New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v2

Name: New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v2
Brand: New Balance
Rating: 4.7 (20 reviews)

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 9.1 oz · 40/34mm stack · 6mm drop

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3 replaced it

How it ranks

The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v2 is one of the strongest daily trainers in our data. Cushioning and looks are its strongest sub-ratings. Value scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 48 runner reviews and 2 other rated shoes in the FuelCell SuperComp Trainer product line.

Excellent

Overall

Excellent 94

Cushioning

Excellent 96

Appearance

Good 88

Comfort

Decent 77

Durability

Decent 74

Value

Below average 66

Confidence

How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

See the product line's history

Confidence

96 Very high

Very high 96

External retailer ratings

We break apart ratings from mass-market retailers and specialty running shops since they serve different audiences.

The middle of the bar marks the typical shoe at each type of retailer. The dot shows where this shoe ranks in comparison.

Based on

The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.

Our ratings
Product line track record
External ratings

What runners say

“The cushioning is awesome and saves the legs from getting bashed, yet has a very snappy energy return.”

5/5 Full review 6 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2

“Ultra cushioned, surprisingly stable for such a high heel stack.”

5/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Triumph 20

“Sole wears down pretty quick, so for the price it is a bit expensive.”

4/5 Full review training for 5K and 10K

“Comparable to the other carbon plate shoes on the market for half the price.”

4/5 Full review 20 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Nike Vaporfly 3

“I run 50-90k/week and the shoes have held up well.”

5/5 Full review 40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance 1080 v10

“The cushioning makes it a great option as a trainer, but the extremely responsive foam and plate gives you that extra pop.”

5/5 Full review 20 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38

“Really bad for trails and I twisted my ankle.”

4/5 Full review 60 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39

“They made me feel like I was racing in a supershoe.”

5/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Triumph 20

“It is a bit lighter and has less bounce, but also less cushioning.”

5/5 Full review training for 5K and 10K

“It's a very lightweight shoe so cushion is not the main priority, and you may feel that the next day depending on your workout.”

4/5 Full review 20 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Nike Vaporfly 3

“The design of the large "v" cut into the soles has a tendency of picking up unwanted passengers in the form of stones and rocks.”

5/5 Full review training for 5K and 10K came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3

“I feel they DO propel me forward the faster I run.”

5/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Triumph 20

“Good for wider feet and heavier runners.”

4/5 Full review training for 5K and 10K

“At first the top of the shoe is a bit tight, after 1 run it loosens up and feels comfortable.”

4/5 Full review 20 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Nike Vaporfly 3

“The sock inner comes up high and the integral lacing can cause a hot spot.”

5/5 Full review 6 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2

“The combination of support and speed makes it a top tier option for fast long runs.”

5/5 Full review 20 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38

“The deep ridge in the sole often picks up good sized stones and pieces of bark.”

5/5 Full review 14 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Nike React Infinity Run 1

“I miss the bouncier feel of V1.”

5/5 Full review training for 5K and 10K

“The upper mesh needs to be redesigned for wear and tear.”

5/5 Full review training for 5K and 10K came from the New Balance Fresh Foam Beacon v3

“Way too expensive—get on sale.”

4/5 Full review 60 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39

Prefer this shoe over another

74% 17/23

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.

Pros

Reviewers say the cushioning leaves legs feeling fresh after long runs.
Runners use it for easy days, tempo workouts and races alike.
A 40mm heel stack at 9.7 oz, and reviewers repeatedly call it light and responsive.

Cons

It lists at $176, above the $150 median for daily trainers for sale, and seven reviewers call it expensive.
Two reviewers say the deep groove in the sole picks up stones and bark.
Durability averages 4.2 out of 5, and two reviewers report the outsole or the upper mesh wearing quickly.

FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v2 rates 94. This shoe has very high confidence. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer

Each dot is one version of the FuelCell SuperComp Trainer, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.

Rating

40 60 80 100

90 2022 94 2023 81 2024

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.

FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3

2024 · 7 reviews

81 Good

77 Confidence
FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v2 This shoe

2023 · 48 reviews

94 Excellent

96 Confidence
FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v1

2022 · 10 reviews

90 Very good

80 Confidence

Runner Ratings

48 ratings

5/5 29

4/5 13

3/5 4

2/5 2

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight: 9.1 oz
Men's / women's: Men's 10.1 oz · Women's 8.0 oz
Release: 2023 Q2
MSRP: $176
Stack: 40/34mm
Drop: 6mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

The best and most expensive running shoes ever!

5/5

Overall

I bought these in preparation for a long race on July 4th! I have run through many pairs of 1080’s but I thought it was time to try something new albeit more expensive! I couldn’t be happier with the performance but at that price it’s going to be a hard decision to go back for another pair.

Anonymous runner · Dec 13, 2024

30 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v12

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
Appearance: 5/5
Value: 4/5

What a unique cushioned shoe!

5/5

Overall

I'd always wanted to try a "supershoe". I'm not an elite racer, so, a trainer sounded like a great opportunity. AND...it was awesome. The shoe is ultra cushioned, surprisingly stable for such a high heel stack. The carbon plate takes a bit of getting used to (the shoe isn't flexible). But, there is enough of a rocker to propel you forward. I've felt the shoes have performed very well on both long and short runs. They have excelled in races (5k...they made me feel like I WAS racing in a supershoe). I feel they DO propel me forward the faster I run. They are LIGHT, relatively breathable, and cushioned. I have not experienced any hotspots from the upper. Overall, you cannot go wrong with this shoe!

Anonymous runner · Dec 6, 2024

25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Triumph 20

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 4/5
Value: 4/5

Great durability

5/5

Overall

Favorite shoe, super durable, nothing else is comparable

Anonymous runner · Jun 17, 2024

training for ultramarathons came from the Saucony Kinvara Pro

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
Appearance: 5/5
Value: 5/5

My favorite daily trainer

5/5

Overall

This shoe can do it all. Easy days through speed workouts. My feet feel great regardless. A little pricey for a daily trainer but in my opinion well worth it.

Anonymous runner · Jun 14, 2024

40 mpw training for a marathon came from the ASICS Novablast 2

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 5/5
Value: 4/5

Evolution but not Progress

5/5

Overall

A ran in V1 for hundreds of miles. Love them and didn’t the investment to go to the Elite was worth it. As a heavier runner, I liked the comfy ride of V1. V2 has pros and cons. V2 has a faster race day feel, and I do feel like I am faster in V2. It is a bit lighter and has less bounce, but also less cushioning. Trade offs for sure. Since I am not an elite runner, I miss the bouncier feel of V1. I ran NYC Marathon in these and they were rock solid all the way. In the end, it will come down to preference. V2 will absolutely get you there and it has snap.

Lawrence C Jackson · Dec 1, 2023

training for 5K and 10K