The Trail Super Shoe That Divided a Community: An Expert Dive into the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trail

The world of running has been irrevocably altered by the "super shoe." Carbon plates and mind-bending foams have shattered records on the road, leaving us all wondering: when would this revolution conquer the trails? New Balance, a titan in performance footwear, threw its hat in the ring with a bold, ambitious, and deeply controversial answer: the FuelCell SuperComp (SC) Trail.

This isn't just another trail shoe. It's a statement. It’s New Balance’s first attempt to distil the electrifying energy of a road racer into a vessel built for dirt, rocks, and roots. But as with any pioneering effort, it's a story of brilliant highs and confounding lows. It’s a shoe that some testers have lauded as a "masterpiece" whilst others have dismissed it as a "close, but a miss."

Here at Sundried, we know you’re not just looking for a shoe; you're looking for a partner for your adventures. You need to know the 'why' behind the tech, the reality behind the hype, and whether a piece of kit is worth your hard-earned money and trust. So, we're going deep. We're tearing down the New Balance SC Trail, analysing the tech, synthesising hundreds of real-world runner experiences, and stacking it up against its fiercest rivals.

Before we lace up, a quick but vital point of order. The "SuperComp" name can be a minefield. This analysis is exclusively about the SC Trail. It is a completely different beast from its road-running siblings, the high-cushioned SC Trainer and the race-day SC Pacer. They may share a family name, but they are built for entirely different worlds.

This is the definitive look at the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trail v1. Is it a game-changing trail weapon or a flawed first-generation experiment? Let's find out.

Under the Bonnet: Deconstructing the SC Trail's Tech

To understand why this shoe is so polarising, we need to look past the marketing and get into the engineering. The story of the SC Trail is one of a fundamental conflict between what the numbers on the box say and what independent labs have measured—a discrepancy that defines its every step.

The Engine Room: FuelCell, Energy Arc, and a Clever Carbon Plate

The heart and soul of the SC Trail is its midsole, a three-part system of foam, carbon, and geometry designed to create a propulsive, energetic ride.

FuelCell Foam: The primary cushioning comes from New Balance's FuelCell foam. Reviewers across the board use words like "plush," "dreamy," and "incredibly soft" to describe the sensation underfoot. It’s designed to be soft, bouncy, and full of life. However, this is where our first critical detail emerges. Lab analyses have identified this not as the cutting-edge, PEBA-based foam found in elite road racers (like the SC Pacer v2), but as a "previous-gen," TPU-based blend.

What does this mean for you on the trail? It means the shoe prioritises supreme softness over explosive energy return. Independent lab tests measured the foam's softness (durometer) at 11.5 HA, which is astonishingly soft—about half the firmness of a typical trail shoe. This explains the "dreamy" feeling, but also why some runners feel it lacks the aggressive "pop" of its road-focused cousins. It's a trade-off: maximum comfort for slightly less raw propulsion.

Energy Arc and the Carbon Plate: This is where the magic is meant to happen. The "Energy Arc" system pairs a bowed, carbon fibre plate with a large channel or void carved out of the midsole's centre. The theory is simple and effective: when you land, your weight flattens the arched plate into the void, storing energy. As you push off, the plate springs back to its original shape, releasing that energy and propelling you forward.

Crucially, this isn't just a slab of carbon shoehorned into a trail shoe. It's been intelligently adapted for uneven terrain. The plate features a split or forked design in the forefoot. This allows the left and right sides of your foot to move and adapt more independently, providing much-needed torsional flexibility when you're navigating off-camber singletrack or rocky ground. It gives you the propulsive benefits of a plate without the unforgiving rigidity, creating a ride that runners describe as lively and smooth, but not jarringly aggressive.

The Great Debate: A Tale of Two Geometries

This is, without question, the most important technical aspect of the SC Trail and the root cause of its most glowing praise and its most damning criticism. The shoe's geometry—its stack height and heel-to-toe drop—is radically different from the official specifications.

• New Balance's Official Specs: A 36.5mm heel and a 26.5mm forefoot, resulting in a fairly standard 10mm drop.

• Independent Lab Testing: Meticulous measurements using World Athletics standards found a 34.7mm heel and a startlingly thin 21.7mm forefoot. The result? A massive 13.0mm drop.

This isn't a minor rounding error; it's a chasm that fundamentally redefines the shoe. A 13mm drop, combined with a wafer-thin 21.7mm of foam under the ball of the foot, perfectly explains the split in runner feedback. For heel-strikers, the shoe is a dream, landing on a thick, soft, protected wedge of FuelCell. For midfoot and forefoot strikers, the experience can be harsh, thin, and under-protected. This single data point is the 'why' behind the "heel-strikers only" verdict you'll see in many reviews. It suggests that if you rely solely on the manufacturer's data, you may not be getting the shoe you think you are.

Ground Control: The Unrivalled Grip of Vibram

If the midsole is the shoe's most controversial element, the outsole is its most universally celebrated. New Balance made a stellar decision by equipping the SC Trail with a Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole.

This is a two-part triumph. The Megagrip compound is legendary for its phenomenal traction on virtually everything—wet rock, dry rock, loose dirt, and gravel. The Litebase technology allows this sticky rubber to be applied in a thinner, lighter layer without sacrificing durability. Reviewers consistently report "superior," "confidence-inspiring," and "excellent" grip. The lug pattern, measuring around 3-4mm, is perfect for hard-packed trails and moderately loose surfaces. Its only limitation is deep, thick mud, where more aggressive, deeper lugs would be needed.

The Upper: A Paradox of Security

The upper is constructed from a lightweight, durable synthetic mesh that breathes well. A thin, gusseted tongue helps lock the midfoot down, and a semi-firm heel counter provides excellent support. The shoe's weight is a major plus, with a men's UK size 8.5 tipping the scales at a mere 248g (8.75oz), confirming its credentials as a lightweight flyer.

However, the fit is where things get complicated, which we'll explore in the next section.

The People's Verdict: From the Trail to the Forums

Technical specifications only tell half the story. How does the SC Trail actually perform when the rubber meets the dirt? We've synthesised countless reviews from elite testers and everyday runners to give you the unvarnished truth.

The Highs: What Runners Raved About

• The Ride: Nimble, Fast, and Fun: For runners whose biomechanics click with the shoe, the experience is electric. It's consistently described as "agile," "energetic," and a "fast trail cruiser." It corners beautifully, responds to changes in pace, and makes you feel like dancing over the trail. Many report that the springy, plated ride leaves their legs feeling fresher, even after a hard session.

• Plush Cushioning: The softness of the FuelCell foam is a major highlight. It delivers a "dreamy," impact-absorbing ride that pampers the feet, especially for those landing on the well-cushioned heel. The carbon plate doubles as an effective rock shield, protecting you from sharp trail debris without feeling overly stiff.

• Confidence-Inspiring Grip: The Vibram outsole is a runaway success. Runners feel planted and secure, allowing them to attack descents and technical sections with confidence. The grip is a genuine performance-enhancer.

The Lows: Where It Stumbles

• The Goldilocks Dilemma: A Flawed Fit: The shoe's fit is its Achilles' heel. In a baffling paradox, it manages to be both too restrictive and too insecure for a huge number of runners.

  • Too Tight: A large group reports a narrow, low-volume, and "pointy" toebox that constricts the toes, with many needing to size up by half a size. This suggests a last that simply won't work for anyone with average-to-wide feet.

  • Too Loose: In direct contradiction, another significant group complains of a "sloppy" forefoot, where their foot slides around inside the shoe. This is a major stability risk on technical descents or cambered trails.

  • The cause seems to be a combination of a pointy last shape and an upper/lacing system that lacks the structure to provide a secure lockdown across the wider part of the forefoot.

• A Shoe for Heel-Strikers Only?: This is the real-world consequence of that 13mm drop. The chorus of feedback is clear: midfoot and forefoot strikers find the ride harsh due to the thin forefoot. If you don't land on your heel, you miss out on the shoe's main cushioning, making it feel unbalanced and unforgiving.

• The Rock Catcher: That Energy Arc channel in the outsole, whilst great for propulsion, is notorious for scooping up and lodging marble-sized rocks. It's a frustrating design flaw that can force you to stop mid-run.

• Durability Doubts: Whilst the Vibram outsole is tough, there are question marks over the midsole's lifespan. We've seen reports of the outsole peeling away from the foam prematurely. More worrying are the widespread reports for the technologically similar SC Trainer v2 road shoe, where users document the FuelCell foam "bottoming out" or losing its bounce in as little as 150-250 miles. For a premium-priced shoe, this potential for a short effective life is a major concern.

The Contenders: How Does the SC Trail Stack Up?

No shoe exists in a vacuum. To make an informed choice, you have to look at the competition. Here’s how the SC Trail compares to the other carbon-plated titans of the trail.

• vs. Hoka Tecton X 2: The Tecton X 2 uses two parallel carbon plates for more independent flex. It’s generally considered plusher and more accommodating, making it a strong contender for ultra-marathon distances. The SC Trail feels more nimble and agile, better suited for going fast over shorter distances. If you have a wider foot or prioritise cushion for 50+ mile races, the Hoka is likely a safer bet.

• vs. Nike Ultrafly: The Ultrafly is a maximalist beast, built around Nike's premier ZoomX (PEBA-based) foam for world-class energy return. It's heavier, more cushioned, and more protective than the SC Trail, designed for ultimate comfort over the longest distances. The SC Trail is significantly lighter and more connected to the ground. The choice is clear: max comfort and rebound (Ultrafly) vs. lightweight agility (SC Trail).

• vs. Saucony Endorphin Edge: The Endorphin Edge is also a plush, carbon-plated option, but it has a reputation for feeling unstable on technical terrain. Its biggest weakness is its outsole, which is notoriously poor on wet rock—a condition where the SC Trail's Vibram grip excels.

The Final Verdict: Is the New Balance SC Trail Your Next Shoe?

After dissecting the technology, listening to the community, and analysing the competition, a crystal-clear picture emerges. The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trail v1 is a high-risk, high-reward proposition for a very specific type of runner.

This Shoe Is for You If...

• ✅ You are a confirmed heel-striker. This is non-negotiable. The shoe's entire design rewards a heel-first landing.

• ✅ You have narrow-to-average width feet. You must be comfortable with a snug, race-style fit and not need a wide toebox.

• ✅ You run fast on moderate terrain. Your playground is fire roads, smooth singletrack, and hard-packed dirt where the shoe's nimble, lightweight feel can truly shine.

• ✅ You're targeting distances up to 50k. It's a fantastic choice for shorter, faster trail races where its speed is a key asset.

You Should Probably Avoid This Shoe If...

• ❌ You are a midfoot or forefoot striker. The minimal forefoot cushioning and extreme drop will likely feel harsh and unforgiving.

• ❌ You have wide feet. The restrictive toebox is almost guaranteed to cause discomfort and fit issues.

• ❌ You specialise in highly technical terrain. The combination of ultra-soft foam and an insecure upper creates a stability risk on rugged, steep, or cambered trails.

• ❌ You're an ultra-marathoner tackling 100-milers. The demanding fit, noticeable forefoot plate, and questions over midsole durability make it a risky choice for extreme distances.

The Road Ahead: A Glimpse at Version 2

The SC Trail v1 is the epitome of a first-generation product: innovative, flawed, and a fantastic learning experience. For the niche of runners it fits, it's brilliant. For the majority, its compromises are too great.

This shoe was effectively a large-scale public prototype, and its flaws provide a clear roadmap for the SuperComp Trail 2, anticipated for a July 2025 release. We can confidently speculate that v2 will address the key criticisms. Expect a redesigned upper with a more anatomical toebox and better lockdown, a re-engineered midsole with a more moderate drop, an upgrade to a more resilient, high-rebound PEBA-based FuelCell, and a modified outsole that doesn't swallow rocks.

Final Recommendation: The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trail v1 is a shoe of extremes. If you fit the very specific user profile, you might just fall in love with its uniquely fun, soft, and fast ride, especially now that it can be found at significant discounts.

However, for the vast majority of the running community, the most prudent action is to wait. The SuperComp Trail 2 is on the horizon, and it's poised to be the more refined, versatile, and well-rounded super shoe that the trails have been waiting for.