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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Weight
    2. Stack Heights
    3. External Shape
    4. Internal Shape
    5. Other Features
  5. Performance
    1. Heel Energy Return
    2. Forefoot Energy Return
    3. Heel Cushioning
    4. Forefoot Cushioning
    5. Heel Firmness
    6. Forefoot Firmness
  6. Comments

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 vs Nike Alphafly 3

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4
Nike Alphafly 3

Tested using Methodology v0.8

Updated Apr 11, 2025 03:21 PM

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Tested using Methodology v0.8

Updated Apr 11, 2025 08:37 PM

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New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Picture
Nike Alphafly 3 Picture
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Running Shoes

Variants

  • FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 (Cyber Jade/White/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 (White/Angora/Hot Mango - (Women - US 7))
  • Alphafly 3 (Sail/Crimson Tint/Guava Ice/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • Alphafly 3 (Volt/Dusty Cactus/Total - (Men - US 9))

Our Verdict

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4

Nike Alphafly 3

The Nike Alphafly 3 and New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 are both racing shoes, though each prioritizes different aspects of performance. The Nike is lighter and built specifically for elite-level marathon racing, offering maximum energy return, making it ideal for runners aiming for peak performance. The New Balance, while heavier, provides more stability and more cushioning, making it a versatile and comfortable choice suitable for a broader range of runners targeting personal bests.

0

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

7.8
8.3

Weight  

6.7
8.2

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

8.0
8.5

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.7
8.2

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Nike Alphafly 3 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Nike Alphafly 3 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

239.9 g (8.46 oz)
200.7 g (7.08 oz)

Show text

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Stack Height Photo
Nike Alphafly 3 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

39.5 mm
39.8 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

35.9 mm
33.4 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

4.7 mm
6.4 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

4.0 mm
8.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 3D Model Full Shoe
Nike Alphafly 3 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

86 mm (3.4")
91 mm (3.6")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

74 mm (2.9")
68 mm (2.7")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

111 mm (4.4")
91 mm (3.6")

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 3D Model Internal
Nike Alphafly 3 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

270 mm (10.6")
273 mm (10.7")

Internal Heel Width 
 

58 mm (2.3")
59 mm (2.3")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

95 mm (3.8")
90 mm (3.5")

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Other Features Photo
Nike Alphafly 3 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

8.1
8.1

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Heel Energy Return 
 

86.0%
86.0%

Show text

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

8.0
8.5

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

85.5%
88.4%

Show text

Heel Cushioning 
 

8.1
8.2

Heel Cushioning Picture  

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Heel Cushioning Picture
Nike Alphafly 3 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Energy Absorbed At 300N 
 

1.26 J
1.33 J

Energy Absorbed At 600N 
 

4.00 J
4.06 J

Energy Absorbed At 900N 
 

6.84 J
6.75 J

Show text

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

8.3
7.5

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Nike Alphafly 3 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Energy Absorbed At 300N 
 

1.08 J
0.87 J

Energy Absorbed At 600N 
 

3.35 J
2.93 J

Energy Absorbed At 900N 
 

5.77 J
5.27 J

Show text

Heel Firmness 
 

5.6
5.6

Heel Firmness  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Average Firmness 0 To 300N 
 

34.4 N/mm
32.4 N/mm

Average Firmness 300 To 600N 
 

49.0 N/mm
49.2 N/mm

Average Firmness 600 To 900N 
 

79.2 N/mm
83.1 N/mm

Show text

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.3
8.1

Forefoot Firmness  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Average Firmness 0 To 300N 
 

39.8 N/mm
49.0 N/mm

Average Firmness 300 To 600N 
 

58.9 N/mm
65.0 N/mm

Average Firmness 600 To 900N 
 

92.5 N/mm
95.7 N/mm

Show text

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4

Nike Alphafly 3

Comments

  1. Comparison

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 vs Nike Alphafly 3: Main Discussion

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