The New Balance Rebel v4 is a shoe that tempts you with lightness and dynamics. It is designed for runners who like to feel speed under their feet but do not want to compromise on comfort. It is perfect for fast training sessions, intervals and road runs. Is this the model for you? If you are looking for a shoe that makes every step springy, full of energy and safe at the same time, read on!
Basic info
Tech specs
Purpose
The New Balance Rebel v4 is a lightweight training and racing shoe that is perfect for running faster on hard surfaces. Lightweight, agile, responsive, designed for dynamic runners – from intervals and tempo runs to competitions of all distances, even marathons. It will be especially popular with lighter runners, regardless of their level, if they are looking for a daily shoe with a bit of an edge and a springy rebound.
Pros
- very good dynamic,
- smooth transition from heel to toe,
- pleasant flexibility of the midsole,
- flexible, breathable upper,
- safe “fast” shoe for less advanced runners,
- very light (in the 11% of the lightest training and racing shoes).
Cons
- Not as “fast” as carbon racing shoes.
New Balance running shoes – lineup breakdown
The Rebel v4 is one of the fastest models without a carbon plate in the New Balance range. Lightweight, dynamic and responsive – a great choice for those looking for speed without carbon fiber. Not enough? If you want even more dynamics during faster units, it’s worth taking a look at the Supercomp Trainer model – it’s a more advanced training and racing option. And at the very top is the Supercomp Elite, the most competitive racing shoe with carbon, designed for breaking personal bests.
You can find more information about faster (and slightly more versatile) models in our overview of New Balance running shoes.
| COMPETITION | TRAINING- COMPETITION | |
|---|---|---|
| maximum dynamics |  Supercomp Elite v4 |  Supercomp Trainer v3 |
| very high dynamics |  Supercomp Pacer v2 |  Rebel v4 |
| high dynamics |  Propel v5 |
New Balance Rebel v4 alternatives
The Rebel v4 can easily compete with many different models. Most of the fastest shoes on the market are designs with a plate – not always carbon – which offer even more energy return. This element can sometimes be lacking in Rebels. On the other hand, there are models without a plate, which – like the Rebel v4 – make for great dynamics and are only slightly inferior to their carbon fiber rivals in terms of “drive”. The Rebel is also one of the lightest among its competitors.
Which solution should you choose? It’s a matter of personal preference. If you’re not convinced by shoes with plates, it’s worth giving lightweight models without this technology a chance. Both approaches have their strengths and it’s worth testing them on your own feet.
You can find out more about alternatives to the Rebel v4 in the summary of training and racing shoes.
| MODEL | STACK HEIGHT (mm) | DROP (mm) | WEIGHT MEN'S (grams) | WEIGHT WOMEN'S (grams) | REGULAR PRICE (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Adizero Boston 12 | 37/30,5 | 6,5 | 267 | 227 | 160 |
| Asics Magic Speed 4 | 43,5/35,5 | 7 | 242 | 207 | 180 |
| Asics Noosa Tri 16 | 34,5/29,5 | 5 | 215 | 185 | 150 |
| Brooks Hyperion Max 2 | 36/30 | 6 | 255 | 193 | 150 |
| Diadora Frequenza 2 | 36/28 | 8 | 220 | 175 | 175 |
| Hoka Mach X 2 | 44/39 | 5 | 266 | 227 | 190 |
| New Balance Rebel v3 | 30/22 | 8 | 211 | 177 | 160 |
| Nike Zoom Fly 6 | 42/34 | 8 | 265 | 214 | 180 |
| Nike Pegasus Plus | 35/25 | 10 | 245 | 205 | 180 |
| Saucony Kinvara 15 | 36/28 | 4 | 198 | 198 | 145 |
Light cushioning – more foam, more comfort
In the Rebel v4, the FuelCell foam enriched with nitrogen does all the work. This foam is responsible for the combination of softness and responsiveness that you feel in the shoe. Compared to many fast shoes, there is not that much foam here – but there doesn’t need to be more. The midsole is moderately thick: 30 mm under the heel and 22 mm under the toes. These values place the model somewhere in the middle – neither super minimalistic nor overly cushioned. This profile keeps the weight down and provides enough comfort to run fast without putting unnecessary strain on the legs.
A lower midsole means less cushioning – and while this is enough for many runners, it won’t be ideal for everyone. The Rebel v4 is best suited to lighter people weighing up to around 85–90 kg. It makes these runners comfortable and protected without being unnecessarily ‘soft’. Heavier runners may feel that the cushioning is simply not enough, especially over longer distances. In addition, the lower and more flexible midsole may not provide them with adequate stability, especially if their running technique is not perfect.
The lack of a carbon fiber plate and the moderate thickness of the midsole are also advantages – this makes the Rebel v4 more flexible and natural when running. It is a shoe that does not impose a running style, but adapts to the runner. It is a perfect choice for light and more advanced runners, both for easy training and fast running.
An outsole like in fast shoes – light but effective
The outsole of the Rebel v4 is designed exclusively for asphalt roads and is strongly reminiscent of the Supercomp series. It is a mixture of durability, lightness and grip for fast running. That is why we find the most rubber in the front part of the midsole, where traction is most important during dynamic take-offs. It is a good direction – the front part is the most active during faster running. There is less rubber in the back part of the midsole – only two small inserts under the heel. This is a deliberate design feature that saves weight without sacrificing any of the protection during landing.
The compound itself is a plus – the rubber is grippy and slightly sticky to the touch, which translates into good traction, especially on dry surfaces. The outsole is approximately 1.1 mm deep – not much, but enough for shoes designed for fast running on hard surfaces. The Rebel v4 is not an all-terrain shoe, but it stays firmly on the ground without any surprises.
Upper – light, breathable and surprisingly spacious
The Rebel v4 upper is designed for lightness and maximum ventilation. It is thin, light and delicate. It may not be very durable if you plan to use these shoes strictly for training and intend to run 1000-1500 kilometers in them. If you are looking for materials that will last for hundreds of kilometers, this is not the place. Lightness is what rules here.
Interestingly, despite its racing nature, the upper offers space known from shoes for easy, everyday running. The measured width in the front part is 104.9 mm – this is an average result among the shoes I had the opportunity to measure. However, apart from the width, there is also a lot of space around the foot. With the right size, there is not only room to the side and in front, but also above the toes. For runners who don’t like the feeling of being “squeezed”, this is great news.
In the midfoot area, the upper provides good support without feeling too tight. Despite its lightweight design, the upper is also stiff and stable enough to keep the foot where it should be. The tongue is light and thin, matching the rest of the upper.
The heel counter has also been slimmed down, but not excessively. There is a light internal stiffener that stabilizes the heel to a sufficient degree for faster running shoes. The heel counter holds but does not restrict – it provides stability and at the same time a certain freedom of movement. The fairly wide base under the foot also provides stability. Nevertheless, as I wrote earlier, this works for light runners and at a faster pace. For a heavy runner who lands heavily on the heel and needs stability in this area, it will not be enough.
Lightness that can be felt
The Rebel v4 is a really lightweight shoe. According to the manufacturer, the men’s version weighs just 211 grams and the women’s version 177 grams. In my case, with a size 12 US, the shoe weighs 249 grams. For a training and racing model, this is a very good result – it ranks in the lightest 11% of shoes in this category.
What is important is that this lightness is not just a number on paper – you can feel it as soon as you put them on. Rebel v4 almost disappears on your foot. It does not restrict movement, it does not weigh you down, it does not remind you of itself with every step. It is the type of shoe that you “don’t feel on your feet” – and that is why it can easily compete even with typical racing shoes.
Summary
The New Balance Rebel v4 is more than noteworthy. It is a lightweight, dynamic shoe that is perfect for lighter runners looking for speed and a natural roll. It impresses with its spacious upper, good grip and responsive foam without carbon support. Cons? Not everyone will be satisfied with the cushioning, and fans of a more solid grip may not like the thin, spacious upper.
