The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 marks a notable shift in the series, moving away from the bold, unpredictable feel of earlier versions and leaning into the mushy, higher-stacked trend seen across many modern daily trainers. The Rebel name was once synonymous with wild, lightweight fun—a shoe that felt fast and exciting. Version 5 dials that back, offering more underfoot protection and a more protective ride that's better suited for daily mileage and longer runs. It's no longer focused on being ultra-light, but it still feels nimble on foot and retains the natural stability that made the FuelCell Rebel v4 stand out. It may not be as rebellious as it once was, but it's evolved into a more dependable option you can confidently reach for every day.
Our Verdict
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 isn't built for marathon racing, but it's not completely out of its depth either. Its forgiving ride and solid cushioning make it comfortable enough for some longer runs, and the wide, stable platform helps preserve form late into long efforts. That said, with only moderate energy return and no plate, it lacks the propulsion found in true marathon racing shoes. It's best suited for runners who want a no-fuss shoe for lower-pressure marathon efforts, or for those who value comfort over raw speed.
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Very protective midsole.
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Very stable ride.
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Unplated.
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Midsole isn't the most responsive.
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 doesn't quite excel in 5K or 10K race conditions. The forefoot is quite firm, and the weight is on the lower side, but energy return is only average, and there's no plate to help with snap. Runners who prioritize cushioning may enjoy using it for short races, but it won't be the first pick for chasing PRs at full throttle.
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Forefoot is quite firm.
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The forefoot has some bounce.
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Unplated.
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Midsole isn't the most responsive.
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 offers a mellow, forgiving ride, but it doesn't deliver much bounce in return. It lacks the snappy rebound of more energetic foams. Still, it's quite bouncy for a daily trainer, especially at the forefoot. But paired with the geometry and weight, it's not the kind of bounce that makes it effortless to pick up the pace; rather, it just adds a touch of fun and smoothness at moderate paces and during casual miles.
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The forefoot has some bounce.
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The heel energy return is disappointing.
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 has impressive cushioning. Both the heel and forefoot provide ample underfoot protection, and the added stack height over the previous version makes it better suited for longer or more frequent runs. The foam compresses well, offering a plush, comfortable experience throughout the gait cycle.
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The heel is super protective.
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The forefoot cushioning is very good.
Lateral stability is a clear strength of the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5. The wide platform underfoot keeps things feeling planted even when fatigued. Despite its soft heel foam and relatively high stack height, the shoe maintains solid structure and control, helped by excellent outsole dimensions and a firmer compound at the forefoot. It's a standout choice for runners who want something forgiving underfoot that still feels stable throughout the run.
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Very stable ride.
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Forefoot is quite firm.
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Very wide outsole platform helps with balance.
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Unplated.
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Heel foam is softer and less stable.
- 6.5 Marathon Racing
- 6.7 5K/10K Racing
Performance Usages
- 6.2 Energy Return
- 8.2 Cushioning
- 8.2 Lateral Stability
Changelog
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Updated Jun 25, 2025:
We updated the External Shape box to fix a typo.
- Updated Jun 19, 2025: Review published.
- Updated Jun 13, 2025: Early access published.
- Updated Jun 06, 2025: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Jun 05, 2025: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 in men's U.S. size 9, as noted on the label for our pair. The color shown here is Urgent Red with Black and Silver Metallic. This model is also available in other colorways, including White with Black and Silver Metallic, Black with Silver Metallic and White, Mint Flash with Lab Green and Silver Metallic, and Angora with Earth Shadow and Sea Salt. Wide versions are available for both men (2E) and women (D). The design section applies only to the exact model we tested, but we expect other size and gender variants to perform similarly.
Compared To Other Running Shoes
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 marks a shift in positioning—from a fun, lightweight trainer to something much closer to today's mainstream daily trainers. By increasing stack height, softening the midsole, and adding more upper padding, it moves toward the comfort-first design language embraced by other popular models like the ASICS NOVABLAST 5 and Mizuno Neo Zen. That's a plus for easy runs and mellow daily mileage, but it comes with trade-offs. The v5 loses some of the excitement and ground feel that once set the Rebel line apart, making it less compelling for runners who valued its unique lightweight, low-profile ride. If you're chasing that stripped-down, agile feel for daily training, shoes like the Brooks Hyperion 2 or HOKA Mach 6 now fill that space more convincingly. On the other end, if you're looking for a true max-cushioned daily trainer, models like the Mizuno Neo Vista or Puma MagMax NITRO offer a more cohesive and protective experience. As it stands, the Rebel v5 feels like it's searching for identity: it's soft and fun for easy runs, but less defined in terms of purpose than either its predecessors or its competitors.
The Rebel v5 now represents a shift toward comfort within New Balance's performance range, departing from its formerly sharp identity as a lightweight, speed-focused trainer. Compared to the Rebel v4, the v5 is softer, more cushioned, and more relaxed overall: less about agility, more about going easy. It now overlaps more with other models like the Fresh Foam X 1080v14, New Balance's max-cushion neutral trainer, though the Rebel remains more nimble. For plated performance, New Balance offers the FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3 as a super trainer for uptempo and interval workouts, and the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 for racing.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes, as well as the best running shoes for men and the best running shoes for women. If you're after shoes well-suited for long runs, check out our recommendations for the best long-distance running shoes.
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 and the ASICS NOVABLAST 5 are both daily trainers that aim to blend comfort and versatility, but they approach the task in different ways. The Rebel v5 is lighter, lower to the ground, and offering a softer ride with a natural rocker that works well for easy runs and strides. In contrast, the NOVABLAST 5 is higher stacked and more robust overall, delivering better cushioning and more rebound, especially for longer efforts. Its FF Blast+ Eco foam feels more dynamic and holds up better under heavier runners or higher mileage. While both shoes are on the softer side, the ASICS feels plusher overall.
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 and Rebel v5 share the same lineage, but the v5 marks a clear shift toward a more cushioned, mainstream daily trainer feel. The Rebel v4 was lower to the ground, firmer, and more responsive, making it a go-to option for runners who wanted a stripped-down, exciting ride when training. The Rebel v5, on the other hand, adds more stack, a softer midsole feel, and greater upper padding, making it plusher and more forgiving, especially on easy or recovery days. On the other side, it's about 20 grams heavier. For runners who loved the v4's raw, fun feel, the update might feel like a step away from its original intent. But for those looking for a more comfortable, cushioned version of a (relatively) lightweight trainer, the v5 broadens its appeal.
The HOKA Clifton 10 and New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 are both daily trainers, but they serve different types of runners with very different design philosophies. The Clifton 10 is a high-stack, comfort-first shoe that emphasizes protection and impact absorption. It delivers a plush, soft ride that's ideal for easy runs, recovery days, and walks. The Rebel v5, on the other hand, is a lighter, lower-to-the-ground trainer. It's built for runners who want a bit more natural feel, with a bit of rebound and easy turnover for strides and daily mileage at a variety of paces. While both shoes are well cushioned, the Clifton feels more protective due to the higher stack of foam that helps dampen the road effects.
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 and the Brooks Hyperion 2 represent two different philosophies within the daily trainer space. The Rebel, once seen as a lightweight performance trainer, has shifted toward a softer, higher-stacked daily trainer with broader appeal—more cushioned, more comfortable, but less exciting than previous versions. In contrast, the Hyperion 2 sticks to the roots of the lightweight, lower-stack, more traditional trainer niche. It's way lighter, firmer, and tuned for runners who value ground feel and precision over plushness. The Rebel v5 is noticeably softer underfoot, with more give and a more relaxed, forgiving ride.
Test Results
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 is slightly heavier than its predecessor, but that added weight comes with purpose. Thanks to the increased stack height and additional padding, the shoe now feels more cushioned and protective underfoot. Even so, it remains fairly lightweight for a daily trainer, making it a viable option for runners who want comfort without feeling weighed down.
There's been a significant increase in both heel and forefoot stack compared to the previous version, pushing the Rebel v5 closer to the high-stack territory seen in many modern daily trainers.
The platform is visibly wider through the midfoot compared to previous versions, especially around the arch. This added surface area improves stability and helps offset the softer foam and higher stack height. Please note that the green areas visible on the image aren't part of the shoe itself, but rather artifacts from the 3D scan.
The heel doesn't return much energy on this model. The soft FuelCell blend compresses easily, providing impact protection but not much rebound. Heel strikers may find the rearfoot feels a bit flat when doing strides, though it remains well adapted for easier, slower efforts.
The forefoot fares slightly better in terms of energy return. While still not explosive, there's a mild sense of rebound that adds a hint of liveliness to toe-offs. That said, it doesn't feel truly propulsive.
Cushioning in the heel is impressive, as the shoe absorbs impact well across a range of forces. It feels very protective, with enough foam to buffer landings and dampen the road. This makes it more suitable for heel strikers looking for smooth heel-to-toe transitions when tackling their everyday miles.
Cushioning in the forefoot is also solid, with a nice balance between softness and structure. This level of protection represents a meaningful improvement over v4, with less bottoming out and better comfort over time, making it more suitable for longer runs, especially for lighter runners and those who apply less force upon each strike.
The heel feels soft, which helps absorb road impact but can reduce stability. If you prefer a firmer, more stable rearfoot platform, this isn't it—consider the HOKA Mach 6 instead. That said, runners seeking a cushioned, plush sensation in the heel will likely appreciate this setup.
The forefoot is firmer than the heel, offering a more planted and controlled feel during toe-off. At lower impacts, it's only moderately firm, but it gets a lot firmer as more force is applied. This added firmness complements the rocker geometry and helps the shoe feel more grounded up front.