New Balance
FuelCell Rebel Trail
New Balance's FuelCell trail shoe with a full-length Vibram Megagrip outsole, 5mm lugs and a gusseted tongue. RunRepeat found it grippy, agile and flexible, but the foam firmer and less bouncy than expected.
About the FuelCell Rebel Trail
New Balance brings its FuelCell foam off-road in the FuelCell Rebel Trail, a neutral trail shoe the brand lists for versatile, moderate terrain. It is the plate-free alternative to the carbon-plated SuperComp Trail v2, and lighter than the long-distance Hierro v9, which is built on Fresh Foam X instead.
The midsole is FuelCell foam, the same family that appears in the road FuelCell Rebel v5, and there is no rock plate. A full-length Vibram Megagrip outsole runs from heel to toe, with lugs that RunRepeat measures at 4 mm. The mesh upper is paired with a padded, semi-gusseted tongue that uses elastic gussets on both sides. The shoe weighs 289 g in a men's UK 8.5 and has a 6 mm drop. It is available in standard and wide fittings.
Specs and features from runrepeat.com and our own spec data. A factual overview, not a review.
Video reviews
Watch New Balance FuelCell Rebel Trail reviewsOpens YouTubeWhat the critics say
87/100 review score
- RunRepeat 84/100
The reviews in briefRunRepeat's Carlos Sánchez found the New Balance FuelCell Rebel Trail a compact, agile and flexible shoe with dependable Vibram Megagrip traction and enough toe room for most feet. He was less taken with the firm foam, which lacked the bounce he expected, the narrow heel's limited support and a mesh upper that struggles against abrasion.
- Positive: Vibram Megagrip outsole grips well on varied, mostly dry ground
- Positive: Secure lockdown with a roomy toe box
- Positive: Compact, agile platform with a flexible forefoot that suits runs mixed with steep hiking
- Mixed: Foam: soft and bouncy to one tester, firmer with less energy return in RunRepeat's tests
- Mixed: More ground feel than heavily cushioned trail shoes, which will not suit everyone
- Negative: Narrow heel gives limited rearfoot support
- Negative: Mesh upper looks vulnerable to abrasion
Paraphrased from published reviews. Read them in full:
Product details from SportsShoes (product details).
The numbers
- Trail
- Type
- 289 g
- Weight
- —
- Heel stack
- 6 mm
- Drop
- No plate
- Plate
- Neutral
- Support
Weight for a men's US 9 / UK 8.5. New model: figures are early and get re-checked every month.
What it feels like
Fit
True to size
Testers found it slightly short: one suggests a half size up, and RunRepeat measured a shorter than average interior with a low toe box. A wide version is available.
What Reddit runners say
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On TikTok
FuelCell Rebel Trail on TikTokShort reviews and wear tests from runnersWhere to buy the FuelCell Rebel Trail
RRP around £130. Tap through for today's price.
New Balance FuelCell Rebel Trail
In short
Worth a look if you want a nimble, grippy trail shoe for mixed terrain with more ground feel than a maximal one. RunRepeat found the foam firm and the heel narrow, so try before you buy.
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