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v3 was, in my opinion, a superb shoe, but I know not everyone agreed. I loved the feel on the run; I loved the comfort of the upper, and I loved using it for nearly every run that wasn't an easy or recovery run. In hindsight, it was one of my most used running shoes last year, but ironically I didn't use it for any race!
And this is something that has been aware of. They have previously made shoes that are accommodating, comfortable, and fun, but they have yet to master creating a true competitor for the fastest shoes on the market. And this is something Chris Morfesi, senior global product manager at New Balance, addressed in an interview with Runnersworld.
To achieve this, New Balance has made three vital upgrades to revolutionize how this shoe runs and feels on the foot.
FantomFit - New Balance Supercomp Elite v4
We start with the most polarizing aspect of SuperComp Elite v3, the upper. Last year's version had a sock-like upper with a knitted tongue that wrapped around the midfoot. It was quite high around the ankle and lacked an extra eyelet for a “runner’s knot”. This made the upper either a hit or a miss. I loved the upper and found it extremely comfortable, but many did not.
The new SuperComp Elite v4 has stepped onto the scene with an older technology called FantomFit, where they glue very thin layers of mesh together, resulting in an extremely thin more static upper that is more rigid but also feels more traditional. So traditional that it reminds me of the classic 1400 and 1500 models, which in my opinion is a very good thing!
The tongue is very thin, not gusseted, and on the shorter side, but just (but only just) long enough to cover the laces if you use the extra eyelet. I have seen thinner tongues in running shoes, and they would sometimes fold and create discomfort on top of the arch. This has not happened for me in the SuperComp Elite v4, and the tongue also stays in place despite not being gusseted.
I consider this shoe TTS (True To Size). I usually run in size 45, and it fits well. If anything, the shoe leans towards being on the shorter side, but I still have a decent amount of room in the forefoot for the longer and warmer days.
Midsole Shape - New Balance Supercomp Elite v4
The second major upgrade is the midsole shape and feel. In SuperComp Elite v3, the midsole was notorious for being very soft, and although it had a rocker, it did not feel so pronounced due to the softer foam.
v4 has a number of new features in the midsole. First and foremost, the midsole is different, with a firmer and much less soft foam. And although the official midsole height is the same in both generations, SuperComp Elite v4 has a much more aggressive spring, which together with a more responsive foam markedly enhances the toe-off.
This is noticeable when you first put the shoe on. Your feet will just roll forward. This is a fantastic feeling, which was not there to the same extent in the previous model.
The heel drop on the shoe is 4mm, which means that the official midsole height in the shoe is around 40mm under the heel and 36mm in the forefoot. Some worry about this, and others do not, but the reason I mention it is mostly because of the larger amount of foam you get under the forefoot.
36mm is a lot of foam, and I am more than confident that it will be enough to get me comfortably and fast through a marathon, even if I have a more sensitive forefoot.
Midsole Foam - New Balance Supercomp Elite v4
has been one of the last major manufacturers out there, which has not used PEBA in their fastest shoes, but this is now history. They did quite well with nitro-infused TPU, but nothing seems to beat PEBA when it comes to aiding your running economy.
When you put the shoe on, there are two things you notice. It is the rocker and the bounce in the midsole. These two things complement each other fantastically and make this shoe different from its previous generations.
Energy return has not improved due to the update to a full PEBA midsole. It is crucial to specify that Elite v4 is in no way a firm running shoe. The midsole is still soft, but compared to Supercomp Elite v3, it is firmer and certainly more bouncy, especially when you pick up the pace. This results in Supercomp Elite v4 hitting a fine point between comfortable and bouncy.
Based on multiple tests, New Balance has confirmed that the midsole should maintain its bounce and energy return for a while, which is not normal in a pure PEBA running shoe, now that it has become the norm both to limit customers' expectations for the number of marathons a running shoe should be used for.
But don't be fooled into thinking it will last forever. A lighter shoe is always a bit more challenged in its durability compared to a daily trainer. That's how it works when you make a shoe of thinner and lighter materials.
How should you use Supercomp Elite v4?
This is a competition shoe, without a doubt, and for most people, it is a competition shoe for all distances, whether it is 5 km or a full marathon. But if I were to specialize it a bit, I think it works best on the longer runs, because it is so cushioned and comfortable.
It also makes sense for New Balance to position Elite v4 as a long-distance competition shoe when you hear the rumors about the new lower and lighter v2, rumored to arrive later this year.
The firmness of the midsole also makes New Balance Supercomp Elite v4 a stable running shoe and a very valid option for runners who need a bit more stability.
Regardless, this is a safe choice if you want a highly reliable running shoe with both performance and comfort in mind.
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