The New Balance Rebel v5 is the latest evolution in one of New Balance’s most beloved franchises. Known for its lightweight feel and energetic ride, the Rebel series has become a go-to for speed workouts and versatile training for many runners. With the Rebel v5, New Balance introduces a higher stack, refined construction, and a more accessible ride, raising the question: is this still a Rebel at heart? Let’s dive in.
Upper and Fit of the New Balance Rebel v5
What works for me
The upper of the New Balance Rebel v5 is well-constructed and a bit improved from its predecessor. The fit is true to size, with no slippage or blister issues. One of the best updates is the tongue, now slightly longer and reinforced at the top, fixing the premature wear some experienced with the v4. The semi-gusseted design of the tongue keeps it in place, and there’s noticeably more padding around the heel collar, an appreciated change that adds comfort without bulk.
What doesn’t work for me
The upper material itself feels unchanged, which is a bit of a letdown. A refresh in materials could have enhanced the overall experience. More critically, the fit is quite roomy, especially in the forefoot and midfoot. While this will be great news for runners with wider feet (a long-standing New Balance strength), I personally prefer a snugger fit for faster sessions. The looser fit detracts from the shoe’s potential as a tight, speed-ready option.
Midsole and Ride of the New Balance Rebel v5
What works for me
New Balance keeps the blended version of its FuelCell foam (supposedly still PEBA + EVA), and there’s a noticeable change in ride sensations. The added stack height (35mm heel / 29mm forefoot) combined to this different cooking of the foam translate to a softer, bouncier experience. It still feels light and versatile, ready for a variety of paces, which aligns with the Rebel franchise DNA. This version leans more towards daily trainer utility while keeping a playful ride. It’s more forgiving than before and, arguably, more accessible to a wider range of runners.
What doesn’t work for me
The added cushion comes with a weight penalty: from 232g (Rebel v4) to 244g in US11/EU45. That 12g increase makes the shoe feel slightly less nimble. It’s become a “calmer” shoe, losing some of the raw, aggressive energy that defined earlier Rebels. It now trends closer to the 1080, i.e. a well-rounded, premium daily trainer, but that evolution dulls its uptempo identity. The key question will be how the midsole handles long-term compression, something that flattened my pair of Rebel v4 over time.
Outsole of the New Balance Rebel v5
Grip and Traction
I haven’t had enough experience in wet conditions to confidently assess the grip, so I’ll reserve judgment here.
Durability
Durability looks promising. The Rebel v5 features a thicker rubber layer on the outsole compared to the v4, which should lead to better wear resistance over time. That’s a notable improvement and should reassure runners looking to get more mileage out of their pair.
Conclusion
Value for Money
At $140 in the US and €160 in Europe, the Rebel v5 offers fair value, especially stateside. It competes against other lightweight uptempo shoes like the adidas Evo SL or Nike Zoom Fly 6. For runners seeking versatility and comfort in one package, the v5 delivers.
Fitting it into a shoe rotation
The Rebel v5 fills the “do-it-all” slot in a rotation: long runs, endurance days, and steady uptempo efforts. It’s less ideal for intervals and threshold runs compared to previous versions of the Rebel. You can pair it with a more cushioned daily trainer like the 1080 for recovery/easy runs and something faster like the Pacer v2 for speedwork or racing (if you can handle the Pacer v2 heel construction).
Final Verdict
The Rebel v5 is a more mature, refined evolution of the Rebel line. While it loses a bit of its crazy edge, it gains versatility and broader appeal. It’s no longer the quirky, aggressive speedster, but for many that will be a good thing. If you’re after a fun, cushioned ride with a dash of speed, this one’s worth a look.
Comparisons Against Similar Shoes
New Balance Rebel v5 vs Nike Zoom Fly 6 by Alex
Both shoes have increased stack and foam softness in their latest versions. The Zoom Fly 6 feels more unstable and even softer despite its plate, while the Rebel v5 offers more foot and leg protection. Both shoes are comparable in terms of ground feel. My feeling is that the durability will be better for the Nike Zoom Fly 6.
Second Opinions about the New Balance Rebel v5
Andy’s Take
New Rebel time is up there with Christmas and my birthday as one of my best times of the year. Ever since I laced up the v2, it has been a real favourite. However, like many of us, it has gained a little girth over time. It has become a bit more mainstream, a little less edgy. The cushion has become a little thicker and softer.
While it may not be a Strava segment chaser’s dream shoe any more, the Rebel v5 still offers a great deal. As Alex says, it is a lightweight, versatile shoe. It remains a great choice as a suitcase special. If you only have room for one shoe, the Rebel v5 a fine companion. It has the bounce for longer runs. Softness abounds for recovery efforts. Meanwhile, it can still pick up the pace if needed especially for more unstructured kinds of workouts. It won’t be my first choice for scheduled, structured workouts. This is due to the much more mushy midsole and my Stryd pods backing up my feelings of inefficiency.
In my mind, it is now more of a FuelCell 1080 than a real Rebel but it still puts a smile on my face when I lace it up and head out of the door. Durability and stability are always a question and remain so here. But with about 400km in my v4, I am optimistic that we have a long time ahead to come.
Maisie’s Take
With this being my first experience of a New Balance Rebel of any iteration I was excited to see if they match the hype. As Alex notes the fit is quite roomy and may not suit everyone. As someone with slightly wider feet, the fit and comfort actually hit the mark for me. It is a shoe that you can lace up, bank your miles – without knowing it is on your feet!
My experience of the ride of the shoe closely matches Alex and Andy’s views. The Rebel v5 is definitely better matched for easy, everyday miles over speed work. Pushing the pace feels ok, but it wouldn’t be anywhere close to my first choice for an uptempo session.
That said, I do really enjoy the ride of the shoe. It offers a nice grounded feel with surprisingly good road contact given the soft and bouncy foam underfoot. For me the stability through the midfoot and heel is excellent. It doesn’t offer the energy return or ‘pop’ you might want for the speedier sessions, but as Alex and Andy note, in a way this makes it a much more versatile shoe.
Overall for me the Rebel v5 is a great all-rounder and a shoe I have really enjoyed running in. It has slotted nicely into my rotation and is now a ‘go to’ for long runs, easy miles and general everyday running and Andy says – a perfect ‘suitcase shoe’!
Long Term Assessment
After 200km by Andy
Me and the Rebel v5 have spent a while together now. We have run in a couple of countries and over a range of surfaces. It was a good companion for all of the miles we have shared. However, I have noticed that the midsole has really flattened out. It is still a comfortable and competent shoe but the pop has started to go. What was once a more fun compression and rebound has become more of a denser dampening. It is still a good shoe for a run but some of the fun factor has left the building after a couple of hundred kilometres.
