By Kieran Alger
The New Balance SC Trainer has been through a number of transformations. From the first-gen, chunky max-stack, stiff-rockered trainer, to the leaner, lighter and more flexible second iteration. Now in its third generation, it’s re-spawned once more with a tweaked carbon plate, a new formula foam and a hunger to eat all your half and marathon training miles.
So has the original super trainer finally found its feet? More importantly should you have it on yours. I’ve put in some big test miles to find out. Get my verdict in our New Balance SC Trainer V3 review.
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Stack Height, Drop, Weight and Price
When it comes to stack height, the New Balance SC Trainer V3 packs 40mm in the heel and 34mm in the forefoot for a 6mm drop. It’s a big-stack shoe but that’s comparatively conservative compared to the likes of the ASICS Superblast 2 (45mm/37mm) and the Adidas Prime X2 Strung (50mm/43.5 mm). Even the HOKA Mach X2 (44mm/39mm) packs more underfoot.
The New Balance SC Elite weighs in at 9.9oz in a US men’s size 9.5. That’s lighter than the HOKA Skyward X and the Adidas Primer X2 Strung but heavier than the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 and the HOKA Mach X2.
The New Balance SC Elite price was $180 at launch. That’s cheaper than most of the other so-called super trainers. Though it’s beaten on price by the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 which comes in at $170.
Stats
New Balance | SC Trainer V3 |
|---|---|
Best for | Daily miles / Uptempo training |
Support | Neutral |
Cushion | Maximum cushioning |
Stack Height | 40mm heel |
Drop | 6mm |
Weight | 9.9oz / 282g |
Suggested Retail Price | $180 |
Fit | True to size |
Rating | 9.2/ 10 |
Design
New Balance says the SuperComp Trainer V3 (to give it’s full name) is 'built for half and full marathon training' and while the core DNA from the previous generations is still there – mesh uppers, a FuelCell midsole foam and New Balance's Energy Arc technology – there are some interesting updates to this third generation. The shoe has morphed once more and it’s tuned to deliver a bit more response.
The FuelCell midsole has been reformulated. It now carries 20% Peba blended foam, the same as you’ll find in the New Balance Rebel V4. The carbon plate is now 'forked' to reduce weight and increase the flexibility for a more natural feel underfoot.
The New Balance Energy Arc ‘midsole void’ has been shortened to stop in the midfoot rather than all the way into the forefoot. This trench down the middle of the midsole is designed to allow the carbon plate to flatten on landings and give more spring back on toe off.
Up top you now have an engineered mesh upper with New Balance’s Fantomfit technology – the same upper fit technology on the New Balance SC Elite V4.
Flip them over and the outsole rubber has been tweaked but there’s still a generous covering across the shoe for good grip and durability.
New Balance SC Trainer V3
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Fit
The New Balance team recommended that I go half a size up in the SC trainer V3. So I did. I’d usually run in a US 9. But for this test I went US 9.5. As a result, I found the fit very roomy with ample wiggle room in the toe box, the kind of space that caters well for the longer runs.
However, going that half size up definitely makes for a baggier fit and I had some minor slipping in the heels. You can largely overcome it by paying attention to how you lace the shoes but I had to work to get a more dialled-in fit and the heel hold wasn’t always 100%.
Word of warning: Some runners who’ve gone true to size have struggled for length. Having gone half a size up, I’d say that’s a preferable option. But if you are sizing up, expect a generous fit that feels airy and breathable with a good balance of light-but-plush upper trimmings. The SC Trainer V3 definitely ticks the disappearing and comfortable boxes.
Performance
This is my first ever outing in a New Balance SC Trainer, so I don’t have comparisons to draw on from the first two generations. But in testing I’ve clocked around 20 miles in the SC Trainer V3 including a 5-mile progression run that moved up from easy effort up to my 5km pace. All of that on the road and with other mixed pace runs thrown in.
I really like what I see. Step in comfort is great and the SC Trainer V3 feels instantly like it belongs on your foot. Airy, comfortable, disappearing and all the good things you want in a daily trainer that you’re going to use for a lot of your runs.
It’s also surprisingly light considering the general heft. Not just on the scales, it runs light on the foot, too. In part that’s down to some Goldilocks padding in the heels and tongues that improve long haul comfort without adding too much weight. Not to mention that big midsole Arc cutout.
If New Balance is shooting for a more versatile running shoe, I think it nailed it. Provided you like a bigger stack, these have good range and I really like the smooth, energetic ease. There’s a calm energy to the ride. It’s not boisterous and wild or overly aggressive like the HOKA Skyward X.
I noticed the bounce of the midsole foam more than any pronounced spring from the carbon plate. But there’s a measure of control here. The comparatively lower stack – compared to some big cushioned rivals – means you keep some ground feel. There’s also a wide forefoot base that creates reliable landings.
It’s not as precise as some shoes you might choose in place of these for faster efforts – the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 and the Mach X2 are more agile – but it still works. I find the shoe eases me through my transitions rather than firing me into toe offs, with an energy that’s notable but not too aggressive.
Some runners may want more softness to consider this for slow-day miles and it can feel a bit clunky at the lower end of my pacing but I’d happily use the SC Trainer V3 for my slower plods. If you’re a fan of shoes that aren’t too pillowy soft, you’ll like the stiff-ish ride from the plate and foam combo.
When it comes to top end pace, there’s potentially a touch more shoe here than I think some runners will want, at least for the very fastest training miles. But this is excellent for cruising and it’ll happily eat the majority of your marathon training miles, sparing your legs while it’s there.
I think some runners, particularly if you’re looking at 4+ hours for a marathon, might actually get a lot of joy out of racing in these. They’ve definitely got some supershoe vibes even if they’re not as all out or lightweight as the top options in that race shoe bracket.
My Verdict
This is a very accomplished daily trainer with a decent level of cushioning that’s not too soft and delivers plenty of protection and controlled energy for eating up miles on longer runs.
There’s lots of versatility here and it’d be a good weapon in anyone’s marathon training line-up.
It’s not the best daily trainer for the fastest sessions, shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 or the HOKA Mach X2 outpace it for intervals and runs where you want something leaner and more punchy underfoot. If you like your recovery shoes at the softer end of things, you might still have to invest in a recovery shoe as well as the SC Trainer V3 to cover that base.
But for a huge swathe of your cruising or tempo efforts, this is a cracking shoe. A great marathon utility shoe that I think would be a welcome addition to most runners’ rotation.
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