New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 Preview: Release Date, Specs, Price

Update 8/21/2023: A source passed on to us that a New Balance rep confirmed a March 2024 release date and that the FuelCell midsole is now a PEBA compound.

The FuelCell Rebel v4 will be the latest iteration of New Balance's series of non-plated uptempo trainers. The first few versions have been lightweight, flexible and snappy—the last of a dying breed as the market shifts toward max stacked, plated training shoes. With recent pictures leaked of the v4, how will the shoe respond to changes in the market? Let's get into it.

New Balance Rebel v4 Overview & Release Date

The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 will be the next edition of the brand's bouncy speed-oriented daily trainer. A fan favorite of high-mileage runners, the current edition Rebel v3 provides a moderately cushioned ride experience in a in a responsive and lightweight package. The new Rebel v4 is primed to carry on that legacy with a revamped construction, supercritical FuelCell foam and new design language. 

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The New Balance Rebel v3 released in September 2022. With New Balance's annual release cadence, we expect the FuelCell Rebel v4 to hit the market in September 2023 with a few initial colorways. An official launch date has not been confirmed yet by New Balance—sign up below and we'll give you word once we hear from them. 

The Rebel v4 is designed for everyday running as well as fast training. It will be a versatile option for the varied demands of marathon training, as it's lightweight and responsive enough for tempo workouts and comfortable enough for those 4 to 8 mile aerobic base building runs. The outsole rubber also makes it durable enough to use as a daily trainer. 

New Balance Rebel v4 Competitors & Complements

Other shoes in the lightweight no-plate tempo segment include the Brooks Hyperion, Hoka Mach 4, Saucony Kinvara and Topo Athletic Cyclone 2. The New Balance Rebel's calling card is the bouncy foam and flexible platform—a rare combination. The Mach 5 is soft and cushioned, the Hyperion is firm and rockered, the Kinvara is firm and snappy and the Cyclone is soft and bouncy—the Rebel offers a little bit of everything at a cheaper price. 

Like most of the shoes in the segment, the Rebel is best for shorter efforts under 90 minutes. Due to the moderate cushioning, there are better options on the market for comfort on longer miles. If the Rebel v4 will be your primary training shoe, consider the Saucony Triumph 21 as your long run tool if you like the soft and bouncy feel. If you like running with a plated shoe and enjoy the underfoot sensation of FuelCell, you can pair the Rebel with the New Balance SC Trainer v2 for a cushioned experience.

The FuelCell used in the Rebel series is a supercritical TPU/EVA blend. It has a bouncy and responsive feel similar to a PEBA but without the same softness and level of energy return. It's also squishier and more cushioned than a standard EVA like the PWWRUN found in the Saucony Kinvara 14.

The current Rebel v3 is priced at $130, which undercuts the rest of the speedy trainer market. With a bottoms-up redesign, new FuelCell foam and—of course—inflation, we expect the FuelCell Rebel v4 to have a small price increase of $10 to $20, which would put the new price at $140 to $150. This is in line with the Hoka Mach 5 ($140), Brooks Hyperion ($140) and Topo Athletic Cyclone 2 ($150).

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 Midsole

One of the key strengths of the Rebel line is its low-profile, lightweight and snappy feel. The current version of the Rebel accomplishes this with a relatively low stack height of 27.5mm in the forefoot and 21.5mm in the heel for a 6mm drop. The new one appears to have grown—at least visually. From the leaked pictures, it looks like the heel stack is in the low 30mm range.  

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With an increased stack height, it's likely that New Balance is also using a reworked version of FuelCell that allows them to add more foam without increasing the weight. The current version comes in at 7.1 ounces, which is in the middle of the non-plated uptempo trainer market. The current Rebel is a great blend of performance and durability, as it offers a decent covering of outsole rubber while maintaining a lower weight. 

From v2 to v3, New Balance widened the platform of the Rebel to make it more stable. It appears that v4 has a similar platform as v3, with sidewalls that are even more flared. This should help stability for those later stages of tough workouts when form starts to degrade, though the Rebel is not the best option for overpronating runners with true stability needs.

New Balance Rebel v4 Design

The leaked pictures of the New Balance Rebel v4 show a revolution, not an evolution, of the New Balance design system. Whereas the current model year versions of the shoes are swoopy, smooth and rounded, the Rebel v4 shows a sharp, angular and aggressive aesthetic. The new design language is reminiscent of Adidas' Adizero lineup of shoes. 

The midsole of the Rebel v4 is molded in a geometric pattern with raised ridges on the sidewall. On foot, the shoe has a clean, post-modern vibe that will look great running and make a statement as a casual athleisure shoe. Across the board, New Balance seems to be stepping up their design with new looks across their lineup, including the upcoming 1080v13 and SC Elite v4. 

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New Balance Rebel v4 Outsole

The current version New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3 is unique in that offers a high degree of outsole rubber covering without a huge weight penalty. While traditional daily trainers have sturdy rubber outsoles, most tempo trainers do not—making the Rebel a standout in the segment. The v4 looks to continue that tradition offering the same two-piece outsole rubber construction as its predecessor. 

The rubber used on the Rebel v3 helps the shoe last anywhere from 300 to 500 miles for most runners. This is among the best on the market for lightweight and flexible non-plated tempo shoes. Pending the durability of the updated supercritical FuelCell foam, the Rebel v4 should last a similar number of miles.

New Balance Rebel v4 Upper & Fit

From the leaked pictures, the Rebel v4 shows an upper that looks similar to the current version. The Rebel v3 uses a comfortable and slightly stretchy engineered mesh material that molds around the foot well. The lockdown is secure but not overly snug when you cinch down the laces for faster miles.

The current Rebel also has a wider toe-box than competitors from Saucony and Hoka. Whereas the Mach 5 is narrow upfront, the Rebel has more room to spread the toes and have the foot rest in a comfortable position. The lack of an aggressive rocker also makes the fit feel natural for walking, casual wear or gym use.

Final Thoughts 

The New Balance Rebel v4 looks to carry on the legacy of lightweight, non-plated speed. With a slightly more cushioned midsole and a revamped designed, the new model will be a competitive choice in a shrinking segment. With a continued emphasis on durability from a hefty rubber outsole and a more cushioned midsole, the Rebel v4 should also get consideration as a comfortable and fast daily trainer. If you'd like updates on the Rebel and other new performance running shoes, sign up for our newsletter below. Happy miles!