New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 introduction:
The New Balance SC Pacer v2 is a better race day shoe than the New Balance SC Elite v4. At least, I would choose the Pacer v2 over the Elite v4 for any half marathon distance or shorter.
With the first version not really hitting the mark for what I would expect of a lightweight or speed-focused shoe, there was a lot to be desired in this second version. Helped by Emily Sisson in the development stage, they based the design of the shoe on her running data. Furthermore, she took second place in the US Olympic Marathon trials while wearing a prototype version of the v2. This caused a lot of buzz about the release of the shoe and how it would compare to the first version. Having run multiple sessions in the shoe over the last few weeks, the updates in the upper, midsole, and overall geometry of the shoe have helped it out-perform my expectations.
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 upper:
Josh: My first thoughts when putting on the shoe were how soft, thin and lightweight the upper felt. The woven fabric has some stretch to it and fits quite snug against the foot which makes the shoe feel slightly more race-day-like for me. While I believe the fit of the Pacer v2 is true to size, the toe box isn’t extremely roomy so if you are someone who has wide feet, or is usually between sizes, I would recommend sizing up. The thin upper features large perforations throughout the shoe making it extremely breathable. I didn’t have any issues with overheating, even when doing workouts in warmer weather when I would usually expect to experience some discomfort.
Unlike the SC Elite v4, which I found the upper to have a slight plastic-like and abrasive feel, the SC Pacer v2 consists of a much softer and stretchier material. This, I believe, adds to the shoe’s snug race day feel.
A Great Fit
Ivan: Finally, a New Balance shoe that fits me well. I have long struggled with the typical wide last of their shoes. Even the race day model, like the SC Elite v4, was too wide for my liking, particularly around the midfoot, making it hard to get a good lockdown. All those worries have been resolved with the Pacer v2. It fits me like a glove, which I especially appreciate during uptempo runs, intervals, and races. The shoe doesn’t feel stretchy to me, just conforming, thanks to the super thin and light perforated material, which also makes it extremely breathable. For my foot shape, it has just the right amount of width and length, and I find it true-to-size.
The non-gusseted tongue is very thin, yet it hasn’t caused any lace bite, despite the NB Pacer v2 having ultra thin laces. However, not everything is perfect. The minimal heel cup has more structure compared to most shoes in this category, but it bevels inwards just enough to create some pressure on the achilles. This could be a deal breaker for those sensitive to achilles pressure. Another smaller issue is the flimsy glued-in insole. It has a pattern of holes, similar to some other NB insoles, but in this case, I find them very noticeable during my runs, which becomes increasingly annoying as the runs progress.
Overall, the New Balance Pacer v2 has an extremely well-executed upper and fit, in my opinion, that suits its intended use.
Andy: I broadly agree with both Ivan and Josh about the upper of the Pacer v2. It is very well fitted for an uptempo shoe. Despite the aesthetic similarities, the fit is nothing like the more relaxed and easy fit of the Rebel v4. Furthermore, I agree with Ivan about the insole. Mine arrived with a tacky feeling glue on both the strobel board and the insole. However, it was not really attached and was quite wrinkled and needed smoothing before I could wear the shoe.
Sadly, I apparently suffer from the achilles issues Ivan mentioned. On my first run in the shoe, a mixed workout session which totalled about 21km, I felt some discomfort in the back of both feet. When I returned home, I took the shoes off and found that I had rather customised the back of the left shoe with blood. Where the heel cup curves inwards, it had rubbed and broken the skin. My right was also rather irritated but the skin remained intact. This is a shame because the rest of the upper felt excellent as described above.
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 midsole:
Josh: Featuring a full Peba blend midsole unit either side of a full-length carbon fibre plate, the New Balance SC Pacer v2 offers a soft, stable, and snappy ride. It is a shoe which is tailored for fast paced interval sessions or races. Although the Pacer v2 has a lower stack height than most super shoes on the market, it doesn’t feel like you’re sacrificing performance. It has an aggressive, snappy feel while offering great stability and a road feel which you wouldn’t experience in many max-stack supershoes.
Comparing the ride and feel of the New Balance Pacer v2 to other shoes I would say it has a similar feel to the Nike Vaporfly Next% and the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite v3.
Versatile Yet Aggressive
Ivan: While I have enjoyed New Balance’s “true” marathon supershoe, the SC Elite v4, for various types of runs, I have never considered it a competitive option. Sadly, it doesn’t seem to work perfectly for my running style as a fairly light runner with a high cadence. I found it was too wide, too soft, and lacked the aggressiveness I needed at race pace. It felt great for plodding along at various paces, and I used and enjoyed it a lot, but I just wished it were more nimble and agile when picking up the pace.
I was thrilled to discover that the New Balance Pacer v2 has almost all the traits I was missing. While I wish it had the more pronounced rocker geometry of the Elite version and a bit more cushioning for the longest runs, I find it much more efficient for my biomechanics in most cases. It’s a great tool for a variety of runs. For instance, I have longed for a shoe I could use for running the distance from home to the track at easier paces, while also performing great on the track. The Pacer v2 excels in this regard. Never feeling like it lacks cushioning and comfort on the way there and performing really well in my track sessions.
It’s also a valuable tool for workouts like fartleks and hill repeats. For racing, I would comfortably use it for distances up to a half marathon and consider it a competitive option. As Josh mentioned, it is also a stable shoe compared to most alternatives in this category.
If anything, I might still wish for even more responsiveness from the FuelCell midsole compound and a touch more aggressiveness in the rocker and plate geometry, but it’s hard to get everything in one shoe.
Responsive and Fun
Andy: I concur with the comments above about the midsole. Again, to bring it back to my initial thoughts when I saw the shoe. I imagined it was going to be a Rebel with a plate in it. However, this is not the case. The FuelCell foam is a totally different feel and the shoe is much more responsive with that blend and the carbon fibre plate. It also has a far more aggressive toe off. During my one long run in the Pacer, I used it for some easy warm up pace, the performance was good, the cushion was there and it didn’t feel overly aggressive.
Then, I ran a couple of tempo kilometres when I bumped into my clubmates at the start of their summer handicap. This felt easy and the midsole really helped me push the pace and cruise when I got there. On the way home, I also put in a 10 x 1”//1” session and found that it was very easy to pick up the pace with the responsiveness of the Pacer.
As very much a forefoot striker, I did find that I was yearning for maybe a little more stack in toe towards the end of the session. Perhaps I am not as svelte and efficient as Emily Sisson as I wouldn’t consider this as a marathon shoe. However, shorter distances this would make the cut were it not for my upper issues.
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 outsole:
Josh: Using the shoe in a variety of weather conditions recently has meant I can confidently comment on the performance of the outsole. On dry roads and paths the outsole of the SC Pacer v2 has performed well. While it isn’t up to the almost sticky standards of PUMAGRIP, there doesn’t feel to be any loss in traction when running at high paces round bends. Where the outsole of the Pacer v2 starts to struggle is on wet tarmac and concrete. Here, I have found that I don’t feel as confident going round turns at higher paces because of the risk of slipping and not feeling as grounded.
With regards to durability of the outsole, it consists of a relatively large area of rubber which offers great protection for the midsole when running at race pace. To protect the heel of the shoe there are two smaller strips to offer selective protection for heel strikers or when running downhill.
Just Right
Ivan: Unlike Josh, I haven’t had a chance to test it in wet or damp conditions, so I can’t comment on its performance where that matters most. However, I really like how it performs on dry surfaces, whether it’s on tarmac, gravel, or the track. I’m not always a fan of the stickiest outsoles, especially when cornering, as excessive grip can sometimes strain my ankles more than I prefer. In this regard, the traction here is just right – sticky enough to provide good grip without causing issues for me.
Additionally, the outsole provides ample coverage, although New Balance could potentially reduce weight by removing some material from less high-wear areas. Nonetheless, the rubber used doesn’t seem overly heavy, and I appreciate how it runs fairly silently, which is always a plus for me.
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 conclusion:
Josh: From the material and fit of the upper to the wide platform and geometry of the midsole, the SC Pacer v2 has been drastically changed (and improved) from the previous version. This is New Balance’s answer for a lightweight, fast interval and race day shoe. They have set the bar high for other brands doing similar shoes. Where I believe the Pacer v2 would fit into many people’s shoe rotation is as a 5k to half marathon race day shoe which also offers the flexibility to be used as a fast-paced interval trainer.
At the $200 price point, the Pacer v2 is a highly competitively priced shoe. Even more so when considering that it performs very similarly to other supershoes which are priced around the $250 price point.
Excellent Value
Ivan: I’m concerned that many might hesitate to purchase this shoe at its price point, opting instead to shell out just 50 quid more for New Balance’s fully stacked supershoe. However, like Josh, I believe the Pacer v2 offers excellent value. It’s not a one-trick pony. It excels as a competent racing shoe up to the half marathon distance for most runners. Its cushioning and stability also make it comfortable for everything from fast intervals to fartleks and hill reps. This renders it highly versatile and a valuable addition to any runner’s shoe arsenal. Additionally, its well-executed upper and snug fit contribute to its agile feel and overall comfort.
Not For Me
Andy: This is a hard one for me to conclude. I really liked the Pacer v2 until I got home and saw the carnage it had caused on my achilles tendons. I will have to come back to it and see if some different socks or further breaking in will change the issues. No matter how good a shoe is, if it wrecks your feet, it can’t really be a viable option. Whether it is my foot strike, gait cycle or the shape of my leg, as much as I like the Pacer v2, it doesn’t reciprocate.