New Balance SC Elite v5

The New Balance SC Elite v5 is a race shoe built for speed and comfort. Priced at $250, it goes head-to-head with shoes like the Nike Vaporfly 4 ($270) and Hoka Rocket X3 ($250). The SC Elite v5 is everything we hoped for in this update. New Balance addressed many of our issues with the v4 by significantly narrowing the platform—making the shoe feel more nimble and lightweight—while also stiffening the plate and altering the rocker geometry. They kept the 100% PEBA FuelCell midsole foam, but in this iteration, it doesn’t feel mushy or overly soft. The step-in fit is much narrower than the v4, which might be a demerit for runners with wider feet, but it still fits true to size and remains very comfortable. We took it on a 20-mile long run right out of the box and found the ride to be extremely pleasant—bouncy, cushioned, soft (but not too soft), and easy to run in. It felt great at a gamut of paces, from relaxed cruising to marathon pace, and may be especially well-tuned for heel strikers given the slightly higher drop. While it's not quite as stable as the v4 due to the narrower base, it handled corners well and had excellent grip. It’s not the most aggressive race shoe, but the SC Elite v5 stands out for its comfort, smooth ride, and ability to go the distance without feeling mushy or bottoming out.