BI
Megan's pick over the Cielo X1 2.0 in bracket round 2 — performance is comparable.
Road Racing
New Balance SC Elite 4
Didn't make top 5 — feels like it could have launched a couple of years earlier. Decent grip and light weight, but narrow in the heel and £260 retail is madness. — EDDBUD
Physical blueprint
Where this shoe sits
Weight 201 g
Heel stack 40.0 mm
Drop 8.0 mm
Cushioning High
Best for
Marathon Racing
Suits Forefoot, Heel, Midfoot strikers
Pronation Neutral
Surface Road
Lifespan 100+ mi
Specifications
Weight (M9)
201g (7.1 oz)
Stack (Heel)
40.0 mm
Stack (Forefoot)
32.0 mm
Drop
8.0 mm
Midsole
FuelCell 100% PEBA superfoam
Plate
Carbon (Full-length carbon fiber plate)
Outsole
Lightweight racing compound
Upper
Engineered mesh
Lacing
Traditional
Fit Profile
Length
True To Size
Forefoot Width
Narrow
Midfoot Width
Average
Heel Width
Average
Lockdown
Good
Toe Box
Wide
Sizing
True To Size
Ride Characteristics
Cushioning
High
Stability
Neutral
Durability
Expected Miles
100+
Outsole
Above Average
Expert reviews
BP
Best for: Wide-footed runners wanting a comfortable, stable carbon racer.
+1 earlier review from Ben Parkes
Best-for-speed pick of the NB lineup; great entry-level all-out carbon racer for someone who hasn't run in a super shoe before.
Best for: Best all-out racing shoe in the NB lineup for half marathon and marathon distances.
DO
A smooth-rolling soft racer that excels at easy to marathon paces for long runs and comfortable racing, but lacks the stability or the top-end speed of the Endorphin Pro 4.
Best for: Comfortable marathon racing and long runs at easy to marathon effort
+1 earlier review from Doctors of Running
Not the fastest super shoe on the market, but one of the most comfortable — a versatile, durable PEBA racer Matt would grab for a marathon tomorrow and a contender for super shoe of the year.
Best for: Comfortable super shoe for half marathon and marathon distances, recreational runners, and first-time super-shoe buyers wanting long-run comfort over top-end speed.
E
Didn't make top 5 — feels like it could have launched a couple of years earlier. Decent grip and light weight, but narrow in the heel and £260 retail is madness.
+2 earlier reviews from EDDBUD
A springy carbon racer hurt by weight and a high launch price; discounted around 160 quid it's a bargain but Mizuno outperforms it.
Best for: Runners who like trampoline-like midsole cutouts and traditional upper
A well-built, comfortable super shoe with excellent outsole grip that shines at marathon effort but dictates form and feels overpriced at retail.
Best for: Cadence-based runners at marathon and half marathon efforts
FR
Fordy's best overall marathon pick; blends stability, PEBA foam, wide availability, and solid outsole into one versatile race day package.
Best for: Everyday marathoners wanting stability, wide-foot runners, balanced race day pick
K
A meaningful upgrade — lighter, poppier, and more race-ready than v4 while staying comfortable and beginner-friendly — though not quite aggressive enough for Kofuzi's personal top tier of marathon racers.
Best for: Marathon and half-marathon racing, plus threshold and VO2 workouts — especially for runners wanting a forgiving, accessible super shoe rather than the most aggressive option.
TR
Best for: PB hunting if you prefer New Balance, but other carbons are more distinctive
+2 earlier reviews from The Run Testers
A more aggressive, propulsive update to the SC Elite line that shifts it from accessible comfort toward a true PB-chasing racer, while remaining relatively stable.
Best for: PB attempts and fast-paced racing for runners who want an aggressive carbon plate shoe that is still stable
A solid update that is leaner, lighter, and more propulsive than the V4, but loses the wide accessible base that made its predecessor stand out; versatile across race distances but not in the top tier of carbon plate shoes.
Best for: Runners who want a versatile carbon race shoe that mixes softness and speed across 5K to marathon distances, with road protection over the long haul
Frequently asked questions
How does the New Balance SC Elite 4 fit?
Reviewers note: Narrower heel; removable insole but aftermarket options may not fit the narrow last.
Per EDDBUD.
How much does the New Balance SC Elite 4 weigh and what is its drop?
The New Balance SC Elite 4 weighs about 201g (men's 9), has a 40.0mm heel stack and a 8.0mm heel-toe drop.
What shoes is the New Balance SC Elite 4 compared to?
Reviewers compare the New Balance SC Elite 4 to Mizuno Hyperwarp Elite, New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5, New Balance SC Elite V4, Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3.
Per EDDBUD, The Run Testers, Kofuzi, Doctors of Running, Ben Parkes.
How many experts have reviewed the New Balance SC Elite 4?
Next Pair aggregates 13 expert reviews of the New Balance SC Elite 4, including EDDBUD, FORDY RUNS, The Run Testers.
Per EDDBUD, FORDY RUNS, The Run Testers.
Where it sits among similar shoes
Compared to other road racing in the same lane.
Weight · lower = lighter
New Balance SC Elite 4 201g
HOKA Cielo X1 3 198g
HOKA Rocket X 3 210g
Nike Alphafly 3 198g
Heel stack · higher = more cushioning
New Balance SC Elite 4 40.0mm
HOKA Cielo X1 3 48.0mm
HOKA Rocket X 3 40.0mm
Nike Alphafly 3 40.0mm
Drop · higher = more heel-leaning
New Balance SC Elite 4 8.0mm
HOKA Cielo X1 3 7.0mm
HOKA Rocket X 3 7.0mm
Nike Alphafly 3 8.0mm
Continue reading
Methodology. Specs come from manufacturer data and
authoritative third-party catalogs. Reviewer verdicts are summarized
from named, linked sources — never copied verbatim. We weight clinical
and lab-tested sources more heavily than community commentary, but the
specific weights stay internal. Never sponsored, never paid placement.
Last updated 2026-06-19