New Balance SC Elite v5 Review: Firing On All Cylinders

Introduction to the New Balance SC Elite v5

MEAGHAN: The New Balance SuperComp Elite v4 (we’ll call it the SC Elite from here on out) quickly became one of my favorite shoes, not necessarily my top pick for race day, but a go-to for long runs and fun, laid-back marathons like New York City. So when I saw the updates in version five, I was more than a little concerned. The platform had been slimmed down by 25%, with the forefoot stack height dropping by 4 mm. What was once a 40 mm / 36 mm setup has become a 40 mm / 32 mm shoe with a noticeably narrower platform and a significant reduction in the overall foam volume.

While the change was clearly aimed at shedding weight — and successfully so — I couldn’t help but worry that it might compromise the fun, stable ride that made v4 so enjoyable. The midsole still uses the same 100% PEBA FuelCell formulation, but the carbon fiber plate has been stiffened in the forefoot and comes with a redesigned outsole and rubber compound. The upper also saw a complete redesign, featuring a more padded collar and tongue and a new one-piece mesh construction.

Would the reduced weight be worth the trade-off in cushioning? I put it to the test on race day at the London Marathon.

THOMAS:  The New Balance SC Elite keeps evolving, but it’s doing so just behind the best racers around. Now, New Balance thinks the freshly minted version five is its best shot at a real-deal marathon racer. That’s the good news. The tricky part? It’s hoping to land that top-tier racer without isolating fans of the previous versions.

Yes, the SC Elite v4 was a little heavier than most marathon shoes. Yes, it had a soft midsole and a roomier upper, too — that’s why people liked it so much. It wasn’t super sleek, but it was friendly for beginner marathoners and experienced racers alike — no matter how fast (or not-so-fast) you ran. In fact, I think it might make sense for New Balance to keep v4 kickin’ around at least for those of us who fell in love with it.

Still, I think that version 5 is a solid step forward. Just don’t be surprised if some runners miss the old model’s squishy charm and wider foot-friendly fit. Let’s get into why I feel the way I do.

What we like about the New Balance SC Elite v5

MEAGHAN: I usually start with aesthetics, but I’ve saved those thoughts for another section of the review. Instead, I will start with the excellent step-in feel.

The additional padding around the collar and tongue delivers a level of comfort you rarely find in a race day shoe. The tongue is now gusseted, which gives the shoe a more premium fit and feel. In contrast, the previous version featured a thin strip of fabric that felt like an afterthought. Version 5’s tongue strikes the right balance — it’s padded enough to allow you to really lock in the laces without adding unnecessary bulk or weight. The pillowy heel is another welcome upgrade, especially for those who experienced heel rubbing in the earlier model.

Now, let’s talk about what’s happening underfoot. Although the FuelCell foam remains unchanged, the ride feels slightly firmer and less squishy than before. Whether due to the redesigned geometry or a stiffer carbon plate, the result is a more responsive, race-day feel. I took the shoes out for a few easy runs and a workout before the London Marathon. I didn’t notice the change in drop during those efforts, but I was definitely concerned about the reduced foam volume in the late stages of the race (turns out I didn’t need to be).

It’s worth mentioning that despite a solid training block, my lead-up to race day didn’t go smoothly. Just a couple of weeks before London, I landed in the ER with a peritonsillar abscess. It had to be drained, and I was on antibiotics right through race morning. What was supposed to be an A-race quickly turned into a “see what I’ve got” effort.

Despite everything, the shoes held up incredibly well. I never once thought about my feet, not even in the final miles. It felt great throughout the race and even on the walk back to the hotel. While I couldn’t run at full capacity, I’d be completely confident racing in this one again. It felt snappy and fun in the early miles, and remained comfortable all the way to the finish.

THOMAS: Meg and I don’t see eye to eye on the looks. She’s not sold, but I like that the SC Elite v5 dares to stand out. With so many race-day shoes blending together, I’ll take bold over boring. And under the flashy design? One of the best-fitting uppers I’ve worn. My usual US M10.5 fit just right, and the updated tongue and cushy heel counter gave a surprising touch of comfort, especially for a shoe that dropped an ounce.

The upper’s single-layer mesh breathes well and feels solid. No fuss, no flimsiness.

Meg also thinks the foam runs a little firm, but I think it hits a sweet spot: responsive but still soft enough to feel forgiving. Toe-offs felt sharper and snappier. That’s thanks to the new plate tuning and FuelCell PEBA foam, which added just the right bounce. The midsole’s sleeker shape also made the whole thing feel more agile—a leaner, meaner marathon machine.

I broke in the v5 on a few training runs before lacing it up for the London Marathon. I skipped the pre-race medical drama Meg dealt with, but London brought the heat this year. I usually wilt in warm weather, so my coach adjusted the game plan. We pulled back the pace goals, and I ended up crossing in 3:54:11. Not what we were hoping for, but considering my history in hot races, I was thrilled to stay under four hours—and even happier that I stayed mentally strong the whole way.

Best part? My feet felt great. Four hours on the move, and not a single complaint from below. In the weeks leading up to the race, I tested the shoe at speed and came away impressed. It holds up. Great fit, smooth cushion, solid grip. And the new forefoot rubber? Big upgrade.

What we don’t like about the New Balance SC Elite v5

MEAGHAN: You already knew this was coming, but man, do I dislike the colorway. The good news? It was a limited release, so the general public is safe. I get that it’s a throwback to an old New Balance model, but why does it look like the forefoot took a nosedive into a bucket of black paint? Or like it’s been on tour with KISS?

The only other knock I have is that I miss some of the wider platform attributes. I totally understand why New Balance made the updates, but I loved the accommodating fit of the previous version.

THOMAS: The SC Elite v5 is trying to catch up — but it’s chasing last year’s class while some brands are already off to the next grade. Foams are getting springier; weights are dropping fast. Even with its slimmed-down build, the SC Elite still tips the scales at 7.9 oz (225 g), which puts it on the heavier side of today’s top-tier racers. Compare that to the Puma Fast-R Nitro 3 at somewhere around 6.8 oz (192 g), the Nike Vaporfly 4 at just 6.4 oz (184 g), or the Adidas Adios Pro 4 at 7.5 oz (215 g), and you see where it stands. And I’m not even touching the madness of the Adidas Pro Evo 2 or the Asics Metaspeed Ray — those are entering featherweight territory.

However, as the weights go down on some of the other models, the prices are going up. The SC Elite v5 stays at $250.

Final thoughts on the New Balance SC Elite v5

MEAGHAN: The New Balance SC Elite v5 feels like the update this shoe needed. While v4 will always hold a special place in my heart, v5 finally feels ready for the starting line. It’s noticeably lighter and more agile, yet still delivers that propulsive energy without sacrificing comfort. It’s a clear evolution from an entry-level race day option to a high-performance racing shoe, and I think that shift will resonate with a lot of runners.

THOMAS: Overall, I’m really happy with how this shoe turned out. It’s not as accommodating as the last version, but I think it’ll win over plenty of runners. This is New Balance’s best race-day shoe yet—and they still have room to make it even better.

I wore the SC Elite v5 at the London Marathon because I had to. I’d wear it again because I want to. That says a lot. I don’t have one go-to race shoe anymore. Things have gotten more nuanced. Now I choose based on my fitness and the course, but the SC Elite v5 makes that decision easy. It’s light, it’s cushioned, it fits like it should — and that kind of no-brainer matters when the nerves hit and the starting horn sounds.

Because on race day, the last thing you want to worry about is your shoes. You just want to run your race, chase your goal, and finish strong. And this shoe? It’ll help you do that.

You can pick up the New Balance SC Elite v5 for $250 on August 7, 2025 from New Balance by using the button below.