New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 Review

Cody

The SC Elite v6 has one of the best uppers of any super shoe I’ve tried.

Most super shoes I test tend to run narrow, especially through the toe box. That’s not the case here. The SC Elite v6 accommodated my widish feet really well, giving me enough room up front without feeling sloppy. The lockdown was also on point. Once I tied them down, my foot felt secure without needing to crank down the laces.

The Infinion foam provides a really nice, comfortable ride. I used the SC Elite v6 for both speed work and long runs, and it felt smooth at both. Hitting faster paces never felt difficult, but the shoe also doesn’t force you to run fast.

If you're looking to get into your first carbon-plated racing shoe, the SC Elite v6 feels like a great introduction. It isn't overly aggressive or demanding, but there’s still enough speed and efficiency there to get the job done.

Blake

The SC Elite v6 is a very fast, snappy super shoe, but feels very different to the previous SC Elite super shoes. All the previous models used FuelCell foam, but v6 mixes it up and uses the new ATPU based Infinion foam. Along with the foam change, the carbon plate is tweaked to be thinner in the heel and firmer in the forefoot. All this adds up to a faster feeling ride.

During intervals, the plate and foam combination feels snappy and responsive, making this a fun option for shorter, faster efforts. When I was up on my toes it felt firm and propulsive, but when I was midfoot striking I got a bit more bounce from how the foam and plate work together.

The upper is breathable, and the outsole rubber itself has held up well.

This shoe also knocks off half an ounce bringing it to around 6.5oz which does make the shoe feel noticeably light.

Cody

$275 is nuts.

That is way too much for almost any running shoe in my opinion, but it becomes even harder to justify when I don't think this is one of the fastest super shoes on the market.

I really enjoyed getting miles in the SC Elite v6, but I kept wanting it to give me a little more. I wanted more aggression. More pop. More of that feeling where you hit race pace and the shoe starts pushing you forward.

Instead, I would describe the SC Elite v6 as a really solid, really good shoe.

But if I’m lining up for a marathon trying to PR or make a sub-3-hour attempt, I don't know if this is the shoe I would reach for. For me, I need all the help I can get on race day, and there are other super shoes that give me more of that aggressive race-day feeling.

Blake

My biggest issue with the SC Elite v6 is that I don't think it's a great marathon shoe (at least for my preferences). The heel feels too narrow and wobbly for me, and when I'm actually running race pace and up on my toes, the shoe does feel snappy but not particularly protective or energetic.

The only time I really noticed that cushioned, bouncy feeling was when I was midfoot striking, which usually happened when I was running off pace or jogging between intervals. That's not how I naturally run when I'm actually pushing the pace.

The fit is also a little short. If I were racing a marathon in this shoe, I'd probably go up half a size. The ankle collar is fairly pointy which rubbed my achilles, and while the upper is breathable, it doesn't feel particularly premium or modern. I honestly think the SC Rebel feels more premium.

Durability is another concern. The rubber itself is holding up well, but the exposed foam visibly shredded after the initial run and continued to get worse. It doesn't necessarily affect performance yet, but it's not a great first impression for a $275 racing shoe.

Cody

I think the New Balance SC Elite v6 makes the most sense for someone looking for their first carbon-plated racing shoe or a runner who simply doesn't enjoy extremely aggressive super shoes.

You can push the pace in it, take it through long marathon workouts, and when the legs get heavy and the pace slows down, the shoe still feels comfortable. That's something not every super shoe does well.

But if your priority is pure speed and you're looking for the most aggressive race-day option possible, I think there are better choices.

The SC Elite v6 is a very good super shoe.

I’m just not convinced it's the super shoe I would choose when I need to run my absolute fastest.

Blake

The New Balance SC Elite v6 is a fast and aggressive racing shoe, but I don't think it lives up to its name as a marathon-focused super shoe. The narrow, wobbly heel, short fit, and lack of cushioning when running up on your toes make it difficult for me to trust over 26.2 miles.

For shorter races and interval workouts, I can see the appeal. It's snappy, lightweight, and fun when you're pushing the pace. But for me, the SC Rebel actually feels like the more premium and better-balanced option for the marathon.

Cody

For $275? I don't think so.

I enjoyed running in the SC Elite v6, and there’s a lot New Balance got right here—especially the upper, fit, and versatility of the ride.

But $275 puts this shoe into a price category where I expect something special. For me, the performance doesn't quite match that price.

If you want a comfortable, approachable carbon-plated shoe and price isn't a major concern, I think you'll really enjoy the SC Elite v6.

But at $275, I’d wait for a sale.

Blake

At $275, I don't think the SC Elite v6 is worth the price for my preferences. There are other racing shoes that offer a more protective and bouncy ride at the same price or less, and I personally prefer the SC Rebel for marathon racing.

If you're primarily looking for a fast 5K or 10K shoe and prefer a firm, snappy ride, the Elite v6 makes more sense. But for longer distances, especially the marathon, I think there are better options for the money.