REVIEW: New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trail

Made for trail runners who want to run fast, the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trail features Energy Arc, which helps to maximise energy return. These shoes are exceptionally lightweight and have a secure upper with breathable properties, providing you with an optimal level of comfort on the trail.

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SHOP NEW BALANCE FUELCELL SUPERCOMP TRAIL SHOES NOW

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New Balance athlete, Kate Avery, has been busy putting the New Balance Fuelcell SuperComp Trail to the test. Check out her review below;

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It’s red and it goes fast. Is there anything more you need to know? Okay, maybe there is! Taking inspiration from the ever-popular FuelCell SuperComp Elite, this shoe is designed to bring speed and propulsion to the trail. And let's be honest, it looks the business. A striking design with eye-catching colours, this shoe really stands out from the crowd.

It's New Balance’s first trail shoe with carbon plate technology (Energy Arc) and has all the good aspects you’d expect and some you probably didn’t. If you are new to trail running and are looking at purchasing your first trail shoe, there are other models that fit the bill better (check out the New Balance Hierro v7). However, if you’ve been hitting the trail for a little while now and are looking to upgrade your results or simply skip across the top of the fell a little quicker, this is the shoe for you!
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At first glance, this doesn’t look much like the other trail shoes in my rotation, and for good reason. To start with, the upper appears much sleeker, more breathable and a little more streamlined. In saying this, they haven’t neglected to keep the features that I love about their other trail shoes – there is still a toe protector, the laces still grip the foot snugly and the footbed is still as comfy as ever! These things might seem small, but when moving along the trails quickly, you’ll appreciate all the things that keep your foot from slipping inside the shoe!

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The next aspect that you will notice when you pick it up is that it’s light, like their “lightest-trail-shoe-ever” light. At 272g it is 0.1g lighter than the Summit Unknown which was my previous race shoe pick. Contributing to that title is the fact that New Balance have used the Vibram Lightbase – a technology that specifically reduces the weight of the sole whilst maintaining high amounts of grip and traction. Whilst we’re talking grip, you cannot review a New Balance trail shoe and not pay homage to the Vibram Megagrip! Although the lugs on the sole are short (4mm) - making it better for firm,
dry and rocky surfaces - the Megagrip technology means that you can feel safe and steady whilst moving at your new-found speed!

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Now, you’ve read a little about some of the aspects you were not expecting (maybe you’re a shoe geek and you were expecting them!), let me tell you about the one you were expecting – the Energy Arc. This is the same technology that New Balance uses for their top-of-the-line, winning-big-road-marathons, second-to-none FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3 (their latest carbon-plated road shoe). This is a big deal. When a brand that has made a name in road running uses the same technology in a trail shoe, we should take notice. Combine the Energy Arc with their FuelCell midsole (3% bio-based/renewable content) and you get a shoe that returns a high amount of energy! This is the game changer for trail shoes. When the surface is something that can complement the Energy Arc technology (anything that is moderately firm) you get a shoe that is able to drive you forward like no other New Balance shoe is able to. That might seem like a big claim but if you’ve run in a shoe with a carbon plate you’ll know what I mean.

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From a sizing perspective it is important to note that this one runs a little small. Myself and a few trail running friends have found that we need to order a half size larger than normal. Apart from this aspect, you’ll find the toe box has ample room for downhill carnage and the width is spot on.
This shoe has a purpose. There is nothing on it which isn’t there to make you run fast and feel steady on the trail. And it shows. If you want a shoe for a muddy and soft training run, keep searching. This is not your everyday work horse that you’ll take out for mile after mile. This is the one you keep for a special occasion. This is the one you keep in the garage until you want to steal that Strava segment you’ve been chasing. This is your next race shoe! It’s a testament to shoe technology that we can now differentiate between those two scenarios! However, if you’re looking to run fast over short or ultra distances, then the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trail is your next ride.

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KEY FEATURES:

• FuelCell midsole foam with approximately 3% bio-based content delivers a propulsive feel to help drive you forward. Bio-based content is made from renewable resources to help reduce our carbon footprint.

• Energy Arc pairs advanced carbon plate geometry with strategically shaped and placed midsole voids, designed to increase stored energy to deliver a high amount of total energy returned.

• Vibram® Megagrip offers grip on both dry and wet terrain.

• Vibram® Lightbase is designed to reduce overall sole weight and thickness while maintaining grip, traction and durability.

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SHOP NEW BALANCE FUELCELL SUPERCOMP TRAIL SHOES NOW

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ABOUT NEW BALANCE

New Balance are committed to supporting athletes in their pursuit of excellence. Whether that means helping professional athletes set records and win medals, or propelling everyday athletes to achieve a new PR, run their first 5K or just to live a more healthy and active lifestyle. Their products are the perfect blend of function and fashion, giving you the performance technology you need and the style you want. While they offer the best product on the market, they're also equally committed to giving back. So while they look to succeed, their ultimate goal is to help you achieve yours.

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