Article by Joost de Raeymaeker Luanda, Angola — June 2025
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 ($140)
228g (US M 9.5) / 6mm drop / 29mm forefoot – 35mm heel
Category: Daily Trainer / Tempo / Plateless Racer
Tested on road and dirt road over ~110 km
Introduction
Joost: I’ve had a long relationship with the Rebel line, going back to the wild, slingshot-like feeling of the earlier versions. They were unpredictable, but in a fun way. The Rebel v5 feels like a turning point. It’s still light, still FuelCell, still built for speed — but it has matured into something far more versatile and balanced.
In testing over roads and dirt roads in the Angolan dry season, it held its own in everything from slow jogs to hill sprints. If you’re looking for a do-it-all plateless shoe that doesn’t feel boring, this might be one of the best in its class.
Pros & Cons
Pros
✅ Exceptionally versatile: easy days, tempo, strides, even race day
✅ Light and responsive with a soft, bouncy midsole
✅ No plate needed — foam and geometry do the work
✅ Secure fit and breathable upper, especially in heat
✅ Great value for a non-plated “performance trainer”
Cons
❌ Fans of the old Rebel’s chaotic energy might find this version more conventional
❌ Slightly short fit — consider sizing up if in doubt
First Impressions & Fit
Right out of the box, the Rebel v5 feels light and soft, but with an underlying bounce that hints at its performance pedigree. It gives off that “fun-to-run” energy from the start.
The upper is a thin engineered mesh, and it’s one of the most breathable uppers I’ve tested in a long time — ideal for warmer climates like mine. The heel and midfoot lockdown are excellent. No slippage on downhills or pickups, which speaks to the thoughtful design and heel counter structure.
The toebox is wide-foot-friendly, with just enough volume and stretch. It runs a little short in overall length, so runners in between sizes may want to size up. For me, it was fine, but borderline. Notably, I didn’t experience any hotspots, rubbing, or pressure points — always a green flag for longer use.
Midsole & Ride
FuelCell is the star here. The midsole is very soft, almost squishy when standing, but once you’re moving it firms up nicely and delivers a bouncy, stable ride. There’s no plate, no rocker gimmick — and that’s a good thing. It’s just foam and geometry, executed well. You can go slow, you can go fast, and the shoe will meet you where you are.
What impressed me most was the ride’s smoothness and predictability, especially for a shoe this light and flexible. Transition from midfoot to toe-off is natural. It doesn’t force you into a gait — it allows you to run your way.
Despite the softness and flexibility, I found it remarkably stable — even during sharp turns and hill reps. For a plateless shoe that comes in under 230 grams, that’s rare.
Outsole & Durability
New Balance reworked the outsole with more rubber coverage in the forefoot, which is where previous versions sometimes lacked grip or wore down early. In this v5, traction has been excellent on dry pavement and loose dirt roads. I haven’t had the chance to test it in the wet yet, but so far there have been no slips, no surprises.
After 110+ kilometers of use, there’s no visible wear. That bodes well for the durability of the rubber and midsole foam. The flexibility remains consistent, and there’s no bottoming out or compression creasing yet.
Real-World Performance
I used the Rebel v5 for easy runs, hill repeats, strides, and everything in between. Distances ranged from 6 to 14 km per session, often with some fartlek-style work or pickups mid-run. The shoe handled it all without complaint.
Long-run comfort is not an issue. I didn’t feel beat up afterward, and the upper never irritated me, even during mid-day heat. The shoe breathes, holds your foot securely, and doesn’t ask you to think too hard — which is exactly what you want in a daily trainer that can turn up the pace.
Final Thoughts
Joost: The Rebel v5 is one of those shoes that quietly earns a permanent spot in your rotation. It doesn’t try to dazzle with flash or gimmicks, but it’s more fun — and more effective — than it looks. The fact that it can move so fluidly between easy jogs and faster work makes it incredibly practical, and the comfort-per-gram ratio is hard to beat.
Whether you’re an advanced runner looking for a plateless shoe that doesn’t compromise speed, or someone building a lean rotation, the Rebel v5 is worth a serious look. It’s soft, light, stable, and honest — and that’s high praise in 2025.
My Score: Ride: 9.5, Fit and Upper:9 Durablity: 9 Value for Money: 9.5 Versatility: 9.5
Smiles Score: 😊😊😊😊1/2
Please also read our multi tester review by others on the RTR team HERE
Joost is a Belgian in his 50s living in Luanda, Angola, Africa, where he faces the heat, humidity and general chaos to run anything between 60-100 miles per week. He was on a mission to run and win in his age group in the 6 marathon majors and got his 6th star at London in 2023 with a 2:26:10 PB in Berlin in 2019 at 51. He won his M50 AG at the 2022 Chicago Marathon in 2:29 and in 2023 won his AG in London in 2:36. Only Boston, so far, escapes him for an AG win at the 6 Majors. He ran in primary school, but then thought it would be a lot cooler to be a guitar player in a hard rock band, only picking up running again in 2012, gradually improving his results. Please check out Joost's coaching service here
Europe only: use RTR code RTR5ALL for 5% off all products, even sale products
Google "roadtrailrun Shoe Name" and you can be quite sure to find just about any run shoe over the last 10 plus years
No comments:
Post a Comment