First week with the New Balance FuelCell RC Elite v2
First impressions
It was pretty much love at first sight, but unlike with the Nike Invincibles, which held so much promise, the RC Elites V2 haven’t left me injured and needing sport physio! I got on with them straight away, they felt super comfortable to wear for an initial short walk.
Initial impressions were that it feels cloud-like and bouncy, others have described it as marshmallowy soft, and plush. It has a snappy toe-off and feels a lot bouncier than the other super shoes I have tried this year (Vaporfly Next%2, Asics Metaspeed Sky & Brooks Hyperion Elite2) thanks to the combination of the shoe's FuelCell foam high stack 39mm midsole and carbon plate.
In the last 10 days, I have taken them out 6 times for a variety of runs, covering 48km (29.8 miles), I have done two long runs (one trail, one city), track intervals and some easy shorter runs. The shoes have done everything asked of them.
Before looking at the shoe in detail here is my running diary with the RC Elite, over the last week or so:
“Walking on Clouds” - Fri 28 May (shoes arrive)
Short walk/jog to school to pick up my daughter. Feels like walking on clouds ☁️ . For starters, it was easy to get my foot in versus the fight with Asics Metaspeed Sky. To be fair I have found that with super shoes, ie carbon plated race shoes that usually have a snug fit, I need a half size up. I was a little concerned that these were a little on the snug side, but that concern melted away after walking in them for 20 minutes and my feet eased in.
“Funky Upper Design” - Sat 29 May (short easy run 3.4km)
I love the design of the upper, not having had a purple shoe before, the colourway with the one shoe having pink trim & the orange is a hit with the ladies at home! I did get caught in a heavy shower and yes my socks were a little damp as you’d expect in a well ventilated race shoe.
So I was excited, when I realised I could actually lace up this morning and have a proper run in them. My legs did feel a little heavy to start off with, but after about ten minutes they loosened up. The RC EliteV2 straight off feels very comfortable, a little squishy compared to ZoomX foam in the Nike Vaporfly Next%2. The Asics Metaspeed and the Brooks Hyperion Elite2 are much more stable and feel a lot firmer, but I am enjoying the bouncy responsiveness.
It has been reported that the RCEliteV2 are a lot wider in the midfoot than other carbon plated shoes, but for me that is perfect. My slighter wider, flat feet have really eased into them and enjoyed finishing up with strides, I was left wanting more. I can’t wait to try a tempo run in them. Could these be the one!?
“Like a kid at Christmas” - Sun 30 May (Long Country Run 11.6 km - part trail)
Easy pace - legs felt great but a poor night’s sleep meant the engine blew hot and cold. Great to run in the country, great to run in new kicks & legs, very relaxing to run in nature, hearing birdsong, seeing birds, horses & pigs!
It was a risk doing a long run with new running shoes, but like a kid at Christmas, I was excited to try out the New Balance FuelCell RC Elite V2 out over a longer distance and they didn’t disappoint. They are the most cushioned carbon plated race shoe that I have tried and also the most responsive. It was actually a long run in the Nike ZoomX Invincibles that brought on my calf injury.
After I eased into the run, increasing my cadence was simple, the RCElite just easing in effortlessly and near the end of the run when I was feeling more comfortable with it, I was able to hold onto higher turnover with ease. So despite my underlying fatigue there were a lot of positives. I used the 90 minute audio guided run on the Nike Run App advice on running economy helped keep my focus as it is easy to lose it when tired. However I feel, I never regret lacing up & getting out there, especially when there is an opportunity to explore & discover a new route!
“Squishiness” Tues 1 June (warm afternoon shake out run 4.3km)
Quick run in the heat in trail conditions on Hampstead Heath. The squishiness of the midsole does concern me on unflat terrain and cornering, but I am yet to actually experience any issues.
“Loving the space in the midfoot and pace on demand” Wed 2 June (Hampstead Hilly intervals 30/20/30)
15 - 20 minutes warm up and cool down
- 4 X 30 second hill sprints (recovery jog is on the way down)
- 2 X 20 second hill sprints
- 4 X 30 second hill sprints
It wasn’t particularly hard to find hills to run in Hampstead, with an elevation gain of 128m during the session. Given that I used to do unstructured 60s intervals before, this session was actually fun, but I have always enjoyed short bursts of speed. Still getting on well with the New Balance RC EliteV2 - still getting the lacing right, but it’s all good! Loving the space in the mid foot, but need to investigate longer laces.
“As dependable as an old friend” Thurs 3 June -Track Workout (1 Mile Warmup, 6 x 400m - 200m Float, 1 Mile Cooldown)
Being more disciplined about the warmup did help & the session was fine. I needed more sips of water during the recoveries, but I really enjoyed it. Added bonus to it being hot, meant that I was the only crazy one on the track. The RC Elite2s are as dependable as an old friend, good company and nothing is a bother - these shoes have been delivering everything asked of them so far.
“As a good excuse as any ” Sun 6 June 90 minute (easy long run 14.9. km)
I shouldn’t be doing my long run in a brand new carbon plated racer, but thinking of writing this article about my first week in the New Balance Fuel Cell RC Elite V2 - as a good excuse as any. These shoes were built to run fast. Earlier in the week we were shooting photos with one foot in the start position, heel up and calf was twitching wanting to run. Last Sunday’s trail run had a mixture of terrain & camber, which I don’t think the RC Elites are really built for. I was keen to try them over longer distance on city roads & pavements. I have to say they felt amazing, the high stack Fuel Cell foam is so cushy and together with the rocker feels very responsive when you increase pace. I preferred the more solid feeling of the Asics Metaspeed Skys on the track, but on the road over longer distances the RC Elite2s are currently out in front.
Looking at the shoe in more detail, I love the purple colour way, the upper is iridescent and sparkles in the sun and the mismatched outsole colours, pink and orange are unique and I love the swooping NB logo overlaying the toe box. The engineered mesh upper is thin in the toe and becomes more structured towards the heel.
The RC Elite2 doesn't have a racer fit, easy to put on and is not narrow in the midfoot, like the Vaporflys. Given my experience with the Metaspeeds not being true to size, I went a half size up, deciding that this is the best option for me with super shoes. Although I think if you don’t have flat feet, these will probably be true to size. I really appreciate the lightly padded collar and that it’s not paper thin causing irritation - unlike the Brooks Hyperion Elite 2 - which left me with a heel friction burn that took over 2 weeks to recover after my virtual half in April.
I can imagine that spacious toe box will be popular especially over longer distance efforts when the foot starts to swell. I do have a little concern over stability over longer distances, but not having run longer than 10 miles in them yet, it is too early to tell. Although, the signs are promising - I ran almost 15km in them today and legs feel pretty fresh. I can’t wait to try them out over longer distances. I will let you know how it goes! I have enjoyed easy runs, tempo, track and long runs in them. Maybe I should just buy the white colour way too and that’s my shoe rotation done!
Also read our other articles on Carbon plated shoes: Carbon plate shoes - what’s all the fuss? and How carbon-plated shoes are changing running
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