New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 Review: The Fifth Element Is Gold

Introduction to the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5

THOMAS: The New Balance Rebel and I go way back.

It began as a spin-off from the 5280 – a one-mile racing shoe designed for Jenny Simpson, named for the number of feet in a mile. That shoe was a work of art. One of its signature features was a flared lateral edge that gently guided the runner’s foot inward, channeling power through the big toe. The first Rebel borrowed that design. It was light, fast, and just a bit eccentric—earning its “Rebel” name honestly.

Over time, that flare began to fade. By version five, it was gone altogether, like a pollywog shedding its tail.

Then came the Rebel v2, the model that changed everything. It looked spectacular—still does. More than that, it felt alive. With its new supercritical foam, it was soft enough for daily miles and snappy enough for tempo runs. Runners loved it. You could feel the joy in their stride.

But it had a flaw: The upper was fragile and tore too easily. So New Balance tried to fix the problem in version three. They also tried to tame the shoe – to make it less of a Rebel and more of a crowd-pleaser. That, too, was a flaw. The shoe lost its spark.

Version four brought it back. It looked bold again, and the new PEBA-blend midsole added bounce. The design still needed refinement, but the spirit had returned.

Now we have the Rebel v5. It’s not just an update—it’s a culmination. Slightly heavier, yes. But more complete. It feels like the shoe has finally come into its own.

Here are a few of the standout updates in version five:

• +5 mm of PEBA-blend foam
• 35 mm / 29 mm stack (6 mm drop)
• Midsole cavity to help create a more dynamic feel
• Improved tongue and heel counter
• Lateral flare reduced by 3mm

MEAGHAN: The New Balance Rebel has come a long way over the years. I wasn’t a huge fan of the earlier versions, but it’s steadily grown on me, and version 4 was the first one I genuinely enjoyed. It looked good, felt great, and performed well on the roads.

Now we have version 5, which builds on the strengths of its predecessor while introducing some key updates. Notable changes include an extra 5 mm of PEBA-blended FuelCell foam in the midfoot, more padding around the collar and tongue for comfort, and increased rubber coverage on the outsole for better durability and a slightly stiffer ride.

What’s impressive is that despite these upgrades, the price remains the same at $140 – and the weight hasn’t changed much. My W7.5 came in at 6.5 oz. 

But enough about the specs – let’s talk about how it runs out on the road.

ROBBE: I’ve had a love/like relationship with New Balance for some time. Mostly, I love the 990v6 and I like the rest of the lineup. Everything is okay, and that’s about it. I think I’m an anomaly in this case and it’s mostly chalked up to always struggling to find the right upper fit with New Balance. 

Even the Rebel, which was beloved by so many in v2 and v4, has been hit or miss for me. I loved v2 just the same as everyone else, but v4 was too roomy, the heel collar was abrasive, the tongue an afterthought. The upper ruined it for me. 

So while I felt optimism about the Rebel v5, my hopes weren’t exactly high. All that has changed, so let’s find out why.

What we like about the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5

THOMAS: We’re entering an era where lifestyle palettes are landing on performance trainers – and I couldn’t be happier.

The cream and rusty brown pair I tested looks just as good cruising through miles as it does running Sunday errands. Don’t be fooled by the fashion-forward colors, though. Underneath, it’s all business. The FantomFit mesh is built for performance—lightweight, breathable, and tailored.

One of the small but important changes from the Rebel v4 is in the upper. That version had a bit of bagginess. Version five trims the excess and delivers a more tailored fit. And for those with wide feet, good news: the v5 comes in a wide option.

The tongue is another upgrade. What used to feel like an afterthought now feels intentional—thinly padded, perfectly placed, and just the right height on the ankle. New Balance also reworked the heel counter and added a small cushion for the Achilles. These little changes add up. The upper fits better, feels better, and avoids the usual trouble spots. It fits true to size, with no rubbing and no hot spots.

Move down to the midsole and you’ll feel the difference right away. The previous version could feel a little flat under the forefoot. Adding 5 mm of stack height gives the shoe a more forgiving, bouncy ride. A visible cavity underfoot adds some flex and energy, smoothing out the transition. The outsole, too, has evolved. It looks more intentional and grips more confidently across varied terrain. The result is a more durable, responsive toe-off.

Altogether, the FuelCell Rebel v5 brings back the fun. My US size 10.5 weighed in at 8.4 oz (238 g), keeping things light and lively. This is the sweet spot: a shoe that dances between daily trainer and tempo companion. Some days you’ll cruise. Some days you’ll fly. The Rebel lets you choose.

MEAGHAN: I received an off-white/cream version of the Rebel v5, which I’m beginning to realize might not be available in the U.S. That said, I also got a look at the launch colorway—and it’s a winner. So no worries there. Bottom line: this shoe looks great. New Balance has really been nailing it lately with design and colorways (well, with the notable exception of the London edition of the SC Elite v5… that one’s in a category of its own).

The step-in feel is equally impressive. The PEBA-blended FuelCell foam is soft and welcoming underfoot, and the added padding around the collar and tongue—especially the plush heel—really enhances comfort. Fit-wise, the shoe runs true to size and offers a generous forefoot, which I appreciated. The stretchy, soft laces do a great job locking down the foot without pressure.

Out on the road, the Rebel v5 continues to shine. It’s definitely a neutral trainer, so those needing added structure or stability might want to look elsewhere. But for me, the ride was smooth and responsive. New Balance added more foam underfoot and introduced a center cutout in the midsole—similar to what you’ll see in the SC Trainer and SC Elite, though less aggressive. It contributes to a bouncier, more fluid feel underfoot.

This shoe is a clear competitor to the adidas Adizero EVO SL, and at $10 less, it’s a compelling option. Like the EVO SL, the Rebel v5 is pretty versatile. Whether it was an easy 5-miler, a longer 10-mile run, or a fast mile around the track (I wore this in Boston for our track event), the Rebel handled it all well.

ROBBE: Let’s start with the design. Running shoes are getting prettier with each passing season, and this one looks like a classic in the making. I absolutely love this trend of bringing lifestyle looks to the performance side, and you’d be hard pressed to find something cleaner than this (though the Adidas EVO SL and Asics x Bandit Novablast 5 both make good cases). I got a lot of compliments wearing this shoe, and it’s something you can rock both on and off the run. It’s nice to know it can be converted to a casual shoe if and when the foam dies out.

Moving onto the upper, I’m a huge fan of all the changes made here. They added padding around the heel collar, made the tongue softer and more comfortable, trimmed the profile down so it’s not so roomy – all of it comes together to provide one of the best upper fits I’ve had in a New Balance shoe (I do have a narrow foot FWIW). The mesh is lightweight and breathable and less stiff than v4. You’ll see a lot of comparisons in this review to the Adidas EVO SL, and I think the upper on the Rebel v5 gets a notch in the win column when those two shoes go head to head. Just great updates all around.

Moving onto the midsole, it feels like New Balance finally dialed in the feel of the FuelCell for this shoe. Now, mind you – it’s all going to feel more like a lightweight daily trainer than the tempo profile that the Rebel has been known for. This may be a negative for some, which I’ll address in the next section. In any case, the additional increase in stack height and the updated formulation gives a bouncy yet smooth ride that hits that pleasure spot in your running brain. I didn’t find it to be overly unstable, partly because the shoe still retains a very wide platform underfoot. Yet it somehow didn’t feel clunky, which is often the case with those types of shoes. I felt like it worked really great at marathon pace or slightly faster, but when really trying to push the pace it felt a little soft. 

The outsole has also been upgraded with more rubber coverage that had a pretty solid bite to it.

It did gain a bit of weight – again, pushing it more into the daily trainer range – but I’m okay with it, because it resulted in upgrades in all the right areas. It’s still a light trainer that performs exceptionally well.

At $140, this has to be one of the best running shoes that money can buy.

What we don’t like about the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5

THOMAS: The midsole is better—but there’s still room for improvement.

I’d like to see a little more sculpting. Right now, it feels flat through the arch. A subtle carve-in under the arch and a slight bump-up for actual arch support would go a long way. The added stack height and underfoot cavity help, no doubt. But there’s still a sense of uniformity underfoot – a lack of shaping that makes the ride feel flatter than it should. The arch issue could be addressed with an aftermarket footbed, but we test the shoes as they come.

With a few thoughtful tweaks, New Balance could make the midsole feel even more dynamic—more contoured to the foot, more responsive through the stride.

MEG: While I find the Rebel to be a highly versatile daily trainer, it wouldn’t be my top choice for serious workouts or race day. The foam, while soft and comfortable, feels just a bit too forgiving when I’m pushing the pace. And without a plate, it lacks that propulsive snap I look for in a true performance shoe—especially when I’m aiming for faster (at least for me) efforts.

ROBBE: There’s not much to write in this section, but as I already mentioned above (and now I see that Meg has mentioned), it does feel a little soft when you’re trying to really go hard. I wouldn’t call it a snappy shoe or even a lightweight tempo/speed day shoe, which was kind of the space in which the first couple versions of this shoe sat. Maybe that’s what they were going for all along and they’ve finally arrived.

There are still a handful of plateless, simple daily trainers on the market, but they’re starting to get fewer and far between. The Saucony Kinvara, Hoka Mach 6, Brooks Hyperion are all over 30 mm of stack height. By my offhand count, the only ones coming under that are shoes from Topo Athletic and Altra. The New Balance Rebel v2 was 26/20 just a few short years ago, now we’re looking at a 35% increase in stack height. Not saying that’s necessarily a bad thing, it’s just the way things are.

So if you’re looking for that simple shoe, you still have it. You’re just gonna sacrifice a bit of speed for more comfort.

Final Thoughts on the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5

THOMAS: I thought Adidas had the year wrapped up with the EVO SL. It felt like a clear pick for “Shoe of the Year.” But now, the Rebel v5 has entered the conversation.

Both shoes are light, fun, and fairly priced. The Rebel comes in at $140—ten dollars less than the $150 Evo SL—and offers a better-fitting upper. The EVO SL, on the other hand, has the edge in midsole feel. There’s no clear winner here. And that’s the best part.

Because the real winner is the runner.

These are two excellent shoes, and for less than the cost of a single super shoe, you can own both. If you’re considering the Rebel v5, it’s a definite “buy” from me.

MEG: The New Balance Rebel v5 isn’t a drastic overhaul—but it’s a very well-executed update. I’ve genuinely enjoyed every run in this shoe and plan to keep it in my regular rotation. And while I mentioned it might not be my first pick for race day… I did just get the new Urgent Rebel colorway, and with a 10K on the horizon, I might just reconsider. If you liked the previous version, I think you’ll really appreciate what v5 brings to the table.

ROBBE: We’re almost halfway through the year, so that means we’re only 5 months from mulling over our picks for the best running shoes of 2025. I can pretty much assure you that this will be in top contention (as you can tell from our score). The $140 price range is absolutely on fire right now, and the New Balance Rebel v5 rounds out my four horsemen of the shoepocalypse along with the Adidas EVO SL, Asics Novablast 5, and Mizuno Neo Zen. All of those shoes have their own unique characteristics that separate them from each other, but they’re all incredibly fun and versatile and rank high as some of the best running shoes of the last half decade. 

But if you combine style with fit and function, the New Balance Rebel v5 is quite possibly the best shoe that money can buy. That’s coming from someone who has laid low on New Balance. So while the Rebel may not be as rebellious as in years past, it’s still doing its part to upset the power structure at play.

I already have 50 miles in my pair, which is a pretty good sign considering how many other shoes I have in the queue for review, and by the time you can actually pick up your pair, I might have 100.

You can pick up the New Balance Rebel v5 on July 1, 2025, for $140 directly from New Balance using the buttons below. Or, snag the limited edition Urgent Red colorway on Global Running Day (June 5).