There are shoes designed with a clear and defined purpose: for racing, for long slow runs, for recovery, for interval training. And then there are those that surprise you because—without making a fuss about it—they just do everything well. The FuelCell Rebel v5 from New Balance belongs squarely in this second category: a shoe originally made for tempo and mid-distance workouts that ends up becoming the one you grab way more often than you’d expect.
I tested it for several weeks in just about every scenario: from easy recovery runs to short fast ones, and even on a few longer sessions with varying paces. Basically, I tried it in every condition because with each run I kept thinking, “maybe this works well here too.” Here’s how it went.
An Upper Built for Pace
Let’s start with the upper, because that’s where you notice the first major evolution from the earlier versions. New Balance kept the FantomFit material (a thin, breathable mesh), but they’ve really worked on the details. The tongue now has a bit more padding, the heel is more reinforced and stable, and the collar is higher and softer.
The result? A more precise, more “race-ready” fit, but without sacrificing comfort in the slightest. The foot stays nicely locked in even when you pick up the pace, and the fit—at least for my “medium-narrow” foot—is perfect.
Of course, this does mean a slight weight gain: about 15 grams more than the previous version. But honestly, once you’re running, you won’t even notice it.
FuelCell Midsole: Soft, but Not Too Soft
The heart of the Rebel v5 is still the FuelCell midsole, made with a PEBA/EVA blend. The feel is soft underfoot, but never mushy, with just the right amount of rebound to carry you smoothly through each stride.
Don’t expect that trampoline-like effect you get with some carbon-plated super shoes (there’s no plate here): the Rebel feels more natural, more understated, and because of that—at least for me—it’s actually more enjoyable to use for mid to long distances, and way more versatile. Even without a plate, if I had to sum this shoe up in one word, I’d call it “fun.”
The rocker (that curved profile of the sole) has been refined, making heel-to-toe transitions feel smooth and progressive. No flat heel landings, no forced rolls. The flow of the run feels great, which makes the Rebel v5 an ideal trainer for controlled pace sessions.
Simple but Effective Outsole
The outsole has also been tweaked. There’s now more rubber coverage on the forefoot and a more compact section on the lateral heel. Grip is excellent on both dry and wet pavement, and it handles light gravel paths just fine—though obviously it’s not built for true off-road runs. But for your city park routes? No problem at all.
After about 80 km of testing, the rubber shows no premature wear, and the midsole still feels as good as new. My impression is that the Rebel v5 can easily rack up plenty of miles without any noticeable performance drop.
Who Is the FuelCell Rebel v5 For?
On paper, the Rebel is meant for those days dedicated to fast sessions and progression workouts. In reality though, it’s so versatile that it works beautifully for just about everything else too: recovery jogs, mid-pace runs, and longer steady efforts. Personally, I really enjoyed it on race-pace workouts and those “brisk” easy runs.
It’s not a pure race shoe (though if you’re not into plated shoes, it could definitely handle a 10K or half marathon “run by feel”), and it’s not the ultra-cushioned trainer you’d use for high-volume long runs. But it’s everything in between. And often, it’s the shoe you end up grabbing without overthinking it.
Final Thoughts
The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 is a great example of smart evolution. New Balance has improved the upper, made the ride smoother and more enjoyable, and kept the original character of the shoe intact. It’s not a revolution, but it’s a more refined, more complete, and—as I mentioned—more fun trainer to run in.
If you’re looking for a lightweight, non-plated shoe that can handle a variety of paces and makes you want to get out there and run, the Rebel v5 is an excellent choice. Even more so when you consider that it sits in a very fair and accessible price range for what it delivers.
For me, it’s one of those shoes you end up using way more than you originally planned. And once you’ve got it on your feet, it just makes you want to run.
Tech Specs
- Weight: 227 g (men’s US 9)
- Stack: 35 mm heel / 29 mm forefoot
- Drop: 6 mm
- Retail price: €160
