New Balance SC Trainer v2 After 100 Miles

The SC Trainer v2 was one of my favorite max cushion shoes of 2023. It’s a shoe that can do a little bit of it all. In this video, I'll talk about how this shoe has held up over the miles, and I'll update my pairing recommendations, buying guide, and potential alternatives.
0:00 intro
0:52 disclosures
1:27 how I've been using them
2:41 how they've been holding up
4:39 pairing options
5:35 buying guide and alternatives
disclosures: New Balance provided these shoes for review, so I did not have to pay for them. No one is paying me to make this video or to include their shoe in this video. No one will get a chance to preview any of my footage or my thoughts before this video goes up on KZbin.
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[@nathanlangfitt]

Had the exact same experience with the foam losing some magic - I loved wearing this shoe for a while but it’s been replaced by a discounted pair of Endorphin Speed 3s. Great review as always!

[@kevinclark5086]

I still run in my sc elite v2. Its a very underated shoe at training paces. Does get soft for me at 10k and under pace but threshold and tempo its still as good as anything ive tried out of latest releases.

[@MrFreakout76]

Loved the V1 the V2 are definitely a little harsher at slower speeds. The v1 did not care what you were doing.

[@szervo77]

V1 is the 🐐

[@cdhunter]

V1 loved it best when you stopped twice a run to adjust the fit

[@szervo77]

@@cdhunter never had that issue 😂

[@johnatnip9516]

I am 6'6 250 and these are the best I have ever had!

[@jesustsa1]

Try version 1 it’s much better

[@HM-qe9pd]

I’m at 260km and there is considerable wear on the outsole. I’m a hybrid athlete but will definitely buy another pair, great for heavier runners!

[@Klian159]

OH yeah baby I love my pair, put about 230 miles on them and they still got some life in them ;)

[@DZero_Aperture]

Got 130 miles on mine. I haven't noticed the degradation in foam feeling but maybe I'm not paying enough attention to it so something I'll look out for. Def one of my favorite shoes at the moment. Also totally agree about the plate. It doesn't feel like a racing plate it feels like a stability plate given how squirrelly the fuel cell v2 foam can be like with my rebel v3s

[@Ghimlioak]

I had the V1 and now I run in the Boston 12. I think it’s a great shoe. I mix them with the Ghost Max for my easy runs. I possessed the V1 of the primex strung but I blessed my ankle with them so I retreat them and try to sell them.

[@caseysmith508]

Yup, my current rotation is SC Trainer V2 for slower long runs and the Boston 12 for my faster runs when I want to pick up the pace.

[@finding_health]

Twins! 😊😋

[@myhairverypain]

@@finding_health Triplets!

[@MrJaydog999]

Quadruplets 🤣

[@andriekal]

have both the Boston 12 and these and use them the same way, long runs, great shoes

[@MrJaydog999]

Nice I have them both two. The Trainer V2 is a great recover/long distance shoe. Boston’s are my fast pace shoes.

[@movdqa]

New Balance had these around $120 for the orange colorway back in January for about a week and I went back and forth over it as I've never run with a plate and but so many people have said that it's a fun shoe. I am somewhat more interested in the Balos (probably not the right spelling) that is coming out later this year as it should be available in 4E (I'd have to size up 1/2 or 1 for the Fuelcell line) and should be fun though it doesn't have a plate. I have generally not seen the breakdown that you've seen in the Fresh Foam models yet. I will revisit this model if the price gets back down to $120. I really wanted to try the v1 just for the extra height.

[@rickhugheyruncovery]

Great review Ko. There has to be a defect in the foam. I had the exact same problem with my first pair of V2. I had about 60 - 70 miles on them. Only using them for Saturday long runs for marathon training. The ball of the foot area foam just started deteriorating/falling apart and flattening out. It was very noticeable. Especially around the exposed carbon plate. I had to send them back for a new pair. I’m injured now so can’t say how the second pair is going to hold up as I have probably on 10 miles on them. Hope it was just a bad batch of them or something, but definitely a flaw.

[@Manuel-901]

Good afternoon. Interesting description. Like to Kofuzi. A nice weekend for everyone.

[@luked4707]

SC trainer V1 has over 1,000km and still feels ok (80kg)

[@ksteege]

Been a good shoe for me so far (at least it was until my injury - but hey I get to run a little tomorrow.

[@NickJBower]

How would you compare the fit of the this shoe to the elite v4? I’ve been enjoying my trainer v2 for a little over 100 miles and am starting to look for a racer. Between the elite v4 and saucony pro 3 Thanks Ko!

[@bsmoov7]

I got the SC Trainer V2 for 145 on New Balance’s website. Seems like they have flash sales sometimes. Might be able to catch them there

[@AIislit1234]

It’s a solid shoe and that color way with the laces is fire

[@arrogancekills]

"color way" is a silly marketing term and you don't have to adopt something some company coined up. The old term colour is simple and sufficient and you don't sound like some snobby wannabe blindly following some commercial trend.

[@eswag153]

@@arrogancekills nahhhh. It's not one color. It's like 5, so the term actually makes sense.

[@sergiovivar3144]

I put 150 miles in them and I just could not wear them anymore. I’m now wearing the 1080v13 and at 300mi they still feel great

[@raymart86]

Paired my V2’s with the Nimbus 25, but I’m an older slower +4hr marathoner. Considering a race day/long run shoe for spring races. I’ve got 260mi on this pair so I need to start looking for a replacement.

[@andrewlink-ou8bt]

I have over 500 miles on mine now. It's been a beast of a shoe and I'll be buying another pair before V4. Not a massive or noticeable difference to be honest. I'm light weight, so the foam hasn't taken as much pounding. The only issue is the rubber outsole has worn through towards the heel on the lateral side - I get this with most shoes as I'm a high-cadence shuffler and tend to scuff my feet if my form drops. I'm using the 'rotation' seen on the vid - SCT V2, Rebel V4, SC Elite V4 - with 1080v13 for really easy/recovery runs. This was more by accident than design - but also have Adios Pro 3 for races too.

[@anthonycova216]

hit 320 miles today on my v2 (orange variant) during a long run. It definitely felt like they bottomed out in the latter miles (14-17). Time to recycle em

[@damodaraomalley3974]

Just got it today. Super plush, but my front foot ball leans inward a bit... Longest lasting shoe I have ever used is the Saucony triumph 20. At approximately 2,000klm it still feels newish. Q. When is the sc trainer v3 coming to Australia?

[@piximash]

Kofuzi. Surprisingly I felt the same way after 150 miles of sc v2.

[@CDhunt]

I experienced the same flaws with the sole, which is a bummer. The picking up of pebbles I eventually got over

[@Teajassid]

I also have about 100 miles on mine and l noticed the foam is starting to get chewed up on the forefoot too. I still love the shoe though but not sure if I’d pay full price for it again, I feel like there’s more economical options. Also can we talk about how often rocks get stuck in this shoe? 😂

[@igmpvgoa1837]

I am trying to wait to get the V3 when it comes out!! ❤❤

[@johnurizarii7058]

Mr. Ko have you seen the new sc trainers? BIG hype I see coming to the next iteration of the shoe

[@kofuzi]

Have I seen them? Yes

[@sharisamsudin]

Lets Go!!!

[@jesustsa1]

Even with the increase in stack in the front these beg to be heel stricken. I feel the plate working more when I heel strike. I prefer the cloud eclipse to these.

[@claudinemendiola4991]

Hi Kofuzi!! I’m a fan from the Philippines!!! I’ll be racing in the Tokyo Marathon this year and it’s my first marathon. Will you be there?

[@kofuzi]

Unfortunately no

[@bencanady6492]

Version 1👍

[@CriticalThinker02]

Question: Why is a high stack shoe even in your (or anyone’s) rotation when you land on your toes/forefoot?

[@Timle1991]

Will you be doing an Endorphin speed 4 review?

[@WilltoImprove]

Sc trainer v1… hated these shoes for first 65-90 miles…. I’m now closer to 200 and starting to like the feeling more…being 5”11 ,195 and someone who kills shoes ..has me worried that you think they lost some umfff so to speak at 100 Currently loving novablast 4

[@maverickgoose4679]

I've just bought these and plan on running the Christchurch marathon in a couple of months time in them... hoping for around the 3:30-3:45 time.

[@kofuzi]

Have a great race!

[@cgazlan]

Hi Ko... Is the Fuelcell foam on this SC Trainer V2 is the same as the Propel v4? I have the propel v4 and the rebel v3, and I think on these two shoes the Fuelcell is different.

[@kofuzi]

No I think you are correct, although I don’t have confirmation from NB

[@Tim_rdg]

I’ve seen another runner have direct foam wear after 500km, and I see in this video there’s already plenty of scuffs and wear in the forefoot

[@hollis613]

Love these shoes but i wore the heel rubber off. Even though I'm not usually a heel striker. I'll still buy a second pair. Pr my 10k and half marathon today!!!!

[@kofuzi]

Congratulations on the PR!

[@Crayonz014]

This is my first proper shoe and now paired with rebel v3. Still can’t decide between endorphin pro 3 and sc elite v3 for the racing shoe

[@kofuzi]

Both would be great options. Endorphin Pro 3 has a bit more pop. SC elite 3 has more comfor

[@Crayonz014]

@@kofuzi yea I ended up now with EP3, found it on a good sale at a local shop. Thanks for the recommendation and keep up the great work!

[@laalaa99stl]

I have _exactly_ this shoe in _exactly_ this colorway with almost the same amount of mileage on it (though the donut around the pebble doesn't look as bad as yours). I like it. Not as much as the Elite V3, of course, but I need to save the rubber on that other shoe. The FC does break down a bit faster than other foams, but in the case of the Trainer, I find that you feel more plate (ie it feels faster) in exchange for losing some cushion which I see as a win. Also. I can't believe you actually recommended the not-a-Boston-12 for something 😛

[@finding_health]

I scored my Boston 12s for about $80 CAD on Boxing Day. I regret not buying a second pair at that price.

[@snowwalker9999]

By the time I got home, my size was sold out on that day. 😢.

[@finding_health]

@@snowwalker9999 Noooo! The worst

[@therealaidenbar]

hey kofuzi! would you recommend these or superblast for the full marathon? slower pace sub 5 hr thanks!

[@kofuzi]

both would be great options. I'd personally prefer to be in the superblast, but I did run a 5+hr marathon in the sc trainer 2. I enjoyed it.

[@joshuasalas2475]

Would this be a good daily trainer?

[@MrN0115]

Had this for my easy run.However I tried 50km, my shin felt stiff after this 😢

[@therunophil]

I had a similar experience with v1, the unprotected fuelcell in the front kinda died, no resilience any more, especially in one shoe, maybe also because it is so thin under the plate. I do have 500k of marathon training long runs on them, but still worst degradation I've seen even compared to shoes with higher mileage.

[@ThomasAbbott-os7dl]

I ran speed and long run workouts in these for a couple of weeks and my knees felt like 90-year-old knees. I gave up on them, returned to my pair of new balance 1080 v13 and am pain free again. I'm guessing I'm too slow of a plated shoe.

[@kofuzi]

Sometimes, it’s as simple as the shoes. Other times, it isn’t

[@matthiassventoest6800]

want expecting a video post.., gracias 😊

[@footballjunkie34]

Just picked up the Boston 12 for $65 at the Adidas Outlet. Huge score!

[@kofuzi]

Nice

[@That_Ramdom]

Review on the Saucony Endorphins Speed 4??? Soon?

[@kofuzi]

I don’t have them yet

[@That_Ramdom]

@@kofuzi Ohh, okay

[@maximocabo3595]

Is the sc trainer 2 fairly stable?

[@kofuzi]

Yes

[@haithamalqassab7182]

Once you started talking about the upper and it had less ware in comparison to the bottom .. An idea popped out what if company can make a shoe with two pieces (upper+bottom) and they can be unattached in certain way and can easily replace the damaged piece instead of buying new shoe.

[@chinpoeykhoo6261]

that's exactly what NB fuelcell is known for, extremely soft & bouncy but durability is just meh as compared to other brand comparative midsole. anyway i guessed there will be runners who said their NB last forever in that case it would be QC prob then.

[@tkwasik]

100 miles is long term 😅, so we suppose to retire shoes this days after how long ? 200 miles 😮😅 BTW according to Dave the Runner review sc trainer 2 foam disintegrated completely after just 300 miles Defenetly so called "super trainers" would like to be replaced after 2-300 miles lol

[@kofuzi]

I usually retire at 300. Your mileage will literally vary.

[@LuisBecerra79]

Yo, what’s going on!!!!

[@kofuzi]

Yo Luis!

[@Shipwreckruns]

Disappointed in these. The foam and split sole design caused instability and post tib pain for me.

[@kofuzi]

Sorry to hear that they didn’t work for you

[@lowzyyy]

nb and europe dont match. prices insane

[@DZero_Aperture]

Head to Japan they got the deals lol

[@therunophil]

230 Euro is hefty, I've kept an eye out for deals for a while but (in my big size) nothing substantial. I liked v1 but at this price I'll pass and rather get another Superblast, which I find better and way more durable with higher mileage.

[@Nobody19442]

The v2 is a horrible trainer it has almist no durability