{"id":45546,"date":"2024-03-16T10:50:53","date_gmt":"2024-03-16T14:50:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.runningshoesguru.com\/?post_type=reviews_road&p=45546"},"modified":"2024-03-17T14:05:43","modified_gmt":"2024-03-17T18:05:43","slug":"new-balance-fuelcell-rebel-v4-review","status":"publish","type":"reviews_road","link":"https:\/\/www.runningshoesguru.com\/reviews\/road\/new-balance-fuelcell-rebel-v4-review\/","title":"New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 Review","author":95,"featured_media":45583,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"brands":[99],"shoes_type":[257,781],"shoes_family":[],"_stcr@_rolfkleinfeld@hotmail.com":null,"review_3_website_name":null,"test_trail":null,"_test_trail":null,"usd":null,"_usd":null,"aud":null,"_aud":null,"cad":null,"_cad":null,"gbp":null,"_gbp":null,"eur":null,"_eur":null,"shoe_brand":null,"_shoe_brand":null,"shoe_name":null,"pros":"4","cons":"2","verdict":"The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 is an excellent lightweight speed trainer which is perfect for any run faster than easy pace. Its new midsole which is a blend of PEBA & EVA delivers an energetic, engaging ride which makes it want to pick up the pace. Version 4 feels more like a speed trainer than version 3 which was slower and felt more like a daily trainer. V4 is firmer and more enjoyable for uptempo running. \r\n","weight":null,"heel":null,"toe":null,"heeldrop":null,"reccomended_for":null,"rrp":null,"review":null,"keywords":"New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4, New Balance running shoes review, best New Balance running shoes, Cushioning running shoes,","description":"The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 is an excellent lightweight speed trainer which is perfect for any run faster than easy pace. Its new midsole which is a blend of PEBA & EVA delivers an energetic, engaging ride which makes it want to pick up the pace. Version 4 feels more like a speed trainer than version 3 which was slower and felt more like a daily trainer. V4 is firmer and more enjoyable for uptempo running. \r\n","professional_image":"45413","_professional_image":"field_5d9574dae3414","usage":["speedwork"],"_usage":"field_5943593f1d1c2","rsg_subtitle":null,"subtitle":null,"_subtitle":null,"introduction":"[caption id=\"attachment_45567\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"960\"]\"\"<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nIn a world where plated speed trainers are incredibly popular and have become the norm to do speedwork in, New Balance\u2019s Rebel is an unplated bestseller that continues to hold its own. This lightweight trainer is good value for money, comfortable and easy to get hold of<\/strong>. \r\n\r\nMy favourite version of the Rebel was the second<\/a>. It was quirky, it was fast and it was a very unique speed trainer at the time with its lateral midsole flare.\r\n\r\nWhen I reviewed the Rebel v3 last year<\/a>, I felt that it had lost some character because it no longer felt like an exciting, fast speed trainer. Instead, it felt like a cushioned daily trainer. It didn\u2019t have the fun factor that its predecessor had. The Rebel is crafted to be light and fast, as it says on the New Balance website. <\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe increase in softness of the FuelCell midsole of the Rebel v3 made it plusher and less responsive than the Rebel v2. I only enjoyed it for easy-paced runs, nothing faster.\r\n\r\nFuelCell has historically been a nitrogen-infused blend of EVA and TPU. This year\u2019s FuelCell gets a major upgrade. The FuelCell in the SC Elite v4 is 100% PEBA while the FuelCell in the Rebel v4 is a PEBA blend. PEBA is unmatched when it comes to power to weight ratio. \r\n\r\nThis year's Rebel v4 bears a striking resemblance to the SuperComp Elite v4<\/a>. There's even a colourway which is the exact same for both New Balance shoes. \r\n\r\nThis is a strategy that Saucony employs with their Endorphin Pro\/Speed and has worked really well in making the Speed more popular. \r\n\r\nThe Rebel v4 weighs 212 g (7.5 oz), a hair heavier than v3 which was 210 g (7.4 oz). It still has a 6 mm drop but has unfortunately gone up in price by $10. \r\n","introduction_text":null,"conclusions":"[caption id=\"attachment_45575\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"\"<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe ride of the Rebel v4 is a step ahead of other non-plated trainers. Its midsole foam feels like something that you\u2019d find in a super shoe: lightweight, plush with good energy return. \r\n\r\nVersion 4 is an excellent update. It feels more like a Rebel than version 3 did because it\u2019s more speed oriented. It\u2019s a lot easier to pick up the pace in the Rebel v4. Version 4 is my favourite version to date and I'd definitely buy it again.\r\n\r\nThe main thing I don't like about the Rebel v4 is its upper which is too voluminous<\/strong>. There's too much width in the midfoot and forefoot. The foam is also buttery soft so it's very prone to punctures.\r\n\r\nAt only $140, it represents outstanding value<\/strong>. You're getting a PEBA blend midsole in a trainer which is very rare. It's not 100% the same foam as in the SuperComp Elite v4 but it feels similar. \r\n\r\nCompared to other lightweight, unplated speed trainers like the Hoka Mach 6, Saucony Kinvara 14 and Brooks Hyperion, the Rebel v4 feels a lot more advanced: its midsole feels less dense, it feels more responsive and it just feels more magical. \r\n\r\nThe Rebel v4 has raised the bar for non-plated speed trainers.<\/strong>\r\n\r\n","model":"FuelCell Rebel v4","_model":"field_5c1600ad0113f","who_is_it_for":"If you enjoy doing speedwork in trainers without a plate, the Rebel v4 is a great choice. If you want a similar ride to the SuperComp Elite v4 but with natural transitions and more ground feel, the Rebel v4 is also a great choice. \r\n","pros_0_pro_line":"Firmer, faster ride with significantly more energy return","_pros_0_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_1_pro_line":"Feels more like a speed trainer ","_pros_1_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_2_pro_line":"Great value for money","_pros_2_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","cons_0_cons_line":"Upper is too voluminous","_cons_0_cons_line":"field_5c16011c70a57","cons_1_cons_line":"Price increase of $10","_cons_1_cons_line":"field_5c16011c70a57","cons_2_cons_line":null,"_cons_2_cons_line":null,"water_resistance":null,"_water_resistance":null,"pros_3_pro_line":"Excellent breathability","_pros_3_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_4_pro_line":null,"_pros_4_pro_line":null,"cons_3_cons_line":null,"_cons_3_cons_line":null,"cons_4_cons_line":null,"_cons_4_cons_line":null,"in_page_subtitle":null,"_in_page_subtitle":null,"image":null,"_image":null,"cushioning_type":"responsive\/balanced","_cushioning_type":"field_594357fba24e6","cushioning_amount":"Medium cushioning","_cushioning_amount":"field_5c1a16c4d4c23","sizing":"0","_sizing":"field_59435b58fd832","heel_fit":"normal","_heel_fit":"field_59435bbc45b07","midfoot_fit":"wide","_midfoot_fit":"field_59435d1684838","toebox_fit":"wide","_toebox_fit":"field_59435d1484837","flexibility":"flexible","_flexibility":"field_59435d1284836","stability":"some stability","_stability":"field_5944aca41583c","midfoot_fit_copy":null,"_midfoot_fit_copy":null,"best_for":"","pe_timestamp":null,"ds_query":"+balance +\"rebel v4\"","_ds_query":"field_5c1600ad01052","release_date":"","_release_date":"field_5c176d6fffe21","weight_oz":"7.5","_weight_oz":"field_5c176d34ffe1f","heel_drop_mm":"6","_heel_drop_mm":"field_5c176d57ffe20","intro_to_the_shoe":null,"_intro_to_the_shoe":null,"main_text":null,"_main_text":null,"protection":null,"_protection":null,"durability":"7","_durability":"field_6272de0b5fdf5","responsiveness_&_speed":null,"_responsiveness_&_speed":null,"comfort_and_fit":null,"_comfort_and_fit":null,"lugs":null,"_lugs":null,"rockplate":null,"_rockplate":null,"good_for_running":null,"_good_for_running":null,"previous_model":"38367","_previous_model":"field_5c1a17279c9f9","usage_these_shoes_for":null,"_usage_these_shoes_for":null,"rrp_us":"139.95","_rrp_us":"field_5c176dba632ff","rrp_au":"","_rrp_au":"field_5c176dd363300","rrp_ca":"","_rrp_ca":"field_5c176df863301","rrp_gb":"","_rrp_gb":"field_5c176dfe63302","rrp_de":"","_rrp_de":"field_5c176e0d63303","purchased_from_name":"Running Warehouse","_purchased_from_name":"field_5c374d8cdb87d","purchased_from_url":"https:\/\/www.runningwarehouse.com\/New_Balance_FuelCell_Rebel_v4\/descpage-NB4REM2.html?from=guru","_purchased_from_url":"field_5c374d9bdb87e","heel_mm":"999","_heel_mm":"field_630506e911fdf","toe_mm":"999","_toe_mm":"field_630506f011fe0","carbon_plate":"no","_carbon_plate":"field_63065e4848c57","360":"","_360":"field_630662fb826e3","_video":"field_63066304826e4","who_should_buy_it":"If you enjoy doing speedwork in trainers without a plate, the Rebel v4 is a great choice. If you want a similar ride to the SuperComp Elite v4 but with natural transitions and more ground feel, the Rebel v4 is also a great choice. \r\n","_who_should_buy_it":"field_63132fa733767","who_should_not_buy_it_":"If you\u2019re looking for a workhorse daily trainer for mostly easy runs, the Rebel v4 is not the shoe for you. If you want a stiff, plated speed trainer for long runs, the Rebel v4 is also not for you. \r\n","_who_should_not_buy_it_":"field_63132ff0865f5","build_quality":"9","_build_quality":"field_6272ddc1b33de","comfort":"9","_comfort":"field_6272dd6fa6b88","value_price":"10","_value_price":"field_6272de0a5fdf4","third_shoe":"42240","_third_shoe":"field_630bbf8341294","upper_rate":"6","_upper_rate":"field_6272de2a5fdfb","sole_unit_rate":"9","_sole_unit_rate":"field_6272de295fdfa","landing":"9","_landing":"field_6272de285fdf9","transition":"9","_transition":"field_6272de285fdf8","toe_off":"9","_toe_off":"field_6272de275fdf7","traction":"9","_traction":"field_6272de265fdf6","first_impressions":"[caption id=\"attachment_45574\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"\"<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nMy first run was an easy 15 kilometres and I was surprised by how much the ride had improved<\/strong>. It felt firmer and it felt faster thanks to the new midsole foam. The cushioning felt more substantial and there was less ground feel than its predecessor. \r\n\r\nIt reminded me of the SuperComp Elite v4<\/a> most however the Rebel v4 felt stripped down with more natural transitions. Even though my legs were sore from the gym workout the day before, I found that my average pace was faster than normal for an easy run. \r\n\r\nI was debating whether to go up a half size like I did for v3 but I\u2019m glad I didn\u2019t because the fit was very accommodating. It was an impressive first run. \r\n","_first_impressions":"field_6313304ba000e","sole_unit":"[caption id=\"attachment_45570\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"\"<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Rebel v4 is back in a big way. It feels like how I remember version 2 felt. The ride is engaging, smooth, and most importantly, it feels fast<\/strong>. This is one of those fun trainers that I look forward to running in every time. \r\n\r\nIt feels the best when you\u2019re doing paces faster than easy ones. Steady runs and tempo runs are the most enjoyable. This is a trainer that wants you to pick up the pace. I found myself subconsciously increasing my pace during easy runs because of how energetic it is. \r\n\r\nMy favourite thing about it is how nimble and agile it feels on my feet. The lightweight build is a breath of fresh air compared to maximalist, plated speed trainers which are all over 9 oz. Even though the Rebel doesn\u2019t have a plate in it, it still feels fast due to its lively PEBA\/EVA blend midsole. \r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_45579\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"\"<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nI find the Rebel v4 better for medium and long runs (above 15 kilometres) than its predecessor.<\/strong> The midsole of v3 compressed too during footstrikes so it had a high level of ground feel. Version 4 absorbs shock better and has more cushioning depth. \r\n\r\nWith no stiffening device in its midsole, it has a very flexible, soft forefoot which requires your calves, ankles and feet to work a bit harder. This is why there are better options for super long runs because the Rebel v4 doesn't have an efficient, energy-saving forefoot rocker.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_45571\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1280\"]\"\"<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Rebel v4 has generous rubber coverage on its outsole so durability is fantastic. The rubber has a triangular pattern on it to enhance traction and it works well, even when it rains. \r\n\r\nMy biggest concern is how long its midsole will retain its lively bounce. So far, the ride is as energetic as my first run in it. With the midsole being so soft, it can easily be punctured by sharp objects in the road. My pair has a small piece of glass which went deep into the foam.\r\n","_sole_unit":"field_6313305d53bc4","custom_fields":{"model":"FuelCell Rebel v4","cons":[{"cons_line":"Upper is too voluminous"},{"cons_line":"Price increase of $10"}],"pros":[{"pro_line":"Firmer, faster ride with significantly more energy return"},{"pro_line":"Feels more like a speed trainer "},{"pro_line":"Great value for money"},{"pro_line":"Excellent breathability"}],"vote":"9","weight_oz":"7.5","heel_drop_mm":"6","heel_mm":"999","toe_mm":"999","purchased_from_name":"Running Warehouse","purchased_from_url":"https:\/\/www.runningwarehouse.com\/New_Balance_FuelCell_Rebel_v4\/descpage-NB4REM2.html?from=guru","comfort":"9","build_quality":"9","upper_rate":"6","sole_unit_rate":"9","landing":"9","transition":"9","toe_off":"9","traction":"9","durability":"7","value_price":"10","who_is_it_for":"If you enjoy doing speedwork in trainers without a plate, the Rebel v4 is a great choice. If you want a similar ride to the SuperComp Elite v4 but with natural transitions and more ground feel, the Rebel v4 is also a great choice. \r\n","verdict":"The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 is an excellent lightweight speed trainer which is perfect for any run faster than easy pace. Its new midsole which is a blend of PEBA & EVA delivers an energetic, engaging ride which makes it want to pick up the pace. Version 4 feels more like a speed trainer than version 3 which was slower and felt more like a daily trainer. V4 is firmer and more enjoyable for uptempo running. \r\n","who_should_buy_it":"

If you enjoy doing speedwork in trainers without a plate, the Rebel v4 is a great choice. If you want a similar ride to the SuperComp Elite v4 but with natural transitions and more ground feel, the Rebel v4 is also a great choice. <\/p>\n","who_should_not_buy_it_":"

If you\u2019re looking for a workhorse daily trainer for mostly easy runs, the Rebel v4 is not the shoe for you. If you want a stiff, plated speed trainer for long runs, the Rebel v4 is also not for you. <\/p>\n","introduction":"

\"\"