What replaced the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v1?
Updated October 14, 2026. Specs are men's US 9.
Amazon links on this page pay us a commission. It never changes your price. Details
THE SHORT ANSWER
The Rebel v2 replaced the original in April 2021 at the same $130 price. New Balance added 2 mm of foam front and back, softened the FuelCell compound, made the platform dramatically more flexible, and replaced the dense knit upper. It turned an interesting but firm first attempt into the breakout Rebel people still talk about.
- New Balance FuelCell Rebel v2Sizes running outMen's at AmazonWomen's
Availability last checked Oct 14, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.
At a glance
- Weight is unchanged
- 2 mm more heel stack
- Drop is unchanged at 6 mm
- New midsole foam
Every spec side by side, with the reason behind each change: FuelCell Rebel v1 vs v2.
Stay on your shoe, or switch?
Changed characterThe v2 is where the Rebel found its identity. It kept the original's low weight and 6 mm geometry, then traded the firm, flared platform for an exceptionally soft and flexible ride that could jog, surge, or race. The tradeoffs were real: limited stability, exposed foam, and a tendency to feel spent early. Even so, this is the version every later Rebel gets compared with.
Stick with the FuelCell Rebel v1 if
- You want the firmer, more structured original; the v2 is much softer and less stable
- You rely on the original's lateral forefoot flare to keep you moving straight
Old stock is gone; see alternatives below.
Move to the FuelCell Rebel v2 if
- You want the Rebel people fell in love with: light, soft, flexible, and genuinely fun
- The original upper felt dense or the ride felt too firm for daily miles
Where the New Balance FuelCell Rebel is now
Four generations separate the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v1 from the FuelCell Rebel v5 (2025), so the gap is wider than any single update suggests:
- The FuelCell Rebel v5 is 0.7 oz heavier
- 11 mm more heel stack
- Drop is unchanged at 6 mm
- New midsole foam
- List price up $10
What loyalists said about the update
A breakout favorite and, for many runners, the high point of the series. Reviewers repeatedly put it on 2021 best-of lists for its effortless bounce and versatility. The dissent was equally consistent: the narrow, flexible platform could feel unstable, the outsole and upper wore quickly, and heavier runners sometimes compressed the soft foam too easily.
Still want the original?
Buy remaining FuelCell Rebel v1 stock
Old stock goneAmazon's stock of the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v1 is gone in both men's and women's sizes, and discontinued stock does not come back. The best current match is the Saucony Kinvara 16.
Ready to move on?
Beyond the FuelCell Rebel v2, these come closest to what the FuelCell Rebel v1 did.
- 7 oz
- 4 mm drop
- 29 mm heel
- $130 list
The Kinvara is the lower, firmer traditionalist in the same unplated fast-trainer lane. It is lighter and $10 cheaper with a 4 mm drop; the Rebel v5 supplies 6 mm more heel cushion and a softer, bouncier ride.
Against your New Balance FuelCell Rebel v1: 0.2 oz lighter, 5 mm more heel stack, 2 mm less drop.
- 7.9 oz
- 5 mm drop
- 37 mm heel
- $145 list
The Mach is the closest modern rival: nearly the same weight, price, and daily-plus-tempo job. Its 5 mm rockered platform feels snappier and more directed; the Rebel is softer, more flexible, and roomier up front.
Against your New Balance FuelCell Rebel v1: 0.7 oz heavier, 13 mm more heel stack, 1 mm less drop, $15 more at list.
- 7.8 oz
- 8 mm drop
- 39 mm heel
- $175 list
The Endorphin Speed is the plated step up for long workouts: more stack, an 8 mm drop, and $35 more at list. The Rebel keeps the natural flex and works better when a plate feels unnecessary on ordinary miles.
Against your New Balance FuelCell Rebel v1: 0.6 oz heavier, 15 mm more heel stack, 2 mm more drop, $45 more at list.
New Balance FuelCell Rebel vs Saucony Endorphin Speed, side by side
Questions runners ask
- Is the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v1 still available?
- No. Amazon's stock of the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v1 is gone in both men's and women's sizes, and old-model stock does not come back. Your move is the successor or a close alternative.
- Is the FuelCell Rebel v2 a downgrade from the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v1?
- Not a downgrade, but a different shoe. The FuelCell Rebel v2 scores well with new buyers while changing the ride that New Balance FuelCell Rebel v1 loyalists bought it for. Read the spec changes before assuming it will feel familiar.
- Is the New Balance FuelCell Rebel still made?
- Yes. The current version is the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5, released in 2025, 4 versions on from the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v1.
- What is the closest current alternative to the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v1?
- The Saucony Kinvara 16. The Kinvara is the lower, firmer traditionalist in the same unplated fast-trainer lane. It is lighter and $10 cheaper with a 4 mm drop; the Rebel v5 supplies 6 mm more heel cushion and a softer, bouncier ride.