New Balance FuelCell SuperComp MD-X v3 review

After testing the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp MD-X v3, we think that:

• Runners who want an ultra-stiff, highly propulsive spike will find it delivers a fast, aggressive ride.
• Athletes with a big budget looking for elite-level performance will appreciate what it offers.
• Runners who prefer a soft underfoot feel for middle or long distances will benefit from its plush FuelCell cushioning.

We think that some runners will struggle with the MD-X v3, as its ultra-stiff design feels extreme underfoot. We found in the lab that the Nike Dragonfly 2 offers a more forgiving experience.

We also believe the weight is a drawback for a speed-focused spike. It feels heavier than expected, and some runners may prefer the featherlight Nike Dragonfly 2 Elite for the ultimate race-ready feel.

With 19.7 mm of heel stack, the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp MD-X v3 sits right at the edge of the 20 mm World Athletics limit for track spikes, and that’s exactly what we wanted to see.

The forefoot is slightly more conservative at 18.2 mm, yet it still sits very close to the limit, and if you grab a measuring tape, you’ll quickly realize how minimal those remaining 2 mm really are.

The gap between both measurements results in a 1.5 mm drop, which is average for running spikes.

For us, the MD-X v3 felt nearly flat and clearly built for forefoot striking, helping deliver strong and direct toe-offs, so heel striking is definitely not encouraged with this design.

While some running spikes rely on firmer foams, the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp MD-X v3 takes a different route and keeps the signature ultra-plush feel of FuelCell.

In our lab test, we measured 25.9 AC with our Asker C durometer. For comparison, its road super shoe counterpart, the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5, reached 33.8 AC, making it noticeably firmer (while being soft!) than this spike.

The SuperComp name comes from the plate, which is made of carbon fibre and sits fully under the foam, maintaining direct contact with the track.

As we do with road running shoes, we created a gel mould of the toebox to measure the exact forefoot fit.

We measured the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp MD-X v3 measured 90.2 mm in width, which sits around the average and should feel familiar if you’ve worn other running spikes before.

The toebox width follows a very classic design, measuring 70.0 mm with our digital calipers. It’s neither especially narrow nor wide compared to other competing spikes.

For toebox height, we measured a solid 25.4 mm, which sits in a very reasonable range.

Even though some parts of the shoe feel extreme, the overall fit remains well-balanced and easy to handle.

The MD-X v3 is built for speed and clearly aims to deliver a strong propulsive feel underfoot through the SuperComp plate. In our lab test for longitudinal stiffness, it reached a very high 31.6N, so don’t expect any flexibility, as the underfoot feel is S-T-I-F-F.

At 6.0 oz or 170g, the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp MD-X v3 came in heavier than we expected. While not a deal-breaker for most, this extra weight stands out in such a performance-focused spike.

We think that NB needs to improve here, as this model ends up heavier than some road super shoes like the ASICS Metaspeed Ray or the Nike Streakfly 2, which feels hard to justify for the price.

When we used our smoke tool to test airflow in the toebox, we found good ventilation, although slightly below what we expected from a high-end spike.

We rated the MD-X v3 a 3/5 for breathability, which is acceptable for racing. However, during longer summer training sessions, some of you may start to notice the limitations.

Airflow is distributed across most of the upper, with a clear focus on the toebox area where ventilation is most effective.

We think New Balance could have used a thinner upper material, as it feels somewhat heavy compared to rivals and may contribute to the overall weight.

We liked the overall build quality of the upper, although adding a bit more comfort in the heel would have improved the experience, even if this shoe is clearly built for short periods of time.

The SuperComp plate in the MD-X v3 is extremely hard to bend in any direction, so it came as no surprise when it recorded a high 17.4 Nm in our torsional rigidity test.

The heel counter includes some structure, which is uncommon in most spikes, yet it remains easy to flex, earning a 2 out of 5 score in our test.

Forefoot landings feel excellent in the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp MD-X v3, partly because the designers expanded the forefoot width to 97.9 mm, creating a more stable platform.

As is common with elite-level spikes, the heel is extremely narrow, measuring 65.7 mm. It clearly discourages heel landings, which aligns perfectly with proper track spike form.

The toebox material feels comfortable on foot, which makes sense since most of you will use the MD-X v3 without socks. However, this comes at the cost of durability, as it scored just 2 out of 5 in our test.

On the other hand, the heel padding proved much more durable, earning a 4 out of 5 score, so there are no real concerns in this area.

This is one of the thinnest insoles we’ve ever measured in the lab—even compared to road shoes—at just 1.8 mm thick. It’s clear that NB prioritized maximizing FuelCell to deliver as much shock absorption and bounce as possible.

The MD-X v3 uses standard laces, which feels like a missed opportunity at this price point. They work fine, but a more premium option would have made more sense here.

The tongue is extremely thin at just 1.1 mm, with no foam padding at all. It offers minimal comfort, but that trade-off is clearly aimed at racing performance... as it should be!

Interestingly, the MD-X v3 includes a finger-loop heel tab that helps fine-tune the fit before jumping into to the track.

The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp MD-X v3 comes with one of the highest price tags we’ve ever seen in a track spike. While it’s backed by elite-level performances and impressive PBs, we feel it may be too expensive for most amateur athletes.

The MD-X v3 features a 6-pin setup, moving away from the 4-pin design used by many competitors, and it also includes the tool to swap them.