It’s time to pull the covers off the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer V2, a shoe that promises a fresh upgrade to what was arguably just a meh shoe in the V1. We saw this at TRE at last Fall and these are a beautifully designed shoe that marries well with their counterparts, the SC Elite and SC Trainer. Let’s see how New Balance did and if they remedied some of the issues we saw in the original.
Technical Specs
- Weight – 7.5oz or 213g for a US Men’s 9, 5.9oz or 167g for a US Women’s 7
- Cushion – 35mm of cushion and a 8mm heel/toe drop
- Pricing – $199.95 USD
- Colors – 1 colors
Right out of the box, the look of the SuperComp Pacer V2 really catches the eye. It features a sleek design combined with vibrant colors and we appreciate when a shoe not only performs well but also looks good doing it. Holding the shoe, it’s noticeably lightweight, a promising start for those concerned with speed and agility.
The Upper
One of the standout features of the SuperComp Pacer V2 is its upper. Made with a breathable, engineered mesh, it fits like a glove. The mesh provides great ventilation, keeping feet cool on longer runs. The snug fit provides ample support without being too restrictive. The tongue is very thin so you can tell this skews speed day and the collar and cup are only moderately padded, again harkening over to the performance element.
The Midsole
Moving on to the midsole, this is where New Balance brings its FuelCell technology into play and the first note is they added more stack in the V2, which alone makes this a better shoe. Next, the responsiveness of the midsole is incredible. Each stride feels energized, almost like getting a little extra bounce with every step. This might not be a shoe that’s geared for elite runners, but for those of us looking to improve PRs or just enjoy a smooth run, the added pep in our step is noticeable. The cushioning is plush yet firm, supporting the feet without feeling overly soft. This also uses the same carbon Energy Arc technology that the Trainer and Elite use in order to deliver an even faster ride.
The Outsole
The outsole of the SuperComp Pacer V2 features strategically placed rubber zones that provide excellent grip. We’ve tried these on wet and dry surfaces, and the traction never disappoints. Whether sprinting on track or pacing through the neighborhood, the grip holds up, thanks to the durable rubber material. It’s clear thought went into ensuring runners remain steady regardless of surface conditions especially at speed.
Performance and Versatility
More on performance, the combination of lightweight materials and responsive cushioning makes this shoe suitable for various running styles. Tempo runs, long-distance, or even casual jogs—it’s versatile enough to handle it all. While it’s not a hardcore racing shoe, the SuperComp Pacer V2 offers enough performance-oriented features to make daily runs more efficient and enjoyable. We do also think you could take this to a 10k or 5k race and it would get it done for you.
Conclusion
In wrapping up, the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer V2 impresses with its balanced approach to design, comfort, and performance and is a much better than the V1. The additional stack height New Balance has added delivers a better overall ride while not diminishing performance in an way, basically its just more comfortable to wear. If you are looking for a speed day shoe, a short race shoe, or prefer a stiffer plated daily trainer, these are worth your time.
Learn more on the New Balance website
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Check Out Other Reviewers Thoughts
As always, we gather together some of our favorite reviewers so you can get a well-rounded view of the shoe. Here are our favorites.
