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New Stability FuellCell SuperComp Elite v3 Introduction
New Stability has a very complicated naming system with regards to their flagship trainers and racers.
The RC Elite v2 was the identify of final yr’s model however this yr’s New Stability flagship racer is known as the SuperComp (SC) Elite v3. New Stability desires to offer all their carbon-plated sneakers the identify SuperComp this yr.
Final yr, once I examined the RC Elite v2, I discovered that it had a very nice, clean and energetic experience however I discovered it a little bit too tender/mushy to race in. It didn’t present as a lot velocity help as different tremendous sneakers and I felt velocity was misplaced within the spongy midsole foam. I used my pair for largely uptempo coaching runs over the previous yr.
The brand new SuperComp Elite v3 weighs 8 oz (228 g) and is heavier than v2 which was 7.7 oz (218 g). It now has a 4 mm drop in comparison with 8 mm final yr and its worth has additionally gone up by $25 which is now in keeping with the Vaporfly Subsequent% 2, Adios Professional 3, and Hyperion Elite 3.
That is the TCS New York Metropolis Marathon® version which has particular branding on the insole, heel pull tab, tongue and medial midfoot. It’s very uncommon {that a} model has a large launch launch in a marathon particular version mannequin.
New Stability FuellCell SuperComp Elite v3 First Impressions
After I noticed photos of the unreleased Elite v3, I used to be shocked that that they had modified the higher to a bootie development. I’m not a fan of bootie constructions on racing sneakers. The Hoka Carbon X3 additionally had a bootie development which I hated.
The very first thing I observed once I put the Elite v3 on was that I couldn’t get heel lockdown on account of there being no double first row eyelets. Regardless of how tight I tied the laces, my heel nonetheless felt unfastened.
It felt ever so barely firmer than final yr’s RC Elite v2 however I needed to be carrying final yr’s model on one foot and this yr’s model on the opposite foot to note a distinction.
My first run was a energy exercise which consisted of three x 3.2 km. What stood out was the additional vitality return that I felt, particularly within the rearfoot and midfoot of the shoe. It felt much like the SuperComp Coach however the Elite v3 a lot nimbler and nippier.
Transitions have been clean and the experience felt softer than a lot of the tremendous sneakers I’ve examined this yr however the Elite v3 didn’t really feel as propulsive. The rocker felt gentler and never as aggressive so toe-offs felt much less highly effective.
New Stability FuellCell SuperComp Elite v3 Higher
I’m undecided why New Stability determined to go along with a bootie development higher however it was a really, very unhealthy thought. Bootie development uppers belong on informal life-style sneakers, not on flagship carbon-plated racers.
Because of the stiffness of the plate, foot lockdown is extraordinarily essential in a racer and the SC Elite v3 fails to offer heel lockdown as a result of it’s unattainable to tie a runner’s knot. That is the SC Elite’s largest weak point.
I discover the skinny higher materials rather less breathable in comparison with final yr’s model which had giant air flow holes within the toe field so v3 runs a little bit hotter than v2. Your entire higher is one piece so the tongue is connected and there’s no tongue slide.
I discovered the collar stiff and intrusive. Generally once I’m working on an angled floor, I can really feel the collar poking into my ankles which is annoying. I by no means had this drawback with the earlier variations as a result of they by no means had bootie constructions so there was more room between my ankle and the collar.
The SC Elite v3 has a real to measurement match and the relaxed higher is stretchy so it’s very accommodating. It looks like a coaching shoe higher relatively than a racing one and wide-footed runners shouldn’t have any issues nonetheless you probably have excessive quantity toes, the collar may poke into your ankles and irritate.
New Stability FuellCell SuperComp Elite v3 Sole Unit
The SuperComp Elite v3 has a experience which may be very light in your toes and legs. This is because of 2 essential causes: firstly, the FuelCell compound which makes up its midsole is tremendous tender and secondly, its carbon plate is comparatively versatile for a marathon racer.
The light, forgiving experience is ideal for lengthy runs, at marathon tempo. For shorter, sooner exercises I crave one thing a little bit stiffer and with extra outstanding rockered transitions. That is why I don’t suggest the SuperComp Elite v3 for races shorter than 25 kilometres.
The carbon plate within the SC Elite v3 has an arc design, in different phrases, it’s cambered and never flat. You possibly can truly really feel that the plate just isn’t flat when strolling and working in it. Whilst you’re loading the plate, it flattens and snaps again to put when launched.
Along with the cambered plate, the SC Elite v3 additionally has a big, deep canal or void on its underside which permits all the midsole to splay upon affect after which return the vitality upwards. That is additionally a characteristic of the SC Coach and it’s not a gimmick- you possibly can actually really feel the additional vitality return within the rearfoot and midfoot.
The drop has been modified from 8 mm within the earlier model, to 4 mm however I can’t say that I observed a distinction with the decrease drop. It nonetheless feels just like the shoe is easing you thru transitions from heel to toe on account of its vast transition void beneath it though the drop has halved.
What I did discover was the improved stability. The SC Elite v3 feels prefer it has a much less curved final which is extra evenly balanced than earlier variations. Earlier variations had lateral flares that tended to push me over onto my medial aspect.
On the outsole of the SC Elite v3, there may be rubber protection on solely the important, excessive put on areas. There are 2 separate items of rubber on the lateral and medial sides of the rearfoot, in addition to one U-shaped piece of rubber on the forefoot. The entrance of the carbon plate additionally has a rubber piece glued onto it as a result of it’s bottom-loaded and desires safety from the bottom.
Grip is common and acceptable for a racer. I miss the spiky forefoot of v1 which continues to be among the finest gripping outsoles I’ve ever skilled on a working shoe.
So far as sturdiness goes, the SC Elite v3 has decrease sturdiness than the typical carbon-plated tremendous shoe. The primary purpose for that is that its FuelCell foam is so tender that it scuffs very simply when uncovered to tough surfaces.
I’ve observed numerous put on on the uncovered lips of the canal beneath the rearfoot after simply 80 kilometres of testing. There are additionally small holes the place sharp stones have pierced the tender midsole.
New Stability FuellCell SuperComp Elite v3 Conclusions
I used the SC Elite v3 in direction of the tail finish of my marathon coaching block and it was within the working for race day nonetheless I made a decision to not go along with it.
I like the brand new design of the midsole/outsole however I hate the brand new higher. Model 2 had a significantly better higher which was extra snug and supplied a safer lockdown.
The SuperComp Elite v3 has a extra energetic experience and it feels barely firmer and sooner than final yr’s model. The brand new, cambered plate and Power Arc make the shoe really feel extra dynamic, extra bouncy.
It’s versatile however it performs higher on the slower paces. From simple paces all the best way as much as marathon tempo are pleasing however something sooner and it feels a bit inefficient on account of its plush experience.
It nonetheless isn’t S tier for me. I don’t discover it as propulsive or environment friendly as a number of the different tremendous sneakers, primarily on account of its light rocker and its tender experience.
I feel New Stability nonetheless must agency up the midsole foam a tad and to make the toe-spring greater/extra aggressive to be able to make it extra aggressive with the market leaders.
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