New Balance SC Elite v4 First Run Review

The New Balance SC Elite v4 is the Boston-based running brand's latest take on the 40mm marathon racer. It has an all new PEBA-based FuelCell midsole which should give the shoe a totally different character. In this video, I take the shoe for a run and
0:00 - Intro
0:37 - Overview
3:05 - New Balance SC Elite v4 Weigh-In
4:10 - Plan for the Run
5:41 - Initial Fit & Feel
9:22 - First Run
10:38 - Post-Run Thoughts
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[@allenisarunner]

Your first look videos are getting better and better man. Sounds like you evaluate this shoe about the same way I do. So helpful.

[@supwell]

thanks man 💪🏽

[@TheTacticalButterknife]

Aaahhhhh that thumbnail tho😍😍 I showed my wife the rock catcher 5000 on my SC Trainer V2 today. I caught a chapstick cap.

[@supwell]

Hahaha wow chapstick cap is a new one

[@MononeRocks]

Very nice reviews man! It's great that you review every single shoe as soon as it's out :D

[@craigrwc]

Great review! I just did my first run in these and agree with pretty much everything. In my limited experience, the feel of this at my easy pace is it's very similar to the Asics Superblast. This is slightly softer/more compliant than the Superblast, but also has more bounce and responsiveness when I picked it up for a stride. The fit and feel of this 100% makes it my race day shoe this spring. Thanks again for the great review!

[@thomasbraun6603]

It softens up after some use. I am a "slower" runner and like it so far. I am also on the muscular side, so my added weight is putting more into the foam. So many variables.

[@RobertBruno]

I’m the same build and I’m not overly fast. I felt them start to soften up around 10 miles or so. I like that they come in wide 😊

[@thomasbraun6603]

Side note, the firmness (to me) is similar to the adios pro 3.

[@thomasbraun6603]

@RobertBruno yes, after the first run they feel better. Jealous you got wide! I had to go a half size up where I got them.

[@davidbraswell1481]

are you getting back of the hill rub in these I am to the point of bleeding guess I am going to have to get my money back if possible @@thomasbraun6603

[@jjnrmason]

Best review channel!

[@jjnrmason]

Got the hoka Mach 5 coming today to get a non plated shoe for tempo work

[@klipk7296]

lol they make such a distinctive squeegee sound as you were walking around the porch

[@jasonbrubaker4303]

This is the best review I've seen on this shoe. I have this and train in the NB SuperComp Trainer V2. I ran a half marathon in the Elite V4 and thought it was a bit too firm for me (I ran a 1:41 half). I did a 22 mile long run with two fast miles at the end in the Elite V4 and my left calf was sore/tight after so I think I'm going to keep the V4 as a half marathon or less race shoe and use my Trainer V2 as a marathon shoe (I'm in the 3:30 range as a reference). Keep up the great reviews!

[@supwell]

Thanks Jason! I love the sc trainer v2 as well - great choice for a marathon shoe

[@hamoudalnasser]

It's like their counterpart to the lightweight/less stack NB propel. Interesting direction for them to take with this. Most runners I know did not like any of the previous versions (at least as Race Day options).

[@robsnow2099]

Can’t wait for that Balos, if it’s anything like the 1080…I need 2. The look so cool too. As far as this shoe, I’d love to see you with the size you wear normally and more miles. Reviews so far have been very divided, I’ll wait for your and others 100 mile update.

[@fatboy5926]

Do you happen to know when the Balos are releasing?

[@robsnow2099]

@@fatboy5926 they have had said around August.

[@robsnow2099]

@@fatboy5926 I’ve seen reports say August to fall 2024

[@squaaron9601]

Are you planning to compare these to the Cielo X1? Would be interesting to see. I’m torn between these two for my marathon coming up. My paces are around the same as yours, finding your reviews super helpful 🙌

[@supwell]

Thank you! And yes will def compare them - hopefully can exchange these or get a half size up because this size was a tight squeeze. But stay tuned

[@davebelcher8374]

I can’t help but wonder if, like the Boston 12, this one takes a while to break in.

[@maraniki]

Love the videos keep it up!

[@supwell]

thank you! 💪🏽

[@brokenfreddy1262]

Mite be a good thing I stocked up on the V3 as a training shoe..V3 was not a fast shoe and the forefoot cushioning goes flat pretty quickly at race pace but it's a great training shoe and my feet always appreciate a break from racing shoes..

[@MR-wh5wp]

Why do some people say its soft and others say its firm. IM SO CONFUSED 😢

[@supwell]

With my first run it was really dependent on speed. Felt firm at everyday runnign paces and then softer and much bouncier when I got down to half marathon/10k pace. I haven't run in it since I filmed this video because of the sizing issues I had, but I got a pair in the right size yesterday and will post an update soon - stay tuned

[@nicksand5258]

These were the best “super shoes” I could find in my city. I don’t like ordering $350 shoes without trying them on 1st. They are very comfy on foot. My first run was 17km, I was able to hold a 3:50km pace quite well. No hot spots, nice at moderate paces too

[@hamoudalnasser]

So interesting that NB doesn't;t make its elite racer compatible with its own line of shoes. What racer is most comparable to the NB Rebel? The Vapor Fly? Saucony Pro?

[@RobertBruno]

Ran 18 miles in them today out on the greenway. I felt them soften up around 10 miles in. Will probably use them for my upcoming marathon. #CLT 😊

[@supwell]

which greenway is your favorite? and I'm eager to try on a long run because at the end of the 10 miler for me they definitely started to change character a bit. Seeing if I can get a bigger size to try them on a 20+ miler because these size 10s were a tight squeeze haha

[@RobertBruno]

@@supwell usually run near Mallard Creek because it’s close to my house and I know where all the porta potty’s are 😂

[@robsnow2099]

@@supwellPark behind the hooters on Southblvd. 9807 South Blvd to be exact. Start there and just take off. You can get 20 easy, no hills just perfectly paved greenway. Cut to the left once you come down the hill, once you cross the first bridge.

[@supwell]

@@RobertBrunonice mallard creek is great - discovered last year and ran some workouts on it. My go tos are four mile creek and mcalpine. And thanks bob I will have to check that route out for a nice flat long run. I've been running in my neighborhood for convenience but the elevation gain is absurd. Last week I got 1000 on my long

[@RobertBruno]

@@supwell my neighborhood has crazy hills as well. Run them during the week and long runs on the greenway. Charlotte Running Club has runs at Mallard once a month. You should come out to the next one!

[@user-alexperovich81]

NB made a training shoe, with a carbon plate for stability and possibly speed.

[@i.p2088]

I have the New Balance SC Elite V3. It's amazing.. I need all the help I can get being slow.. Maybe the Hoka Cielo X1 might be better for a slow runner.. Basically anything above 250 gr in US 9.5 is to heavy for me.

[@albertteng1191]

I have one. My only complaint is the very short laces. Definitely no runner's knot on this one other than that, i like this better than vaporfly or even adios pro 3. Though no more soft and sinking feeling i got from previous fuel cell like sc elite v2 or v3. I like this better coz i need less effort to move forward coz that sinking feeling in previous fuel cell makes me feel i needed more effort to turn the shoe. The only shoe i like better is the rocket x2

[@squaaron9601]

A 1/2 size up in your normal size might also make them feel softer, maybe you’re not compressing the foam in the ideal spots?

[@stforte1852]

10:10 nice GWB quote there. 😂

[@matthiassventoest6800]

hoka is not gonna live those laces down… I’m kinda interested in these.., I’m a little bigger so they may figure a bit different for me.. might go try them on.

[@MidLifeRunner]

Dang- it’s in the mail on the way to the house . Everyone said the ride was killer . Was looking for more bounce and assistance versus having to put in the work

[@supwell]

Some of the other commenters here said they softened up 10+ miles into the run so it may change - but compared to the new hokas they were definitely not as bouncy right out of the box. Did feel amazing dipping into that half marathon and 10k zone though

[@MidLifeRunner]

@@supwell you know me and breaking in shoes 😅 😅 might be taking to the woodlands as my shoe since couldn’t get the alphafly 3

[@Travelwithphilip]

Bro how do you afford all these shoes? 😂 great review once again

[@BiDiNFitness]

They sent that to him to review! Lol

[@kuriosites]

Interesting thoughts. I think a slower runner needs to really think about whether they are able to benefit from the tech in some of these racing shoes.

[@supwell]

Agreed - I'd go for comfort over these speedier shoes if planning for a 3:30+ marathon finish. The SC Trainer v2 with that softer foam would be a better option for most in that time range - still offers a bit of tech from the plate but will be way more comfortable

[@kuriosites]

@@supwell Emily Heller chose the SC Trainer v2 over the SC Elite for the NYC Marathon. As someone who would be shooting for a sub 2-hour half, if I ever did it, I'd probably opt for a plated trainer.

[@valsoriano4675]

Which one do you prefer - adidas adios 3 or this elite v4 for low cadence marathoner?

[@BhengMibudy]

6:13 good save

[@supwell]

😂😂😂

[@movdqa]

Could you rank the New Balance shoes for which you prefer for training? I'm guessing 1080 and SC2 are at the top from what I've seen.

[@supwell]

Yeah 1080 is one my favorite all time shoes - about to hit 300 miles on it next week and will do a 300 mile review but it's perfect for those nice relaxed daily miles and recovery efforts. SC Trainer v2 is more of a specialized long run shoe - its great for comfort and also a good option for 3:30+ marathoners. I really liked Rebel v3 as a fast short distance and workout shoe. So 1080 for daily, sc trainer for long run and rebel for short and fast workouts. They are all great so it just depends on what training purpose you're looking to match (long, fast or recovery)

[@movdqa]

@@supwell I'm an old guy so I think that I'll stick with the 1080 and 880. I'm not into racing and don't care about speed. I'll always look at what's out there though.

[@supwell]

@@movdqayeah you really can't go wrong with the 1080. Hoping to get my hands on the 880 soon for review and comparison as well

[@piotrwoz]

Let's be honest we buy those expensive race day shoes not for stability, we buy it for speed and personal best. After watching your video at least I know that this is not shoe for me :)

[@almostawesomewithwill9251]

I know you like to keep your videos really simple which i love but something i dont see others do that would be cool take a slow mo shot of each shoe in the same spot at the same pace so you can show the difference in compression could do that at you 100 mile reviews too

[@supwell]

Awesome idea - haven't done any slow mo yet so I'll look into how to do this

[@almostawesomewithwill9251]

@@supwell iphones and action cameras can do it pretty easy.

[@supwell]

@@almostawesomewithwill9251amazing thank you 🙌🏽

[@WalkingCaptain]

For some reason I have a feeling that the foam will need about 50-70 miles to shine… Furthermore, I think NB makes a turn towards to heavier and slower runners…

[@supwell]

yeah I'm eager to see how it does with some more mileage in it. It's interesting because in my experience PEBA has never needed break in, even in a firmer application like the Tracksmith Eliot runner

[@coreyadcock]

I got a pair coming I really think being a little heavier than you I might like it being a little firmer than the SC2

[@supwell]

Nice let me know what you think. Btw I saw the other comment about the watch - it's a standard COROS pace 3 with the stock face. Bought it a few weeks ago and have been really enjoying it so far. Lmk if you have any questions on it - gonna do a review at some point

[@coreyadcock]

​@@supwellI figured out it was the actual watch later lol. I had a face made to match it for Garmin bc I thought it was cool. I really think coros has come a long way and would probably lean that way if I had to buy another watch. You get around to it I think a long term thoughts review would be worth it

[@hkim9151]

You say it is NOT as soft as the rebel v2/v3…. Oh run like heller told me it is softer… I trust you more as there is nothing softer than rebel v3 fuelcell besides the saucony speed 2 pwrrunPB foam. Durometer scale at 22-23. 😊

[@davidbraswell1481]

I just got this shoe and did a 10 mile easy and then another half 10 mile today and had to call someone to come get me it started digging into the backs of the Achilles Tendons right more than the left but I tried to tie it tighter and it got worse, the shoe fits just lots of hill slipping any suggestions and did you get any of this??

[@supwell]

dang sorry to hear that! i didn't have that issue but someone else mentioned that to me recently. are you using a sock with padding on the achilles area? that could be an easy way to fix the issue if you're not already. my top two brands are feetures and os1st. i'd recommend trying something like this if you're not already using a padded sock www.runningwarehouse.com/Feetures_Elite_Max_Cushion_No_Show_Tab_Sock/descpage-FMCNSCB.html?from=supwell

[@davidbraswell1481]

I did go to fleet feet got some expensive socks with padding and all is good. I absolutely love this shoe and I was getting worried I wouldn't be able to use it anymore. I may have did the laces lose or maybe to tight but it has not happened again even with my regular socks.@@supwell

[@davidbraswell1481]

thanks for all the help keep it up with these awesome videos my friend!@@supwell

[@themechanic4409]

Phily Bowden had a blister after The Houston marathon in these.

[@davidbraswell1481]

I love the comfort its an amazing shoe but that hill digging definitely isn't going to work for me, and looks like the Rebel v4 has the same hill collar. I hope it don't do the same thing!

[@gangmodoa289]

How good would it be for a wider foot

[@supwell]

Great option for wide feet - has a roomy toebox. It also comes in a wide version

[@the1ofus]

Put down the running shoes and pick up the mic you a rapper fr

[@supwell]

i'm retired 😉

[@BiDiNFitness]

🤣💪🏾

[@i.p2088]

SC trainer V2 is heavy and clunky for me..