New Balance Women's FuelCell Rebel V2 Speed Running Shoe

Product Information

The New Balance Rebel v3 is one of those trainers that just keeps getting better and better with each update. New Balance said that their goal with the new version was to make it appeal to a wider group of runners, to make it 10 – 15% more democratic. The heel-to-toe offset is 6 mm, New Balance’s favorite ‘drop’ for tempo trainers. It’s funny how certain offset numbers are associated with the brands. Saucony goes for 4 mm (Kinvara) and 8 mm (Ride, Guide, et.al), Hoka uses a 5 mm offset, and Altra is 0 mm, of course. However. After the first outing in the Rebel, the Plantar Fascia felt sore. Not many shoes do that. In our many years of reviewing shoes, only the adidas Pureboost, Nike Pegasus Turbo, and Skechers GoMeb Speed 3 have achieved that ignominious distinction. The Liberate Nitro is also lighter and delivers similar performance benefits, thanks to the soft and responsive Nitro foam. The lightweight upper has a deconstructed, racer-like fit for high-speed training.

As for the flap material, the raw edges are soft and completely distraction-free – as is the rest of the upper. PROS AND CONS It has a 6 mm drop which makes it more of a midfoot/forefoot striker trainer than a heel striker trainer because it encourages you to strike further forward- this makes it a great shoe for short tempo or workout runs if you prefer a plateless trainer for speedwork. I find the flexible forefoot of the Rebel v3 a little too relaxed; I crave something stiffer with a plate for speedwork. New Balance men’s running shoes are renowned for their sleek designs, lightweight materials and supreme cushioning. For something better suited to long-distance running, opt for the 880, which features a breathable mesh FantomFit upper with a no-sew overlay engineered for ultra-light support.The only weakness of the Rebel v2 is that its outsole areas which aren’t covered with rubber get chewed up by the ground so I don’t expect durability to be good. David: "I absolutely love the Rebel's FuelCell midsole. It feels comfortably soft at slower speeds and super lively at faster paces. I thought the Rebel v2s were really fun to run in, and I always wanted to push the pace when they were on foot." Stability: B- (For a shoe this soft, you'd expect a C or lower on stability, but the flaring and ribbing bring it to moderate stability for a neutral shoe)

Remember those kiddo plastic rulers that changed designs depending on the angle? The shape-shifting trim on the midsole is a pleasant element of discovery. However, if you’re recovering from Plantar Fasciitis or are generally injury-prone, we don’t recommend buying the Rebel V2.They already had the Beacon and the Zante (now called the Tempo) but both of those trainers were built on the Fresh Foam template. The Rebel is a lightweight trainer that uses FuelCell as its midsole foam. Developed to meet the ever-evolving demands of serious distance runners, the New Balance FuelCell collection is the perfect combo of speed, rebound and energy return. Showcasing an exciting array of cutting-edge performance-driven technologies, it promises to propel you to the next level. The core component of FuelCell running shoes is our nitrogen compound FuelCell foam technology - game changing midsole cushioning that delivers radically improved energy return performance. In a pair of New Balance FuelCell running shoes, you’ll feel the benefits with every propulsive stride. The super critical, nitrogen infused FuelCell provides really good energy return and makes it feel like a super foam. It’s not as bouncy as ZoomX but more bouncy than Hyper Burst, DNA Flash and Pwrrun PB. David: "The midsole cushioning absorbs most of the ground feel, and the redesigned outsole takes care of the rest. I would feel comfortable taking these up to a half-marathon distance (or even farther) without any issues."

Puma Liberate Nitro Review - Super light offering from Puma that absolutely rips the road for those with the right experience and strength The soft Fuelcell foam makes even relaxed runs a comfortable affair, and there’s no pressure to go fast. The Rebel v3 feels even more like a daily trainer than v2. It has improved durability, a more stable ride and a little bit more cushioning. I think New Balance achieved exactly what they were aiming for: a trainer that appeals more to the mainstream. The FuelCell TC is also a better tempo trainer than the Rebel. The Rebel v2 now falls into the daily training category.

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3 Price Comparison

It was a risk for New Balance to introduce another lightweight, tempo trainer into their performance running lineup. However, if you explore alternatives outside New Balance, a road racer like the Saucony Type A9 is excellent for short-distance races. After 50 miles, the outsole seems to be doing okay. Even though it is soft, the flexible design spreads the wear and tear evenly.

Personal: A (Really lightweight, protective, bouncy, and responsive. This is a shoe I really like doing strides in, road workouts, long runs, etc.)The Nike Mayfly was designed to be the original disposable running shoe. Named after the Mayfly – an insect that lives its full life in 24 hours – the Nike shoe was supposed to last a marathon and self-destruct. Or at least, that was the idea. Nike is always good at story telling. We tested the Rebel V2 during the cold winter mornings of Toronto, Canada – and that included many sub-zero degree (Celcius) runs. Saucony Freedom 4 - PWRRUN PB gives the shoe a hugely responsive ride that's capable of heavy workouts and even races for those seeking a non-plated option Stability: B- (Really soft platform with only mild stability elements, the shoe is relatively soft and flexible throughout and may give some trouble, but good for a lightweight performance shoe this soft) Unlike many other tempo-worthy shoes, the Rebel 2 doesn’t have a slim midsole. It’s actually quite wide through the midfoot, with the rearfoot midsole extending past the heel line.