In reviewing the New Balance SC Trainer V3, we found the shoe offered sufficient energy return without being overly aggressive. The comfortable and spacious upper in tandem with the medium-soft midsole helped keep our legs feeling fresh and allowed us to easily settle into our target pace(s). What’s more, in our view, the SC Trainer V3 could be the perfect choice for runners targeting a 3:45+ marathon. While we’re yet to test the Salomon S/Lab Spectur, we think this could, inadvertently, be New Balance’s answer to that shoe.

It’s been a while since I posted a review. I mean, it’s been a while since I posted anything here. So, to get the ball rolling again, I thought I’d post a different type of review. A Gritty Runners’ debut, so to speak. The esteemed multi-tester review.

Multi-tester reviews are great. They’re useful for providing a balanced opinion about a shoe. With a variety of ages, weights, foot strikes, and experience, you can usually find someone with familiar stats and therefore better deduce whether a shoe is likely to work for you. The only problem with multi-tester reviews is that you need, as the name suggests, multiple people to own, test, and review the shoes. As a mostly one-man-band with a severely-limited budget, not only is this is a logistical nightmare, it’s also completely unfeasible. This is especially true when you’re reviewing today’s shoe – the New Balance SC Trainer V3 – which, for 3 or 4 reviewers, would cost £690-920 respectively.

Yep, you heard that right. The New Balance SC Trainer V3 retails for an astounding £230 in the UK. For context, the Adidas Adios Pro 4, the company’s newest super shoe, will cost you £10 less.

Fortunately, the stars aligned on this one. Having recently joined a local running club, I noticed a number of those cyan-coloured beauties (the SC Trainer V3), and, after some gentle persuasion, managed to recruit a few individuals to provide their thoughts. I’m not sure i’ll be welcomed back to the club with open arms, but hopefully it was worth it for today’s review.

What’s the Stack Height and Drop of the New Balance SC Trainer V3?

Heel Stack: 41mm
Forefoot Stack: 35mm
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 6mm
Midsole Softness: Medium

New Balance SC Trainer V3 Multi-Tester Review

Chris: The SC Trainer V3 released at the end of July 2024, at least here in the UK. So, why review them in December? Well, shortly after receiving my pair in early August, and after running a measly 8KMs in them, unfortunately, that same day, I received the news that I had to stop running to see whether there was any positive effect on my post-op MRI scans. Disappointing, sure. But I knew they’d be there when I was allowed back on the roads, so not the end of the world by any stretch of the imagination.

Fast forward three months and a positive MRI (finally!), I knew exactly which shoes I’d be wearing for my return. Yeah, you guessed it, the SC Trainer V3. While I only ran 5KMs on that return run, what surprised me more than anything was that, despite trying to go as slowly as possible, I put down a respectable time.

Since returning to running a little more consistently, I’ve logged a total of around 50KMs in the SC Trainer V3 (it would have been more, but let’s be honest, even as a running shoe geek who hasn’t fully gotten into the swing of things, there’s been other shoes I’ve needed (wanted) to try out).

Compared to other New Balance shoes I’ve tried, the SC Trainer V3 has a lighter and more forgiving upper. What I mean by this is, shoes such as the 1080V13 and Balos, shoes I actually love, just feel a tad tighter than the SC Trainer V3. With a slightly larger left foot, I have absolutely no need to utilise a runner’s knot. But with the right, I absolutely do need to use a runner’s knot to get that sought after fit. There’s sufficient room in the toe box to allow the toes to move vertically, something I find particularly useful.

When it comes to the midsole, I’ve heard mixed percentages regarding the PEBA to EVA foam blend. Whatever those percentages are, all I can say is that this shoe, to me, falls in the middle. If I had to call it anything, I’d say it was a soft-medium midsole. Typically, I run my easy days between 5:45-6:15/km. But in the SC Trainer V3, I can’t seem to go much slower than 5:15-5:30/km. Despite using the shoes for mostly easy days, I haven’t necessarily tried to go much faster. But this is only down to the fact that I don’t want to overdo it as I return from injury. In the first run I did pre-injury, I went up to around 3:13/km in a short burst, and they felt just as great as they did at some of the slower paces. But stay tuned for more information on this one as I intend to use them for a breadth of paces in the not-so-distant future.

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room – price. At £230, this is an expensive super trainer. It’s £30 more than the esteemed Superblast 2, and something such as the Hoka Skyward X can be picked up for much less. However, the Superblast 2 just doesn’t work for me. It causes arch pain, for whatever reason. And when I compare these to the Skyward X, they just seem a little more versatile.

I can also compare these to the previous iteration, the SC Trainer V2. At the time, that was one of my favourite shoes. But honestly, this third iteration is significantly better. I found the SC Trainer V2 a little too mushy, and significantly harder to pick up the pace. They’re still a great shoe, but for me, the SC Trainer V3 seems to be able to do much more.

To finish off my review of the New Balance SC Trainer V3, I will say this. Personally, I think this is a wonderful shoe that can be used not only, as the name suggests, for training, but for racing too. Sure, you’re not going to be breaking any records in them (I mean, I’m sure Kipchoge could), but if you’re operating in the 3:30+ marathon pace, I really don’t think you’re going to notice much difference between this and one of the more popular so-called super shoes. Propulsive, comfortable, and likely more durable than those without the EVA-Peba blend, I really don’t think you can go wrong with them. And for clarity, I picked these up for around £184, which, honestly, seems a bit of a steal.

Chris is a relative newcomer to the sport and has been running for around 12 months (with some big gaps in between). He weighs, on average, between 68-72kg and has a mid foot strike. His favourite distance is the half-marathon, but is keen to get a marathon or two under his belt in 2025.

Levi: As a new runner (5’10”, 165 lbs), I’ve logged 500 miles since May using only the Saucony Triumph 21. Switching to the SC Trainer V3 was transformative. The shoe’s roomy fit, cushioned midsole, and rocker geometry felt natural and comfortable from the first run, delivering stability and propulsion.

I’ve used them for a 10K, achieving my fastest time without effort. The SC Trainer V3 is cushioned yet fast, with a light feel and excellent durability for long runs. Compared to the Triumph 22 and Asics Superblast 2, the V3 combines versatility with comfort, making it an outstanding all-in-one trainer for runners of all levels.

Levi is 5’10 and weighs 160lbs (72kg). His favourite distance is the 10K, but hopes to expand his horizons in the not-so-distant future.

Bob: As a 50-year-old runner with 17 months of experience, I’m training for my first marathon and logging 40+ miles per week. After using the SC Trainer V2 for 250 miles, I switched to the V3 (size 12, 2E for toe room) and now have 30 miles on them, including a 17-mile long run.

The upper is a significant improvement—comfortable, well-padded, and secure without needing a runner’s loop. The midsole is firmer and more propulsive than the softer V2, making it better suited for faster paces but still comfortable for easy runs. The rocker geometry is smooth but not overly pronounced. The outsole provided solid traction, even in wet conditions.

After my longest ever run, my feet felt great, though I got a minor blister, likely from prior mileage. Overall, the SC Trainer V3 offers a durable, versatile option for high-mileage training and possibly race day.

Bob is 6’2 and weighs 205 lbs (92kg). He’s currently logging 40+ miles per week in preparation for his first marathon, for which we wish him all the best!

Who Is The SC Trainer V3 For?

So, this might not be the most helpful section, because arguably the SC Trainer V3 will work for just about everyone (well, at least those unphased by the price.) We’ve classed the midsole softness as medium, but let’s clarify that a little. If you’ve experienced the New Balance 1080V13, that’s our yardstick for soft. The SC Trainer V3 sits somewhere in the middle. It’s soft, with a comfortable step in feel, but it’s not a sinking softness. You can feel the energy return. Additionally, we think this is a great shoe for those of you looking for a race day shoe that’s not aggressive. It will allow you to settle into a pace and stick to it.

New Balance SC Trainer V3 Conclusion

As you might have gathered, the three testers all held favourable reviews about the SC Trainer V3, noting its ability to be used across a variety of paces and, for many, as a viable race day shoe. While it is, at retail, an expensive trainer, it seems to be the case that many customers are able to pick the shoes up for at a reasonable discount. If this is something you can snag for around the £180 mark, it’s certainly not a shoe to be sniffed at, particularly if you’re having trouble getting your hands on the Asics Superblast 2 or if you want something with a carbon plate that can help propel you to improved times across a multitude of distances. For us, the SC Trainer V3 is a top notch shoe only slightly marred by its retail price. If New Balance were to do better at translating their US prices to more amenable ones in the UK, I’d hazard a guess that over here, at least, sales would skyrocket. That being said, at £229, I genuinely think this is a great do it all shoe. If you’re after a pair, they can be found here.