Breaking from Nike

I have always been a Nike guy for just about every shoe. My go-to race shoe has been the Nike Pegasus, and for training I have logged countless miles in the Nike Invincible 3. I have also never been one to shell out for the most expensive option, preferring a balance of value and performance. When I finally decided to buy my first pair of carbon plate running shoes, I expected to land on either the Vaporfly or Alphafly.

I tried Saucony’s Endorphin Elite, Brooks’ Hyperion Elite, Nike Vaporfly, and both Alphafly 3 and 4. On paper, Nike’s super shoes still felt “faster” with their extreme rocker and tilt. But the fit was a dealbreaker. Too narrow, an awkward tongue, and not comfortable. For a half Ironman, comfort matters as much as speed, because you are running on tired legs. That is how I ended up in my first-ever non-Nike racer, the New Balance SuperComp Pacer V2.

First Impressions

I wear a size 10.5, medium width, mild arch. The Pacer V2s were true to size and fit like they were made for me. No cramped toe box, no pinching, just a snug, balanced wrap. At 220 grams, they are lighter than most competitors in this category. Compared to my daily trainers, they felt like feathers.

The mesh upper adds plenty of breathability. Slipping them on in T2 was simple, even without elastic laces. And the looks? I picked up the Urgent Red with white and black colorway, which was sharp and modern. Nothing like the “dad shoe” New Balance image that still lingers in people’s minds.

Design & Specs

·       Weight: 220g. Lighter than the Nike Alphafly 3 and 4 (250–260g), Vaporfly 3 (~225g), Saucony Endorphin Elite (~240g), and Brooks Hyperion Elite (~230–235g).

·       Price: $199.99 retail. Strong value compared to Nike’s $250–285 price tags.

·       Stack height: 32.8 mm heel, 24.8 mm forefoot, 8 mm drop. World Triathlon legal under the 40 mm rule.

·       Midsole feel: A mix of softness and bounce that feels responsive but not harsh.

·       Carbon plate: Natural and stable. Not aggressive or “high heel” like Nike’s designs.

Training and Race Test

I broke them in with a 5-mile run that included 3 miles at tempo, then raced them in the half marathon at Ironman 70.3 Madison.

The verdict: mile after mile, I felt like a gazelle. Light, springy, and smooth, they helped me hold form all the way to the finish. I believe I gained about 10 seconds per mile compared to my old flats. That day turned into my best 70.3 yet, capped by a PR and a qualification for the 2026 World Championships in Nice.

Comfort and Durability

I finished with two blisters on the soles of my feet. It could have been tying the shoes a little loose for transitions, socks bunching, or just new-shoe break-in. My takeaway is to wear slightly thicker socks and put in 2–3 runs before racing.

Otherwise, the shoes were very comfortable and breathable. I expect to get about 150 miles out of them, though that is still to be determined. I plan to use them only for racing. I prefer to train in heavier daily shoes and keep the Pacers fresh for race day so I get that extra performance bump.

Triathlon-Specific Notes

·       Slipped on easily in T2.

·       Very breathable upper.

·       Stable and smooth even on tired legs.

·       Perfectly legal for World Triathlon racing with stack height under 40 mm.

Pros and Cons

Pros

·       True to size with excellent fit for medium-width, mild-arch feet

·       Extremely light at 220g

·       World Triathlon legal design with stack height under 40 mm

·       Natural, stable carbon plate feel

·       Stylish colorway and design

·       Great price-to-performance value at $199.99

Cons

·       Less aggressive “fast feel” than Nike’s super shoes

·       Blister risk if not broken in or with thin socks

·       Durability looks limited to about 150 miles

Final Verdict

The New Balance SuperComp Pacer V2 is one of the best triathlon racing shoes on the market for age group athletes. They are fast, comfortable, breathable, and World Triathlon legal. At $199.99 they deliver better value than Nike’s Vaporfly or Alphafly, which cost significantly more.

I did not give up speed for comfort. In fact, I believe the comfort helped me sustain speed longer. For age groupers looking for the best half Ironman shoes or even a full Ironman marathon, the Pacers are a great choice. Elites may want something more aggressive like the Vaporfly or Alphafly, or simply whatever their sponsors hand them.

Summary: Comfortable, fast, and triathlon-ready. The New Balance SuperComp Pacer V2 helped turn my best 70.3 into my best race yet.