FIRST LOOK: New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 & SC Rebel

New Balance SuperComp Elite v6

The New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 presents a significant evolution of the brand's flagship road racing shoe. While the previous SC Elite v5 became known as one of the more comfortable and stable carbon-plated racers on the market, the latest model takes a much clearer focus on speed, efficiency and outright race-day performance.

One of the biggest chan

ges to this model is the reduction in weight. Tipping the scales at just 190g for men and 155g for women, the SC Elite v6 has been refined throughout, stripping back the upper and updating the midsole construction to create an all-round lighter and faster-feeling shoe. That's a saving of 25g for the men's shoe and almost 12g for the women's compared to the previous model.

That reduction should be noticeable from the first step in, but particularly as your pace increases. With less mass to move through each stride, the SC Elite v6 should feel quicker and more responsive when you're trying to hold a fast race pace for longer.

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A new midsole for a more responsive ride

At the heart of the SC Elite v6 is New Balance's new Infinion foam. This supercritical ATPU foam replaces the FuelCell midsole compound we've come to know and love, still bringing you that familiar comfortable feel, just lighter and more responsive.

Rather than simply providing cushioning underfoot, the midsole is designed to help you transition efficiently through your stride and return energy as you move towards toe-off.

A more aggressive carbon-plated ride

The element of the shoe most racers want to know about: the carbon fibre plate.

The SC Elite v6 retains New Balance's Energy Arc technology, while making some important updates to the plate itself. The full-length carbon fibre plate has been engineered to provide greater propulsion. New Balance has increased the stiffness towards the forefoot to create a more powerful toe-off giving you a more noticeably aggressive feel than its predecessor. 

You'll also notice the visible cut-outs in the midsole of the shoe. This is part of New Balance's Energy Arc technology, allowing the carbon plate to flex under load before returning that stored energy as you push off. Combined with the responsive Infinion foam, this helps create the explosive, propulsive ride that defines the SC Elite v6.

A stripped-back upper

What do we mean when we say a stripped-back upper? I think you'll agree that it can be seen. The hyper-translucent engineered mesh displays exactly what we mean by stripped back.

It's ultra-lightweight, helping to minimise any unnecessary weight, but you'll be pleased to hear that this doesn't compromise the secure lockdown through the midfoot. Your foot remains firmly connected to the platform, which is especially important when you're cornering, changing pace or pushing hard through the final stages of a race.

Comfort hasn't been sacrificed either. The heel and tongue provide the cushioning you need to keep the shoe comfortable, even when you're wearing it for longer race distances.

Lightweight grip underfoot

Overall, the SC Elite v6 is a much more focused race-day shoe than its predecessor. It's lighter, more aggressive and more responsive, with the combination of Infinion foam and a stiffer carbon plate designed to help you run efficiently and feel propelled forwards when you're chasing your next personal best.

The Brand New New Balance SuperComp Rebel

So, you have your race-day shoe sorted, but you need something just as performance-driven for your training?

The brand-new SuperComp Rebel takes some of the same DNA as the SC Elite v6 and packages it into an everyday trainer. Rather than being reserved solely for race day, it sits as a lightweight performance trainer that combines cutting-edge technology with the durability and comfort needed to make every run feel that little bit faster.

Straight off the bat, it's worth mentioning that the new SuperComp Rebel will be replacing the SuperComp Trainer in the New Balance line-up. For those die-hard New Balance racing fans, it's also worth noting that the regular Rebel v5 remains in the range.

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If you're familiar with the SuperComp Trainer, the easiest way to think about the new SC Rebel is as the next evolution of that training-focused role within New Balance's range. It brings some of the technology and speed-focused feel of the racing line into a shoe that's built to handle the demands of regular training.

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Lightweight performance for everyday training

Similar to the SC Elite v6, weight is a key focus for this model. At 218g for men and 174g for women, the SC Rebel is the lightest everyday running shoe in New Balance's range.

It effectively fills the role previously occupied by the more forgiving SC Elite v5, allowing the SC Elite v6 to focus much more clearly on its job as New Balance's dedicated race-day shoe. The SC Rebel, meanwhile, bridges the gap between everyday training and racing, giving you a shoe that can handle tempo sessions, interval workouts, long progression runs and even race day if you prefer a less aggressive alternative to a full carbon racer.

This leads us nicely on to one of the biggest differences between the two new SuperComp models: the plate

A Carbon Infused Plate 

The SC Rebel is built with a plate for added propulsion, but the type of plate used is very different from the one found in the SC Elite v6.

The SC Elite v6 uses a full carbon fibre plate, while the SC Rebel uses a carbon-infused Pebax plate.

The difference is immediately noticeable underfoot. The full carbon plate in the Elite creates a highly rigid, aggressive sensation that's designed to maximise efficiency and propulsion when you're racing. The carbon-infused plate in the SC Rebel is less rigid, giving the shoe a smoother and more natural transition through the stride.

That doesn't mean the SC Rebel feels slow. Far from it. The plate still helps create a fast, propulsive toe-off, but with greater flexibility through the stride. For the runner, that makes it easier to use across a wider range of paces, from steady running through to tempo sessions and faster workouts.

Infinion foam for everyday speed

The SC Rebel also uses New Balance's new Infinion supercritical foam, giving it the same lightweight, high-energy-return midsole material as the SC Elite v6.

Here, though, the objective is slightly different. Rather than pairing the foam with that much stiffer carbon plate to create a race-day ride, the SC Rebel combines it with its carbon-infused Pebax plate to create a more versatile training shoe.

The combination provides an energetic ride with excellent cushioning and high levels of energy return, while the less rigid plate helps keep the overall sensation more natural underfoot. You’ll get the cushioning and comfort needed for regular mileage, but without the shoe feeling flat or sluggish when you decide to pick up the pace.

SC Elite v6 or SC Rebel: which one do you need? Maybe both?

The key difference between the two new SuperComp models is less about which one has more technology and more about which technology you need.

The SC Elite v6 is the aggressive race-day option, with its lighter construction, full carbon fibre plate and more responsive ride designed to maximise propulsion and efficiency when you're chasing a time.

The SC Rebel takes some of that technology and makes it more accessible for everyday training, while its construction is designed to cope with the repeated demands of training.

So, if you're looking for a dedicated race shoe to help you run your fastest, the SC Elite v6 is the clear choice. But if you want a shoe that brings some of that race-day feeling into your training, the SC Rebel could be the option you are looking for. 

The SC Elite v6 is built to help you race your fastest, while the SC Rebel is designed to help make your training feel faster.

Looking for some training tips and advice? Then head over to our Training category where our athletes and experts explain everything you need to know.