New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3 Review | Another Strong MidPack Racer and Super Trainer

With the increasing popularity of super trainers, let’s see if New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3 is the right trainer for you.

For many, this shoe will fall somewhere between a true daily trainer and performance trainer, best suited for half / full marathon training or seasoned runners. 

Built for long effort runs, this shoe stacks up well for a variety of pace-specific workouts.

FuelCell refers to New Balance’s midsole foam, “fueling” the energy return for your goal pace workouts. The super composition of this shoe pairs the responsive foam with a carbon plate.

This shoe is great for runners who are training for their next PB and plan to race in carbon-plated shoes. This trainer simulates the feel of a carbon-plated race day shoe, while supporting your peak training weeks. 

This would also be a great option for those middle to back of the pack racers looking for additional stability throughout their race along with the efficiency of a carbon-plated shoe.

Although, if you’re considering this for a race-day shoe and hope to end up on the podium, it’s important to note that competition stack height is limited to 40mm.

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3 Overview

Straight out of the box, these shoes were stiff, but were broken in quickly. After 2 warm-up miles, these trainers easily picked up pace for GMP mile repeats. My first impression was that these shoes felt soft, yet fast. 

I have used these shoes through speed workouts and a long tempo run, the longest run being 16 miles.

The trainers felt heavier at an easy pace, and performed best on my pace pick ups. Despite the heavier feeling on easy paces, this shoe transitions well between a variety of paces, making it a great option for those tempo runs, progression runs, or speed workouts.

No need to change shoes in the middle of a workout. Regardless, I would not recommend this shoe as a daily trainer or for strictly easy runs. 

The SuperComp v3 is trending closer to a super trainer, with a more race-day feel. The midsole foam is designed to feel more responsive.

Interestingly, this PEBA / EVA blend is 3% bio-based, reducing the carbon footprint of this shoe. New Balance’s Energy Arc design pairs a carbon plate with a large midsole void,I felt the propulsion off my toes that I expect from a carbon-plated shoe. 

New Balance SuperComp Trainer v3 Fit

This shoe fit true to my standard sizing, with a slightly narrower toe box. After stacking up miles in these shoes, I did develop a small hot spot on my middle toe.

The outside of my toes were a little more crowded than other standard-fit shoes. But, the rest of the shoe fit well, I am hesitant to suggest a half size up. For wide-foot runners, the standard forefoot and toe box will be too narrow.

The FantonFit upper is breathable and pliable. The tongue is gusseted to prevent any movement. The heel collar is moderately padded.

The combination of these features lean towards performance and stability, rather than comfort. Overall, this kept my foot securely locked down, with no movement or need to readjust after long miles. 

The outsole on the New Balance trainers is thin and minimal, in-line with most carbon-plated running shoes. I had no issues with traction on both cement and gravel packed paths. 

Tester Gillian: Sizing was a bit odd for me. My usual 8.5 felt slightly too snug, possibly due to my sometimes wide forefoot. I ended up opting for a size 9, which sometimes felt too big, but with running long distances and my feet swelling, it was perfect. I did have to heel lock with upping the size.

New Balance SuperComp Trainer v3 Feel

Although this shoe felt heavier at an easy pace, the foam was still responsive and soft, even after long miles. At the end of my long run, my feet still felt cushioned, thanks to the shock absorption of the foam. 

Overall, the shoes were soft and comfortable. One both cement and gravel packed trails, I couldn’t feel the ground underneath me. I could feel the energy return of the Energy Arc system, particularly at those sub 7:00 paces.

I was certainly working hard, and still felt efficient from the responsiveness of this trainer. 

The wide platform maintains stability, despite the responsive foam. This shoe will feel more like a cushy trainer than a fast race-day shoe, or stable daily trainer; true to the nature of a super trainer.

Tester Gillian: I trained for and ran my last half marathon in a previous colorway of the v3. These carried me and my bad knees wonderfully across 13.1 miles. I generally lean towards more stability shoes so these put my feet in a slightly different position than what I was used to.

This was not a problem. The wider base of the FreshFoam was extremely supportive and comfortable. Plus training with a shoe rotation.

This mid to back of packer loved the pop of the energy return. I do agree with Jen that this this is not nearly as lightweight as the SuperComp Elite but a great race shoe for when you want a cushioned bounce at a bit slower pace.

Similar Shoes to the SuperComp Trainer V3

While not designated as “super trainers”, let’s see how this shoe compares to other shoes that may be in your rotation:

I am currently in the heart of a marathon training cycle, these shoes shined for my training runs. This is a shoe I will continue to incorporate for speed work and tempo runs. Living up to the super trainer hype, these shoes were great for picking up speed while supporting the big mileage weeks.

I would not recommend these shoes for a daily trainer. For someone focusing on increasing base mileage rather than improving speed, a daily trainer will give you more bang for your buck.

Who Tried It?

I’m Jen: a former gymnast, turned runner and mountaineer. I ran my first half marathon in 2022, and haven’t looked back, now logging 40-60 MPW, while often simultaneously training for my next climb. When I’m not running, you’ll find me somewhere within the Colorado Rockies with my 2 pups, Badger (lab-mix) and Lupin (weimaraner). 

What to Read Next?

• Best Marathon Shoes for Beginners
• Transitioning from the 10K to the Half Marathon
• Best Carbon Plated Shoes