Thought I'd hate it, but I love it
5/5
Overall
SYNYC · Jul 9, 2019
25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the adidas adizero Adios 4
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 3/5
- Value
- 4/5
New Balance Fuelcell Rebel v1
Speed shoe · Neutral · Road · 7.2 oz · 24/18mm stack · 5mm drop
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v2 replaced it
How it ranks
The New Balance Fuelcell Rebel v1 sits about average for running shoes in our data. Value and looks are its strongest sub-ratings. Durability scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 13 runner reviews and 4 other rated shoes in the FuelCell Rebel product line.
Decent
Confidence
How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
92 High
Based on
The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.
- Brand rating
- Our ratings
- External ratings
What runners say
“Every step feels like it's rocketing me forward into the next.”
“I wasn't used to getting energy back from a shoe!”
“This shoe is light and has a serious pop in each step.”
“After about 7-8k, the insole can start to move and scrunch up, causing a ridge in the middle, which is painful to land on with each foot strike.”
“After 100+ miles there is minimal wear on the bottom tread and the cushioning feels as soft and responsive as it did out of the box.”
“It feels light and fast and has wonderful forefoot cushioning.”
“With every step the mushy foam on this shoe collapses inward.”
“The shoe has a great pop to it when you want to pick up the pace, and great cushion for the slower easier runs.”
“It has plenty of cushion without being too soft or squishy and light and responsive without hurting the feet.”
“It's by far the least stable shoe I've ever worn.”
“My feet didn't feel as pummeled thanks to the Rebel's ample cushioning.”
“The fit is snug, the shoe has adequate support but good communication with the road underfoot.”
“The cushioning in the forefoot is lacking a tad.”
“The cushioning is supple yet slightly firm when you're just walking around or running easily.”
“It's tight in the forefoot and loose in the heel, but after a few runs it is much more dialed in.”
“NB offers the shoe in wide sizes (2E for men and D for women).”
“The upper on both shoes has started to pull away from the sole much too soon.”
“Fit a bit small.”
“The toe box is wide enough for my medium-width feet, while the toe box volume is rather low.”
“The fuel cell rebel performs well at a variety of paces.”
“The low volume toe box wouldn't be much different 1/2 size up.”
“Your big toe would rub the upper.”
“They have a little less grip than the other NB models I run in.”
“It doesn't have the best traction but it normally isn't a problem.”
“Not very cushioned but I somehow like it.”
“They look sharp, too!”
Prefer this shoe over another
43% 6/14
Where to buy
No offers available
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
Pros
- At 7.2 oz, reviewers find it light and quick at tempo.
- Runners report springy cushioning that suits workouts, intervals and races from the 5k to the half.
- Reviewers like the stretchy knit upper's snug, comfortable midfoot hold.
Cons
- Three of thirteen reviewers find the fit small, with low volume through the toe box.
- Durability is its lowest-rated dimension at 3.8 out of 5, and one reviewer has the insole scrunch into a painful ridge after about 8 km.
- One reviewer who pronates says the foam collapses inward and calls it the least stable shoe he has worn.
Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.
Better Shoes Rating
Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the New Balance FuelCell Rebel
Each dot is one version of the FuelCell Rebel, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Release year
-
2025 · 7 reviews
92 Very good
79 Confidence
-
2024 · 38 reviews
98 Exceptional
96 Confidence
-
2022 · 45 reviews
88 Good
97 Confidence
-
2021 · 9 reviews
87 Good
86 Confidence
-
Fuelcell Rebel v1 This shoe
2019 · 13 reviews
76 Decent
92 Confidence
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Weight
- 7.2 oz
- Men's / women's
- Men's 7.2 oz · Women's 7.2 oz
- Release
- 2019 Q2
- MSRP
- $150
- Stack
- 24/18mm
- Drop
- 5mm
Runner reviews
Needs a better insole
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · May 26, 2019
30 mpw came from the ASICS Lyteracer
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
Alternatives
Other shoes worth considering.
More from New Balance
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
New Balance Fuelcell Rebel v1 In Context
More on the New Balance FuelCell Rebel
- New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5
- New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4
- New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3
- New Balance FuelCell Rebel v2 next version
Reviewers Also Ran In
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