FuelCell Rebel 4 vs FuelCell Rebel 5

The FuelCell Rebel v4 is New Balance at its most fun: a lightweight, plateless tempo shoe built to make quick running feel easy. At 212g it is properly light, and there is no carbon plate here, so the pop comes straight from a soft, springy FuelCell midsole rather than a stiff propulsion board. That makes it one of the more versatile speed shoes going. You can rip a session in it, float through a steady long run, then use it as a do-everything daily trainer the next morning. It sits in that sweet spot between a cushioned daily and a race shoe, and it does it for a fair RRP. If you want a single pair to cover most of your mileage without buying a rotation, this is a strong pick. The newer Rebel v5 has since arrived, so the v4 is often the smarter buy on price. Just do not expect the locked-in, aggressive feel of a plated racer. This one is about bounce and freedom, not rigidity.

The FuelCell Rebel 5 is New Balance at its most likeable: a lightweight, plateless running shoe that wants to do almost everything in your week. At 220g it is genuinely light for the stack you get, and the FuelCell midsole gives you a soft, springy pop that flatters easy miles and comes alive when you lift the pace. There is no carbon plate here, so this is not a marathon racer. Think of it as the fun, do-it-all uptempo trainer that handles easy days, strides, tempo efforts and even a parkrun without complaint. If you loved the FuelCell Rebel 4, the 5 keeps that playful character and refines the fit. For runners who want one versatile daily training shoe with a bit of race-day spirit, we rate it highly at the price.