New Balance FuelCell RC Elite Review
Our Verdict
Score: 89
Rating: Great!
The RC Elite is a top-tier racing shoe from New Balance. Similar to its competitors, the shoe uses a carbon plate combined with a soft, responsive midsole.
Pros
- Bouncy, smooth ride
- Soft and protective
- Very grippy
- Durable
Cons
- Warm upper
- Unstable center side
Areas of Improvement
- More upper structure on the center side
- Thinner upper and more consistent sizing
New Balance FuelCell RC Elite Review
The New Balance FuelCell RC Elite is a fun and fast racing carbon-plated shoe with a few caveats.
Synthetic Mesh Upper
- Minimal overlays for strategic support
Thoughts:
The fit is highly subjective. I prefer my racers to be on the larger side. Lengthwise, a US 9.5 RC Elite fit is the same as the FuelCell TC in a US 9. With wide feet, I did not have any issues with the shoe’s width.
One thing I really disliked was the insole.
FuelCell & Carbon Plate Ride
- FuelCell Midsole Foam
- Full-Length Carbon Fiber Plate
Thoughts:
I loved the FuelCell foam in this shoe. It has a very silky-smooth compression. For a 5k-10k, I would opt for a more aggressive shoe with higher pop.
The Outsole & Durability of the RC Elite
- Dynaride outsole with two rubber strips on the heel and center midfoot
Thoughts:
The grip is fantastic. The outsole rubber on the mid and forefoot is similar to the DSP rubber nubs used on Japanese racers. I expect this shoe to outlast many other carbon-plated shoes.
Comparisons
New Balance FuelCell TC:
The height of the RC Elite has the potential to outlast the TC. If you are using the shoe for daily runs, go for the TC. For fast runs, I would spend the extra $30 SGD for the RC Elite.
New Balance FuelCell Prism:
The Prism feels duller and lacks the fun and responsive ride of the RC Elite.
Nike Vaporfly Next%:
Both foams have similar softness
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