Running these analyses costs money. Buy through my links to help keep lights on! I may get a small commission.
Top Pros
Top Cons
Reddit Reviews
14month_holidayNew Balance FuelCell Rebel V4 in regular width is as wide as my NB 860s in wide. They are one of the only non-zero drop shoes that I really like the toebox fit of. The supershoe companion SC Elite V4 has a very similar toebox fit. Like another poster said, toe socks are a godsend for the type of blisters you're describing, but you may need a little more space due to the extra fabric. I now opt to go up 0.5 size vs what I was familiar with and add toe socks. I do this and haven't had toe blisters since
64johnsonI actually love the NB line up. Im 5'11 190lbs. My BIGGEST issue with their damn shoes is they heel rub like no other shoes. I ran a new 5k pb yesterday at sub 6 pacing in the elite v4s and came out with a blister like I finished running a marathon. So they definitely could perform but the heel rub sucks. Ive had same experience with rebel v4s where I loved the shoe but heel rubbed. I have the trainers now too so im hoping that issue doesnt carry to them as well. But I feel the response in the NB shoes are really great.
AccomplishedChair436Man, almost any of them work even at going for 1:50-2. Just avoid the wild broncos ones you need to be going 6:00 minute a mile an under like Fast-R 3 or Endorphin Elite . If you’ve never done a carbon before I recommend Endo pro 4, Sc Elite v4, or Deviate Nitro Elite 3 as solid choices for race and workout.
AccomplishedNet3005SC elite v4s can be got at a pretty good price with the v5 on its way. I’m going to get another pair before they dry up. Comfortable at a range of paces. I have about 250km on mine now and have very little sign of wear.
a-concerned-motherPersonally I got the New Balance SC Elite V4 (also mentioned in the comments) and raced with a goal time of 3:30 in them. I had no regrets other than the fact that it costed more money. I had a blast in them and will definitely be racing in them again. Broke my goal time with a 3:28:07. Super proud of myself and happy the shoes didn't get in the way. IDK if they made me faster since I had done similar paced runs in my NB rebels but also had tib post pain from them so I opted out of racing in them which worked out for the best.
ActinomycetaceaeGlumI've got the SC Elite v4 in 2e. I've got wide feet that prefer 4e widths. They work fine for me. Admittedly I haven't tried them in normal widths.
Aggravating-Pin-9370I'm a New Balance guy. However, I got hurt using SC Elite v4 after my last 10k race. So this 2026 I changed my racing shoes to Reebok FloatZig X1 and they are pretty awesome! Another cool thing is, you wont see anyone wearing them which gives you an exclusivity feels. lol
Aggravating_Roll_337I love love love my sc elite 4s. I do all my running in them. I’m also 2e. So u think I’ll like the evos? How do they compare to the elites?
Alberto_BalsalamSC Trainer V1 for my first marathon (3:59) and SuperBlast 2 for my second (3:34) with no complaints about either shoe. Love them. Also own the SC Elite V4s and love them. Have only raced a 10k in them but got a hefty PB in them. Would have no qualms with taking them the marathon distance.
Allenboy0724Some have been mentioned already but you can search this out too. Brands like Adidas, New Balance, and even ASICS have started taking the rods out of their race shoe and offering them as trainers. These would be shoes such as the EVO SL and even the Boston from Adidas, the Rebel from New Balance, and the MetaBlast from ASICS. They all typically come with the same foam and fit as the race shoe but without the rods or propulsion technology found in many race shoes these days. I personally owned the New Balance Rebel for most of my marathon prep as my long run shoe and then raced in the SC Elite v4 from New Balance. Felt identical fit wise and truly while running. The only difference I felt was the effort required to run faster.