FuelCell Rebel 5 vs Endorphin Speed 5

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.

The Endorphin Speed 5 is Saucony's do-it-all tempo trainer, and in our view it is one of the most useful running shoes you can own. It sits below the carbon race shoes and above the plush daily trainers: a springy, nylon-plated shoe built for the fast half of your week. At 155 pounds it costs less than a carbon racer, and the nylon plate means it flexes rather than dictating your stride, so it stays friendly across a range of paces. Push into a tempo and the PWRRUN PB foam gives you real bounce and rebound. Slow it down for a steady long run and it still feels smooth and protective. Plenty of runners will race a half or even a marathon in it. If you want one lightweight shoe to cover workouts, tempo days, progression runs and the odd race, this is the running shoe we would point you to first. The nearest rival is the adidas Adizero Boston 13.