First look – the New Balance FuelCell Rebel – Runner’s World (UK)

At their global launch last week, New Balance revealed a line of new running shoes, inspired by their new FuelCell technology. Built to power up your run, the New Balance design team have looked at every element of our simple sport in minute detail, with the goal of making both the elite and the everyday runner faster.

The launch focused on the launch of the FuelCell 5280 – a racing flat for the streets, but also unveiled the three new shoes in the FuelCell collection – the Rebel, the Propel and the Echo, coming later this year. We sat down to chat with Kevin Fitzpatrick – General Manager for Performance Running and Training at New Balance, before heading out on the run in the new FuelCell Rebel.

What’s the difference between the four shoes in the FuelCell range?

The new FuelCell line features the highest rebound properties of any New Balance performance foam to date. The goal here is to make your fastest 5K, 10K or even marathon time even faster, but how? The FuelCell platform features four shoes:

FuelCell 5280:

A speed shoe without spikes, built with a multidirectional carbon fibre plate, designed to flex and accept the runner at initial contact, and stiffen for superior propulsion at toe-off. The midsole features the New Balance performance foam and the Hypoknit upper allows for a high level of support where needed. When we asked Fitzgerald about the design process, he told Runner’s World, “the whole idea first and foremost was to build a racing spike for the road. I think the best thing that came out of this project is this new high rebound foam, that you can see across the range. It’s really not a shoe that’s for everybody, in fact, it’s a shoe that’s built for very few runners.” The shoe will cost runners around £200.

FuelCell Rebel:

While the 5280 certainly isn’t suited to most runners, the Rebel is made for the everyday runner who wants to go fast. Featuring FuelCell technology in the forefoot to create a high-rebound, but lightweight running experience. Fitzpatrick adds, “the Rebel is probably the most pure form of the 5280. It takes a lot of the learnings of the launch angle, the landing and the traction pattern and brings it to a much more accessible running shoe. It features the FuelCell in the forefoot and then it’s cradled with a might lighter weight, firmer foam. The idea with this shoe is to take as much weight out of it as possible. It’s a hard wearing shoe, great for up-tempo workout days, and also an excellent shoe for any race day.” The shoe will cost runners £120, and will be launched on Global Running Day (5 June 2019).

FuelCell Propel:

An everyday running shoe with a larger amount of foam for a springy, responsive ride, this shoe will go fast when you want it to, but also be comfortable on an easy jog. Designed to be comfortable, as Fitzpatrick explains, “the big idea of the Propel was to take the innovative high rebound foam and really bring it through the length of the shoe. We know the foam is a little bit heavier, so we sacrifice weight a little, but it just gives the runner that’s looking to go fast a really bouncy ride. This shoe has an unbelievable underfoot experience – the rebound you get from them is incredible.” The Propel is designed with a Trace Fibre upper for support, and an NDurance outsole. It will cost runners £100, and will be launched in August.

FuelCell Echo:

As Fitzpatrick explains, “the most commercial of the FuelCell shoes is the Echo. The idea behind this shoe is New Balance’s association with speed and racing. In the Echo, we wanted to really fuze this FuelCell technology with high performance and fashion. We took a look back into the history books of New Balance racing, and bring some nods to the past into a modern, everyday, more casual shoe.” It will be released in September, costing £100, and there will be a special, limited edition colourway in the New Balance TCS New York City Marathon collection.

What about stability shoes?

One of the first things we noticed about the range is the lack of stability options. Fitzgerald acknowledges this, telling Runner’s World, “the way that we’ve shaped our midsole in some senses guides the runner in and keeps them on the right form for as long as possible. We really believe that gone are the days that a runner comes in and buys one shoe and uses it for every workout and every race day.

“We’ve already got our FreshFoam platform for long distance runners, or for runners to wear on their easy runs, or to feel a little bit fresher. The FuelCell is all about those days where you want to go faster, or run a hard 5K or your fastest marathon. Sure, we’re always looking at how we provide stability, but we’re doing it without traditional methods, that have sometimes looked at overcorrecting a runner’s overpronation.”

Christian Brecheis

How do the FuelCell Rebel’s feel on the run?

Our first thoughts? These definitely aren’t shoes for easy runs. The design of the shoe is super lightweight and even when walking around in them at the launch, they feel responsive and fast. Weighing 208g, the shoe has a 6mm drop and is designed for a springy toe off.

We put these to the test hours after receiving them, on a short run around Brooklyn. Setting out at what felt like nine minute miles, on heavy legs two weeks after the London Marathon, I was shocked to look down at my watch and see it was more like 7.30’s. A day later, over 13.1 miles at the Popular Brooklyn Half Marathon, they still retained that fast feel, although they felt a lot firmer ten miles into the run than the Adidas Solarboost I’d planned to wear.

The bootie, sock-like construction of the upper is designed to let the runner feel like the shoe is part of their foot. It definitely fits well and kept the foot in place. The shoes feel light and nimble on the run, that said, the firmness of the FuelCell definitely won’t be for everyone.