ActiveRunningI ran in the ‘illegal’ New Balance running shoes and they are ultra bouncyThe New Balance SuperComp Trainer is an insanely high-stack running shoe with a carbon plate – I had to try them outWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe SuperComp Trainer is New Balance’s ‘most advanced’ daily training shoe that features the FuelCell foam, integrated carbon plate and the new Energy Arc technology that focuses on additional compression for extra propulsion. The shoes are somewhat heavy and the upper isn’t perfect either, but the SuperComp Trainer certainly provides a unique running experience.Reasons to buy+Extremely soft and bouncy foam+Upper provides a comfortable, ‘sock-like’ fit+Carbon-plated training shoes!+Understated designReasons to avoid-Expensive, compared to other training shoes-Pretty heavy; not ideal for long-distance runs-Forefoot reinforcement presses on the toesWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
ActiveRunningI ran in the ‘illegal’ New Balance running shoes and they are ultra bouncyThe New Balance SuperComp Trainer is an insanely high-stack running shoe with a carbon plate – I had to try them outWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe SuperComp Trainer is New Balance’s ‘most advanced’ daily training shoe that features the FuelCell foam, integrated carbon plate and the new Energy Arc technology that focuses on additional compression for extra propulsion. The shoes are somewhat heavy and the upper isn’t perfect either, but the SuperComp Trainer certainly provides a unique running experience.Reasons to buy+Extremely soft and bouncy foam+Upper provides a comfortable, ‘sock-like’ fit+Carbon-plated training shoes!+Understated designReasons to avoid-Expensive, compared to other training shoes-Pretty heavy; not ideal for long-distance runs-Forefoot reinforcement presses on the toesWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
The New Balance SuperComp Trainer is an insanely high-stack running shoe with a carbon plate – I had to try them out
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe SuperComp Trainer is New Balance’s ‘most advanced’ daily training shoe that features the FuelCell foam, integrated carbon plate and the new Energy Arc technology that focuses on additional compression for extra propulsion. The shoes are somewhat heavy and the upper isn’t perfect either, but the SuperComp Trainer certainly provides a unique running experience.Reasons to buy+Extremely soft and bouncy foam+Upper provides a comfortable, ‘sock-like’ fit+Carbon-plated training shoes!+Understated designReasons to avoid-Expensive, compared to other training shoes-Pretty heavy; not ideal for long-distance runs-Forefoot reinforcement presses on the toes
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
T3 VerdictThe SuperComp Trainer is New Balance’s ‘most advanced’ daily training shoe that features the FuelCell foam, integrated carbon plate and the new Energy Arc technology that focuses on additional compression for extra propulsion. The shoes are somewhat heavy and the upper isn’t perfect either, but the SuperComp Trainer certainly provides a unique running experience.Reasons to buy+Extremely soft and bouncy foam+Upper provides a comfortable, ‘sock-like’ fit+Carbon-plated training shoes!+Understated designReasons to avoid-Expensive, compared to other training shoes-Pretty heavy; not ideal for long-distance runs-Forefoot reinforcement presses on the toes
T3 VerdictThe SuperComp Trainer is New Balance’s ‘most advanced’ daily training shoe that features the FuelCell foam, integrated carbon plate and the new Energy Arc technology that focuses on additional compression for extra propulsion. The shoes are somewhat heavy and the upper isn’t perfect either, but the SuperComp Trainer certainly provides a unique running experience.
T3 Verdict
The SuperComp Trainer is New Balance’s ‘most advanced’ daily training shoe that features the FuelCell foam, integrated carbon plate and the new Energy Arc technology that focuses on additional compression for extra propulsion. The shoes are somewhat heavy and the upper isn’t perfect either, but the SuperComp Trainer certainly provides a unique running experience.
Reasons to buy+Extremely soft and bouncy foam+Upper provides a comfortable, ‘sock-like’ fit+Carbon-plated training shoes!+Understated designReasons to avoid-Expensive, compared to other training shoes-Pretty heavy; not ideal for long-distance runs-Forefoot reinforcement presses on the toes
Reasons to buy+Extremely soft and bouncy foam+Upper provides a comfortable, ‘sock-like’ fit+Carbon-plated training shoes!+Understated design
Extremely soft and bouncy foam
Upper provides a comfortable, ‘sock-like’ fit
Carbon-plated training shoes!
Understated design
Reasons to avoid-Expensive, compared to other training shoes-Pretty heavy; not ideal for long-distance runs-Forefoot reinforcement presses on the toes
Expensive, compared to other training shoes
Pretty heavy; not ideal for long-distance runs
Forefoot reinforcement presses on the toes
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
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I was massively confused before writing this New Balance SuperComp Trainer review. Well, I was confused when I received a pair of SuperCompPacersafter seeing all the images on social media about the mega-high-stack New Balance running shoes – as it turns out, the shoe making its rounds on social wasn’t Pacer, but its taller sibling, the SC Trainer.
Fast forward a few weeks, and I’m sitting here, looking at the insanely tall midsole of the ‘illegal’ New Balance SuperComp Trainer. These shoes are probably the most-hyped New Balance running shoes in recent times, thanks to said stack height, which makes them illegal to wear on World Athletics races.
Do they live up to the hype, though? Should they be included in ourbest running shoeguide? Are they better than other, cheaper, non-carbon-plated running trainers, such as theNew Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12? Let’s find out!
New Balance SuperComp Trainer review: Price and availability
The New Balance SuperComp Trainer was announced in July 2022 and is available to buy now directly fromNew Balance US,New Balance UKandNew Balance AUfor a recommended retail price of $180/£210/AU$320. I haven’t got a clue why the shoes are so expensive in the UK/AU, or, more like, why they are cheaper in the US. In the UK/AU, the SuperComp Trainer retails for the same price as the FuelCell RC Elite v2!
As a ‘legal’ alternative, you might want to consider theFuelCell SuperComp Pacer(retailer link), a shorter-stack version of the SC family. These racing flats also feature the Energy Arc technology and the carbon plate but are much lighter than the SC Trainer. For racing, theFuelCell RC Elite v2(retailer link) is a no-brainer option. The stack height is under the legal limit, and the shoes are super light, considering how chunky they are.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
New Balance SuperComp Trainer review: what is it and why it’s illegal?
The SuperComp Trainer is New Balance’s ‘most advanced’ daily training shoe. It features a FuelCell midsole with Energy Arc technology for ‘superior energy return’, New Balance explains. The engineered knit upper features no-sew construction with a gusseted tongue for a ‘snug feel’. Long story short, the SuperComp Trainer is a high-stack daily trainer with a supposedly comfortable upper that also happens to look pretty cool.
The New Balance SuperComp Trainer has an 8 mm drop (47mm heel/39mm forefoot) – that stack height under the heels is total cray-cray. The shoes are not light either: a men’s US 11 (UK 10.5) weighs a hefty 11.6oz/329g.
Why is the SuperComp Trainer illegal? Currently, World Athletics limits stack height in track running shoes to a maximum of 20-25 mm, while the mark is limited to 40 mm for road shoes, meaning you can’t use the SuperComp Trainer on official World Athletic races.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
New Balance SuperComp Trainer review: Fit
As mentioned above, the New Balance SuperComp Trainer features a no-sew construction to reduce chafing and improve comfort. And indeed, the ‘sock-like’ fit feels great on the heels, especially because there is also so much foam underfoot. My heels felt especially well-looked after in the SuperComp Trainer.
The engineered mesh upper fits really well in the midsection, too. The seamless upper, combined with the knit gusseted tongue, secures the foot well without putting too much pressure on any one area. However, the reinforced bit at the front of the upper presses against the toes slightly, which might result in your toenails falling off.
The reinforcement on running shoes is a constant bain of my life. TheSaucony Endorphin Speed 3had the same issue, but the other way around: the reinforcement keeps the upper away from the toes, creating too much vertical space in the toe box. I went with my usual New Balance size (half size up), but still, it feels too tight. Sad times.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
New Balance SuperComp Trainer review: Running performance
The New Balance SuperComp Trainer is insanely soft under the heels; you have to try it to believe. It’s like jumping on a trampoline – reminded me of theASICS Novablastseries, but even those are not as bouncy as the SuperComp Trainer.
The Energy Arc/carbon plate duo also helps in energy returns. I reached out to New Balance to find out what the Energy Arc was, as at first, I thought that and the carbon plate were the same, but no!
Energy Arc is a propriety technology that features a ‘cambered’ carbon plate paired with a midsole void that is focused around additional compression, energy storage and ultimately higher energy returns. See the diagram below on the principle behind the “Springboard-like Energy Arc System":
(Sorry for the terrible quality)(Image credit: New Balance)
(Sorry for the terrible quality)
(Sorry for the terrible quality)
(Image credit: New Balance)
Despite providing good energy returns, the SuperComp Trainer’s weight will tire the legs out over long distances. Less so than non-plated shoes, but still. I reached out to New Balance to clarify why the SuperComp Trainer is so heavy, and this is what they have to say:
“While some of the weight difference sits in the upper, the midsole and outsole are the primary reason for the difference in weight. While the shoes use a Fuelcell material, the compound, density and stack height are very different [from lighter FuelCell shoes], which accounts for the major difference.”
To summarise, the shoes are heavier because there is more FuelCell foam, and it’s also denser to provide a better training experience. Making the shoes too light would have made them less resilient, and the idea is that you can train in them for longer without the foam losing its good properties.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
New Balance SuperComp Trainer review: Verdict
Should you get the New Balance SuperComp Trainer? It’s a unique experience to run in the shoes, thanks to the massive stack height and the carbon plate – you won’t find it anywhere else!
At the same time, the SuperComp Trainer is pretty heavy, and the toe box has its issues, too, making it hard to justify the price, especially in the UK and AU, but even in the US. If you’re a hardcore New Balance fan and want training shoes that match the running dynamics of the FuelCell RC Elite v2, you’ll be happy with the SC Trainer.
Plus, since the shoes have an understated, sneaker-like design, they double up as, well, sneakers. Gone are the days of the dad-look; nowadays, you can wear performance running shoes as part of a trendy, athleisure outfit, and the SuperComp Trainer is an excellent choice for that.
New Balance SuperComp Trainer review: Also consider
If you’re looking for something lighter with a better ground feel, theUnder Armour Flow Velociti Wind 2might be a good alternative. It offers a light, firm ride and is recommended for tempo runs and fast training for runners with strong legs.
One of my all-time favourite tempo training shoes, theBrooks Hyperion Tempo, was the lightest, fastest and most capable running trainer when it came out, and two years later, this is still the case. The lightweight upper hugs the foot, and the nitrogen-infused midsole is a joy to step on.
Of course, I couldn’t finish this review without mentioning theNew Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12. It’s an excellent entry to the long-running 1080 franchise and turns these plush trainers into a must-have training partner for long runs.
New Balance SuperComp Trainer: Price Comparison
$174.99View$189View$197.37View$199.79View
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$174.99
$189View
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$199.79View
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