New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 Review
The NB Rebel v4 Has More Stack and More Comfort for More Speedy Miles
Likes
- Responsive and fun ride for a variety of training runs
- Improved protection with smooth transitions
- Lightweight upper with a roomy toebox and stylish look
Dislikes
- Long-term durability
- Remains slightly unstable
- Spacious upper might not work for narrower feet
What's New
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel first took the uptempo training category by storm in 2019, and this incredible trainer has been injecting speed into daily runs, intervals, and speed workouts ever since. Version 4 maintains a lot of its Rebel DNA, but New Balance has made some major changes this time around, promising even more performance and comfort for an overall better training experience.
The Rebel v4 introduces a new PEBA and FuelCell blended foam midsole with a higher stack and a broader overall platform, which not only makes the Rebel more protective and more inherently stable but more suited to handle long-distance runs, as well. Rebel rousers rejoice as the updated midsole does not lose its energetic and bouncy nature, and the Rebel v4 will still provide a lot of speed and responsiveness for those faster efforts.
Atop the newly formulated midsole is a reconfigured Fantom Fit engineered upper, which is as light as it is secure, but with an updated forefoot design, the Rebel v4 is more spacious than ever, allowing more than enough room for toes to splay comfortably. Even if you are a runner with a wider foot shape, then the Rebel v4 has you covered. With a stylishly futuristic look that screams speed and performance, runners have a lot to look forward to in the New Balance Rebel v4.
The Bottom Line
Like the rest of the running world, here at Running Warehouse, the release of the Rebel v4 has been highly anticipated, and our testers could not wait to get this uptempo favorite out on the roads. There is no doubt that the Rebel v4 remains a high performer within the uptempo category, but with all the updates to version 4, testers were surprised with the overall performance of the shoe. Most unanticipated was how the updates changed the characteristics of the Rebel's ride, and though not seen as a bad thing amongst our testers, the Rebel v4 does deliver a slightly different running experience than previous iterations.
Well-known for its responsively bouncy midsole, the Rebel has been one of our favorite recommendations over the years for runners looking for their next plateless uptempo trainer, but with more stack and a new foam formulation, version 4 is not quite as aggressive as its predecessors. This is not to say that the shoe lacks responsiveness, which is definitely not the case, and our testers loved the Rebel v4's energetic ride, delivering speed over a variety of different runs. Despite not being the fastest Rebel we have tested, it is possibly the most protective, and our testers were able to log double-digit mileage runs without difficulty, which was a criticism of previous models. Furthermore, with a more inherently stable design, the Rebel v4 is now a better daily training option, providing runners with even more versatility, support, and, ultimately, more value.
To go along with the more versatile, distance-friendly midsole, the Rebel v4 has a whole new fit thanks to the updated Fantom Fit upper, which our testers praised for its irritation-free comfort and lightweight on-foot feel. Through the midfoot, the Rebel v4 is highly secure, much like versions of the past, yet version 4 also offers a spacious forefoot that even our wider-footed testers could not help but compliment, and even though narrower-footed runners might need to give extra attention to cinching the Rebel v4 down, our team is confident that this updated trainer will be more accommodating to a broader range of foot shapes and runners. Overall, the Rebel v4 is still one of our favorite offerings within the uptempo training category, and despite the change, it will continue to deliver all the performance and versatility expected from this fantastic shoe.
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's US Size 9: 7.1oz (201g) Women's US Size 8: 5.9oz (167g) |
| Stack Height | 6 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Jon: "The Rebel's Fantom Fit upper is very minimal and race-ready, which makes sense given that this shoe has the same tech we see in the New Balance FuelCell Supercomp Elite v4. The upper is a single-layer mesh, so there were no issues with breathability, but I was surprised with how loose the upper fit overall. I do not require a wide-width shoe, but my foot is on the wider side, so I do not usually have issues with loose-fitting uppers. I had to cinch the laces pretty tight to get a secure lockdown, but even when I did, I still had more room in the toe box in terms of volume than I would prefer. It did not affect the overall performance of the shoe, but it was noticeable, to the point that this probably would not be my first choice on my fastest speed workouts."
Liz: "The NB Rebel v4 features a race-like engineered mesh upper with a thin gusseted tongue and a lightly padded heel collar. The design is reminiscent of the SuperComp Elite's upper, giving a fast look and feel. For an uptempo running shoe, I was pleasantly surprised that the Rebel's toebox was very accommodating (even for my wide feet), yet the midfoot and heel lace down easily for a secure and comfortable fit. Overall, I really enjoyed the upper and fit of the shoe."
Midsole
Jon: "I saw a YouTube comment on our First Look video for this shoe (shoutout @bbnd5476) asking what the percentage of PEBA was in the midsole, and I loved that question because it is the same one that goes through my head when I hear "PEBA based" or "PEBA blended." Brands know how much runners love PEBA, so why would they not do everything they can to let us know when PEBA is featured in their shoe's midsole?
Regarding the FuelCell PEBA blend in the Rebel v4, I cannot give a percentage, but I am happy to report that you do feel the characteristics of PEBA in this shoe, especially in the weight department. This shoe feels almost weightless on foot, and it took more effort to run at warm-up and cool-down paces than it did to run at faster paces. While the foam did not feel as responsive as a shoe with full PEBA, such as the Endorphin Speed 4, it was still relatively responsive. Moreover, the impact protection really stood out–I would have guessed the stack height in the heel was 36mm as opposed to 32mm. That said, I probably would not choose this shoe for efforts longer than +14 miles, as the foam did not keep my feet and legs feeling as fresh as other options such as the ASICS Novablast 4."
Liz: "The Rebel v4 sees a reformulated FuelCell foam midsole with an increase of both stack and net base width. The supercritical EVA/PEBA blended foam has a soft and bouncy underfoot feel that still provides a very plush and impact-dampening underfoot experience for daily runs. I loved the additional stack of foam underfoot in this shoe. It provides enough protection for even my long runs now, but the bouncy foam gives it a fast and fun ride that had me running faster and further while still feeling fresh the next day.
The geometry of the shoe is a bit thick under the midfoot, which feels strange when standing or walking, but as a midfoot striker, I found that it provided an incredibly smooth and comfortable ride on the run that kept me moving forward efficiently at any pace. The soft foam feels a bit unstable with the added stack height, but the shoe's wide base helps to keep the runner centered on the platform. Because of this, I would not necessarily choose this shoe for my super easy/recovery runs, but I loved it for the rest of my daily training and uptempo workouts."
Outsole
Jon: "I have only run 36 miles in this shoe, so I cannot speak too much to the Rebel's durability. At least not to the level that I would like, but in terms of traction, I had no issues with grip during my test runs, and it performs as expected for a fast day shoe."
Liz: "There is strategically placed rubber covering the outsole of the shoe, and it covers all the high-wear areas, providing a decent amount of durability and traction. It is not going to be a great option for slippery runs, and the durability is not going to be outstanding, but it does its job as intended."
Comparable Shoes
New Balance Rebel v4 vs. ASICS Novablast 4
Jon: "Both of these shoes fit within the lightweight and fast running shoe category, and both are aggressively priced at $140, but what runs they are best used for are quite different, in my opinion. They differ significantly in a few key areas: the Rebel v4 is much lighter than the Novablast 4 (7.5 oz v. 9.0 oz respectively), while the Novablast has much more cushioning in the midsole (42mm in the heel v. 32mm in the heel). The difference in weight makes the Rebel v4 a more fun and exciting option for me on my shorter speed workouts while the cushioning of the Novablast makes them better suited for me on longer tempo efforts or weekend long runs that incorporate different paces."
New Balance Rebel v4 v. HOKA Mach 6
Jon: "Unlike the Rebel v4 v. the Novablast 4, I found the Mach 6 and Rebel to be very similar shoes. Both excel at speed work and feel almost weightless on foot. The Mach 6 upper fits my foot better and gives me that secure lockdown I like in an uptempo shoe. However, I would give the edge to the Rebel v4 in the midsole department as I find the FuelCell foam to feel more responsive and energetic than the Supercritical EVA featured in the Mach 6.
Neither of these shoes inspires a ton of confidence that they would feel great during 20-mile runs, but I can attest to the Rebel v4 getting the job done up to 14 miles. I did not want to try running that long in the Mach 6s, mostly out of fear that my legs and feet would feel too beat up the next day. I did not think that would be the case, given the Mach 6 has about 5mm more heel stack than the Rebel, but it surprisingly feels less impact-absorbing. Overall, I would give the edge to the Rebel because I like the feel of the foam better, and it is one of the best-looking running shoes I can remember. That said, I would not bat an eye if someone told me they preferred the Mach 6."
New Balance Rebel v4 vs. Saucony Endorphin Speed 4
Liz: "The Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 is another popular uptempo shoe that provides enough cushioning for daily training. The Endorphin Speed's midsole features a full-length slab of Saucony’s PWRRUN PB foam, which has a slightly firmer but more responsive ride than the Rebel. The Endorphin Speed's responsive midsole foam is combined with a snappy nylon plate, both of which help make the Speed a better option for faster, uptempo workouts. I prefer the slightly softer, bouncier ride of the Rebel for most of my training, but those who want a bit more responsiveness and durability, as well as enjoy a bit firmer ride, will prefer the Endorphin Speed."
Individual Thoughts
Since first seeing the Rebel v4 in a New Balance catalog over a year ago, it was the shoe I was most excited to test out. This may be a surprise, especially considering all the amazing super shoes that have been released of late, but as much as I love super shoes, I only wear them sparingly and only when I am looking for a killer training session or a race-day PR. In general, I want a running shoe that feels amazing on the run but is also stylish enough to wear casually. On paper, no other shoe checked my boxes like the Rebel v4. So, fair or not, my expectations heading into testing the Rebel were exceedingly high. Ultimately, a little too high.
In terms of the underfoot experience, the PEBA blended FuelCell foam felt really good, but it did not blow me away like I thought I was going to, especially considering how many runners have raved about the Rebel over the years. I thought it was going to provide a completely unique underfoot experience in terms of its energy return, but it did not. I also thought it would blow every other $140 uptempo shoe out of the water, but again, the Rebel did not quite live up to expectations. That is not to say I did not really like this shoe, as I really do like the Rebel v4 and thought it performed incredibly well for what it was designed for. It is not New Balance's fault that my expectations were so high coming into testing.
Where the Rebel v4 exceeded my expectations is how good it looks in person and while on foot. I think I speak for a lot of runners when I say that running fashion is important to a lot of us and that we want our apparel and footwear to look just as good as it performs. When it comes to being fashionable, the Rebel v4, along with the rest of the 2024 FuelCell line, represents the new standard of high-end running fashion, in my opinion.
The New Balance Rebel v4 is currently my favorite shoe in my rotation! It is a shoe that makes this self-proclaimed "slow runner" feel fast on any run. The new Rebel features an updated Fuelcell foam midsole composed of an EVA/PEBA blend that delivers a wonderful balance of softness and bounce on the run. This model sees an increased stack height that makes the shoe more versatile for daily training and longer miles, but version 4 may be a bit less suited for true uptempo workouts than the previous version. Despite the high stack of foam, the base has been widened to help keep the runner stable on the platform, and again, allow the shoe to be more versatile as a daily trainer/long-run option. Though, as a runner who sometimes needs extra stability, I would still lean towards using a stability shoe for my recovery or super easy runs. When my form begins to break down late in a run, I just need a little more support.
When first putting on the shoes, there is a noticeable amount of foam right underneath the midfoot that sits the foot back into the heel of the shoe when standing or walking, but once you start to run, the shoe has a very smooth ride that rolls the runner forward through their stride. Where some uptempo shoes only feel good at faster paces, the Rebel v4 feels smooth and natural no matter the pace.
I took a gamble and used the Rebel v4 on a 11-miler for my first test run in the shoe, and I was immediately surprised by how fun and bouncy they felt underfoot. I was running consistently faster than planned but still felt fresh enough to push the pace at the end of my run. Unlike most uptempo shoes, I found the upper to be very accommodating for my wide feet, and even though I still needed a little bit of break-in due to the lack of stretch in the race-like mesh design, the Rebel was incredibly comfortable and secure.
After a few weeks of testing, my only concern about the Rebel v4 is durability. While the foam still feels good after +40 miles, I worry that the softness of the FuelCell will not last 400-500 miles without compressing quite a bit. That said, the ride of the Rebel v4 is so fun that I do not mind compromising some long-term durability to have them as part of my regular shoe rotation.