New Balance has worked its magic, balancing the softness and responsiveness of the Rebel's FuelCell midsole almost perfectly. These highly versatile lightweight trainers can push the pace and offer an impressive energy return for a non-plated shoe. With 30 mm of soft FuelCell foam underfoot, the Rebel v2 offers runners ample protection from the impact of the roads. As a lightweight trainer, this shoe is not necessarily the best long-distance companion, but our testers are confident that runners will comfortably enjoy distances around the half-marathon mark. The new NDURANCE outsole also gives the Rebel v2 improved traction that should instill a lot of confidence while out on the roads. The Rebel v3 feels even more like a daily trainer than v2. It has improved durability, a more stable ride and a little bit more cushioning. I think New Balance achieved exactly what they were aiming for: a trainer that appeals more to the mainstream.

David: "The midsole cushioning absorbs most of the ground feel, and the redesigned outsole takes care of the rest. I would feel comfortable taking these up to a half-marathon distance (or even farther) without any issues." The midsole sidewalls are raised at the midfoot to provide some stability but I still think that heel strikers will find the Rebel v2 slightly unstable.

PROS AND CONS

We’ll probably recommend another rotational strategy when the updated (and hopefully more durable) Rebel 3 is released. But for now, we can think of the Fresh Foam 1080 V11 as a reliable muncher of long miles and such. Its upper is soft, and the midsole delivers a cushy ride. As a shoe reviewer, one of the most common questions I get is from runners asking me for suggestions to replace their beloved Nike Pegasus Turbo which has now been discontinued.

Each one of our New Balance FuelCell running shoes in the range offers subtly distinct performance characteristics, allowing you to select a model that perfectly matches your running style and goals. For a comfortable, well-cushioned ride – look no further than the New Balance rebel v2 (FuelCell), up for training runs and intense runs alike. Every piece has its iterations. Adding to the collection came with careful consideration, if it wasn’t adding to the racing experience then it had no place. Step forward the FuelCell SC Elite v3, it complements the midsole’s super springy rebounds with the dynamic energy return and stability of our Energy Arc system and a full-length carbon plate. Every aspect of its design is developed to deliver PB-busting race day speed. Meanwhile, the New Balance FuelCell Propel v3 offers exceptional day-to-day performance courtesy of lightweight uppers. If you’re after a versatile all-purpose runner that’s allows you to experience the high-rebound performance of FuellCell technology, then this is the collection for you. It was a risk for New Balance to introduce another lightweight, tempo trainer into their performance running lineup. Once sized correctly, the upper will accommodate most runners in its standard width. There is an optional ‘wide’ size for those who need one. The fit is on the narrow side but I think most runners will be able to wear the standard D width without any problems.The FuelCell TC is also a better tempo trainer than the Rebel. The Rebel v2 now falls into the daily training category.