New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v2 Introduction
One of the most unique shoes to launch last year, the SuperComp Trainer v1 was one of the few running shoes to break the 40 mm midsole stack height competition rule imposed by World Athletics.
It also had a convex-shaped carbon plate and a deep decoupled groove, resulting in an incredibly fun, bouncy ride.
The SuperComp Trainer was one of my favourite running shoes last year: it was super soft but also very stable and not sluggish. I could use it for recovery, easy, steady and long runs due to its superb energy return and high level of cushioning.
The SuperComp Trainer is supposed to be the training version of the SuperComp Elite racer; a more durable, cheaper option for training runs however, version 1 was more of a multi-purpose shoe than a speed trainer. It didn’t specialise in speedwork.
It also had a semi-bootie construction upper with a stiff collar that poked into your ankles so it wasn’t the most comfortable shoe.
The SuperComp Trainer v2 has been completely redone. Its upper is now a traditional one, its midsole is thinner and it has a modified midsole foam.
It now weighs 9.7 oz (275 g) for a men’s US9 which is 0.7 oz lighter than version 1. It’s also 7 mm lower in the heel and 5 mm lower in the forefoot but it still costs $180.
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v2 First Impressions
My first run was a 7 km hill repeats workout. The first thing that I noticed was how much more comfortable the upper was. The traditional upper of this version felt a lot more performance oriented than the last version.
The SuperComp Trainer v2 felt soft, energetic and stable. It made the run feel effortless. I felt like it was giving me a boost during the uphill surges when I needed it.
The shoe that it reminded me of was the New Balance More v4. Both shoes are maximalist trainers and have deep decoupled grooves underneath their outsoles. I can feel and hear the void underneath the shoe during foot strikes.
Compared to version 1, it felt less cushioned, slightly softer and more stable. It felt more agile and more capable of picking up the pace than v1.
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v2 Upper
Version 1 had a stiff, hard upper which didn’t conform to your feet. I’m glad that they’ve changed the upper to a more traditional one because it fits better and is more comfortable. The new mesh feels more pliable and there’s now cushioning in the collar and heel tab.
The tongue is flat and semi-gusseted. It slides down a bit during runs but it’s not a major issue. There’s no heel slippage but I use a runner’s knot to get a good lockdown.
It has a spacious, accommodating fit in the midfoot, forefoot and toe box so this is a shoe that I would recommend for wide-footed runners. It runs true to size and it works best for me with thin or medium thickness socks.
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v2 Sole Unit
There could only be 1 reason for the reduction in midsole stack height: a thinner midsole results in a lower weight and better versatility.
New Balance probably felt like the SuperComp Trainer v2 needed to be faster than v1. After testing it, I can conclude that it definitely is faster.
I did various tempo and threshold sessions in the SuperComp v2, and it passed with flying colours. I can do marathon paced efforts in it relatively easily compared to the first version and it feels like it’s lost some of the bloat.
Even though it has lost significant stack height, the SuperComp Trainer v2 still feels very well cushioned and very soft. It’s one of the softest shoes I’ve tried this year so if you enjoy squishy, plush rides, it will be right up your alley.
The sole setup is quite similar in geometry to the previous version. The carbon plate is cambered, so when you land, it flattens and then propels you forward when released. The plate has some flexibility and the forefoot isn’t extremely rigid. This gives the trainer a more relaxed ride than the SuperComp Elite.
The SuperComp Trainer v2 is great for long runs, easy, recovery and steady paced runs. I used it for 2 speed interval workouts but it was a bit too clunky and soft for those types of sprinting paces.
My favourite thing about it is how energetic it feels underfoot. The ride feels bouncy and dynamic because of the plate and the wide channel underneath the shoe which splays upon impact. This is one of the bounciest shoes on the market although it has lost some of the extreme bounce that was present in v1 due to the lower stack height.
The rocker is not as prominent in v2 compared to v1. This is because of the lower heel stack height and the softer foam of v2 so v2 doesn’t feel as energy-saving on long runs.
The formulation of FuelCell in the SuperComp Trainer v2 has changed: it’s lighter and less dense. It has better durability and is less susceptible to scuffing. I remember seeing a lot of outsole wear after testing v1 but v2 has held up much better.
The outsole has decent rubber coverage on the high wear areas but because of how the outsole is designed with the deep groove in the middle, there’s a lot of exposed midsole foam so you can expect lower durability than most trainers. The rubber used is also a softer, less durable type of rubber. Traction is average and it wouldn’t be my first choice for wet conditions.
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v2 Conclusions
I didn’t think that I would enjoy this version as much as the first version because of the reduced stack height but it surprised me.
I think it’s a good update and it feels more like a speed trainer.
They fixed the most important thing, the upper. The collar no longer pokes into your ankles and the upper is now a traditional one which fits me better.
At $180, it’s $20 more than the average plated speed trainer, but I still think it’s worth the price.
This is a $180 running shoe which feels like a $180 running shoe. You can use it for a variety of different runs and paces, and it has a really fun, engaging ride.
The SuperComp Trainer v2 will definitely stay in my rotation for a while and I’ll use it for steady-paced and long runs when I’m craving a plush ride but I also want energy return.
Compared to the Hoka Mach X, which is currently my favourite speed trainer, the SuperComp Trainer v2 isn’t as fast or durable but it has a much plusher ride. I think slower runners will prefer the SuperComp Trainer v2.
I still prefer the Mach X because it feels snappier and more punchy during workouts.