The New Balance SC Trainer v3 is an excellent do-it-all shoe. From easy runs to up-tempo training sessions, this shoe can handle everything with ease. If a person were to pick one shoe to meet all their training needs, this should be at the top of their list. We have put several hundred miles on our pairs and continue to be impressed each time we take them out for a run.
Upper and Fit
The upper of the SC Trainer is composed of a lightweight mesh using New Balance’s FANTOMFIT technology. This upper is very accommodating and fits feet from narrow to wide. No hot spots were experienced during any of our runs. The upper has a trainer feel and is plusher than a racing shoe. It breathes well and is not uncomfortable in warmer temperatures. It has proved to be very durable as we have not noticed any points of excessive wear despite the number of miles run in the shoe. It is a comfortable upper that disappears on your runs.
Midsole and Ride
The midsole of the SC Trainer v3 is composed of a PEBA blend FuelCell midsole paired with a forked carbon fiber plate. The shoe has a combination of responsiveness and cushion not present in many shoes. The shoe is not bouncy, but that is not a drawback. The carbon plate is not intrusive and does provide some overall stability to the shoe. The one word we come back to over and over when describing the shoe is smooth. Whether you are going for an easy run or using it for a workout session, the shoe easily adapts to your needs. It will give back what you put into it and do it in a way where it easily turns over and flows forward with a very enjoyable ride.
Outsole and Durability
This is the biggest area of improvement in v3 of the SC Trainer over v2. The rubber coverage on the outsole is adequate and provides good overall traction in all weather conditions. It has also proved to be very durable. We experienced some durability issues with the outsole of v2 of the SC Trainer. There were instances when the outsole started shredding after only 50 miles. The outsole of v3 shows normal wear after several hundred miles and looks like it could last for a few hundred more. Major kudos to New Balance for hearing the durability complaints for v2 of this shoe and making the necessary changes.
In summary, we highly recommend the SC Trainer v3 to any runner looking for a versatile, performance-oriented trainer. This shoe can handle anything you throw at it. We think it is best suited as a long-distance training companion, especially for those looking to run a half-marathon or marathon. While there are faster racing shoes that we would pick over the SC Trainer, this shoe could help many runners cross the finish line at those distances without any regrets. Even priced at $180, we feel this shoe is a great value considering the technology and materials used in the shoe paired with its excellent durability. This is a shoe that will continue to be present in many of our rotations moving forward.
Come in now to try the New Balance SC Trainer v3 at Vertical Runner Hudson or Brecksville!