New Balance fires back in the carbon race with the SuperComp Elite v6 and the all-new SuperComp Rebel

New Balance is dropping its latest carbon-plated weapon for race day: the SuperComp Elite v6. A brand-new Infinion foam and a full redesign give its marathon flagship a sharper, more aggressive look. And as if that wasn’t enough to get us buzzing, the American brand is launching a brand-new franchise too: the SuperComp Rebel, a training shoe aiming to muscle in on the best trainers out there. Is New Balance about to shake up the carbon-shoe pecking order?

Two shoes, one goal: performance without giving up comfort

New Balance isn’t launching just one shoe. It’s rolling out a new performance play. On one side, the SuperComp Rebel, designed to bring that race-day snap into everyday training. On the other, the SuperComp Elite v6, built for one mission: delivering on the big day. Go fast, for as long as possible. The two models serve different purposes, but they share the same philosophy, the same Infinion foam, and the same intent: make every stride quicker without sacrificing what New Balance has always been known for: comfort.

SuperComp Elite v6 and SuperComp Rebel: New Balance refreshes its carbon lineup with new Infinion foam and a sharper design.

New Balance wants to level up in the carbon-shoe segment

New Balance is a globally recognized sneaker brand, with its iconic dad shoes. In running too, the brand has carved out its space. Its legendary 1080 franchise is the perfect example. Since its launch in 2011, that ultra-comfortable model has become a staple for purists and newer runners alike. But in the more technical world of carbon-plated racers, New Balance still sits in the challenger seat. Competitive, yes, but not quite on the same level as the market heavyweights like Nike, adidas, or ASICS. Is that gap really down to a tech delay, or more a brand-perception issue? Hard to say. Probably a bit of both. What’s certain is that the SuperComp Elite has always been a very solid shoe. Not the lightest. Not the snappiest or bounciest either. But a reliable pick, the one you lace up when you want to run fast without giving up comfort. It’s just not the first name that comes up when the goal is pure marathon speed. With this sixth iteration, the American brand wants to plant its flag more firmly among the top-performing players.

Under the hood: new Infinion foam

The real shift is in the foam. New Balance is moving on from FuelCell, the tech that’s powered its race models from the start. The PEBA/EVA blend makes way for a new compound, Infinion foam, built from A-TPU. That choice is anything but random: this kind of foam is known for better resilience and punch while staying extremely light, exactly what you want on race day.

There’s also a bit of paddock talk going around. Laura Healey, a former PUMA innovation lead, joined New Balance in 2025. With the German brand finding big success recently in the carbon space after developing an A-TPU-based foam, it’s tempting to connect the dots, even if there’s nothing to prove this tech pivot comes directly from that move... Especially since Infinion is part of a broader overhaul at New Balance (it also shows up in the new 1080 v15). Just rumors, then, but a good reminder of how quickly shoe tech is moving. And behind the tech, there are always engineers and researchers with real talent and real passion pushing the sport forward.

Specs — New Balance SuperComp Elite v6

Category : Carbon-plated racing shoe
Use : Marathon
Technologies : Infinion foam, Energy Arc
Upper : FANTOMFIT
Surface : Road
Runner profile : Intermediate to experienced
Weight : 190 g
Stack height : 40 mm (heel) / 32 mm (forefoot)
Drop : 8 mm
Price: €275
Available July 27, 2026

The SC Elite v6 is already on elites’ feet

After clocking an impressive 2:06:38 at the Valencia Marathon (in the SC Elite v5), Alex Yee laced up the SuperComp Elite v6 as a pacer at the London Marathon, a way for New Balance to test the shoe in real-world conditions even before the official release. The triathlete said he was sold on a shoe that’s even lighter and faster than the v5. That’s a recipe for some big times in the fall 2026 marathon season.

Same story with Emily Sisson, the American record holder in the marathon (2:18:29): she’s also switched to the new model. The U.S. runner will line up at the Valencia Marathon in December with the SC Elite v6 on her feet, aiming to set a new national record... Seeing Emily Sisson back at her best would be the strongest message New Balance could send to the running world. A performance like that would cement the brand’s ambition to become one of the go-to names at the very top end.

How it stacks up against the competition

In comparison, this SC Elite v6 reminds us of the Puma Deviate Elite 4. Same DNA: a carbon plate, a fairly stable platform, an A-TPU foam, a not-too-aggressive rocker... In short, two shoes that can work for a wide range of runners, whether you’re running a 2:30 marathon or a 3:30.

But there are some notable differences. The Deviate Elite 4 is still lighter and feels quicker underfoot, smoother, built for chasing pure speed. The SC Elite v6 plays a different tune. More natural. Softer, with more foam and more width up front, plus a toe box that leans into stability and comfort. The result: a more protective ride designed first and foremost to get you through the marathon distance, rather than to go full gas over a 5K.

SuperComp Rebel: a trainer that jumps up a category

On the training side, there’s something new too. New Balance isn’t doing things halfway. The SuperComp Rebel lands with a big 40 mm stack, a carbon plate, and the same Infinion foam as its big sister. For a shoe this tall, the stated weight, 218 g, is seriously impressive. That’s ultra-light for the category.

On paper and on the road, the promise is straightforward: a more energetic, more dynamic, more propulsive foam than the previous generation. Enough to make it a highly versatile trainer, just as happy on threshold sessions as on a long run with some extra pop. The brand already scored big with its FuelCell Rebel line, especially the v5 released last year. This time, it adds the new Infinion foam and an Energy Arc carbon plate for more punch. We’re fully in the carbon era.

Specs — New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1

Category : Carbon-plated training shoe / supertrainer
Use : Training (threshold, VO2 max, tempo, long runs)
Technologies : Infinion foam, Energy Arc
Upper : FANTOMFIT
Surface : Road
Runner profile : Intermediate to experienced
Weight : 218 g
Stack height : 40 mm (heel) / 36 mm (forefoot)
Drop : 4 mm
Price : €200
Available July 27, 2026

With these two new flagships, New Balance is making its intentions clear. The brand is taking a tech turn with the new Infinion foam while staying true to its DNA: pushing performance without ever giving up comfort. Now it’s a matter of seeing whether that philosophy translates on the road. With the SC Elite v6, New Balance could take a big step forward in the carbon-plated segment. See you on the start lines of the next marathons to find out what it really has underfoot...

✔ The New Balance SuperComp Elite v6 and SuperComp Rebel v1 will be available from July 27, priced at €275 and €200 on newbalance.com.