New Balance Rebel v5 Review: Light FuelCell Fun
Rebel v5: Quick Facts
Weight:
- M: 218g US 9.5
- W: 174g US 7
Best For:
- Daily training, but moves into tempo paces well.
Price:
- $230 AUD
Stack Height & Drop:
- 36mm heel / 30mm forefoot
- 6mm drop
Favourite Features:
- More FuelCell midsole stack to increase versatility.
- New Balance have nailed the overall design and silhouette of the Rebel.
Release Date:
- Pre heat launch: June 5th, 2025
- Global launch: July 10th, 2025
What’s the Rebel v5 all about?
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 is the latest iteration in the Rebel line; part of the FuelCell family known for its energetic and responsive foams. Designed as a lightweight daily trainer, the Rebel offers an unplated alternative to some of New Balance’s plated offerings, like the SuperComp Trainer (super trainer) and SuperComp Elite (super shoe).
The Rebel has always catered to runners who want that performance feel without the stiffness of a carbon plate, making it a solid option for those who value flexibility and natural transitions. It’s capable across a range of paces, whether you're running easy runs or cranking up the tempo. With version 5, New Balance has stayed true to that formula while adding tweaks aimed at making it more capable for longer runs and extended sessions.
There are 3 key updates to the Rebel v5
1) More stack = more versatile
One of the biggest updates to the Rebel v5 is the increase in stack height. The midsole continues to use the PEBA/EVA blend seen in version 4, a lively compound also found in the SuperComp Trainer. But New Balance has given v5 about 3mm more foam underfoot, bringing it to 36mm in the heel and 30mm in the forefoot (keeping with the 6mm drop).
This extra stack gives the shoe more cushion and better protection for longer efforts, especially in the forefoot, where some runners found the v4 to “bottom out” during longer runs. Now with v5, there's a bit more underfoot substance, without compromising the lightweight and nimble feel that fans of the Rebel series love.
The Rebel v5 isn't the most stable shoe out there, but for a shoe with such a soft platform that's to be expected! We've found the overall stability is pretty comparable to Rebel v4, even though the midsole platform is a few millimeters narrower, its still a generous landing zone underfoot.
2) Updated outsole that retains the flexible ride
The outsole has also seen some small updates. New Balance has increased the rubber coverage, especially in the forefoot, which improves traction and durability. It’s also a welcome change for runners planning for higher mileage or more versatile usage out of the shoe.
Not surprisingly, this added rubber also brings a touch more forefoot stiffness, though the Rebel still retains its flexible identity. The trade off here is beneficial: the shoe is still compliant enough for daily training, but with a bit of extra structure, resulting in making it a more viable option for longer sessions than the last iteration.
3) Revised and improved FANTOMFIT upper
There are a few subtle design changes on the upper of Rebel v5, but overall it's largely the same experience. The entire upper construction is actually not too dissimilar to New Balance's super shoe, the SuperComp Elite v4, which is a good thing. The only real change we’ve noticed is the padding on the tongue, which is now slightly thicker for a touch of added comfort on top of the foot. There's some extra padding around the heel collar too which is nice, but the rest of the upper its light and breathable, exactly what you'd expect for a lightweight daily trainer.
Our first thoughts
With these updates, the Rebel v5 feels like a refined evolution rather than a radical overhaul. It continues to offer a lightweight, natural and unplated ride, with the addition of more underfoot confidence.
For us, the Rebel v5 falls neatly into the same category as the Asics Novablast 5, Hoka Mach 6 and Adidas Evo SL—all versatile daily trainers that flirt with performance features. If you're a runner looking for a shoe that feels responsive, cushioned and has a bit of fun underfoot, the Rebel v5 might be worth a look!
About the author
Nathan Pope - Runner and Shoe Nerd
I'm really passionate about running footwear and how shoes can be used as a tool to get the best of your running, whether that be general fitness or performance.
My favorite event is the marathon. I feel that the marathon is the ultimate test, both physically and mentally. It requires careful planning, both within the race and during the training block, and it can be very satisfying when everything comes together on race day.
