In the last 2 months I tested these two running shoes from New Balance. The SC Elite v4 was send to me from New Balance for the purpose of testing and reviewing. Since I was, after running some time in the shoe, intrigued also by the Rebel v4, I purchased the shoe with my own money. Since I published the reviews of both shoes (I will make sure to link to the reviews at the end of this article), I ran many more kilometers in both of them and it’s time to compare the two shoes.
If you put the two shoes side by side there are not many differences to be seen. They almost look identical, especially if you have them in the same colorway. Well, for some looks play a part when deciding to purchase the shoe and I have to say, that they stand out. They look different to others running shoes out there.
Let’s rather find out how they are compared to each other while running.
SC Elite v4 vs. Rebel v4: Upper and fit
I purchased both of the shoes in my regular US size 12 and they both fit true to size. The upper material is the same on both shoes: Fantomfit but the look down is a bit different. While the Rebel v4 has a bit more padding in the heel area, a slightly thicker tongue that is gusseted and laces with more volume, it’s easier to get a decent look down in the Rebel v4 compared to the SC Elite v4.
While I was using my standard thin racing socks in both shoes I experienced some hot spots on one of my runs in the SC Elite v4. But as soon as I changed the socks to a pair that is still thin but has some more padding in the heel area, the look down was good.
Due to the thinner tongue and thinner laces, there can be more lace pressure on top of your feet. In my race shoes I usually tie the laces on the outside of the shoe so I had no issue with lace pressure in either of the two shoes. However, it’s something to consider.
SC Elite v4 vs. Rebel v4: Midsole and outsole
First to the outsole. If you look at it you will see, that it looks the same. But there are some minor differences. While the outsole on the Rebel v4 is slightly thicker, it will wear out slower, than the outsole on the SC Elite v4. By the feel the material is identical. Both are grippy, almost a bit sticky at first and provide good grip, even on wet roads and some light trails. However, none of the two shoes is a trail shoe. Keep that in mind.
Both of them have a wide base and as such are very stable shoes to run in. I never had any issues turning even tight corners in any of the two shoes.
The midsole is the part where there are significant differences between the SC Elite v4 and the Rebel v4. The midsole in the SC Elite v4 is a PEBA based FuelCell, while the midsole of the Rebel v4 is a PEBA / EVA blend. The stack hight at the heel of the SC Elite v4 is right up to the legal limit of 40 mm, on the other hand the stack hight at the heel of the Rebel v4 is 36 mm. The SC Elite v4 has a 4 mm drop from heel to toe and the Rebel v4 a 6 mm drop. One more important difference: in the midsole of the SC Elite v4 we have a carbon fibre plate but the Rebel v4 is a running shoe without a plate.
Performance
If you consider all those differences, the New Balance SC Elite v4 is a racing shoe, while the Rebel v4 is a training shoe. Even New Balance makes this visual, if you look at the tongue of the shoe. Each of the two shoes has an inscription. The one on the SC Elite v4 says: FUELED FOR RACEDAY while the one on the tongue of the Rebel v4 says: FUELED FOR ANY RUN.
The midsole of the Rebel v4 is made of a firmer more durable foam and there is less midsole than in the SC Elite v4. For me, the Rebel v4 worked actually good on all runs: from easy pace, over tempo runs, shorter and faster intervals, up to short bursts at my current top end speed. It’s a shoe that really can be used on any run, as stated by New Balance.
On the other hand the SC Elite v4 is a different carbon plated racing shoe, compared to other shoes from this category. It’s one you can even use on your slower runs. But in the end the use case for the shoe are races and the faster you run in the shoe, the more you get back from the midsole foam and the carbon fibre plate.
If you decide for the SC Elite v4 as your next race shoe, the Rebel v4 will be the best option for a training shoe. Yes, they are different but they are made to complement each other. The Rebel v4 as your every day training shoe and the SC Elite v4 as the shoe you use on your race specific workouts and of course on race day.
If you want to find out more about each of the two shoes, you can find my reviews of both if you click or tap on the links below:
New Balance SC Elite v4 review
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