New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 review

We believe the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 stands out as an excellent choice for:

• Runners who find most supershoes too cushioned and expensive and want a cheaper, more grounded alternative.
• Those seeking a fast-and-responsive tempo trainer that seamlessly doubles as a 5K/10K racing shoe.
• Fans of plush midsoles who also want an energy-packed experience for tempo workouts.
• Nostalgic runners who love the ground-feel of classic racing flats but want a modern carbon-plated upgrade.

We believe the Pacer v2 isn’t the best choice for runners seeking a max-cushioned supershoe close to the 40 mm World Athletics limit. For those craving a max-stack experience, we recommend the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4—it offers the same energetic feel but with a generous dose of extra foam for added cushioning.

Additionally, we think the Pacer v2 may not suit runners who dislike soft foams. In our experience, the Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 10 offers a similar 5K/10K racing feel but with a firmer midsole and a Continental outsole for superior grip.

With just 32.9 mm in the heel, the SuperComp Pacer v2 easily stays well below the World Athletics legal threshold of 40 mm.

In a market dominated by ultra-cushioned supershoes, this thinner-than-usual design is a refreshing option. We think it’s a fantastic choice for lighter runners—especially women—who don’t need or want a massive stack height—even for marathons!

In the forefoot, the design trend continues. While most supershoes exceed 30 mm in this area, the Pacer v2 offers just 25.4 mm—delivering a feedback-rich running experience perfect for 5K and 10K races.

In our view, this shoe is one of the best supershoes for runners nostalgic for old-school racing flats. Despite its minimalist design, it delivers enough cushioning to handle most racing distances comfortably. In fact, the Vaporfly 4%—the shoe that kicked off the supershoe era in 2017—had just 24 mm in the forefoot!

The Pacer v2 features an average drop of 7.5 mm, slightly lower than the 8 mm stated by New Balance. This makes it suitable for a wide range of runners, including heel strikers.

As its name suggests, the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 features FuelCell foam, but the specific formulation matters. In our experience, New Balance uses varying blends under the "FuelCell" and "Fresh Foam X" labels, which can lead to confusion.

The Pacer v2 boasts a high-performance midsole made entirely of PEBA, delivering an energy-packed, propulsive feel with every step. We found this to be a premium feature, justifying its price point. In contrast, the FuelCell Rebel v4 contains only 20% PEBA mixed with 80% EVA, which might mislead users expecting a similar experience.

While energy return varies across FuelCell models, softness levels remain consistent. The Pacer v2 maintains its ultra-plush, marshmallowy feel, confirmed by our durometer reading of 10.0 HA—a remarkably low figure that highlights its cloud-like cushioning.

We placed the Pacer v2 in our freezer for 20 minutes and found it became 26% firmer. This was unexpected for a PEBA foam, but its ultra-soft compound influenced the result, and we still consider it adequate.

Although running shoes often lean toward thicker, comfort-focused insoles, the 2.4 mm insole in the Pacer v2 made sense to us. In our view, this ultra-thin option enhances FuelCell’s performance-driven design.

The Pacer v2 sits lower than average modern supershoes and features a slightly less aggressive rocker, creating a natural-feeling ride that we believe is perfect for track workouts and shorter races like the mile or 5K.

Some curvature remains necessary to follow the spoon-shaped carbon plate, promoting a more efficient gait by helping runners apply force at the optimal lever point. However, the toe spring is far less dramatic than most racing shoes, raising only to 4 cm.

The Pacer v2 incorporates the same Energy ARC plate found in the Elite v4. Unlike the average flat design, this plate features multiple horizontal bends to enhance flexibility and, theoretically, improve energy return during each stride.

After testing, we found the design intriguing, though we remain slightly skeptical about the performance benefits—any gains are likely minimal. Still, in our opinion, it’s refreshing to see New Balance experimenting with innovative stuff!

On the one hand, as a 5K/10K racer marketed for most runners, we didn’t expect a roomy fit. On the other hand, the Elite v4 is arguably one of the most spacious supershoes ever made, leaving us unsure what to anticipate with the Pacer v2.

To solve the mystery, we crafted a precision-molded gel that replicates the toebox interior. Our first measurement revealed 93.6 mm—definitely on the snug side, which aligns with expectations for a performance-driven supershoe. Based on our findings, this fit prioritizes control over comfort.

Things took a turn in the big toe area, where we measured an impressive 75.9 mm for toe splay.

Based on our findings, this ultra-spacious design is ideal for runners who often feel cramped in competition-focused shoes.

The toebox height measures a solid 26.6 mm, providing a well-balanced fit for most runners.

While the material isn’t ultra-stretchy, we believe the generous height ensures enough room to avoid a cramped feel.

One of the standout features of the Pacer v2 is its lower profile compared to most supershoes, resulting in a less intimidating ride. However, we must warn potential buyers that this shoe lacks stability features entirely, and we endorse it just for 100% neutral runners.

There are no sidewalls or stability-focused elements in the design. While the plate contributes slightly in this regard, it still feels like an old-school racing flat. Its streamlined design provides minimal support, placing the responsibility of stabilization entirely on your body.

With a carbon plate, the torsional rigidity was expected to be high. We measured it at 4/5, which aligns with the thinner foam construction featured in this model.

The heel design is one of the weaker aspects of this shoe. Its curved structure digs into the skin and may cause discomfort or blistering in the Achilles tendon area. In our view, pairing it with thick-and-cushioned socks is essential.

When it comes to stiffness, we found the heel to have slightly more structure than most supershoes. Through our evaluation, it scored a 2/5, which reflects its moderately-rigid design.

We mentioned the shoe’s streamlined dimensions earlier in this stability section, and now it’s time to bring out the calipers again to measure the forefoot and heel.

Starting with the forefoot, we measured 111.5 mm—narrower than average. In our opinion, this contributes to the go-kart-like agility of the shoe, emphasizing its fast-and-precise design for quick turns and sharp movements.

The heel features an aggressive design at just 85.3 mm, making it unsuitable for heel strikers who require added support.

The Energy ARC plate feels noticeably less stiff underfoot compared to plates in other supershoes, such as the FlyPlate in the Nike Vaporfly 3.

Through our testing in the lab, the Pacer v2 scored 40.1N in the 90-degree test—a high result but relatively low for a carbon-plated shoe.

At just 7.05 oz or 200g, the Pacer v2 is certainly a lightweight shoe. However, based on its streamlined dimensions and moderate stack height, we believe it could be lighter.

For comparison, the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris manages to weigh only 6.5 oz or 183g despite packing a much higher stack height in both forefoot and heel.

When we purchased the Pacer v2, we were eager to receive it in the lab ASAP to test its breathability, as the large ventilation holes in the upper looked outstanding. After testing, we gave it a perfect 5/5, confirming its excellent airflow performance.

This single-layer engineered upper is clearly designed for top-tier ventilation and reduced weight. Unlike most shoes that focus ventilation solely on the toebox, the Pacer v2 extends these perforations throughout the entire upper, ensuring consistent airflow across all areas.

Using a microscope, we examined the material more closely and were amazed by the design.

The holes are so prominent that the green insole is clearly visible through them, explaining why heat and moisture escape so effortlessly.

The upper strikes a balance between performance and comfort, and we noticed some padding in the heel area.

However, despite this padding, the heel feels slightly uncomfortable due to its curved design. In our view, New Balance should address this flaw in future iterations to improve comfort without compromising performance.

We initially expected to rate the Pacer v2 a 1/5 even before testing it with the Dremel, but surprisingly, it scored a 2/5. While still below average, it’s an impressive result for such a perforated design.

On the downside, the heel adds to its disappointments with another poor showing. Scoring just 2/5 in durability, this result falls short of what we anticipated for such a critical area.

The outsole of the Pacer v2 mirrors New Balance’s recent designs, featuring a large central void that exposes the plate and a decent amount of rubber coverage for a performance-driven supershoe.

Our testing revealed a 74.0-HC result for outsole hardness, which deviates from the softer compounds found in most competitors. In our experience, this contributes to adequate grip—although it doesn’t reach the same top-tier level as other racing shoes with softer, grip-focused materials.

The rubber, with its average hardness, delivered equally average (0.8 mm) durability—decent for a racer. This makes the shoe an appealing choice for runners seeking to use the Pacer v2 as a performance or tempo trainer.

In terms of durability, the 2.9-mm thick rubber is quite generous.

However, considering this shoe’s racing-focused design, a thinner layer—around 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm—could have made it lighter and more performance-oriented.

The price of the Pacer v2 is really good for a full-PEBA, carbon-plated racing shoe that performs undeniably well on most fronts. It stands out as significantly more affordable than many supershoes while delivering comparable speed and responsiveness.

Furthermore, this price point also makes it an excellent option not only for racers but also for those seeking a top-notch tempo trainer.

We discovered no reflective elements in the Pacer v2, though we didn’t anticipate them. For a day-time racer, we think they’re entirely unnecessary.

The tongue is comfortable but, once again, a bit short—similar to what we observed with the Elite v4. That's why runners who dislike short tongues might want to avoid the Pacer v2, as this is a non-adjustable feature even playing with the laces.

In terms of thickness, we measured just 2.3 mm, which feels paper-thin compared to most running shoes but fairly generous for a supershoe. The lockdown is effective, featuring flat laces and a tongue loop that keeps it centered.

The tongue is not gusseted, which we found to be a slight disappointment. While most supershoes still feature a freely-moving tongue, we believe this is an area that could be improved without adding significant weight. A semi-gusseted design would offer a more secure fit.

To minimize weight, the SuperComp Pacer v2 is designed without a heel tab.

The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Pacer v2 comes with an ultra-thin, perforated insole designed to enhance ventilation. While removable, we believe that most runners will benefit from keeping it in place.