The New Balance’s FuelCell Rebel V4 Is My New Favorite Shoe for Runs
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I’M A FAN of the New Balance Rebel V3, which was released in 2022. I know that this shoe was criticized for losing the energy and fun that the V2 Rebel had. But the V3 was comfortable on my easy runs and responded well when it was time to pick up the pace. 2023 was a quiet year for the New Balance FuelCell line, so when I saw the preview images of the New Balance Rebel V4 and the entire FuelCell lineup, I became excited.
And to no surprise, the NB Rebel V4 meets all that hype. This update brought visual continuity to all the running shoes in the FuelCell line. Finally, the Rebel, Elite, Pacer, and SuperComp trainer all looked like they were in the same family, with an updated midsole foam and an oversized angular shape. It seemed like New Balance was ready to jump back into action, and this new Rebel looked like it was ready to raise some hell.
FuelCell Rebel V4
amazon.com
$139.99
This year marked a big jump in the Rebel’s timeline with a new upper, an updated foam blend, and an overall more aggressive shape. It looked like New Balance was hitting all the notes you look for in a new go-to trainer. After a few weeks of testing them out, I can say these shoes are perfect companions for those training runs that aim to get a bit spicy. To begin my testing, I tried these shoes out over a couple of weeks on a variety of runs: tempo runs, easy runs, and some mixed-pace workouts. Throughout all of these, I found the Rebel V4 to be a competent shoe with no glaring faults, and in moments, the shoe really shined.
Feel and Fit
The V4 update debuts a lightweight, breathable mesh upper with New Balance’s FANTOMFIT and a gusseted tongue. The shoe felt nice on foot, the upper feeling barely there while still providing just enough support with each step. It feels light enough that overheated sweaty feet would not become a problem, yet strong enough that tearing out, which plagued earlier versions, never felt imminent on my runs.
The gusseted tongue could use just a whisper more padding, but that was never a real problem. The tongue and updated lacing system worked great together, making it easy to slide my foot in. The tongue, though fabric-thin, had enough structure to lay nicely over the arch and stay put. The updated lacing system locked everything comfortably in place, giving me a bit of confidence when pushing the pace. The toe box felt roomy but never like my foot was floating around.
Energy Return Underfoot
One of the updates that excited me the most was the introduction of a PEBA/EVA blend into the FuelCell foam. With a total stack height of 300mm/24mm giving a 6mm drop, nothing feels overworked. The midsole felt comfy from the moment I stepped into the shoe for the first time. While I did feel like I personally could use a couple of millimeters of midsole added to the heel, the midfoot had plenty and almost gave me a feeling of pushing forward to the next step. This energy return, coupled with a taller, wider platform, provides more stability with each step while somehow staying light. I found this base felt great when cornering with almost no tipping feeling.
The Outsole
This brings me to the outsole. Like all shoes out now, the outsole is slowly getting cut back to the areas that need it most, presumably to shave off extra weight. I must be heavy-footed because I notice wear in the heel first in all my shoes. One of the first things I check out when looking for a shoe is what sort of outsole I am getting into. There are few things I hate more than noticing wear in the heel after barely 100 miles of work. I love that sweet spot where a pair of running shoes are worn in enough to feel like they were made for me.
There is a comfort in knowing what sort of return each stride will provide. But pair that with my anxiety of having to think, "Is this run worth bringing the shoe closer to end-life?" and I find myself hoarding my favorite shoe for that perfect day. That is not to say that the Rebel is lacking outsole, more a comment on the state of the modern outsole industry for daily trainers. The Rebel’s outsole is thin but not flimsy. The five pieces (three in the forefoot and two in the heel) all work well together and provide good traction in wet and dry conditions. I began to see a little wear in my heels, but it seemed like regular wear for about 50 miles.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the New Balance V4?
The Rebel V4 does not disappoint, even right out of the gate from the first wear. If you're looking for a fast running shoe that works for mixed-pace workouts and tempo runs, then this model is right up your alley. After all, these New Balances could give you more speed than you anticipated—which is the best return you could hope for.
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