New Balance FuelCell Supercomp Pacer v2 Review
The New Balance SuperComp Pacer v2 is a carbon-plated race-day running shoe designed for shorter races, such as 5K or 10K. It offers a soft, responsive ride that, for efficient runners, could also suit a marathon. This shoe was created for American marathon record-holder Emily Sisson, who wore it when setting the US marathon record at the 2022 Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:18:29.
With a stack height of 32.8mm in the heel and 24.8mm in the forefoot, the shoe feels closer to the ground than the height might suggest. The 8mm heel-to-forefoot drop is also less noticeable, likely due to the softness of the FuelCell midsole, which compresses slightly underfoot.
The Pacer v2 has a snug, race-like fit reminiscent of track or cross-country spikes, with less volume in the toe box compared to other New Balance models. The upper is made from a lightweight, highly breathable mesh that’s great for hot summer days but can feel cold in winter. Both the heel cup and cuff have light padding, while the tongue is unpadded and the logo is printed on the side. New Balance has stripped down the upper to the essentials for holding your foot in place, saving weight in the process.
The laces thread through a tab on the tongue to keep it from slipping, and there’s an extra lace hole for a more secure heel fit or butterfly lacing. The thin insole is similar to that of a track spike, lightly glued to the midsole but easy to remove if you prefer your own insole. This minimal insole enhances ground feel, making the Pacer v2 as responsive as possible. New Balance has eliminated anything unnecessary to keep the shoe lightweight.
Weighing 167 grams for a women’s UK 5 and 195 grams for a men’s UK 8, these shoes meet expectations for a race-day model. While New Balance has cut back on the upper, it hasn’t compromised on the midsole and carbon plate. The FuelCell midsole is soft and responsive, providing a cushioned feel, while the Energy Arch carbon plate adds a springiness that feels fast but not as harsh as old-school racing flats.
In other carbon-plated shoes, I’ve often felt a lack of nimbleness; the removed ground feel makes downhill running and sharp turns difficult, requiring wide maneuvers like “driving a bus.” The Pacer v2 feels different. While tight 90-degree turns can still be a bit challenging, everything else feels natural. Unlike other carbon shoes that dominate your gait, the Pacer v2 allows for more freedom, handling adjustments in stride length for inclines, obstacles, and other terrain changes smoothly.
The shoe’s effectiveness depends on your gait. For optimal performance, you need to land on your midfoot with your foot under your center of gravity to compress the carbon plate. The midsole and carbon plate then compress and rebound, pushing you forward further than a non-propulsion shoe would. Runners with good posture and efficient gaits will get the most out of these shoes.
In testing, the Pacer v2 was about 4 seconds faster than the New Balance SuperComp Trainer on 1K intervals, and 7 seconds faster than my minimal non-plated shoes for similar sessions. This is a race-day benefit, but to maximize it, you need strong, springy feet. Training in less-cushioned shoes can help develop the foot strength needed to complement the Pacer’s propulsion.
Enjoying the cushioned feel of the Pacer v2, I used it on some steady runs. Living in a hilly area, my runs are undulating. I expected faster times, given the shoe’s performance on intervals, but the Pacer didn’t improve my steady run times. However, unlike other carbon-plated shoes that feel sluggish on hills due to sinking into the midsole, the Pacer v2 felt responsive and smooth. It was simply the steep hills that limited the shoe’s propulsion system, costing me about 90 seconds over an hour at a similar effort and heart rate to my non-plated shoes.
In summary, the New Balance SuperComp Pacer v2 is a stripped-back, carbon-plated racing shoe ideal for 5K and 10K races but may work for marathon distances for light, efficient runners. Surprisingly soft yet responsive, it offers a grounded feel uncommon in plated shoes and provides noticeable propulsion on flat courses.
Other Considerations
Brooks Hyperion Elite v4: These have a firmer feel to the cushioning which makes them more effective on undulating courses in my experience. They don’t do corners well like most carbon plated shoes but, you do get some spring on steep hills. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-hyperion-elite-v4-review/
Altra Escalante Racer 2: These are not a plated shoe. The have a broad rounded toe box and are zero drop. They are designed to encourage your feet to function and to help you land with your feet under your centre of gravity to load the foot effectively so you get some propulsion from your feet. The midsole is firm and responsive and they have a nimble feel. A good alternative for short races if the race routes are undulating with tight corners. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-escalante-racer-2-review/
Topo Cyclone 2: A broad rounded toe box and 5mm heel to forefoot drop with a Peva midsole. The rocker shaped midsole and responsive midsole give you some propulsion while the shape of the toe box encourages foot function. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-cyclone-2-review/
Hoka Cielo Road: A firm responsive feel to the cushioning with a noticeable curve/rocker in the midsole give the Cielo a high level of propulsion without using a carbon plate. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-cielo-road-review/
Brooks Hyperion / Hyperion GTS: A rocker/curved midsole coupled with responsive foam gives the Hyperion a nimble responsive feel. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-hyperion-hyperion-gts-review/
Hoka Rocket X 2: The midsole foam is more bouncy than the foam used in the Pacer v2 which takes away the ground feel but you feel like you can feel the shoes pushing you forward. The carbon plate adds a level of stability and additional propulsion. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-rocket-x-2-review/
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