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New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5: Up & Runners Review

Name: Men's New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
Brand: New Balance
Rating: 4.8 (2 reviews)

The Up & Runners

Posted Aug 05, 2025

The Rebel v5 is a lightweight, do-it-all daily trainer with a soft, bouncy ride, improved upper, and added cushioning for longer miles. It’s more stable than v4, though some may find it too soft for speed work or wish it felt a bit nimbler.

Total

Form

Performance

Value

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FuelCell Rebel v5

4.8/5

(2)

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Pros

Lightweight and responsive
Soft, bouncy FuelCell midsole
Improved fit and midfoot lockdown
More cushioned and stable than v4
Versatile across paces and distances
Breathable, well-padded upper
Gusseted tongue stays in place
Good value for the price
Wide-foot friendly fit

Cons

May feel too soft or unstable for some
Not ideal for pure speed workouts
Exposed foam could reduce outsole durability
Toe box shape may be tricky for some (fit inconsistencies)
Less nimble than previous versions

The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 marks a subtle but meaningful evolution in the Rebel line—shifting from a stripped-down, speed-focused trainer to a more well-rounded daily workhorse. The Up & Runners trio—Cody, Eric, and Blake—each put the Rebel v5 through its paces across recovery runs, long efforts, treadmill miles, and tempo sessions.

Their verdict? This version strikes a better balance between cushion and responsiveness, thanks to a revamped midsole, improved upper, and refined fit. While some runners might miss the raw, nimble feel of earlier versions, the v5 broadens its appeal by delivering soft comfort, featherlight construction, and surprising versatility—all at an accessible price point.

🏆 This shoe earned a spot in our Top 5 Daily Trainers of 2025 — check out the full lineup here.

New Balance Rebel v5: At a Glance

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5: Up & Runners Review

The Rebel v5 delivers a lightweight yet cushioned ride with a 32mm heel / 26mm forefoot stack and 6mm drop. New Balance’s FuelCell foam—an EVA/PEBA blend—offers a soft, bouncy feel that stays smooth and stable over a range of paces. The FantomFit mesh upper provides breathable comfort, with a padded heel and secure midfoot lockdown. Rubber coverage adds grip in key zones, though exposed midfoot foam may wear quicker. Fit runs true to size for most, with a slightly roomy toe box. At $140, it’s a versatile daily trainer built for everything from easy miles to steady efforts—just don’t expect plated-shoe snap.

New Balance Rebel v5 Out of the Box

You know that moment when a shoe disappears on your foot… but still manages to feel fun? That’s the Rebel v5 in a nutshell. It doesn’t shout “super shoe!” or scream “plush cruiser!”—it just kind of works.

Cody Jett

"It's the kind of shoe you can lace up without overthinking--perfect for runners who want one shoe that can handle nearly anything."

All three testers found the Rebel v5 to be noticeably more stable and forgiving than previous versions, without losing the bouncy DNA that defines the line. Eric praised its improved range, saying it no longer bottoms out on longer efforts, while Blake called it “a better version of the shoe I always wanted the v4 to be.”

From short recovery runs to midweek mileage, the Rebel v5 makes a strong first impression by staying out of your way—until you realize, mid-stride, that your legs feel fresher than expected.

How the Rebel v5 Stacks Up

The Rebel v5 doesn’t just build on the v4—it shifts the entire vibe of the shoe. All three testers agreed that version 5 feels more stable and cushioned, pushing it further into daily trainer territory and away from its original speed-oriented identity.

Blake Graf

"Version 5 of the Rebel seems to be moving from a more speed-oriented trainer to a more well-rounded, do-it-all trainer."

Cody emphasized the upgrades from the previous model, calling the v5 “more cushioned, more stable, and significantly more comfortable thanks to the improved upper and added stack height.” He added that the shoe “feels better equipped for higher mileage and a wider range of paces”—a big win for runners who want one shoe that can handle most training days.

Eric offered some thoughtful comparisons to other shoes in the category. He described the Rebel v5 as “similar both in price and softness to the Novablast 5 but slightly more responsive,” and even likened it to the 1080v14, calling the Rebel “a more responsive and supportive version.”

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Bottom line: If you loved the bouncy but loose feel of the Rebel v4, you might miss some of that playful energy. But if you’re after a plateless, lightweight daily trainer that can shift gears when needed—and feel good doing it—the Rebel v5 deserves a spot in your rotation.

Performance & Versatility

Some daily trainers are good at one thing. The Rebel v5? According to the team, it’s good at just about everything.

Eric McIntyre

"This is one of the more versatile shoes on the market hands down."

Eric noted that the tweaks to the v5—like increased stack height and a more stable midsole geometry—make it better suited for longer efforts compared to the v4, which he felt could sometimes “bottom out.” While he admits it’s “less chaotic” and maybe not quite as fun for pure speed, the tradeoff is a smoother, more usable ride across a range of paces.

Blake echoed the versatility shift, saying the Rebel v5 no longer feels like a short-run specialist. Where previous versions felt too minimal for anything beyond a tempo, he now finds it capable of handling everything from easy miles to longer efforts, while still holding its own in moderate workouts.

Cody put the shoe through a full spectrum of runs—easy days, tempo efforts, and long outings—and found it up to the task across the board. He praised the ride as soft and natural, with enough responsiveness to keep things interesting: “It’s handled the variety like a champ—comfortable enough for cruising and light enough to pick up the pace when needed.”

While it won’t replace your plated racer, the Rebel v5 shines as a flexible, lightweight daily trainer that delivers both comfort and performance—no matter what your training schedule throws at you.

The Upper: Updated Comfort

With version 5, New Balance gave the Rebel’s upper a proper makeover—and the Up & Runners noticed. From a better-fitting toe box to a tongue that finally stays in place, the changes make this one of the most comfortable and secure versions of the Rebel yet.

Cody Jett

"The updated upper features a more structured heel, a cushy tongue, and breathable mesh that hugs the foot just right."

Cody highlighted how the v5 “fixes the fit issues from v4 and offers a secure feel without sacrificing comfort.” He noted the heel, tongue, and mesh all work together to create a better lockdown experience, especially for his “widish feet.”

Blake agreed the upper was a major improvement, writing: “I found v5 to feel much less baggy and have a better midfoot lockdown.” He mentioned the new design “made some much needed changes to deliver a more comfortable and better fitting upper,” though he added: “The toe-box shape is still kind of weird where some people might need to go up half size.”

Eric, who had significant gripes with v4’s fit, appreciated the overhaul: “The Upper was my main complaint on the v4. It was wide, short, and the tongue was terrible… With the v5 all of those issues are fixed.” He emphasized that the new upper is “more true to size length wise,” “still wide foot friendly without being baggy,” and offers a “much more dialed” experience overall.

The consensus? New Balance took runner feedback seriously—and version 5’s upper reflects that. It’s breathable, secure, and finally lives up to the promise of the Rebel line’s fast-but-comfortable identity.

Midsole: Soft, Springy, and Smoothed Out

New Balance didn’t just add more foam to the Rebel v5—they gave it a whole new personality. While it still delivers the signature FuelCell bounce, this version trades some of the v4’s chaos for a more stable, better-rounded ride.

Blake Graf

"I thought that it felt more stable, and more responsive in the forefoot… the added foam may make the shoe feel a little less nimble, but I do think it helps make the shoe more comfortable and versatile."

Eric also noticed the shift in tone, describing the v5’s foam as “soft, similar to the Novablast 5 in firmness but more responsive and bouncy in comparison.” He praised the revised midsole geometry for making the shoe “less chaotic than the v4,” and better suited to longer efforts—even if it lost a bit of its unpredictable, fun-to-push edge during speedwork.

Cody emphasized that the FuelCell midsole still brings the soft, smooth ride runners expect. He wrote: “The FuelCell midsole delivers a soft, bouncy ride with just enough responsiveness to handle uptempo efforts.” The added stack was a plus in his book, especially for long runs that demand more underfoot cushion without weighing the shoe down.

In version 5, the Rebel’s midsole finally grows up—without getting boring. It keeps the bounce, dials back the wobble, and opens the door for more miles, more variety, and more runners.

Outsole: Grippy Enough—But Not Built to Last Forever

With version 5, New Balance made subtle—but noticeable—improvements to the Rebel’s outsole. More rubber in key areas gives it better grip and stability, especially in the forefoot. But exposed midfoot foam remains a point of concern, particularly for high-mileage runners or those tough on shoes.

Eric McIntyre

"The outsole seems to be an upgrade though I'm unsure of the compound. I find it to be an upgrade over the v4 but I am concerned with some wearing already showing in the midfoot area where the foam is left exposed."

Cody found the grip reliable on typical road runs and light terrain: “It provides solid grip on dry roads and light paths, making it great for everyday runs.” But he shared the same durability caveat: “The softer outsole foam delivers a smooth ride but may wear down faster, especially for runners who are hard on their shoes or do a lot of road grinding.”

Blake agreed the outsole felt more responsive thanks to the updated forefoot coverage: “I think this helps make the forefoot feel more responsive and stable. Almost like a bottom loaded plate in a way.” Still, he noted: “The exposed foam gets worn down pretty easily, but the rubber itself is holding up pretty well.”

In short, the outsole gets high marks for feel and function on the run—but like previous Rebels, it might not go the distance.

Who Should Buy the Rebel v5?

✔️ Best For:

Runners wanting a do-it-all daily trainer with soft cushion and bounce (Cody, Eric, Blake)
Wide-footed runners or those who struggled with the fit in v4 (Eric, Blake)
Runners seeking a lightweight alternative to plated shoes for easy, long, or steady miles (Cody, Eric)
Budget-conscious runners looking for high performance under $150 (Eric)

❌ Not Ideal For:

Runners looking for a super-snappy or race-day feel (Eric, Cody)
Those who prefer a firmer, more structured ride (Blake)
Runners who burn through exposed foam quickly (Eric, Blake, Cody)

If you're after a lightweight, bouncy, and versatile daily trainer that doesn’t rely on carbon plates or gimmicks, the Rebel v5 fits the bill. It's soft and fun underfoot, but still stable and structured enough to go long or pick up the pace.

Cody Jett

"The Rebel v5 is a great pick for runners who want a lightweight, versatile daily trainer with a soft, comfortable ride."

Cody emphasized that the v5 handles everything from recovery runs to long miles, with enough responsiveness to sneak in some tempo work. For him, it was a true grab-and-go option.

Eric highlighted its appeal for “1-shoe rotationers” and runners who want cushy, lightweight mileage without breaking the bank.

And Blake, who wasn’t sold on the v4, came around with this update, saying it “fixed every issue I had.”

Just don’t expect plated-shoe performance or max-cushion durability. For runners who prefer a simple, responsive shoe that feels good from the first step—without overthinking pace, distance, or purpose—the Rebel v5 is ready to roll.

The Final Verdict

The New Balance Rebel v5 isn’t trying to be the flashiest shoe in your lineup—but it just might be the one you reach for the most. With thoughtful updates to cushioning, fit, and stability, it steps confidently into the role of a lightweight daily trainer that’s ready for nearly anything.

Cody Jett

"It’s one of my favorite daily trainers of 2025 so far, thanks to its lightweight feel, added cushion, and dialed-in fit."

Eric praised its shift toward stability and broader usefulness, even if it’s less thrilling on speed days. And for Blake, who wasn’t fully sold on the v4, the v5 felt like a course correction—more refined, better fitting, and genuinely fun to run in.

If you’re chasing personal bests or crave plated propulsion, this won’t be your go-to. But for everything else—easy days, long runs, steady efforts—the Rebel v5 delivers a ride that’s soft, smooth, and surprisingly satisfying.