him, and that if a runner is between sizes or half sizes in the SC Elite V4, a similar story applies to the Rebel V4.

Doctors of Running recommended the SC Elite V4 to people needing a super shoe for a wider foot or higher volume foot, saying its upper was 'really, really great for that.'

Doctors of Running describes the SC Elite V4 upper as 'higher volume' and notes he 'really had to lock the laces down' because he doesn't have a higher volume foot.

Doctors of Running describes the SC Elite V4 fit as 'wider' with an upper that was 'nice and stretchy with the Phantom fit.'

Doctors of Running states the SC Elite V4 upper 'is going to have a lot more room throughout' compared to V5.

The Run Testers observes that the SC Elite V5 has a much narrower upper and a less voluminous forefoot compared to the SC Elite V4; the upper sits lower and closer to the toes and is more narrow.

The Run Testers , who has a narrow foot, prefers the fit of the SC Elite V5, but notes that if a runner liked the width and extra room of the SC Elite V4, that is gone in the V5.

The Run Testers observes that the SC Elite V5 loses the cushy feel of the SC Elite V4; the V4 had foam on either side of the foot as well as underneath because it is such a wide shoe, but the V5 does not.

The Run Testers states that if you were a big fan of the SC Elite V4, you are not going to like the SC Elite V5 as much because it is quite a different feel; it does not have the width, stability, cushiness, and friendliness of the V4.

The Run Testers states the SC Elite V4 is a slightly more accommodating fit compared to the SC Pacer V2, making it better suited for longer distances.

Doctors of Running finds the SC Elite V4 'very soft underfoot.'

Doctors of Running finds the SC Elite V4 has 'soft, bouncier ride that rolls really nicely.'

The Run Testers notes the SC Elite V4 uses the PEBA version of Fuel Cell, which is the bounciest and most impressive foam in New Balance's lineup.

The Run Testers finds the ride of the SC Pacer V2 is a lot less cushy and springy than the SC Elite V4.

The Run Testers states the SC Elite V4 has a bouncier feel in terms of the midsole compared to the SC Pacer V2.

The Run Testers states the SC Elite V4 has a bouncier feeling, a softer feeling, more of a rocker, and is a more cushy shoe than the SC Pacer V2.

The Run Testers states the SC Elite V4 has changed more than any other carbon shoe over four generations, going from a stripped-back low-profile shoe to a very comfortable, cruisy shoe (RC Elite 2), to a stripped-back lighter version (V3), and now V4 which is rocked but has a load of foam and a full PEBA midsole that is bouncy, smooth, and fun.

The Run Testers observes that the SC Elite V5 loses the cushy feel of the SC Elite V4; the V4 had foam on either side of the foot as well as underneath because it is such a wide shoe, but the V5 does not.

Doctors of Running finds the SC Elite V4 is 'fine' in terms of stability and 'actually fairly guided' and 'fairly central because it's a really wide sole.'

Doctors of Running notes the SC Elite V4 has a 'really nice central groove throughout the middle that saves weight and also keeps it somewhat centered.'

Doctors of Running states the SC Elite V4 has 'some nice mild guidance for those that might need it on top of the softer sole.'

Doctors of Running states the SC Elite V4 has 'some mild sidewalls.'

Doctors of Running finds the SC Elite V4 is 'somewhat centered' in its stability bias.

Doctors of Running states the SC Elite V4 'is going to be the less biased option' in stability compared to the V5, and 'it's soft' but 'not a stability shoe' — 'it's going to be more centered.'

The Run Testers observes the SC Elite V4 has gone up a little bit in weight, but on the positive side it is very controlled and very stable.

Yowana ranks the SC Elite V6 at 7 or 8 out of 10 for race-shoe stability, comparing it to the SC Elite V4 (which he calls 'very stable') and other stable racers like the Adios Pro 3.

Doctors of Running states the SC Elite V4 has 40 mm heel stack and 36 mm forefoot stack for a 4 mm drop.

Doctors of Running describes the 4 mm drop of the SC Elite V4 as 'very, very low' and says 'that was noticeable.'

Doctors of Running states the 4 mm drop of the SC Elite V4 'kind of worked my calves a little bit too much for me.'

[Brand] lists a stack height of 40 mm at the heel and 32 mm at the forefoot for the SC Elite V5, giving an 8 mm drop, which is double the 4 mm drop of the SC Elite V4.

Grant compares the New Balance SC Elite V4 (referred to as 'Elite V4') to the Topo Spectre Elite, saying the Spectre Elite 'almost like New Balance SC Elite V4' — it was a shoe that 'was super massive.'

When describing the Topo Spectre Elite, Grant says it 'almost like New Balance SC... Elite V4 or yeah, Elite V4. That one that was super massive.'

Grant observes that the SC Elite V4 'was super massive' in feel.

Yowana compares the OnCloud Boom Strike 2 to the New Balance SC Elite V4, stating that the Boom Strike 2 reminds him of the SC Elite V4: 'just a boat thing that has absolutely no get up and go' and 'they've neutered it'.

The Run Testers compares the ASICS MetaSpeed Sky Paris to the New Balance Fuel Cell SC Elite V4, describing the latter as a 'bigger carbon shoe'.

The Run Testers characterizes the New Balance Fuel Cell SC Elite V4 as a 'bigger carbon shoe' that is less compact and less direct than the ASICS MetaSpeed Sky Paris.

The Run Testers finds that the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris feels unlike the New Balance SC Elite V4 — comparing the Sky Paris to the New Balance SC Elite V4, the reviewer says the Sky Paris feels like "a smidge of the original Vaporfly" compared to "bigger carbon shoes" like the New Balance SC Elite V4.

Sagasu Running states he tried on the SC Elite V4 last year and had the same negative feelings about that shoe as he did about the Rebel V4.

Sagasu Running attributes a similar set of problems to the SC Elite V4 as the problems he found with the Rebel V4 — mushy, dead, sloppy fit, wide, and a multi-piece outsole that lets the foam squish out every direction.

Yowana compares the OnCloud Boom Strike 2 to the New Balance SC Elite V4, stating that the Boom Strike 2 reminds him of the SC Elite V4: 'just a boat thing that has absolutely no get up and go' and 'they've neutered it'.

Yowana observes that the New Balance SC Elite V4 has 'absolutely no get up and go'.

The Run Testers describes the SC Elite V4 as feeling really unnatural, very rockered, and overly cushioned when they first pulled it on during a comparison session.

Doctors of Running finds the SC Elite V4 is more versatile than the V5, working whether running at easy pace, slower pace, or picking up the pace.

Doctors of Running states the SC Elite V4 'has a little more accommodating fit' and 'a little more relaxed ride that works still for faster paces, but also for easier stuff.'

Doctors of Running says the SC Elite V4 can be found on sale and notes 'there's a reason why this series has been really, really popular' — 'it works for a lot of different people.'

The Run Testers observes that a lot of people were wearing the SC Elite v4 at the Big Half race, calling it a clearly popular choice of shoe.

The Run Testers (Nick) states that for a New Balance rotation, the SC Elite V4 is the race shoe option; he opines that it is probably the shoe most people get on with.

Doctors of Running measured the SC Elite V4 in men's size 10 at 8.9 oz (about 254 g).