On the forefoot, the rubber panel is different and it makes the ride firmer. There are no longer triangular cutouts in the rubber so the squishy foam can’t push through the holes when the forefoot is loaded. New Balance men’s running shoes are renowned for their sleek designs, lightweight materials and supreme cushioning. For something better suited to long-distance running, opt for the 880, which features a breathable mesh FantomFit upper with a no-sew overlay engineered for ultra-light support.

The Liberate Nitro is also lighter and delivers similar performance benefits, thanks to the soft and responsive Nitro foam. The lightweight upper has a deconstructed, racer-like fit for high-speed training.The Rebel v2’s midsole is highly compressible which makes it one of the softest shoes I’ve tested all year. It doesn’t have a lot of cushioning depth compared to a 1080v11 or a Clifton 7 but the foam feels more squishy. There is a small amount of padding around the collar and the heel but overall it’s a really minimal, light upper. The cushy properties of the foam are easily accessible at any speed without any mushiness. The lightweight foam is lively as it gets. A 10 min/mile (6 min/km) pace feels just as doable as a spirited 7 min/mile (4:30 min/km) speed. Over longer distances, the 204 gram/7.2-ounce weight makes for easy wear. The Rebel is easily capable of going half-marathon distances and beyond. The FuelCell TC is also a better tempo trainer than the Rebel. The Rebel v2 now falls into the daily training category. 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.

The first thing that everyone should know about the Rebel V2’s upper is that it fits small. If you usually size into a US 9, then the appropriate size for the Rebel should be US 9.5. The Rebel v3 has a similar mesh to version 2 but it’s not as translucent. It has a rough texture and doesn’t stretch so it feels more like a racing shoe upper than a training one. Breathability is excellent and overall comfort is very good. Our favorite plate-cushioned racer continues to the Saucony Endorphin Speed V2 because of the value it offers at the price. IS THE NEW BALANCE FUELCELL REBEL V2 DURABLE? The outsole isn’t much to look at. The rubber slabs are thin and soft, thus allowing them to bend whenever the midsole does. DPT/Footwear Science: A (Foam is new, and taking something so soft and making it functional is neat to see with the mechannics of the shoe)The only weakness of the Rebel v2 is that its outsole areas which aren’t covered with rubber get chewed up by the ground so I don’t expect durability to be good.

Stability: B- (For a shoe this soft, you'd expect a C or lower on stability, but the flaring and ribbing bring it to moderate stability for a neutral shoe) Matt: "The upper on the Rebel v2 is great. It is a thin mesh that holds my foot snuggly and comfortably. Underfoot, this shoe is not as stable as other models, but the soft and structured upper gave me the confidence to use the Rebel v2 no matter which runs I was going on." I took the Rebel v2 on a 40 kilometre run on two occasions and its performance was excellent. It provided plenty of long-distance comfort and my legs felt great by the end of the runs. You could easily run a full marathon in the Rebel v2. Given the unpredictable durability outcome, we think that the New Balance Fuelcell 2 will last anywhere between 100 to 500 miles, with 250 miles being the median. THE UPPER DESIGN AND FIT

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v2 Upper Unit

The tongue is flat, wide and not gusseted. There is some downward tongue slide during runs but no lateral tongue slide. It has small holes punched into it to increase air flow and cool your foot down. This is a shoe meant for tempo runs, so the forefoot has a snug fit that prevents the foot from sliding. If you thought that New Balance was only going to make minor changes to the second iteration of the Rebel, you’ll be in for a surprise. The Rebel v2 has been revamped with a brand new upper, midsole and outsole.

The Rebel is a running shoe designed for runners who love soft-riding shoes. The juicy slab of FuelCell midsole foam compresses so much and so easily, even if you’re a light runner below 60 kilograms. The Pegasus Turbo was a one-of-a-kind lightweight trainer because it was super soft and really versatile. Hoka Mach 4 - Hoka's big drop of 2021 so far, the Mach 4 has been a versatile trainer for many, shining particularly in uptempo work. This is due to the lateral “wing” which flares out at the midfoot and forefoot and pushes your foot inward. This “wing” is not as prominent as on the Rebel V1 but it still results in medial side lean bias. Most lightweight trainers have a firm ride which makes them only suitable for short, fast runs but the Pegasus Turbo could be used for longer runs as well as short, tempo ones.

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 fit is on the narrow side but I think most runners will be able to wear the standard D width without any problems.