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New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5: the ideal training shoe?

CL
By Clément Laborieux

Published on Tue, July 8, 2025

Updated on Thu, September 10, 2026

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New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5: the ideal training shoe?
© New Balance

If you could keep only one pair, this would probably be it. The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 has established itself as a true Swiss Army knife in the fiercely competitive running shoe market. With the fifth iteration of its training model, New Balance delivers a shoe that is fast, versatile and, above all, fun to run in. No carbon plate, but more foam underfoot: the Rebel v5 strikes the perfect balance between responsiveness, comfort and accessibility for everyday running. That makes it appealing to a remarkably broad range of runners, from beginners to seasoned athletes.

At a time when running shoes keep getting taller and stiffer, with carbon plates becoming the norm, New Balance’s Rebel line continues to stand apart with its flexible, unplated platform. A firm favorite since its launch, the Rebel has made a name for itself as a shoe that is both light and fast. Some runners use it as a lightweight training shoe, while others race in it. Its versatility is a major part of the appeal. In a way, it is the little sister of the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v5.

The new model gains stack height, uses a new FuelCell foam blend and improves outsole durability. These changes move the range forward while preserving the rebellious spirit that defines it.

Bold design, remarkable lightness

Still instantly recognizable, the Rebel v5 does not blend into the crowd. Its bold look, combining sculpted lines with striking colorways, sets the tone: this is a shoe that embraces its sporting DNA while flirting with lifestyle aesthetics. Pure New Balance. But behind that confident design is, above all, an exceptionally comfortable shoe: breathable, reworked FantomFit mesh, a more padded collar and a tongue that has finally been refined. And to the delight of the brand’s fans, the upper delivers more comfort, support and structure without adding weight (225 g in a men’s size 10, 180 g in a women’s size 7).

If you could keep only one pair, this would probably be it. The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 has established itself as a true Swiss Army knife in the demanding running shoe market. With the fifth iteration of its training model, New Balance delivers a shoe that is fast, versatile and, above all, fun to run in. No carbon plate, but more foam underfoot: the Rebel v5 strikes the perfect balance between responsiveness, comfort and accessibility for everyday running. That makes it appealing to a remarkably broad range of runners, from beginners to seasoned athletes.© New Balance
If you could keep only one pair, this would probably be it. The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 has established itself as a true Swiss Army knife in the demanding running shoe market. With the fifth iteration of its training model, New Balance delivers a shoe that is fast, versatile and, above all, fun to run in. No carbon plate, but more foam underfoot: the Rebel v5 strikes the perfect balance between responsiveness, comfort and accessibility for everyday running. That makes it appealing to a remarkably broad range of runners, from beginners to seasoned athletes.© New Balance
If you could keep only one pair, this would probably be it. The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 has established itself as a true Swiss Army knife in the demanding running shoe market. With the fifth iteration of its training model, New Balance delivers a shoe that is fast, versatile and, above all, fun to run in. No carbon plate, but more foam underfoot: the Rebel v5 strikes the perfect balance between responsiveness, comfort and accessibility for everyday running. That makes it appealing to a remarkably broad range of runners, from beginners to seasoned athletes.© New Balance
If you could keep only one pair, this would probably be it. The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 has established itself as a true Swiss Army knife in the demanding running shoe market. With the fifth iteration of its training model, New Balance delivers a shoe that is fast, versatile and, above all, fun to run in. No carbon plate, but more foam underfoot: the Rebel v5 strikes the perfect balance between responsiveness, comfort and accessibility for everyday running. That makes it appealing to a remarkably broad range of runners, from beginners to seasoned athletes.© New Balance
If you could keep only one pair, this would probably be it. The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 has established itself as a true Swiss Army knife in the demanding running shoe market. With the fifth iteration of its training model, New Balance delivers a shoe that is fast, versatile and, above all, fun to run in. No carbon plate, but more foam underfoot: the Rebel v5 strikes the perfect balance between responsiveness, comfort and accessibility for everyday running. That makes it appealing to a remarkably broad range of runners, from beginners to seasoned athletes.© New Balance

More foam, more comfort... still no carbon

The biggest change in this v5? An additional 5 mm of foam underfoot compared with the previous version (35 mm stack at the heel, 29 mm at the forefoot). The geometry remains dynamic and built for speed, with a 6 mm drop, but the underfoot feel is softer and more forgiving.

The combination of PEBA and EVA foams in the midsole delivers a smooth, natural ride, with enough snap for fast interval sessions. No carbon, no problem. In fact, the lack of a carbon plate makes this an ideal companion for everyday runs.

The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 is the shoe that makes you want to head out for a run. Born to challenge convention, it features a bold design and modern style that stand out from the crowd.
Remarkably light and flexible, its responsive midsole provides an energetic rebound while delivering the versatility needed for every type of run.

If you could keep only one pair, this would probably be it. The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 has established itself as a true Swiss Army knife in the demanding running shoe market. With the fifth iteration of its training model, New Balance delivers a shoe that is fast, versatile and, above all, fun to run in. No carbon plate, but more foam underfoot: the Rebel v5 strikes the perfect balance between responsiveness, comfort and accessibility for everyday running. That makes it appealing to a remarkably broad range of runners, from beginners to seasoned athletes.© New Balance
If you could keep only one pair, this would probably be it. The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 has established itself as a true Swiss Army knife in the demanding running shoe market. With the fifth iteration of its training model, New Balance delivers a shoe that is fast, versatile and, above all, fun to run in. No carbon plate, but more foam underfoot: the Rebel v5 strikes the perfect balance between responsiveness, comfort and accessibility for everyday running. That makes it appealing to a remarkably broad range of runners, from beginners to seasoned athletes.© New Balance
If you could keep only one pair, this would probably be it. The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 has established itself as a true Swiss Army knife in the demanding running shoe market. With the fifth iteration of its training model, New Balance delivers a shoe that is fast, versatile and, above all, fun to run in. No carbon plate, but more foam underfoot: the Rebel v5 strikes the perfect balance between responsiveness, comfort and accessibility for everyday running. That makes it appealing to a remarkably broad range of runners, from beginners to seasoned athletes.© New Balance
If you could keep only one pair, this would probably be it. The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 has established itself as a true Swiss Army knife in the demanding running shoe market. With the fifth iteration of its training model, New Balance delivers a shoe that is fast, versatile and, above all, fun to run in. No carbon plate, but more foam underfoot: the Rebel v5 strikes the perfect balance between responsiveness, comfort and accessibility for everyday running. That makes it appealing to a remarkably broad range of runners, from beginners to seasoned athletes.© New Balance
If you could keep only one pair, this would probably be it. The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 has established itself as a true Swiss Army knife in the demanding running shoe market. With the fifth iteration of its training model, New Balance delivers a shoe that is fast, versatile and, above all, fun to run in. No carbon plate, but more foam underfoot: the Rebel v5 strikes the perfect balance between responsiveness, comfort and accessibility for everyday running. That makes it appealing to a remarkably broad range of runners, from beginners to seasoned athletes.© New Balance
If you could keep only one pair, this would probably be it. The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 has established itself as a true Swiss Army knife in the demanding running shoe market. With the fifth iteration of its training model, New Balance delivers a shoe that is fast, versatile and, above all, fun to run in. No carbon plate, but more foam underfoot: the Rebel v5 strikes the perfect balance between responsiveness, comfort and accessibility for everyday running. That makes it appealing to a remarkably broad range of runners, from beginners to seasoned athletes.© New Balance
If you could keep only one pair, this would probably be it. The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 has established itself as a true Swiss Army knife in the demanding running shoe market. With the fifth iteration of its training model, New Balance delivers a shoe that is fast, versatile and, above all, fun to run in. No carbon plate, but more foam underfoot: the Rebel v5 strikes the perfect balance between responsiveness, comfort and accessibility for everyday running. That makes it appealing to a remarkably broad range of runners, from beginners to seasoned athletes.© New Balance
If you could keep only one pair, this would probably be it. The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 has established itself as a true Swiss Army knife in the demanding running shoe market. With the fifth iteration of its training model, New Balance delivers a shoe that is fast, versatile and, above all, fun to run in. No carbon plate, but more foam underfoot: the Rebel v5 strikes the perfect balance between responsiveness, comfort and accessibility for everyday running. That makes it appealing to a remarkably broad range of runners, from beginners to seasoned athletes.© New Balance
If you could keep only one pair, this would probably be it. The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 has established itself as a true Swiss Army knife in the demanding running shoe market. With the fifth iteration of its training model, New Balance delivers a shoe that is fast, versatile and, above all, fun to run in. No carbon plate, but more foam underfoot: the Rebel v5 strikes the perfect balance between responsiveness, comfort and accessibility for everyday running. That makes it appealing to a remarkably broad range of runners, from beginners to seasoned athletes.© New Balance

A do-it-all shoe, from easy runs to hard sessions

With the Rebel v5, New Balance has set the bar high. In a world where runners sometimes own three or even four pairs of shoes, this pair stands out for its versatility. It can handle easy miles at a relaxed pace, then deliver the energy return you need for tempo or VO2 max sessions. Less lively than the v4 but more stable and comfortable, it is the ideal shoe for runners who want one pair that can do everything.

Excellent value for money

Priced at €160, the FuelCell Rebel v5 remains highly competitive in its category. With lively PEBA foam, careful construction, impressive durability and undeniable running enjoyment, it ranks comfortably among the best training shoes of 2025. It is also one of the most enjoyable shoes for putting in everyday miles.

Who is the Rebel v5 for?

Whether you are an experienced runner looking for a fast pair for quality workouts or a recreational runner wanting a light, responsive and comfortable shoe for every kind of run, the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 ticks every box. Its light weight, flexibility and cushioning make it a strong all-round option. You might even find yourself packing nothing else in your suitcase this summer.

It is also a very good option for runners who do not want to race in a carbon-plated shoe: light, responsive and comfortable, it is perfectly suited to moderate paces and can handle faster running for experienced athletes.

  • Recommended use: speed training (tempo, threshold, VO2 max), easy runs

  • Price: €160

  • Weight: 225 g (men’s size 10) / 180 g (women’s size 7)

  • Drop: 6 mm (35 mm/29 mm)

  • Foam: PEBA + EVA

  • No carbon plate

  • Breathable, reworked FantomFit upper

  • Ride: Neutral

✔ The limited-edition red-and-black colorway launched on June 5, followed by the main colorway on July 1. Available from newbalance.fr for €160.

New Balance