Can I go straight from the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v1 to the FuelCell Rebel v3 and skip the FuelCell Rebel v2?

You can, but treat the FuelCell Rebel v3 as a new shoe rather than a restock. Both the FuelCell Rebel v2 and the FuelCell Rebel v3 reworked the ride, so a FuelCell Rebel v1 owner takes two character changes at once: First-generation FuelCell foam with an exaggerated lateral forefoot flare became Nitrogen-infused FuelCell foam on a wider platform.

How much did the weight change across these two updates?

0.2 oz on in total, 7.2 oz to 7.4 oz in a men's US 9. Almost all of it came in the second update; the FuelCell Rebel v2 weighed 7.3 oz.

Is the FuelCell Rebel v2 the better buy than either of these?

On paper it splits them: 7.3 oz against 7.2 oz for the FuelCell Rebel v1 and 7.4 oz for the FuelCell Rebel v3, on a 26 mm heel and a $130 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the FuelCell Rebel v2 update actually did, which the section above works through.

Did the FuelCell Rebel get taller between the FuelCell Rebel v1 and the FuelCell Rebel v3?

Heel stack went 24 mm to 27.5 mm, by way of 26 mm on the FuelCell Rebel v2. Drop held at 6 mm throughout, so the extra foam sits under both ends.

Where does the FuelCell Rebel v3 sit in the FuelCell Rebel lineup now?

Two versions on from the FuelCell Rebel v1, and already replaced itself: the FuelCell Rebel v4 arrived in 2024. If you are shopping old stock anyway, price the FuelCell Rebel v3 against it before deciding.

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v1 vs FuelCell Rebel v3

Two versions apart. Updated October 14, 2026. Specs are men's US 9.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

Two updates and 3 years separate the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v1 from the FuelCell Rebel v3. Net change: 0.2 oz heavier, 3.5 mm more heel stack, a new midsole. Both updates in between reworked the ride, so the FuelCell Rebel v3 is two character changes away from what you own.

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3Sizes running outMen's at Amazon Women's

Availability last checked Oct 14, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.

FuelCell Rebel v1 · 2019

FuelCell Rebel v3 · 2022

The two updates in between

Each step has its own page with the full change list and the verdict on that update.

Step 1FuelCell Rebel v1 to FuelCell Rebel v22021Changed character
FuelCell Rebel v1 vs v2 What replaced the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v1?
Step 2FuelCell Rebel v2 to FuelCell Rebel v32022A different shoe
FuelCell Rebel v2 vs v3 What replaced the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v2?

FuelCell Rebel v1 vs FuelCell Rebel v3: every spec, side by side

The net of both updates. Per-update change notes stay on the step pages above, because they explain changes measured from a different starting point than this table uses.

Spec	FuelCell Rebel v1	FuelCell Rebel v3
FIT AND WEIGHT
Weight	7.2 oz	7.4 oz
Widths	D	D, 2E
Upper	Socklike Trace Fiber knit upper	Structured engineered mesh with a gusseted tongue
CUSHIONING GEOMETRY
Heel stack	24 mm	27.5 mm
Forefoot stack	18 mm	21.5 mm
Drop	6 mm	6 mm
MATERIALS
Midsole	First-generation FuelCell foam with an exaggerated lateral forefoot flare	Nitrogen-infused FuelCell foam on a wider platform
VALUE
List price at launch	$130	$130

Or buy the FuelCell Rebel v2 instead?

The FuelCell Rebel v2 is worth a look only if you want the ride it introduced, because that is the update that changed the shoe. Buying it to soften the jump does not work: you would be adapting to the same change either way, just at an older spec.

Buy the FuelCell Rebel v2

Sizes running out

Discontinued at retail. Amazon carries what remains, so treat an in-stock size as a closing window, and expect prices to swing.

Men's: Check remaining stock Women's: Check remaining stock

Availability last checked Oct 14, 2026.

Questions runners ask

Can I go straight from the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v1 to the FuelCell Rebel v3 and skip the FuelCell Rebel v2?: You can, but treat the FuelCell Rebel v3 as a new shoe rather than a restock. Both the FuelCell Rebel v2 and the FuelCell Rebel v3 reworked the ride, so a FuelCell Rebel v1 owner takes two character changes at once: First-generation FuelCell foam with an exaggerated lateral forefoot flare became Nitrogen-infused FuelCell foam on a wider platform.
How much did the weight change across these two updates?: 0.2 oz on in total, 7.2 oz to 7.4 oz in a men's US 9. Almost all of it came in the second update; the FuelCell Rebel v2 weighed 7.3 oz.
Is the FuelCell Rebel v2 the better buy than either of these?: On paper it splits them: 7.3 oz against 7.2 oz for the FuelCell Rebel v1 and 7.4 oz for the FuelCell Rebel v3, on a 26 mm heel and a $130 list price. Whether that is worth chasing depends on what the FuelCell Rebel v2 update actually did, which the section above works through.
Did the FuelCell Rebel get taller between the FuelCell Rebel v1 and the FuelCell Rebel v3?: Heel stack went 24 mm to 27.5 mm, by way of 26 mm on the FuelCell Rebel v2. Drop held at 6 mm throughout, so the extra foam sits under both ends.
Where does the FuelCell Rebel v3 sit in the FuelCell Rebel lineup now?: Two versions on from the FuelCell Rebel v1, and already replaced itself: the FuelCell Rebel v4 arrived in 2024. If you are shopping old stock anyway, price the FuelCell Rebel v3 against it before deciding.