The butter soft ride in the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer feels as if you’re running on marshmallows. After countless exploration and different models, the FuelCell, with a carbon-plate and 47mm heel stack height (in a men’s size 9.5D), is a unique offering: a training shoe built to absorb shock and endure kilometres, but carbon-plate loaded, it also lends itself to running real fast. The FuelCell SuperComp Trainer is a new type of hybrid, the Tesla of sneakers, without the political baggage of an Elon Musk.
Notably, the FuelCell SuperComp Trainer has a high rear foam stacking, which nearly engulfs half the shoe. Breaking the mold of traditional shoe design—perhaps setting a trend—the FuelCell SuperComp Trainer has a convex toe box, which creates the biomechanics of a lever when you run. The effect of the apparatus, which is really what it is, creates propulsion, and aids stride and recovery, especially on a long-distance run.
The FuelCell SuperComp Trainer is purported to provide 40% more energy return than its earlier iteration, and they do feel somewhat akin to magic shoes. We’ve road tested plenty of sneakers, but there’s nothing on the market that feels quite like this. A carbon-plated daily training shoe is something really every serious runner should covet and this model from NB is one we comfortably recommend.
The FuelCell SuperComp Trainer is comfortable, springy, durable and foam-tastic—if you want to increase mileage while maintaining pace, it’s hard to find a more excellent game-changing shoe.
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