New Balance Men's FuelCell Propel V3 Speed Running Shoe, 15

Product Information

Just like the soft midsole, the Propel’s upper has a very relaxed demeanor with a true-to-size fit. Though a 2E (wide) size is optional, we doubt that you’ll exercise that choice – unless you have very wide feet.

The Nike Vomero line used to be my go-to soft shoe of choice. But, the latest Vomero 14, is no longer the plush, cushioned teddy bear we once knew and loved. This has left a hole in my shoe rotation and my heart.I LOVE soft shoes. In my opinion, soft shoes are the crown jewel. Any brand can do a firm shoe—most budget shoes are firm rides, but few brands can get the soft midsole execution right. Wear shows slightly faster than normal because it is soft, blown rubber. On the lateral heel side of the Propel, I can see wear more towards the centre of the shoe, which is very unusual for my foot strike. I usually see the wear right on the edge of the lateral heel area.

The heel has the pointy Achilles lip which is now part of New Balance’s design language but is spared the Origami-esque construction seen on the 1080V9 and the Beacon V2.The outer upper isn’t made of engineered mesh but a one-piece spacer fabric with a fused toe-cap and embroidery. New Balance’s fancy way of describing the stitching is ‘trace fiber’. Truth be told, that sounds way cooler than ‘stitched reinforcement’. The ride is extremely smooth. Though the inherent property of the foam makes it so, factors such as the transition groove help too. The groove which runs down the outsole center guides the loading during the gait cycle. The exaggerated flare of the midsole adds stability, and so do the raised sidewalls which cups the rear and midfoot. The midsole “wings” flare out on both sides and act as stabilisers by broadening the base of the shoe. Every running shoe brand has a shoe that they claim feels like you are “running on clouds”, but how many shoes can you honestly say actually feel like that?

One thing the Propel is not is bouncy. I don’t feel much energy return with each foot strike, and I hope New Balance can tweak the FuelCell formula for the Propel sequel. The plate reminds me of the plate that’s in the ASICS GlideRide 3– it’s very flexible so it doesn’t make slow running in the Propel v4 feel awkward. The downside of this is that it doesn’t offer as much propulsion as a stiffer plate. If you want something stiffer/faster, I recommend the Magic Speed 2 or the Puma Deviate Nitro 2. Some expected wear and tear will take place on the outsole, be it the forefoot or lateral heel edge. The FuelCell midsole has enough cushioning even if the thin insole goes flat after a couple of hundred miles. THE UPPER DESIGN AND FIT The midsole of the Propel v4 has a large cavity or void underneath it, similar to the size of the one in the NB SC Pacer. This feature is designed to return more energy as the midsole foam and plate deform during footstrikes. This is something which I can feel during runs and it makes a difference to the ride, making it more energetic. The RW Takeaway: If you’re a budget-minded runner who only wants one pair of trainers in the closet, grab the Propel. It handles speedwork, long runs, and easy efforts with the durability to go without a rest day.On the lateral and medial sides towards the rear foot are rails or barriers, which are raised. These help to keep your foot from leaning towards either side.

The high flexibility means that the shoe is more suited to long, slow runs rather than short, fast runs where a snappy shoe is needed. Each one of our New Balance FuelCell running shoes in the range offers subtly distinct performance characteristics, allowing you to select a model that perfectly matches your running style and goals. For a comfortable, well-cushioned ride – look no further than the New Balance rebel v2 (FuelCell), up for training runs and intense runs alike. Every piece has its iterations. Adding to the collection came with careful consideration, if it wasn’t adding to the racing experience then it had no place. Step forward the FuelCell SC Elite v3, it complements the midsole’s super springy rebounds with the dynamic energy return and stability of our Energy Arc system and a full-length carbon plate. Every aspect of its design is developed to deliver PB-busting race day speed. Meanwhile, the New Balance FuelCell Propel v3 offers exceptional day-to-day performance courtesy of lightweight uppers. If you’re after a versatile all-purpose runner that’s allows you to experience the high-rebound performance of FuellCell technology, then this is the collection for you. The Propel was designed to be the daily trainer while the Rebel was designed to be the speed shoe in this FuelCell training range. In the last 4 years, the Rebel has become more and more like a daily trainer: with each update, it has received more cushioning, a more durable outsole, and a more robust build. This has cannibalized The New Balance FuelCell Propel v3 running shoes are for runners who are looking for a responsive, inexpensive daily versatile trainer. The new FuelCell cushioning material is a super foam made up of a nitrogen-injected TPU foam. The FuelCell midsole looks like regular EVA but is much lighter and much softer.I would hate to run a long distance in the Joyride, but in the Propel, I look forward to long weekend runs exceeding 30 kilometres.