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New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 vs ASICS NOVABLAST 5

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4
ASICS NOVABLAST 5

Tested using Methodology v0.8.1

Updated Jul 15, 2025 06:12 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.8.1

Updated Aug 11, 2025 02:51 PM

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BestBuy.com
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 Picture
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Picture
  1. Recommended in 3 articles:
  2. Running Shoes
  3. For Women
  4. For Men
  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. For Women
  3. Long Distance

Our Verdict

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 and the ASICS NOVABLAST 5 are both daily trainers, but they cater to different running preferences. The New Balance offers a classic daily trainer feel with a firmer midsole and a more grounded, stable ride. On the other hand, the ASICS is significantly more cushioned, providing better underfoot protection, which is especially beneficial during longer runs or for those who prioritize softness and comfort. While both shoes are reliable choices for daily training, choose the Rebel v4 if you prefer a stable, firm feel and the NOVABLAST 5 if you want maximum cushioning and comfort over extended distances.

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Variants

  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (Black/Graphite - (Men - US 9))
  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (Black/Graphite/White - (Women - US 7))
  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (Blue Laguna/Reflection/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (Clay Ash/White/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (Clay Ash/White/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (Cyber Jade/Black/White - (Women - US 7))
  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (Cyber Jade/White/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (Graphite/Black/Quartz Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (Heron Blue/Chrome Blue - (Men - US 9))
  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (Hot Mango/Angora/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (Hot Mango/Angora/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (Quarry Blue/Chrome Blue/Heron Blue - (Women - US 7))
  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (Spice Blue/Limelight/Blue Oasis - (Men - US 9))
  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (Spice Blue/Limelight/Blue Oasis - (Women - US 7))
  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (Twilight Haze/Dark Ice Wine/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (White/Bleached Lime Glo/Hot Mango - (Men - US 9))
  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (White/Bleached Lime Glo/Hot Mango - (Women - US 7))
  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (White/Linen/Sea Salt - (Men - US 9))
  • FuelCell Rebel v4 (White/Linen/Sea Salt - (Women - US 7))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Black/White - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Breeze/White - (Women - US 7))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Denim Blue/Midnight - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Greyish Purple/Coral Reef - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Greyish Purple/Coral Reef - (Women - US 7))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Illusion Blue/Light Blue - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Indigo Blue/Amber - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Indigo Blue/Seal Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Pure Aqua/Seal Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Pure Aqua/Seal Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Soothing Sea/Wave Teal - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Wave Teal/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Wave Teal/Black - (Women - US 7))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

5.4
7.3

Heel Stack Height 
 

31.3 mm
41.8 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

24.0 mm
33.4 mm

Weight  

7.7
6.5

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

6.2
7.1

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

7.7
6.5

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 Right Shoe Weight Photo
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 Left Shoe Weight Photo
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

214.7 g (7.57 oz)
248.2 g (8.76 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 Stack Height Photo
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

31.3 mm
41.8 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

24.0 mm
33.4 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

7.3 mm
8.2 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

6.0 mm
8.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 3D Model Full Shoe
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

95 mm (3.7")
89 mm (3.5")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

77 mm (3.0")
75 mm (2.9")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

116 mm (4.6")
115 mm (4.5")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.04
2.13

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

4.83
3.44

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 3D Model Internal
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

274 mm (10.8")
284 mm (11.2")

Internal Heel Width 
 

64 mm (2.5")
62 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

95 mm (3.7")
94 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 Other Features Photo
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Semi-gusseted
Fully-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

6.1
6.8

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details
See details

Heel Energy Return 
 

78.2%
80.4%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

6.2
7.1

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

See details
See details

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

78.5%
81.2%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

6.9
8.6

Heel Cushioning Picture  

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 Heel Cushioning Picture
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 300N 
 

1.25 J
1.35 J

Energy Absorbed At 600N 
 

3.53 J
4.31 J

Energy Absorbed At 900N 
 

5.88 J
7.54 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

5.1
8.6

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 300N 
 

0.86 J
1.19 J

Energy Absorbed At 600N 
 

2.41 J
3.41 J

Energy Absorbed At 900N 
 

3.99 J
5.71 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

6.9
4.7

Heel Firmness  

See details
See details

Average Firmness 0 To 300N 
 

33.6 N/mm
31.9 N/mm

Average Firmness 300 To 600N 
 

58.7 N/mm
45.3 N/mm

Average Firmness 600 To 900N 
 

95.5 N/mm
69.4 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

9.2
7.3

Forefoot Firmness  

See details
See details

Average Firmness 0 To 300N 
 

49.3 N/mm
35.5 N/mm

Average Firmness 300 To 600N 
 

87.1 N/mm
60.4 N/mm

Average Firmness 600 To 900N 
 

142.7 N/mm
98.0 N/mm
Show Text 

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

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  1. Comparison

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 vs ASICS NOVABLAST 5: Main Discussion

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