Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 vs New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5:
Which to Choose

Start with what they share: both run a ~39mm heel stack, both use a PEBA-based superfoam over a full-length carbon plate, both score 6/6 for pace and responsiveness and 5/6 for cushioning, and both are deliberately low-stability, neutral race builds with no pronation support. The differences are in the details that actually matter on race morning. Weight is the clearest: the SuperComp Elite v5 is the lighter shoe at 198g (men's US 9) versus roughly 215g for the Pro 4 — a real, noticeable gap of about 17g that you feel in the back half of a long race. Geometry diverges too. The Pro 4 holds a true 8mm drop with a flat full-length plate and a pronounced rocker that tips you forward onto your toes, so it rewards a quick, snappy cadence. The SuperComp Elite v5 sits on a higher effective drop — New Balance lists 8mm but it measures closer to 10mm — with a 39mm/29mm stack, a concave plate, and the Energy Arc system of midsole voids that stores and returns extra rebound, giving it a slightly firmer, more spring-loaded feel underfoot. The uppers are where New Balance pulls ahead for comfort: its woven nylon/polyester mesh with a semi-gusseted tongue is roomier through the toebox and better suited to long efforts and wider feet, while the Pro 4's thin engineered mesh is lower-volume and race-focused, trading some lockdown comfort and long-term durability for weight savings. Finally, intended range: the Pro 4 is the more versatile of the two, genuinely happy from a fast 10K up through the marathon with the half as its sweet spot, whereas the SuperComp Elite v5 is a dedicated half-and-full specialist whose true home is the marathon.