Our verdict
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Plush FuelCell foam
- JJJJound New Balance 990v3 resell prediction
- Breathable upper
- Ideal for heel strikers
- Priced below trail supershoes
- Secure fit
- Good durability
Cons
- Lacks energy return
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- New Balance Mujer Transform 7 8 NBSleek Tight Black
- Jaden x New Balance Vision Racer ReWorked
Audience verdict
Who should buy
New Balance 426 Series Marathon Running Shoes Sneakers WL426LB1:
- KITH × NEW BALANCE 990V2 CYCLADES.
- Ultra-marathoners who heel strike and need a protective, plush-yet-grippy option for racing and training.
- New Balance Shorts Bukser Impact Run 5.
Who should NOT buy
We think the SuperComp Trail isn’t the best choice for midfoot or forefoot strikers due to its steep drop. The cushioning is heavily concentrated in the heel, leaving the forefoot with significantly less protection. If you prefer a racing shoe better suited for a forward landing, we recommend the New Balance Alpha Flair 1 or the Saucony Endorphin Edge.
Additionally, the narrow toebox could be a deal-breaker for many runners. We’ve found that it restricts toe splay, making it a poor match for those with wider feet or anyone who values extra space for comfort. If that’s a concern, we suggest looking at the Nike Ultrafly or the New balance Ropa niños Calcetines, New balance ms327lc1.
salehe bembury x new balance 574 yurt navy | Cushioning
Heel stack
Runners seeking substantial heel cushioning will appreciate the las New Balance 1500 v4 BOA presentan un, which boasts a 34.7 mm stack height. This makes it a strong choice for heel strikers needing plush comfort, even for ultra distances.

FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 34.7 mm |
Average | 32.0 mm |
Forefoot stack
The forefoot felt much thinner than expected—New Balance listed it at 26.5 mm, but we measured only 21.7 mm. This lean platform results in noticeably lower cushioning, making it a less-than-ideal choice for non-heel-strikers seeking a protective ride.

FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 21.7 mm |
Average | 24.5 mm |
Drop
That leaves us with a real heel-to-toe drop of 13.0 mm—an eye-opening difference that makes this shoe a strong choice for extreme heel strikers. However, we think that most midfoot and forefoot runners won't enjoy this shoe at all, it's too steep.
And why such a big difference? The midsole shape is undeniably unique, and New Balance likely measured the drop wherever it suited them. From our side, we tested it at World Athletics' official points—just like every other shoe we analyse here in our lab—to ensure precise-and-consistent results.

FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 13.0 mm |
Average | 7.5 mm |
Midsole softness
New Balance Sabates 500V1 Metallics New Balance thisisneverthat x 827 'Brown' Marathon Running Shoes Sneakers ML827KNT, FuelCell is known for its ultra-soft feel in most models, but we weren’t sure if New Balance would maintain that plush-and-bouncy sensation in a trail shoe. After testing, we discovered that they absolutely did.
We recorded an incredibly-low reading of 11.5 HA—about half the average! That’s shockingly-soft for a trail shoe, and we’re convinced many runners will feel that, out in the mountains, a firmer-and-stabler platform would provide better balance and security. On the other hand, for those who love ultra-soft running shoes and plan to stay on easy trails or gravel roads, this shoe could be a game-changer.
However, don’t expect top-tier energy return—this is the older TPU-based FuelCell from the new balance 999 grey red, not the PEBA-powered version found in the Salehe Bembury x New Balance Water Be The Guide 2002R. That upgrade will have to wait for version 2.

FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 11.5 HA |
Average | 22.7 HA |
salehe bembury x new balance 574 yurt navy | Midsole softness in cold (%)
Not being the Pebax version brings another drawback—its performance in cold temperatures. After just 20 minutes in the freezer, it lost 30% of its softness, making it noticeably firmer and less responsive.

FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 30% |
Average | 26% |
Insole thickness
The insole in this shoe is similar to those in New Balance’s road supershoes—ultra-thin at just 2.4 mm!

FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 2.4 mm |
Average | 4.7 mm |
Rocker
Those expecting a rockered ride will find it here, which aligns with New Balance’s current design approach.
The heel features a slight curvature to ease transitions for heel strikers, while the forefoot has a moderate toe spring. We found that it starts early and rises just 4 cm, avoiding the exaggerated lift seen in some road shoes. x New Balance CM878 Grey Gull.

Plate
New Balance’s effort to create a trail supershoe had to include a carbon plate, and it delivers. The plate follows the usual shape until the forefoot, where it disappears in our video and splits in two—a design choice seen in other high-performance trail shoes.
This forked design enhances torsional flexibility while preserving the plate’s propulsive benefits and added stability.
Size and fit
Size
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X New Balance 1300
The SuperComp Trail measures a slim 93.5 mm, favouring a race-ready, locked-in fit rather than a roomy feel. That’s expected for high-performance shoes, so it didn’t come as a surprise here in the lab.
We found that this shoe best suits runners with narrow to average foot widths. Despite being a New Balance (known for offering wide sizes even in niche models) this one is only available in a standard width.

FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 93.6 mm |
Average | 96.3 mm |
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FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 71.0 mm |
Average | 75.0 mm |
Toebox height
We found a striking contrast between the snug forefoot and the average vertical space, which measures 27.4 mm.
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FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 27.4 mm |
Average | 27.2 mm |
Stability
Lateral stability test
If you need a stable yet fast trail shoe, this isn’t the right pick.
The ride is undeniably exhilarating and fun, but the SC Trail’s narrow-and-unstable build, paired with its ultra-soft foam, makes it risky on moderate and technical terrain. As expected, it’s best suited for neutral runners.
Torsional rigidity
Even with its forked plate and outsole grooves designed to enhance torsional flexibility, the SuperComp Trail still earned a max 5/5 in our test.
FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 5 |
Average | 3.6 |
Heel counter stiffness
gray outfit ideas editors style guide new balance acne studios maison margiela New Balance ha visto el filón, striking a balance between stiffness and comfort. It was an unexpected feature in a shoe designed primarily for competition.
FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 3 |
Average | 3.1 |
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We previously mentioned the shoe’s narrow build, but now we have the numbers to back it up. Measuring 109.3 mm at its widest forefoot point, it’s designed for those who dislike the oversized designs of recent years.

FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 109.3 mm |
Average | 112.4 mm |
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At 88.3 mm, the heel is also narrower than average, though not as extreme as the forefoot. This matters because, with the significant heel-to-toe drop we measured, the shoe is best suited for runners who land rearfoot-first.

FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 88.3 mm |
Average | 89.7 mm |
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This shoe offers little flexibility. In our 90-degree bend test, we applied 38.6N of force to reach the target angle—a result that didn’t surprise us given the SuperComp carbon plate tucked into the midsole.
FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 38.6N |
Average | 27.2N |
Weight
If there’s one thing that truly impressed us about the SuperComp Trail, it’s how incredibly light it feels underfoot. At just 8.75 oz or 248g, it delivers a barely-there sensation that's amazing at faster paces.
Beyond just weight, we found that its streamlined design amplifies that nimble feel. In our view, this is the standout feature of this shoe.

FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 8.75 oz (248g) |
Average | 10.26 oz (291g) |
Breathability
When unboxing the FuelCell SuperComp Trail, we immediately noticed its design aimed at balancing airflow and durability.
After connecting our smoke machine to the SC Trail, we concluded that it was a 4/5 score for us. This is quite an improvement over many competitors, although, to be fair, at the high price of this shoe, we were expecting top-tier materials throughout.
We moved the upper over a LED light and discovered that, despite sharing the same mesh riddled with ventilation holes, those are only effective in the toebox, as the rest of the shoe has a thicker layer beneath for improved structure and stability.
Another subtle and premium touch comes from the insole. Instead of using a regular one, New Balance inserted a thin, perforated footbed that improves airflow.
Sometimes, trail shoes come without ventilation holes to improve durability, but it was not the case of the SuperComp Trail. We will find pretty soon if that's a good idea or not in terms of wear resistance.
Finally, the upper doesn't come with tonnes of padding, but we can't forget that this is a shoe made for racing, so it makes sense. What it does feature is the usual Toe Protect design from New Balance to prevent early wear and protect the toes (hence the name) from hard impacts.
FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 4 |
Average | 3.2 |
Durability
Toebox durability
In terms of toebox durability, a 3/5 score is an average result. However, for a shoe with numerous ventilation holes and excellent airflow, it’s quite impressive.
FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 3 |
Average | 3.1 |
Heel padding durability
The heel padding scored another 3/5 in durability, which we found acceptable. While a higher rating would be ideal, it’s reassuring to know there’s no need to worry about excessive wear here.
FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 3 |
Average | 2.8 |
Outsole hardness
The outsole is one of the most intriguing aspects of the SuperComp Trail, as it features Vibram Megagrip Litebase—arguably one of the best high-performance rubbers for trail running. If not the best.

It delivers excellent traction, and despite featuring low-profile lugs that we’ll discuss shortly, we found that it grips remarkably well even on moderate terrain. However, its true strength lies in fast-and-smooth trails. That said, there’s more exposed midsole than we typically see, which could raise concerns for some runners.
For hardness, we measured 86.0 HC—right in the average range. Based on our findings, this should provide solid longevity while maintaining the outstanding grip we experienced on the trails.

FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 86.0 HC |
Average | 85.7 HC |
Outsole durability
Since this is the Litebase version of Megagrip, we knew durability wouldn’t be outstanding—but it’s still acceptable. Our testing showed exactly 1.0 mm of wear from the Dremel, which we believe is reasonable for this type of outsole focused on weight reductions and top-tier grip.
FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 1.0 mm |
Average | 1.0 mm |
Outsole thickness
At just 1.0 mm thick, some might assume there’s minimal foot protection—but don’t forget, a carbon plate sits between you and the ground!

FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 1.0 mm |
Average | 2.3 mm |
Misc
Lug depth
This shoe is specifically built for smooth, long-distance ultras on western-states-style terrain, where impact protection and shallow lugs create an ideal combination. However, the lugs incorporate Vibram’s Traction Lug technology, which enhances grip, making them perform like slightly-thicker ones especially taking corners.
Still, with just 2.9 mm of depth and the SC Trail’s unstable platform, we think it’s best suited for easy trails, where it truly excels.

FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 2.9 mm |
Average | 3.5 mm |
Price
The SuperComp Trail comes at a steep price, but it’s still more affordable than most trail supershoes. However, in our view, it doesn’t fully qualify as one, lacking a premium foam.
Given its features, we believe it’s reasonably priced for today’s market.
FuelCell SuperComp Trail | $200 |
Reflective elements
The las New Balance 1500 v4 BOA presentan un has no reflective elements. That's something that should be addressed in a shoe designed for ultra running, where nighttime sections are quite usual.

FuelCell SuperComp Trail | No |
Tongue padding
The las New Balance 1500 v4 BOA presentan un is impressively-light on its own—especially for a trail shoe. Therefore, a padded tongue was never an option, as it would have added too much weight, impacting the shoe’s streamlined design.

That’s why we weren’t surprised to measure just 2.5 mm of thickness, which seems reasonable for a performance-driven model. However, based on our findings, runners tackling ultra races should take extra care when tightening the laces to avoid pressure points.

FuelCell SuperComp Trail | 2.5 mm |
Average | 6.4 mm |
Alle New Balance
The tongue isn’t fully gusseted, as seen in most top-tier trail shoes, but it’s partially attached to the sides—enough to provide a secure fit in a performance-focused design.

FuelCell SuperComp Trail | Both sides (semi) |
Heel tab
The SuperComp Trail features a finger-loop heel tab at the back, enhancing its trail-ready aesthetic.

FuelCell SuperComp Trail | Finger loop |
Removable insole
The thin insole is removable, but the restricted toebox space makes replacing it with a thicker option highly impractical.

FuelCell SuperComp Trail | Yes |