I can identify well with the Rebel. A few years ago, we were both lean, lithe and (relatively) rapid. In the intervening years, both of us have gained some girth and added softness. Unlike me, the Rebel has had a complete refit behind the scenes and been reborn as a beefed up super trainer. The SC addendum to a shoe name means that it now contains a plate. In this case, a carbon infused Pebax plate.
When I first saw the SC Rebel, I wondered where it would fit into the New Balance line up. The SC Trainer was the high stacked long-run workhorse while the SC Pacer took the lower stacked, shorter distance speedster seat. The answer here is simple, the SC Trainer no longer exists. The SC Rebel is now the New Balance super trainer. Fuel Cell is replaced with the new Infinion foam, albeit with a different feel to that of the 1080.
How does this roided up Rebel work and will it be a worthy replacement to the rather hit and miss SC Trainer? We took to the streets to find out.
Upper and Fit of the New Balance SC Rebel v1.0
What works for me
The upper offers a light, thin feel which disappears on foot. This is not a shoe which you have to think about when lacing up or running. It holds in all the right places and adds some stretch where needed. It is rather reminiscent of the EVO SL EXO. There are plenty of structure enhancing overlays which, along with the gusseted tongue, help create a solid lockdown.
The tongue does its job well, but gives me my only minor gripe. The padding is about 1cm too far up. Where I tie the laces falls just under the padded top of the tongue. While this isn’t a major problem, it might be for a person who has to torque the laces down super tight. That said, the tongue is light and secure and adds more to the fit than the lack of padding takes away.
The lace chain is reinforced all along and has an extra hole for anyone who needs a runner’s knot. While the laces themselves are relatively unremarkable, they are reliable and haven’t come undone on a run yet.
At the rear of the shoe, the heelcup is stout and padded enough to protect from any rubbing but not overly so. The padding is, as befits the purpose of the shoe, somewhere between race day and daily. There is enough padding to make the shoe comfortable for the longer or slower efforts you will put in. On the other hand, it is not too plush to make it cumbersome on those faster, more pace-pilled efforts.
As is the case with the majority of the shoe, New Balance have fairly well nailed the upper. It hits a solid balance between the comfort needs of a daily trainer and the stripped back racer requirement.
What doesn’t work for me
I have nothing to complain about here. The upper is comfortable, lockdown is excellent and there is no irritation or rubbing to be found. Those with very wide feet are catered to with the option of a wide fit version too. Top work New Balance.
Midsole and Ride of the New Balance SC Rebel v1.0
What works for me
When I first removed the SC Rebel from the box, I was rather alarmed at the low placement of the plate. A thin, translucent layer of rubber then the plate, right there. I was fearing a very harsh ride indeed as a forefoot striker. Thankfully, any doubts dissipated as soon as the pavement pounding began in earnest. The forefoot is very forgiving with the softness of the Infinion foam working with the plate to create a very cushioned landing.
Despite the Infinion moniker, the foam in the SC Rebel is a different recipe to that in the 1080. While the 1080 has an EVA and TPEE blend for daily comfort, the SC Rebel’s recipe is solely ATPU for increased bounce and propulsion. They really do feel a world apart. The 1080 is a well cushioned daily trainer which is capable of picking up the pace if needed. Meanwhile, the midsole of the SC Rebel is a rocket. During my time with the shoe, I have used it for pretty much every type of run I have taken. Longer tempo blocks, shorter 200m reps and strides to push top speed along with the less glamorous daily miles.
For every run, I have found the midsole of the SC Rebel to perform admirably. With the Pebax and carbon fibre mixed plate, it does not have a real harshness to it. It doesn’t feel stiff or awkward at slower paces on daily runs or recovery between reps. My paces have ranged from ~2:12/km up to ~7:00/km and all of them have felt natural. People who strike further back will benefit from a lot more foam in the heel before the roll through the gait cycle and toe-off from the low plate in the front. While it may not be advisable to run every run in a plated shoe, the SC Rebel makes it possible. Now, I am not a physiotherapist or podiatrist, so no medical advice will be given here. But, I can attest to the comfort I have experienced at all paces.
New Balance have created a truly fantastic midsole with the SC Rebel. Where the old SC Trainer could feel a little harsh at times and a little clunky at slower paces, the foam and plate combination here give a superbly smooth ride. When comparing to other shoes I have had the fortune to use this year, I really do find it hard to find anything which competes across the board.
What doesn’t work for me
So far, nothing. Those looking for a heightened level of stability might not get the most from the SC Rebel but, aside from that, most runners will find this to be a phenomenal ride.
Outsole of the New Balance SC Rebel v1.0
Grip and Traction
The rubber is thin but durable and so far has given me no cause for concern. During my testing period, the UK seems to have forgotten what rain is so I have had limited conditions to test the shoe in. However, it has handled sessions on dusty pavements and bone dry grass with aplomb. Corners are not filled with fear and putting the power down on looser surfaces has been translated into pace rather than slippage.
Now we have had a significant amount of rain, I can report no real issues on soaked pavements and the odd muddy corner. After nearly 180km in the shoe, I have also noticed no real wear which bodes well for durability.
Durability
This is the part which holds the most questions. With the plate being directly underneath the outsole rubber, once that has worn, the SC Rebel will be like running on an ice rink. Also, the new mix of Infinion foam in both this and the SC Elite v6 is something which I am not sure on the long term lifespan of. After around 160km in the SC Rebel so far, it still feels as good as the day it came out of the box and fills me with joy on every run. More pleasingly, despite only being run on bone dry, abrasive concrete, the outsole is showing no sign of wear at all.
Conclusion
Value for Money
At £180, the SC Rebel is not cheap. That said it is in a very well positioned price point between the light and lively run club specials in the £150 range and the all out carbon plated racers in the £200+ point. For a shoe which offers so much, this seems to be a reasonable price especially as it can take the place of at least 2 shoes in the rotation with all your speed needs covered in one package.
If the durability is decent, which after 100km and the shoe feeling like new, I am hopeful for, then it will be a very good addition to the value column. The versatility puts it ahead of its pricemates like the Kayano and Nimbus from ASICS and is comparable to the Endorphin Speed.
Fitting it into a shoe rotation
It can do any run you want. Faster paced training sessions and races. Easy recovery jogs around the block. Just a shoe to pick up, run freely and put a smile on your face. This shoe can genuinely do it all. It truly may be the best New Balance shoe (and among the best of all brands) that I have ever tried. Much like when the Saucony Endorphin speed was released and it is the only shoe I wanted to run in, the SC Rebel is the same. The versatility of the EVO SL but with better fit and more stability.
But, remember, just because you can do every run in this plated shoe, it doesn’t mean that you should.
Final Verdict
I love this shoe. The Rebel was, for years, my favourite unplated running shoe. The SC Rebel has easily taken a place as probably my favourite plated shoe (outside of pure racing thoroughbreds where the Alphafly still has my heart). It is a truly remarkable piece of design and engineering to create a shoe which feels as comfortable and capable at shuffling paces as it does when going eyes-bulging on the last all-out 200m rep of the session. New Balance have outdone themselves here.
I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to run in many pairs of shoes over the years. Every so often one comes along which instantly cements its place in my rotation. The Endorphin Speed, New Balance Rebel, Nike Vomero Plus and adidas Prime X (original version) are shoes which I always come back to as they never fail to deliver. The SC Rebel is a new addition to the pantheon and might well be the top dog.
Comparisons Against Similar Shoes
New Balance SC Rebel vs. New Balance SC Trainer v3
The SC Rebel has a much more pleasant ride at a range of paces. It feels softer and more enjoyable at slow paces while its geometry helps push the paces. I ran a lot of miles in the Trainer v3, until it gave up the ghost and had to go to the big shoe rack in the sky. The SC Rebel is a very worthy successor. It may even surpass its predecessors.
New Balance SC Rebel vs. ASICS Superblast 3
Two very different takes on the same idea. Both trainers are designed for smashing all the runs in your box. Both fitted with the brand’s top superfoam. One has a plate, the other doesn’t. I have very much enjoyed both shoes but for me they hold very different purposes. The Superblast 3 is much better for me at those recovery paces and probably better for the feet for daily miles. However, I find the SC Rebel far more assistive on those faster sessions.
New Balance SC Rebel vs. adidas EVO SL
For me, the Ghost 18 has the edge in comfort and cushioning over the Pegasus 42. Neither is particularly zippy or packed with energy return. I have been wearing both for runs and as daily walk around shoes, I think in this battle the Ghost 18 takes it because I find it more comfortable on foot for the whole day.
New Balance SC Rebel v1.0 Quick Questions
How should I use the New Balance SC Rebel v1.0?
You can use this for any run on your calendar. It feels comfortable and flows at all paces. Whether you should or not is another question.
Is the New Balance SC Rebel v1.0 a good shoe for long runs?
Yes, the level of cushion and energy return from the foam and added roll of the plate all help the miles fly by.
Is the New Balance SC Rebel v1.0 a good shoe for fast sessions?
Absolutely. It will handle whatever pace you want to throw at it.
Is the New Balance SC Rebel v1.0 a shoe for daily training?
It is very useful as a daily shoe but bear in mind that it is plated so it might not be advisable to run every run in it.
Can I wear the New Balance SC Rebel v1.0 as a lifestyle shoe?
It is a good looking shoe. Whether it is a lifestyle shoe very much depends on your individual aesthetic. I see people wearing Alphafly with jeans. It’s 2026, live your best life.
Is the New Balance SC Rebel v1.0 suitable for all terrains?
This is probably the only no which comes for the SC Rebel. It is a road shoe, use it for road running.
Is the New Balance SC Rebel v1.0 a good shoe for racing?
I can imagine people using this as a race shoe. Coming in at around 212g, it is not much heavier than some thoroughbred racing shoes and it is more comfortable and stable than them too.
Is the New Balance SC Rebel v1.0 a good shoe for stability?
It is not a stability focussed shoe but the low plate position to help to make the forefoot more stable.
