New Balance SC Elite V4: First Impressions review. Supershoe or Supertrainer?

[@tojwillcox]

Your videos are so helpful for average runners like me. I have SC Elite V4 and love them, thinking they will be my next marathon shoe, I'd say perfect for a sub-4 attempt. Agree about the bounce vs the rocker and the overall level of comfort - I reckon if they increased the drop by a tiny amount (1-2mm!) it would be flat out perfect for me. But as it is, I'll be using it for my next marathon. Absolutely blew up on my previous marathon in the Adios Pro 3, so hoping for a more forgiving ride from this one. Thanks again for the content, truly informative and helpful for everyday runners!

[@runwithsean]

Thanks! I appreciate the kind words. I agree that this shoe is more comfy and less stiff than the AP3 and sounds perfect for you to attempt a sub 4. I just took this shoe for a 22 mile long run in my marathon training and it really took care of me. I didn’t have any blisters, hot spots, or pain of any kind. My legs also felt fine all day after and the next day. So these really proved to me that they’d work great for a marathon. But I was going at a slower pace than my goal pace. I actually just picked up a new pair of AP3s and am thinking those might be my marathon shoe this time. I’m actually looking for a little more aggressiveness for this race. I’m hoping to break 3:20:00. I need a 3:10:00 for a BQ. I don’t think that’s in the cards this time. We’ll see how I feel later this month. If all else fails, I hope to be under 3:30:00 and get a personal best. We’ll see how it goes.

[@dawncyclist]

got this shoe in my rotation, together with the rebel V4, Propel V5, 860 V14. I've ran in carbon plate racing shoes vaporfly 2 & 3, Endo Pro 3, Metasky Speed 3, Superblast 1 - only non carbon plated), I say this is the shoe that when I run in them I exert less energy with the same amount of speed for my pace across all my prev shoes.

[@runwithsean]

Sounds like you a New Balance fan who has also tried a lot of good shoes. That's great that you find this shoe so efficient. That's what we are looking for in a marathon shoe. To me the bounce that it gives me does help me to dial in a pace and cruise along without a lot of effort. But it feels best to me at a lower pace than my goal race pace. I find it's personality more laid back than The Metaspeed, Vaporfly Etc. I feel like I can run faster in those shoes, but they are also more aggressive and less suited for me to run long in the the SC Elite. I think that I'll be reaching for the SC Elite V4 for most of the rest of the long runs that I need to do in this marathon training block, but that I'll pick something else to wear on race day.

[@dawncyclist]

@@runwithsean I'm doing this thing where every year i will go for 1 brand of running shoe on all my rotation. This year it is New Balance's turn. Last year was Asics (Novablast 3, Superblast 1 and Metaspeed sky 3) and the year before that was Saucony (Triumph, Endo Speed 3, Endo Pro 3). Next year I might go on full with either Hoka or On Cloud.

[@grantmead32]

great video, stumbled across this review & really enjoyed it. I am a slower runner (23min 5k, 1:55 HM) & this shoe is my first carbon plated shoe. I totally agree that this is a "friendly" shoe & a good introduction to carbon plated super shoes, although I can't compare it to any others, it just felt really comfortable when I run in it. I really like how soft & bouncy it is. Will use it for a HM in November. I just bought the Superblast v2 for my long runs but find them a bit too firm for me, I consider myself a heavier runner (82kg - 180lbs & 5ft 7) so I kind of wish I went for the NB Balos - I didnt want to go for a plated shoe for long / easy runs. But the SB v2 will do & I will get used to it. Will go through some of your other videos soon, & subscribed. Cheers

[@runwithsean]

Thanks! Glad the SC Elite is working well for you. The Superblast is definitely a firmer shoe. It does soften up a bit after some break in. So keep putting miles on them and I bet they’ll grow on you.

[@MyFatAdaptedLife]

Somewhere in my shoedio is a pair of the bright green NB FC RC Elite v1. I loved that shoe. I might consider the the Elite v4 when my SkyP reaches end-of-life. Chicago is around the corner. I have to remember to follow you on the tracking app. Thanks, Sean.

[@runwithsean]

Thanks. I’m still not sure what shoe I’m going to wear in Chicago or what my goal pace will be that day. We’ll see how I’m feeling after another month of training. Going to push the pace tomorrow in the Enorphin Pro 4 for 10 miles and see how that treats me.

[@MyFatAdaptedLife]

@@runwithsean That makes sense, then use VDOT to calculate your equivalent marathon finishing time and pace.

[@jesustsa1]

Just want to say I love your content since I’m a heavy runner at 6’2” and 230 and pronate slightly on my right foot as well. (Check your internal hip rotation because that’s my issue which led to weak right glute, fallen arch) I love the sc elite but getting a lock down isn’t the easiest. The laces and tongue are laughably thin. Based on your review I purchased the Deviate Elite 3 and I’m loving it! It’s so bouncy wow. It’s pretty stable for me but it’s not doing my right foot any favors. It also is NOT for heel strikers which I tend to do when I’m tired to give my calves a break on longer runs. It’s a half marathon shoe all the way! A wide version would be ideal! I don’t have a wide foot either. My favorite thing is it’s so easy to get a lockdown. If you try the cloudboom strike that’s another shoe that’s difficult to get a good lockdown. It’s a fine line between too tight and numbness and not getting the benefits from the plate and foam. It is firmer, but still bouncy

[@runwithsean]

Thanks! Sounds like similar shoes will work for us based on our size. I've used a runners knot on every run in the SC Elite and have to tie it down tight to avoid heel slip. It's very comfortable but I just wish it had a little more pop. Glad you are liking the Puma. It's a fast fun shoe. The tongue and laces work great for getting a lockdown. But the narrowness of it does give me concern about trying to take it 26.2. If only we had someone to measure our foot and make a custom shoe with the exact right dimensions and a close fitting upper that isn't too tight. Alas, we'll have to keep trying shoes to see what works best.

[@flex_nyc9885]

Glad to see a comment from someone who is similar in height and weight. I’m 6’1 235lbs crossing over from bodybuilding. I just put 400mi on my Nike Invincible 3s and I just got fitted and picked up the ghost max 2 for easy/recovery runs which I love! I tried the Novablast 4s and on my first run I felt knee and shin pain so I returned them. I was told if I didnt like the NB4s don’t waste my time on the superblast2. The NB5s feel amazing! But I don’t need another daily trainer. I’m looking for a race day shoe. I have a half marathon coming up and was recommended the NB SC Elite V4 or the Endorphin Pro 4s. Have you found a good pair of marathon shoes?

[@Kevin-fz7yt]

Another great video, I appreciate the useful information. I’m like you in that I’m always curious about new shoe releases and I have been wondering about this shoe. I already have the SC trainer v1, so your reference to the trainer made sense. I think I’ll skip this one, price is high and I’ve got some quality shoes I need to get some high miles in. I am curious about one thing. Are you considering the Adidas Pro 3 for Chicago? I know you do like that shoe (I do too). Just wondering.

[@runwithsean]

Thanks! Yeah to me the SC Elite V4 is kind of like the SC Trainer on Steroids. I'm really going to enjoy putting some long runs into this shoe. But I want it to be lighter and faster for race day. It's more of a comfortable cruiser to me and not worth $250. I do really like the Adios Pro 3. I wore my pair for the NYC Marathon in 2022. So it's over two years old and has over 100 miles on it. So I'm looking for a fresher midsole in a newer shoe for Chicago. However, I know that it is a stable marathon shoe that works for me. I actually just looked on ADIDAS website because of this comment and saw that they had the Core Black/Zero Metalic/Spark colorway for 50% off!. So I just ordered a pair. Haha. So that will now be in the mix for my Chicago shoe as well. I feel like that one was fate at $125 and they only have four sizes left, including my size 12. I really like that colorway too. It's the same as what I have on the SL2. Good looking out!

[@Kevin-fz7yt]

Nice! I’m glad you got such a great deal. I’m a big fan of the AP3 too. I actually got a pair of Asics Superblast 2 . Asics released some new colors this weekend I was FINALLY able to get a pair. Ironically, I had just saw your review and didn’t hesitate. I saw them and bought them. With my discount they were $180 OTD. We both had Christmas come early. My training rotation will be SB, Boston 12 and Sky Paris. For my half in Nov I’ll likely use my new AP3 that I’m saving for a special day.

[@i.p2088]

Sound like a great shoe for my wide feet and long runs but the price is very high.. Considering getting the Endorphin Elite which is on sale..

[@runwithsean]

The Endorphin Elite also has some good room in the upper and could work well for a wider foot. The foam is much firmer than the NB though. It is a faster and more aggressive shoe.