New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 Review
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 7.9 oz (size 9) | Women's: Coming Soon |
| Stack Height | 38 mm (Heel), 32 mm (Forefoot) | 6 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 is for you if...
You are looking for a very lightweight and versatile daily trainer
You want a fun and fast shoe for intervals and tempo runs
You are a runner who enjoys a snappy feel without going plated
What is the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 made for?
New Balance created the Rebel to do as the name says: be rebellious. The first Rebel design was unlike anything that existed in the industry—light, fast, and avant-garde. It had a flared midsole that helped push the big toe down to increase speed and power. It was cushioned yet lightweight and intended for speedwork.
The Rebel has since evolved from a speed machine to more of a performance daily trainer. While not quite the original rebellious Rebel, version five remains incredibly lightweight and has added stack for a soft yet responsive feel. It’s a shoe that makes running fast feel fun.
Those who will love the Rebel v5 are runners looking for a daily trainer to handle anything from tempo runs and intervals to long runs or even races. It’s a shoe that feels responsive and snappy without a plate, and has comfort in mind with a breathable upper and highly cushioned midsole. While it might not embody the original intention, do not underestimate the comfort, versatility, and just plain ol’ fun that the Rebel v5 brings.
Comfort
For many of us at Running Warehouse, this was the most comfortable daily trainer that we have worn in a while. The upper is light and flexible, making the shoe breathable and comfortable. The added stack gives extra cushioning that makes it a great ride. The foam feels soft without being mushy.
One slight concern is the long-term comfort and durability of the foam. If you are trying to use this shoe for several hundred miles or long runs lasting over 60 minutes, there’s a possibility that the integrity of the foam might not hold up.
Performance
The Rebel v5 is very soft at initial step-in, but firms up enough to handle faster speedwork. There is plenty of cushioning to take it out for a long run. It does well for slower runs and a variety of paces. There is no doubt that this shoe is versatile.
However, by trying to be the jack-of-all-trades, it is not the best at one thing. Since its first version, the Rebel has shifted away from being the best at fast, higher-performance runs. It has moved to the middle of the bell curve for being good at many things. That said, for those that want a lighter daily trainer that does it all, this shoe is a no-brainer.
Fit
The Rebel v5 will fit well for the majority of runners. Those with medium or narrow feet found no fit issues with extra room in the toe box, no hot spots, and an easy lockdown. The shoe fits true to size. Those with wider feet may notice some discomfort in the toe box or with the gusseted tongue. Overall, this shoe should fit well for most runners with no break-in period.
Individual Thoughts
An overall 7.5 might seem slightly harsh, but indicates that this is a solid shoe with more likes than dislikes. It does what it’s supposed to do and it’s enjoyable. For runners that only own one shoe at a time to do it all, the Rebel v5 should be considered strongly, but I’m not convinced it’s THE ideal choice. I’m the type of runner that always has multiple shoes in the rotation, and I feel the Rebel is best if it has at least one other shoe to tag-team with. But, if I’m going to have two shoes, I’d likely choose specialists: one that’s even better at the fast performance or track day stuff, and one that’s even better at the long run comfort and durability stuff. The Rebel v5 offers a great combination, but it’s TBD for how long (a couple hundred miles?) the midsole will feel protective enough from the pavement for runs approaching an hour or longer. My overall impression is favourable and enjoyable, and I’ll continue using it often in my weekly rotation, to find out how long it lasts.
I am not a fast runner by any means, but the Rebel v5 made me want to run faster and just made running fun. The Rebel v5 is a standout for runners who prioritise lightness, responsiveness, and a lively underfoot feel without wanting a plate. It’s not built for maximum cushion or support, but it nails its purpose: making everyday runs feel a little more fun and faster. The only thing that is making me hesitate from giving it a perfect score is concerns over the foam’s durability long term, but I would need to get more miles in this shoe to decide.
I am excited to have this shoe in my rotation when I need my runs to feel fun while picking up the pace, or even for a 5k race.
If New Balance set out to create a lightweight shoe that people would enjoy for many training miles, then they hit the target right in centre. If New Balance wanted to keep the original idea of the Rebel in mind and produce a cool shoe that felt great and accelerated with ease, then I feel they are moving ever so slightly away from that idea.
We have a great shoe with the Rebel v5, but it is slowly moving away from the magic spot that is so perfectly crafted with the earlier versions. This shoe has more stack under foot, feels softer under foot and is more accommodating for a variety of runners. More people will get to experience the shoe, but there will be an end consumer that won’t be happy the shoe has lost a little bit of the magic.
Overall, while the performance of the New Balance Rebel v5 is genuinely impressive and could position it as a top choice for many runners seeking a lightweight and responsive experience, the tight fit in the toe box and across the instep ultimately made it underwhelming for my specific foot shape. Despite its wonderful performance characteristics and clear potential to excel in its intended purpose of providing a nimble and energetic ride, the restrictive fit unfortunately hindered my ability to fully appreciate its strengths.
