FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5 (Wide 2E) by New Balance
Reviewed by Adi Malihi, CanFitPro-certified coach · last reviewed September 29, 2026
Adi's rating: 5 out of 5 · Best for: Speed runs and wide feet
Why is the SuperComp Elite v5 my top carbon-plated shoe for big feet?
Super shoes pair a soft, springy foam with a carbon plate and a rocker shape. Together they cut the energy cost of running by about 2–4% in lab tests. Most of that comes from the foam; the plate alone does little. New Balance is one of the few brands that makes a super shoe in a true 2E.
What I like
- Carbon plate and PEBA foam: shoes like this save about 2–4% of running energy in lab tests
- Soft, bouncy PEBA-based FuelCell foam
- Available in true 2E wide fit with a roomier toe box
- Lightweight, breathable upper built for race day performance
Downsides
- It's expensive, and race foam wears out sooner than a daily trainer. Save it for races and fast sessions.
- It's tall (40 mm heel) and soft, so it's less stable on corners and uneven ground. Build up to plated shoes gradually rather than switching overnight.
Adi's experience
I have big feet—I wear size 11.5 and usually need 2E wide for running shoes. Almost all carbon super shoes on the market are built narrow, but this wide carbon shoe fits my foot perfectly and feels incredible on speed runs.
Research
- Carbon-plated shoes and the energy cost of running: meta-analysis (Kobayashi 2025)
- The original marathon racing shoe study, elite runners, Nike-funded (Hoogkamer 2018)
- Cutting the plate didn't change the saving (Healey & Hoogkamer 2022)
Where to buy: New Balance (direct link, no commission)