New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 Review: High Performance, Low Cost

PROS	CONS
+ Light + Propulsive + Great price + Versatile + More cushioning	– None

When you look up the word “smooth” in your online dictionary of choice, there’s a picture of the New Balance FuelCell Rebel. Just kidding. There are no pictures in online dictionaries, only printed versions as ancient as the fever-brained fogies who still use them. But if there were pictures in online dictionaries, there would definitely be a photo of the Rebel; it just feels so…well…smooth to run in. The Rebel has become known as one of the lightest, fastest non-plated shoes available. Find out if v5 continues that trend, or if it’s a real “stinker,” in this New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 review.

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New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 Review

STACK HEIGHT	WEIGHT	PRICE
35/29 mm (6 mm drop)	M9.5: 8 oz/227 g W7: 6.3 oz/180 g	$140

Midsole

There’s no need for plates or max cushioning when there’s the Rebel. The midsole is comprised of an excellent blend of PEBA and EVA FuelCell foam, 5 mm more in both the heel and forefoot than v4, for a stack height of 35 mm/29 mm with a 6 mm drop. The FuelCell foam found in the Rebel’s midsole (and name) is more responsive and lighter than New Balance’s Fresh Foam (EVA), found in the midsole (and names) of the 1080, 880, and “MORE” daily trainers.

In my Rebel v4 review, I wrote that increasing the stack height would make the shoe less versatile. I was wrong. I was dead wrong. The extra cushioning makes this an even better option for runs of any length or pace.

Ride

Extremely lightweight, unbelievably responsive and oh so nimble, the Rebel v5 is the fastest New Balance shoe I’ve run in. Granted, New Balance’s carbon-plated super shoe, SC Elite, isn’t made in my size 15 so it’s deceased to me.

The Rebel’s got softer than soft underfoot landings without being mushy and still packs a punch thanks to the lively PEBA foam. It feels much more propulsive (and stable) than New Balance’s outlandishly priced “super trainer,” the $200 Fresh Foam X Balos.

It’s truly hard not to pick up the pace while running in this bouncy shoe, even on easier days. I would consistently run faster times than intended on every run with this pair—one of the greatest compliments you can give a running shoe, an inanimate object that can’t receive praise.

It’s an effortless ride you don’t have to think much about. There’s a more pronounced rocker than in v4. Although typically a heel striker, I tend to land with my mid-foot first given the shoe’s geometry, moderate stack height, and 6 mm drop. Not a concern by any means, just an observation. The agile Rebel provides a nice alternative to the abundance of heavier, beefier max cushioned trainers.

This is a very versatile shoe, perfect for daily training, long runs, and speed workouts. For recovery days, I prefer a max cushioned pair without energetic PEBA foam to ensure I’m not overextending myself.

Upper

There’s a very light and breathable engineered mesh which New Balance calls a FantomFit upper—not to be confused with the grammatically correct Phantom Fit. A redesigned heel collar and longer gusseted tongue help provide a better, more secure foot lockdown than in v4. Despite the minimal nature, it’s a very supportive, comfortable upper and a great improvement. The improved upper design also makes the shoe look sexier—more on that later.

Outsole

There’s typically a minimal amount of rubber on the Rebel. But for v5, New Balance redesigned the outsole, adding more rubber at the forefoot, which should increase the durability of an already durable shoe. I didn’t feel the addition of rubber underfoot on the run, which is always a good sign. There’s nothing worse than feeling bogged down by an abundance of outsole rubber.

Well, actually there are plenty of worse things—a suffocating upper, a weight over 11 ounces, a heel collar that chafes, a lifeless midsole foam, etc. — but it makes my point sound more dramatic when I say it like that.

Weight

New Balance says a shoe designed for daily training and training routines isn’t supposed to feel this fast. You know what? They’re exactly right. Despite gaining a half ounce from v4, at just 8 oz for a men’s size 9.5 and 6.3 oz for a women’s size 7, this is an insanely light shoe for what it is. They don’t make daily trainers this light anymore. In fact, I don’t think they’ve ever made them this light. I’m no body shamer, but you’d think brands would feel some guilt for the absolute “chunky chunks” they’re trotting out these days. It’s too bad injections of Ozempic don’t work on running shoes.

Aesthetics

I’ve got to hand it to New Balance. The Rebel v5 is somehow even more attractive than the already smoke show v4. Turns out, running shoes are better looking when they don’t resemble the boots Neil Armstrong “supposedly” wore on the moon. It sure was one small step for man, one giant leap of faith for mankind. Don’t worry, I’m also a flat-earther.

However, the real accomplishment lies in naming conventions. I honestly didn’t think it was possible to devise an even longer colorway name than the Rebel v4’s 8-worded “White with bleached lime glo and hot mango.” But then New Balance one-upped themselves by adding one more word for the nine-worded Rebel v5’s “Urgent red with nb 103 white and sea salt” colorway. Bravo! And here I thought New Balance shoe names, like the Fresh Foam X MORE Trail v3, were lengthy!

Price

There are only two tiers of running shoe prices: severely overpriced (Fresh Foam X Balos) and overpriced (pick literally any shoe). And then there’s the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5. It is, hands feet-down, the best value for a running shoe available. You can’t beat $140 for this fun trainer with PEBA foam. Sadly, it’s only a matter of time before New Balance raises the price, likely in v6.

Conclusion

Light, crazy propulsive, extremely versatile, and nice-looking, to boot, it’s truly hard to dislike anything about the FuelCell Rebel v5. The friendly price point doesn’t hurt, either. If you’re looking for a unique alternative to the excess of max cushioned behemoths that tower over the roads, you’ve found it.

The FuelCell Rebel v5 is available on New Balance’s website…or pretty much anywhere.

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New Balance graciously provided this shoe to me for wear testing. I was not compensated for this New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 review and they didn’t get an opportunity to see this review before I published.