I was excited to try the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5, even though it often feels like I’m chasing the memory of the original Rebel. Every update seems to swing the pendulum in a new direction. One year it’s snappy and fast, the next it’s more cushioned and almost a different shoe. At some point, I’d love to see New Balance let a version stick around long enough to be consistent.
That said, I still wanted to see where the Rebel v5 landed. The Rebel has always been the “fun” shoe in the New Balance lineup. The v5 keeps some of that energy, but it’s clearly leaning more toward daily trainer than pure lightweight speed shoe.
I also need to talk about the looks. When I opened the box, my first reaction was… questionable. The color feels very old-school, which I know is having a moment, but it’s not really my thing. Should I have picked a different color? Probably. Does it matter once you’re running? Not really. But I’m still going to notice.
This is not a shoe designed for a specific pace. It works whether you keep things relaxed or decide mid-run to push a little harder.
If you just want the short answer, the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 is a jack of all trades shoe. It’s good at a lot of things but not amazing at anything.
Before running in the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5, I had some questions:
Is the FuelCell Rebel v5 still lightweight and fast-feeling?
Yes, but it’s not the same kind of fast as earlier Rebels. It still feels light on foot, but there’s more foam under you now. I would not say it’s as fast as the first version, that I ran a marathon in…but it’s not slow either.
Is the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 good for daily training?
Yes. The added cushioning and stability make it comfortable for everyday runs, especially if you prefer lighter shoes.
Does the Rebel v5 have a carbon plate?
No. The Rebel v5 does not have a plate and is designed as a flexible trainer.
How does the Rebel v5 compare to earlier versions?
The v5 is more cushioned and stable, with a stronger daily trainer feel than the lighter, faster earlier models.
Is the Rebel v5 good for speed workouts?
It can handle uptempo runs and moderate workouts, but it’s less aggressive than earlier Rebels built more for speed. It’s a decent shoe for a lot of types of running including workouts, easy runs, and recovery runs but it’s not specific for any of those.
How long does the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 last?
Durability feels improved, and most runners can expect around 300 miles, depending on usage and running style.
Now, let’s get into an honest New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 shoe review.
Quick facts
Weight
Men’s: 7.8 oz
Women’s: 6.0 oz
Stack height
30 mm heel / 24 mm forefoot
Drop
6 mm
Price
$140 USD
Intended use
Daily training, workouts, uptempo runs, casual long runs
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 Upper and fit
The upper is simple, breathable, and feels good. While I do miss the ride of the original Rebel, the upper now is better…does anyone remember those little wing things the v1 had? No? Okay dating myself here. Anyway, the upper feels more secure than older Rebel versions, especially through the midfoot, but it doesn’t feel bulky or overbuilt.
Fit is true to size for me. The toe box has enough room for longer runs without feeling sloppy. If you love a super-tight, race-style fit, this might feel a little relaxed, but for a daily trainer it feels appropriate.
The heel stayed put with no slipping or rubbing. I didn’t deal with hot spots or pressure points, even when running faster. The best running shoe uppers disappear off your feet and that is how I felt with the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5. I haven’t had any hot spots or blisters which is how you want to feel in your daily trainer.
For reference, I usually wear between a women’s 10 to 11 wide in running shoes. In the Rebel v5, a women’s 10.5 fits me well.
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 Ride
The FuelCell foam in the Rebel v5 feels controlled and responsive. It’s not overly soft, but it’s also not harsh. There’s enough cushion to stay comfortable without losing ground feel. I cannot emphasize this enough that it falls right in the middle of daily trainers. Maybe that’s a good thing, maybe not because it feels like a shoe I may forget that I even own.
The ride feels flexible and natural. The shoe doesn’t push you to run fast, but it’s easy to pick up the pace too. Compared to higher-stack or plated shoes, the Rebel v5 feels closer to the ground, which I like when I want more control.
This version feels more “do a little of everything” than earlier Rebels, which leaned harder into speed. Do I miss those speedier versions? LOL, yes.
Where does the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 fit into my rotation? The Rebel v5 works well as a daily trainer if you prefer lighter shoes. It also fits nicely as a workout shoe if the rest of your rotation leans heavier or more cushioned (like the 1080v15).
It pairs well with a max-cushion shoe for easy or long runs and a plated shoe for racing. It’s also a good travel shoe if you only want to bring one pair that can handle a range of runs.
It’s a jack-of-all-trades shoe. Good at a lot of things, not exceptional at one specific thing.
Outsole and durability
Outsole coverage is typical for a lightweight trainer. The grip has been solid on roads and standard pavement, and I’ve used it on light trails without any issues.
Durability feels improved compared to older Rebels. I wouldn’t make this my only shoe if I were logging huge weekly mileage. My guess is I’ll get around 300 miles out of my pair.
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 conclusion
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 more cushioned, more stable, and easier to use day after day, even if that means it loses some of the edge that made the original Rebel special. Fine, I vow I’ll stop talking about the original Rebel even though it was one of my favorite shoes ever. As a lightweight daily trainer that can handle workouts, it does its job well. I’ll probably always compare new Rebels to the original and wonder what could have been, but taken on its own, the v5 is a solid, practical shoe. It’s just a reliable option that I may or may not forget I own.
Who should buy the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
- Runners who like lightweight, flexible trainers
- Those who want one shoe for daily runs and workouts
- Runners who prefer ground feel over max cushion
Who should not buy the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
- Runners who want a very soft, highly cushioned ride
- Those who need a lot of structure or stability features
- Anyone looking for a dedicated speed-only shoe
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Salomon Aero Glide 3, Mizuno Neo Zen, Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, adidas Adizero Evo SL, Newton Gravity 12, On Cloudboom Max
Long Runs: Topo Specter 2, adidas Prime Strung X3,
Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura, Speedland SL: PDX, Hoka Tecton X 3
Races/Speedwork: ASICS Metaspeed Ray, Adidas adizero adios pro 4, 361 Degrees Furious Future 2.0, ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo, Puma Fast-R Elite 3, Nike Vaporfly 4
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Questions for you:
Have you tried the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5?
What is your favorite running shoe?