The New FuelCell Series From New Balance
How New Balance used rigorous testing and design innovation to develop a new line of speed
When it comes to running shoe innovation, there is no shortage of brands aiming to create technologies that will lead to faster, sleeker, bouncier, and more comfortable shoes. In fact, in today's marketplace, running shoe brands are pressed to stay a step ahead (so to speak) of consumer demand, and it has become necessary for them to refine every minute detail of their product in order to deliver a unique experience that is better and more valuable than their competitors.
New Balance is one brand that has not taken this call for innovation lightly. They set out to build not just one shoe, but an entire line of shoes designed to create a faster experience for every runner. The fastest shoe of this line-up, the FuelCell 5280, is aimed at shaving nanoseconds off the already-lightning-fast race times of the world's fastest runners. At the recent launch event for the 5280, we were able to learn more about the development of this shoe and the rest of the FuelCell line.
Rather than just setting out to make some fast shoes, New Balance set its sights on a shoe designed for the success of the highest level athletes, and a series of other models bringing the same lofty standard of performance to all runners. With the bar set high, New Balance knew they would need to focus in on every tiny detail of design, draw on their team of elite athletes to put the prototypes through rigorous testing, and repeatedly adjust and improve the design until it provided an absolutely unparalleled experience. They began in May 2017 with an aim to create a racing flat optimized for the mile race: the Fuelcell 5280.
After months of testing and multiple rounds of prototypes, the design of the 5280 was finally dialed in. New Balance knew what the shoe was capable of, but when both Jenny Simpson and Jake Wightman wore the 5280 to victory at the 2018 5th Avenue Mile, the design team saw they had come up with something truly special.
With the 5280 having proven its success, it was time to start thinking about how the technologies developed for this shoe could benefit the everyday runner. The team took design elements from the 5280, like its flared midsole, FuelCell foam compound, and engineered mesh upper, and strategically combined them with more practical features like additional cushioning and a durable outsole. The result created the rest of the line: the FuelCell Rebel, which aims to provide a light and fast everyday experience, and the FuelCell Propel, which is perfect for those who want a bit more pep in their active lifestyle.