Article by Ben David, Jeremy Marie, Ryan Eiler, Renee Krusemark, Sally Reiley and Sam Winebaum
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 ($200)
Pros:
- Light, fast, highly breathable (Ben / Jeremy / Ryan / Renee/ Sally)
- Some “classic” racing flat” vibes - in a good way (Jeremy/Sam/Renee/Sally)
- Well balanced combination of midsole softness and snappy turnover (Ryan/Sam/Renee/ Sally)
- Secure grip (Jeremy / Ryan/ Sally))
- Don’t miss a maxed out stack height: stable, agile, plenty of cushion, even some front flex: Sam/Sally/Jeremy
- Adequate fit, nice foothold and spacious toebox (Jeremy/Sam)
- Most versatile super shoe yet? Race ready, any training pace or distance friendly: Sam/Sally
- Great looking shoe! (Sally)
- Available in 2E Wide
Cons:
- Not very adept at slower paces, lower stack may not work for everyone (Ben)
- Might feel firmish for some due to lower stack height (Jeremy)
- Achilles rubbing / heel design, Minimal heel cup could be more built up for better achilles comfort (Ryan/Sally/Jeremy)
- Distinct heel vs forefoot ride characteristics (Ryan)
- Flat insole was totally unglued at first, wrinkles had to be smoothed out and insole pressed down in place (Sally/Jeremy)
Please see testers run bios at the end of the review. The testers range in marathon times between 2:14 and about 4 hours.
Introduction
Ben: The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 is called out as a carbon-plated race-day shoe. It is a lighter, lower-stack option than the SuperComp Elite v4. This airy, snappy shoe absolutely sings at shorter distances, such as the 5K and 10K, but is up for longer distances too and was on the feet of New Balance athlete Emily Sisson when she took second place at the U.S Olympic Marathon Trials in Orlando this past February. The first version of the shoe were competitors with other 5K / 10K shoes on the market such as the adizero Takumi Sen but this latest iteration (In my opinion) puts New Balance at the head of such a group and yet can also range further. This shoe is fun and fast, truly a pleasure to run in. Let’s take a closer look.
Stats
Approx. Weight: men's 7.2 oz / 204g (US9)
Prior Version Weight 6.81 oz / 193 g (US9)
Sample Weights:
men’s 7.02 oz / 199g (US8.5) ,7.69oz / 218g (US9.5),7.76oz/220g US10.5
women’s 6.4 oz / 180 g (US W8)
Stack Height: 32.8 mm heel / 24.8 mm forefoot ( 8mm drop spec)
Prior Version Stack Height: 28 mm heel / 20 mm forefoot ( 8mm drop spec)
Platform Width: 75 mm heel / 70 mm midfoot / 105 mm forefoot
$200 and available now including at New Balance HERE.
Most comparable shoes
Nike Streakfly (Ben)
Asics Magic Speed 2 & 3 (Ben/Sam)
Hoka Rocket X2 (Ben)
Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 10 (Ben)
Nike Vaporfly OG Baby Blue (Sam)
Puma Deviate Nitro 3 (Ryan)
Mizuno Neo Vista (Sam
Adizero Boston 12 (Sam)
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Ben: With 5mm more stack than its previous version and with an updated PEBA foam, the Pacer v2 challenges the best carbon-plated racers out there. The shoe is very light and breathable upon step-in; my size 9 fits perfectly. While I occasionally have lock-down issues with New Balance shoes (and honestly I was worried about that with this one) I found the lock-down to be very good here.
The laces are thin and have a racy kind of feel to them. The mesh upper is riddled with large holes that can keep your foot extremely well-ventilated even when running in warm weather (as it is now here in the Northeast). While the shoe’s geometry is reminiscent of the SC Elite 4 and the Rebel 4; the Pacer is something else entirely and (for me) the best of this latest New Balance batch.
Ryan: “So is this a lowered SC Elite v4?” was the first question that came to mind after the unboxing of this SC Pacer v2. It’s certainly ‘on brand’ with the latest racing shoes from NB, sharing geometric facets along the sides of the midsole, as well as a similar silhouette and design elements along its upper.
However, its construction is simpler than that of the SC Elite v4. The upper material is a strong but basic mesh with large perforations which remind me somewhat of the upper of the latest Vaporfly.
Lockdown is strong, although not nearly as aggressive as an Adidas Takumi Sen, with the openings in the mesh affording it a touch of stretch.
I ran into some issues in the rear of the shoe, where the very simple, un-padded heel collar rubbed pretty decent blisters into both of my feet in each of my first two runs. And I’m not usually prone to getting blisters in that area.
I think NB would have done well to flare, sculpt, or add some padding to this area, as it seems a bit crude as compared to most of the other high-performers that the SC Pacer 2 competes with.
There’s a generous amount of space and pliability in the toe box, and the midfoot of the upper cleanly hugs the foot, as there are no fancy gussets, overlays, or reinforcements — just a sprayed-on “N” logo. Fit is true to size.
Sam: Ben says best of the current New Balance offerings and I totally agree! More why below but the Pacer v2 manages to balance carbon plated, PEBA foam high performance including for the US marathon record by Em Sisson with a friendly, any pace welcome fit and ride. And it starts with its simple upper.
The others have described it well. By using a single layer not particularly light but very foot conforming mesh with plenty of perforations for ventilation and a touch of give, the Pacer has a generous fit for a race shoe without anywhere sacrificing hold. Its mesh is not the very thin mono mesh or the Rebel v4 but something more substantial which for me with my medium to narrow feet achieves a smoother more all of a piece fit than the Rebel if not quite as spacious one up front.
While I did not have irritation problems with the rear collars as Ryan did, I agree the rear collar padding could be more substantial.
The fit is a perfect true to size for my narrow to medium volume and width feet, leaning more towards a performance type fit than full on race fit. The Pacer v2 is also available in 2E wide.
Renee: I had the same initial thought as Ryan: Is the Pacer v2 a lower stacked Elite v4? For me, it’s not. The shoe’s underfoot feel, geometry, and overall ride are different from the Elite v4, so read on for those details. I don’t consider the Pacer to be a plated version of the Rebel v4 either, although all three shoes share a similar look and aesthetic. The Pacer v2 is its own shoe.
Everyone else describes the upper well. It’s super light and thin with plenty of ventilation holes. The lack of heel padding seemed a bit odd for a shoe that caters to fast paces, although I had no issues with slipping or hold.
The tongue is not gusseted, and I had some slight bunching of the tongue when I tied the laces tight, which I prefer for speed days. The issue was not significant, but it might be a reason I don’t use the shoes for a marathon distance. I used the top eyelet to lace (not a runner’s knot) and the laces sit just above the tongue. I had no issue with discomfort or rubbing however. For sizing, I suggest the same size as any other New Balance.
Sally: The Pacer V2 was one of my most anticipated releases of 2024 after seeing it at TRE (The Running Event) in Austin, TX last November. There are not many New Balances shoes that I don’t love, and this one looked like such a sweet sibling of the SC Elite, the Rebel and the SC Trainer, combining some of the better elements of each.
I was immediately struck by the great looks of this shoe with its white and teal colorway, classic NB geometry and dominant N logo.
It is comfortable right out of the box, fitting true to size but more snug than many other NB shoes (many are overly generous in width for me).
My narrow foot is securely locked in thanks to a more race day fit, the toe box being a bit less roomy. Some runners who are between sizes might want to size up for length as the toe box might feel a tad short due to its shallower profile.
Thin socks and tight laces result in a perfect fit for me, though I admittedly experienced some sore toe nails after my first run.
The minimal heel cup does angle in a bit and I felt it in the achilles, but not to the point of blisters or even hot spots. The tongue is thin and somewhat short, but does not pose a problem as the overly short tongue does in the SC Elite V4. You do have to be careful that the tongue lays flat on top of your foot, but I experienced no lace bite.
Jeremy: The others have perfectly described the SC Pacer v2 upper, and I totally fall into the same conclusions as theirs: the simple look of the upper hides a very conforming, supple fit thanks to the very pliable mesh that ND has used in the Pacer v2. The large vent holes warrant top-notch breathability that I’ve finally been able to test in France (one day, summer will settle here…) and as my colleagues described, it provides some give to the upper.
The fit is TTS, and a hair tighter than my last NB high performance shoe, the SC Elite v3. The midfoot hold is excellent, without any sense of tightness, and the forefoot widens to offer a generous toe box.
The tongue is thin and not gusseted. I always wonder why brands don’t stick to gusseted tongues as I find this to be a clearly superior design. In the Pacer v2, I had to pay attention to tongue bunching when lacing - not a big issue per se, but...I prefer without this step. For instance it’s quite bothersome, would you use the shoe for a triathlon. Otherwise, once set, it stays firmly in place and perfectly protects from lace bite.
The heel cup is quite a simple design, very similar tp the one in the trail Venym, in a totally different shoe category. It’s strange to find such a simple approach on a high performance shoe. I did not have an issue with it though, but I had to use the last eyelet on my right foot, which is usually more prone to heel slippage than the left one.
I received the shoes with unglued insoles, which leads to some doubts before the first run. I’ve just put them back into place and never had an issue on the run, even during some hill repeats. It just “looks bad” when receiving the shoe, but nothing more.
Midsole & Platform
Ryan: The FuelCell PEBA foam feels to be of the same density as that of the latest SC Elite, sharing a similar design of a midsole which juts outward on both the lateral and medial sides at the midfoot. On the one hand, it gives the shoe a relatively stable platform up front, which is great as FuelCell tends to be on the livelier end of the spectrum. However, it does make the heel feel slightly disconnected from the forefoot.
While the rear of the shoe comprises two beams of foam with a large channel separating them, the forefoot of this Pacer is much wider and more responsive as a result, providing a surefooted sense of control worthy of a racer. The large patch of contiguous rubber in the forefoot does make it feel a little less dynamic underfoot than would separate patches of rubber, though.
Don’t get me wrong – it’s great that a shoe meant for shorter, speedier efforts offers a stable, grippy forefoot. My point is that it takes a little bit of getting used to, and makes for a less cohesive ride than a more conventional design.
The design team did a nice job of integrating the plate into the Pacer’s midsole. While adding a welcome amount of stiffness for propulsion, there’s a surprising amount of flex toward the toe. Couple that with the softness of the midsole foam, and there’s not a whiff of harshness to be found.
So, there’s still some fun to be had here, even at a lower stack relative to a pure marathon shoe. Deep down, FuelCell midsoles are about delivering fun via a soft, springy ride, and that’s still the case here. Just be ready to trade off a bit of depth of cushion for improvements to inertia and responsiveness.
Ben: I agree with Ryan. This shoe is not looking to compete with its bigger stack cousins. For those who have been running or racing in the likes of an Alphafly or Adios Pro, you’ll find the Pacer to be quite different from step one. I found the midsole to be very snappy and lively, even if the stack is diminished. The platform is quite stable (in part due to the lower stack) not too narrow and rather accommodating as far as race-day shoes go.
Sam: For me “less is more” here. While not maxed out given the 33mm heel / 25mm forefoot stack height, there is plenty of light and lively cushion here. By keeping the stack height “down” New Balance achieves several things.
First, the Pacer v2 is stable and tracks very linearly no matter the pace unike New Balance’s other Energy Arc shoes, racers and recent performance trainers which, other than the SC Trainer v1, felt overly soft at the heel and sometimes for me out of “balance” and awkward especially at slower paces.
Second, with less stack height, and potentially the plate design we have some unusual for a carbon shoe flex. Not a lot but enough to allow any plate harshness to disappear and to better enable a more rolling motion even when tired. Added bonus the flex makes for easier uphills.
Finally, along with of course weight reduction to 7 oz /199g in my US8.5 and its 8mm drop (even if somewhat lower in feel due to the soft foam, the Pacer v2 is more agile in feel, quick to change gears and roll forward and just plain fun to run
The very low slung rigid Pacer v1 is for me a brick in comparison to v2, good for 5K maybe 10K whereas here I could see going up to a marathon due to the friendly to move geometry and more than adequate if not maxed out stack of cushion
The new PEBA foam itself is soft but not quite as soft as the overly soft for me and not dense enough Rebel v4 EVA/PEBA blend with no plate in the mix. It is a touch softer than adidas Lightstrike Pro foam but similar in feel sitting closer to ZoomX from Nike. Ryan commented on the foam comparison to the Elite v4 a shoe I have not tested, but most likely the same foam is in both at the same density and firmness but more of it there.
Midsole Bottom Line: Not parroting New Balance marketing or brand naming but the word that comes to mind to describe the midsole is “balanced”. More than enough cushion for at least a half for me, an Energy Arc that finally is totally integral to the shoe and not just a “sensation”, some flex to help slower paces survive fatigue and hills, all leading to one of the most versatile rides of 2024 so far for me.
Renee: I don’t have much to add to the previous thoughts, as the midsole and underfoot are well already described. The FuelCell is what a New Balance shoe lover would expect: comfortable and cushioned with responsiveness.
The plate is not harsh and will feel best at faster speeds, although it’s not uncomfortable while moving slowly for a warm up or quick cool down.
The insole came lightly glued in and can be switched out if needed if you don’t run too much to cement the glue to the midsole. The insole is simple without any additional arch support, which works well for a racer.
The shoe is flexing underfoot as needed while giving a propel forward. I could feel the holes in the insole when running, even with thick socks, at distances over 6 miles. Notably, the temps have been hot, so I’m inclined to feel hot spots in my forefoot regardless. The insole is similar to the Elite v4, but the slightly larger holes made a difference for me. If using it for a race, I’d switch out the insole.
Sally: Sam mentions the word “Balance” and I think that summarizes what NB has achieved here: the midsole provides a nice balance of firm snap and soft responsiveness with the lower stack.
I appreciate the combination of greater ground feel yet with adequate cushioning and a nice firm toe-off. For my running style, the shoe delivers a delightfully aggressive, snappy ride with just enough soft.
I consider the SC Elite V4 and SC Trainer 2 to be amongst the most fun shoes out there because of their bouncy, trampoline like ride, but I would much rather race (5K to half and possibly a full marathon a la Emily Sisson) in an explosive light and fast shoe such as this Pacer V2.
Jeremy: I’m totally with the team here, the Pacer v2 midsole offers a perfect balance of comfort and snapiness, without any sense of harshness in the ride.
I tend to favor slightly firmer midsoles and this one falls just into this: a springy, lively midsole that does not collapse too much during footstrike.
Doubled with the wide forefoot and the nice plate integration, it provides a secure, snappy ride that is more reminiscent of older racing flats than recent supershoes. The reasonable stack height is no accident here and plays a big role in that feeling. It’s way snappier than SC Elite v3, less “marshmallow” feeling, and you lose a bit of the “trampoline” sensation, but you gain a lot in fast responsiveness leading to a more agile run.
Despite the Energy Arc carbon plate, the Pacer v2 keeps some flex so that the gait is not overly directed, something that has a direct impact on the versatility of the shoe. Clearly not intended for easy days, it nevertheless works very well at slower paces during warmups and recoveries for instance, something that not all “tempo” shoes can do (I’m looking at you, Nike Tempo Next !). Another benefit as Sam described is that the shoes are especially efficient going uphill, where the flexibility of the plate comes into play and really acts as a propelling force.
Outsole
Ryan: The toe-off traction here is superb, and NB didn’t try and shave weight by skimping on rubber in the forefoot.
However, we have just two small patches of rubber covering the rear of the shoe, leaving a decent portion of the FuelCell midsole exposed. As I mentioned in the section above, I think the disparity in rubber distribution between the rear and front of the shoe makes for a slightly less-smooth transition.
Renee: I don’t feel the disconnect described by Ryan because of the outsole coverage, although I do think the shoe feels less than a 8mm drop. I ran on light gravel with the shoes, staying away from large gravel rocks to avoid piercing the exposed plate. The outsole looks great after 50 miles, and even with running on gravel, the exposed midsole has no wear (just stains from debris). The shoe rides very stable on unstable surfaces as compared to the higher stacked options.
Sam: No disconnect for me either. A more than adequate and conventional for such shoes, outsole coverage, decent grip with the rubber well matched to the midsole.
Sally: No disconnect for me either. The outsole has plenty of rubber up front and holds well on corners and even on wet pavement, and is pleasantly quiet underfoot. I appreciate the stable ride provided by the lower stack height. And good news: no gravel catchers on this outsole, at least for me (so far).
Jeremy: I’ll leave Ryan alone here, as I did not have any sense of disconnection in the Pacer due to outsole coverage differences. The forefoot is largely covered with grippy rubber, in a decent thickness which should ensure a very reasonable lifespan to the Pacer v2. Wet pavement grip was perfect, and the relatively low stack height makes for a very fun shoe to attack turns at speed. I can easily project this to be something really nice during urban 10k races for instance, with lots of turns. The outsole and stack height combo is very confidence-inspiring.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Ryan: Because of the heel’s relative softness as compared to the forefoot, I don’t think it rides like an 8mm drop shoe, but more like something in the 4-6mm range. Its lightweight specs are certainly noticeable on foot, making it delightfully fast to turn over. The plate hits a sweet spot of stiffness, avoiding the sloppiness of a Nike Streakfly, while also without the off-putting qualities of a harsh 5k-style racer.
The Pacer slots nicely into New Balance’s lineup among the SC Elite and SC Trainer, dialing up the speed while sacrificing some cushion for the sake of weight savings and responsiveness.
While I wish they’d put a little more effort into the design of the heel, it’s still undoubtedly a fine choice for anything from a 5k to a half, and some might even argue for a marathon given its springiness. Factor in the lightheartedness of the FuelCell, its relatively friendly/forgiving plate, and a lightweight, breathable upper, and there aren’t likely to be any complaints about this shoe being too harsh or aggressive. Yet it still delivers a snappy ride worthy of toeing the line on race day. If you’re looking for a shoe for faster workouts or for racing up to a half marathon, but without an overly aggressive feel on foot, the SC Pacer v2 is certainly worth considering.
Ryan’s Score: 8.9/10 (Deductions for problematic heel design, slightly disparate personality between heel and forefoot)
Smile Score: 😊😊😊1/2
Sam: Ryan and I are on different run planets these days with Ryan a 2:14 marathoner at Boston in 2024 and I am very lucky to go 1:43 for a half these days.That said I totally agree with his statement above: “Factor in the lightheartedness of the FuelCell, its relatively friendly/forgiving plate, and a lightweight, breathable upper, and there aren’t likely to be any complaints about this shoe being too harsh or aggressive”
And those characteristics make it an ideal racer, at least up to a half for me, and also an all around trainer.
Unique for a carbon plated shoe (except some of the Xtep), I was just as happy and smooth flowing at 10:30 mile paces as considerably faster. Most super shoes start to feel less awkward at about 9:10 per mile pace or slower for me but the Pacer had a far greater range.
Less stack height than the max makes them both stable and more agile, with their commendable low weight of 7 oz US8.5 clearly felt . The shoe’ snappy flex (rare in a carbon plated shoe) allows an easy rolling motion with the stride never getting hung up at the plate at midfoot if by its design (thinking Rocket X2), “chance” or habit you are more back on the heels, as I often am! There is plenty of energetic cushion if not maxed out in depth and the upper is wonderfully comfortable if a bit heavier in materials for such as shoe in my opinion adding to weight,, For sheer versatility and friendly balance, on the faster side of running, it leads the NB line and potentially the rest of field of racers that can also train. One of my favorites of 2024 so far!
Sam’s Score: 9.6 /10
Deductions are actually for weight. While 7.2 oz / 204g US9 is admirable I think a lighter upper and maybe a bit less front rubber coverage could drop weight and would not affect versatility for what is, after all, a $200 shoe.
😊😊😊😊1/2
Renee: I’ll echo Ryan’s thought about the drop. The shoe rides lower than 8mm drop because of its softer heel and firmer forefoot. As compared to the Elite v4, the geometry is notably different. The Elite v4 has more of a rocker under the midfoot, giving a more guided roll forward for heel or midfoot strikers at long distances. The Pacer rides more traditional in comparison.
While not uncomfortable at slow paces, it feels the best with a consistent and fast cadence. The shoe is fun and fast, and will be good for 5k to half distances for sure. I think those needing less cushion under the forefoot can use it for a marathon. The Pacer doesn’t have the explosiveness as compared to the Vaporfly v3 (and its heavier although still light in comparison to other shoes), but it does offer more comfort under the forefoot at slower paces. This is a fun shoe, and it offers a racing option without too much stack height.
Renee’s Score: 9.5/10 (-nuances with insole and tongue, a touch lighter weight would make it a better short distance racer)
😊😊😊😊😊
Ben: I’m a big fan of this shoe. It stands alone not only in its unique, bold appearance but its excellent ride, very light weight and superior breathability. I would certainly reach for it if I were to race a 5k or 10k, even a half marathon. It works well as a workout shoe, doing repeats on the road or track and seems to have solid durability. Selfishly I’d love a touch more stack and maybe a better insole.
Ben’s Score: 9.5/10
mild dedications as noted above.
😊😊😊 😊😊
Sally: Okay, I love this shoe. It is snappy and fun and adequately cushioned and rolls along nicely at whatever pace you throw at it, though it hums along best at faster paces. Its versatility is remarkable, performing nicely at relaxed paces as well, though its nimbleness and agility are best experienced at increased cadences and tempos.
The upper works great, lightweight and breathable with a secure hold on your foot.
For a carbon plated shoe there is a unique amount of noticeable flex, especially appreciated on the uphills.
As a lighter weight runner, I find the cushioning more than adequate and I think I could actually race a full marathon in this shoe. Meanwhile, this shoe fits the bill nicely for training and shorter races as well. Fast is fun and this shoe is fun!
Sally’s score: 9.7/10.0
😊😊😊😊😊
Jeremy: Simply put: the Pacer is a tremendous shoe from New Balance. Light, snappy, responsive, grippy, versatile, with a very comfy and secure fit, stable with the wide forefoot and low-ish stack, there’s a lot to like in this shoe. The faster you run, the more they reveal, but they conform well at easier paces as well. It’s nice to see a slightly firmer, agile shoe using PEBA foam, all with a reasonable stack and not overly bouncy behavior.
For me it would be a perfect 10k to HM running shoe, if you favor agility and snapiness over super-cushioning and directed gait. The flex of the plate gives a sense of control over the footstrike that is often lost these days.
Couple all those qualities with a thin, breathable and secure upper and NB has a winner.
Jeremy’s score: 9.7/10.0
😊😊😊😊😊
10 Comparisons
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE Roadtrailrun
New Balance Fuel Cell SC Pacer v1 (RTR Review)
Sam: Far lower stack height and cushion, much stiffer if lighter, v1 was really a carbon plated “race flat”. V2 is a far more versatile shoe if no longer maybe not a “road mile” type racer. V1 was Em Sisson’s prior racer for the marathon. I am glad she asked for more shoe!
Adizero Takumi Sen (RTR Review)
Ryan: The Takumi is the choice if you want a more tenacious racer with more lockdown, stiffness, and aggression. It prioritizes power transfer over comfort and approachability, whereas the Pacer takes a slightly mellower approach in attempting to achieve a similar goal: of delivering lightning fast turnover for 5k-HM efforts. I prefer the lockdown and energy of the Adidas over the NB, but I’d call the NB the more pleasant and enjoyable shoe to wear of these two. The Pacer feels like it has more room laterally, as its simple mesh upper allows it to more easily adapt to the shape of the foot. The Adidas outsole feels a bit more minimal than that of the New Balance, as the Pacer uses a fairly generous patch of forefoot rubber for a racing shoe. Both fit true to size.
Sam: Aggressive indeed. Race only and short race for me. Pacer v2 is far more versatile and comfortable while still a fast shoe.
Jeremy: The fit of the Takumi is tighter, with a narrow midfoot and way less space in the upper and the toe box. The ride is less stable and more aggressive, and less versatile. The NB is more versatile, more comfortable and does not lose anything on the speed front.
New Balance Fuel Cell SC Trainer v2 (RTR Review)
Ryan: The SC Trainer remains one of my favorites for quicker, high mileage training runs. There’s a tremendous depth of cushion and bounce in the Trainer, which has been muted in the Pacer thanks to its lower stack. I much prefer the upper of the Trainer, which is more robust and heavier than the Pacer’s thin mesh upper and simple heel, so the Trainer wins on comfort for sure. Both shoes share a similar construction at the heel, with two channels of midsole foam straddling a deep channel to expose the ‘Energy Arc’ plate. However, the channel on the Trainer runs further up the shoe, making the forefoot feel much softer than that of the Pacer. And whereas the Pacer has a nearly continuous rubber outsole from heel to toe, the Pacer uses most of its rubber up front, and has a midsole geometry which makes its transition a bit less smooth. For snappier efforts and quicker turnover though, the Pacer wins by a mile. These two shoes have two very separate intentions: the Trainer will carry you for endless mileage, powerfully responding to whatever energy you lay into it, whereas the Pacer shines at faster cadences, where speed is paramount.
Sam: Yes more cushioned and higher stack at 40/36 to the Pacer’s 33/25 but for me too much of a good thing. Overly soft at the heel at slower paces and kind of unbalanced there and 2.5 oz heavier. Except for long fast runs with cushion the priority, I will reach of the Pacer v2 everytime and even for slower efforts.
New Balance Fuel Cell SC Elite v4 (RTR Review)
Ryan: The Elite v4 and the Pacer v2 take very similar approaches in accomplishing their somewhat similar goals. The Elite has maximal depth of cushion and bounce, and clearly focuses on long run specific efforts, whereas the Pacer retains as much of that bounce and affability as possible while delivering a faster, more stable ride. The upper of the Elite is just slightly more robust, with some supporting inlays on both sides of the midfoot and an engineered mesh instead of the Pacer’s simpler, perforated one. The overly-simple heel design I whined about in the Pacer is also present in the Elite, although the Elite didn’t feel quite as minimalist and didn’t give me as many blister issues. Underfoot, the outsoles are also fairly similar, although the Elite uses 3 strips of rubber in contrast to the Pacer’s one giant patch. In the Elite, I felt that this soft, split heel geometry was a bit too unstable and was inclined to splay out on the pavement, but those naughty behaviors seem to have been mitigated in the Pacer with its lower stack height. Choose the Elite for long run, marathon-style running, and the Pacer for everything else. Both fit true to size, although the toe box of the Pacer felt more spacious, probably because of its more ventilated design.
Renee: I have some comparisons in the review. The Elite is obviously more cushioned and feels softer underfoot. The Elite has a good roll forward from a midfoot landing, while the Pacer wants to be faster and more aggressive from a forefoot landing. For shorter, faster distances, the Pacer is the winner. While the Pacer is 8mm drop, it feels lower, just not as low as the Elite’s drop. For slower paces, especially at the marathon distance, the Elite is my pick unless I’m in really good shape and can handle less under my forefoot. Sizing is similar.
Sally: (W8 in both) Both are super fun shoes! The Elite V4 is higher in stack height and much bouncier and more trampoline-like and much better suited for cushioned long runs. The Pacer V2 is lower in stack height and and firmer and snappier at toe-off, more suitable for faster efforts. I struggled with heel lockdown and a too-short tongue in the Elite V4.
Ben: I so wanted to love the Elite V4 but had major issues with it, lockdown and heel rub being the main culprits. If I could get the Pacer fit on an Elite I’d be thrilled. Until then, it’s the Pacer V2 for sure.
New Balance Fuel Cell RC Elite v1 (RTR Review)
Ryan: It’s hard to believe it’s already been 4 years — the Elite v1 is an oldie but a goodie. It isn’t even a maximal stack shoe at 32/22mm, but it was one of my favorite super shoes at the time, with a pairing of plate and midsole which made it the most versatile super shoe available. I still miss the Dynaride outsole which was tenaciously grippy and durable, although rumor has it was too expensive to keep through v2 and onward. The Elite v1 has a much smoother ride than the Pacer, thanks mostly to its more conventional geometry underfoot. As for the upper, the Elite v1 felt more plush and comfortable than the Pacer, but was certainly not as well ventilated. The weight differential between these is negligible, so I’d probably choose the Elite v1 for anything other than a race situation, as it is the more versatile shoe but doesn’t have as much stability or responsiveness as the Pacer v2.
Renee: Since Ryan mentioned it . . . yes the Elite v1 was fun. I still have it. While both shoes have a lower stack as compared to other super shoes, the Pacer is much more cushioned underfoot and much more stable. The Elite v1 had a fun and explosive take off however. I wore it for a 50k on horse trails because of its outsole. Sizing is similar although the Elite v1 is a touch shorter in length with a slightly more tapered toe box.
Adidas Adizero Boston 12 (RTR Review)
Sam: The Boston 12 has a dual foam construction with comparable to the FuelCell here Lightstrike Pro along with a stabilizing layer of firmer Lightstrike below. It is 1.5 oz heavier than the Pacer but sits on a somewhat higher stack height particularly at the forefoot where it is 5mm higher. Its Energy Rods set up give it some flex but not as easy or smooth a flex as the Pacer due to its higher forefoot. More protective, a bit firmer, more “serious” in ride and not as agile it leans more trainer than the Pacer but as with the Pacer can do double duty and race. True to size in both although I prefer the smoother fitting Pacer’s upper.
ASICS Magic Speed 2 (less 3 so 4) (RTR Review)
Sam: The Magic Speed 2 has a very similar weight and stack profile as well as a somewhat flexible plate. The 3 got a stiff carbon plate while the Magic Speed 4 went way up in stack height. Less agile, it is more if somewhat firmer in cushion than the Pacer. For long runs at moderate fast paces (and potentially for a marathon but not a half) I would pick it over the Pacer v2, everything else including daily training and shorter races the Pacer v2
Saucony Endorphin Speed (RTR Review)
Ryan: In short, the Endo Speed is a little less racy, a little heavier, and a little more mellow than the Pacer v2. It shares a lot of the same characteristics, but doesn’t pretend to be a racing shoe. There are similarities between these two in the way they ride, with energetic, moderate stack heights. Their uppers also have a lot in common, as they keep things simple and breathable, although I prefer the Saucony’s build for its more developed heel cup and overlays which help with containment. The Pacer is certainly the more powerful and race-worthy shoe of these two, but the Endo Speed works great for everything short of that — easy runs, tempo runs, fartleks, etc. Choose the Saucony for everyday training, and the Pacer for the more special occasions when hitting your splits is critical.
Nike ZoomX Streakfly (RTR Review)
Ryan: The Streakfly was just too flexible and unstable for a racer, in my opinion, and to be honest I wish I’d scored it below this Pacer v2. The ‘plate’ of the Streakfly didn’t do much for propulsion, and left the shoe feeling dramatically underpowered during hard efforts. I have a feeling that Nike focused way too much on getting its weight down, which they did at 6.0 oz, but it came at a clear expense to performance. I prefer the upper of the Streakfly for its more stable hold, but aside from that I think the Pacer v2 wins in every other category. Its ride is more powerful, stable, and protective. Choose the NB unless all you care about is shaving weight or if you are sponsored by Nike.
Sam: World’s lightest trainer, an ounce lighter than the Pacer on a not much lower stack height is what I call the Streakfly, and not really a racer. I raced them a 10K in them and while decent the soft if energetic foam and minimal midfoot shank had me wishing for something more propulsive something ike.. the Pacer
Mizuno Neo Vista (RTR Review)
Sam: A close comparison, for my uses if different in stats. The Neo is considerably higher stack at 44.5mm heel / 36.5mm forefoot and consequently 1.2 oz heavier at 9.2 oz / 261g US9. It shares a flexible plate (fiberglass reinforced plastic not carbon) with the Pacer v2 as well as all around versatility and a relatively soft ride. Its knit upper is fine but more comfort oriented, not as secure and warmer. It leans more training than racing while the Pacer leans more racing but can surely train.
Puma Deviate Nitro 3 (RTR Review)
Ryan: The Puma is the heavier shoe, but is also the much more versatile and robustly-built shoe of these two. The DN3 is geared toward more typical training sessions, as opposed to the Pacer v2 which is more purposefully built for hard workouts or for racing. Both of the plates in these shoes have a forgiving amount of flex, and make them comfortable to use on runs slower than race pace, giving them a nice range of capability.
The engineered mesh upper of the Puma is thicker and less ventilated, but is also more comfortable and appropriate for higher mileage.
The midsole of the DN3 has lost a little bit of its sparkle as compared to the previous version, but it now delivers a ton of protection at a stack height of 39/29mm, which is considerably taller than that of the Pacer v2. As a result, the Puma feels more robust and voluminous underfoot, whereas the NB has a snappier, more agile personality.
As for the outsole, Pumagrip rubber is really hard to beat, and the copious slathering of it in the DN3 makes it the winner in this category, although it certainly adds some weight. By contrast, the Pacer v2 has a healthy patch of rubber up front, but uses it much more sparingly in the back.
Go for the Puma if you’re looking for a training workhorse that can handle hard, long mileage. Choose the NB if speed is the name of the game and you are looking for quicker turnover and low inertia.
Tester Profiles
Ryan Eller A hopeless soccer career led Ryan to take up running, and after taking a decade-long break from competing, he is back racking up mileage whenever he can. He calls the 2018 Boston Marathon the hardest race of his life, where he finished in 2:40, barely remembering his name at the finish line. Rya more recently has a PR of 2:14:23 from the 2024 Boston Marathon finishing 3d American and 15th overall, a 2:17:16 Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier, from the 2023 Philadelphia Marathon after two other 2:18 efforts in the last year.
Renee is a former U.S. Marine journalist, which is when her enjoyment of running and writing started. She isn’t that awesome of a runner, but she tries really hard. Most of her weekly 50-60 miles take place on rural country roads in Nebraska, meaning mud, gravel, dirt, hills, and the occasional field. She has PR’s of 1:30:59 for the half marathon and 3:26:45 for the marathon.
Sally is a lifelong runner and mother of five who agreed against her better judgment to run her first marathon at age 54; she has since run the past ten Boston Marathons, two NYC Marathons, one Chicago, and one London with the WMM Six Star Medal now in her sights. With a Boston PR of 3:25:55 in 2022 (9th place in AG) and two consecutive 2nd place in Age Group W60 awards in NYC, she competed in the Abbott World Marathon Majors Age Group World Championships at the 2022 London Marathon and ran an all-time PR of 3:24:02, placing 6th in the world in her women’s 60-64 age group. She also competes in USATF races with the Greater Lowell Road Runners team. To add meaning to her Boston Marathon races she runs with Team Eye and Ear and has raised over $275,000 for Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital. Sally is 5’2’’ and 105 pounds and lives in Marblehead, MA, training outdoors year round. She blames her love of skiing out West for any and all Boston Marathon training challenges.
Jeremy MARIE, French, 44y/o. Running since 2013 and quickly transitioned to trails, focused on ultras since 2015 : TDS, Maxi-Race, “100 miles du Sud”, 90 kms du Mt Blanc, GRP 120 kms, Some shorter more mellow races (Saintelyon 45 kms, Ecotrail Paris 45 kms…) with always in the mix road and flat running, but not many road races. Also active cyclist and 70.3 Ironman. Recovery/easy runs ~4’45/km - 4’30/km. He has an un-official marathon PR of 2h54 (solo) and 10K PR of 36’25. He does few timed road races.
Ben is the Senior Rabbi of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel of Elkins Park, PA. A cancer survivor, he has run 21 marathons. He holds PRs of 3:15 for the marathon and 1:30 for the half. At 46, he still enjoys pushing himself and combining his running with supporting a variety of causes. Follow him on Instagram: @RabbiBPD or Twitter: @BDinPA
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2024 Sam’s 52th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 164 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s
EUROPE Men's & Women's SHOP HERE
Europe only: use RTR code RTR5ALL for 5% off all products, even sale products
No comments:
Post a Comment