These days, any shoe built for the highest level of competition needs something special. Something that did not exist in the running shoe industry three years ago. In the new New Balance FuelCell Supercomp Elite that technology comes in the form of the Energy Arc system – a combination of a full-foot-length cambered carbon fibre plate with a deep void stretching from under the heel to the start of the forefoot. 

In Action
The shape of the cambered carbon plate means it bows laterally towards the foot. When the running motion creates a downward force, the carbon plate bends towards the road. This is when the new cavity of the midsole comes into play as it creates an extra void for the plate to expand downward before the running stride moves into the upward motion, releasing the carbon plate to expand back to its original position. This release is what it’s all about. The energy in the release is transferred – via the dual FuelCell midsole foam on either side of the carbon plate – to the upward stride, giving energy return to the runner. 

Double Task
The two layers of FuelCell midsole have a double role to play. Initially to provide the right amount of impact cushioning for the runner and, second, to work with the carbon plate to be an effective medium to transfer energy to the runner.

Top Side
An engineered knit upper is soft and extremely lightweight. To save on fabric – and to give a streamlined fit – the tongue is stitched into the upper. The tongue has a sideways stretch, which, together with the lacing, is responsible for locking the foot firmly in place. To give it some extra strength without adding overlays or weight, the NB logo is extravagantly, and stylishly, splashed from the back of the outer side to the forefoot where it features prominently over the toe box. The cosy fit would be tricky to get into without the help of a loop at the top of the heel and another at the end of the tongue to hold onto when you slide into these racing weapons. 

The results of all this tech are the makings of a new super shoe. A lightweight, super fast super shoe that immediately feels like there is something special going to happen from the moment you put it on. The hard work is still up to you but with every stride in these shoes you can feel that extra bounce coming back at you from under your foot. It’s such an exaggerated feeling it might take some getting used to, and when you do, the extra speed comes just that more easily than before. 

Weight: Mens 229g Womens 179g
Drop: 4mm
Price: R4800

This super shoe is available HERE now.

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