New Balance SC Elite v5
New Balance's top marathon racer pairs a full PEBA FuelCell midsole with the brand's Energy Arc carbon plate and a 40mm stack. The v5 softened the ride and improved the turnover compared with the v4, making it a legitimate contender for marathon and half-marathon race day. It rewards a smooth midfoot strike and rested, faster legs.
Reach for the New Balance SC Elite v5 for race day and tempo days and intervals. It's a neutral shoe, best for runners with an efficient stride who don't need pronation support. The tall, soft stack favors comfort over ground feel. That's great for high mileage and bigger runners, less so for racing snappiness.
- Bouncy PEBA foam with carbon Energy Arc plate
- Light and smooth at race pace
- More forgiving than many super shoes
- Expensive
- Low 4mm drop and soft stack are less friendly to heavy heel strikers
| Shoe | Cushion | Support | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike Alphafly 3 | Maximum | Neutral | $285 | Analyze |
| Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 | Maximum | Neutral | $250 | Analyze |
| ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo | Maximum | Neutral | $275 | Analyze |
| ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris | Maximum | Neutral | $250 | Analyze |
Ratings compare the current lineup. Price favors lower cost.
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