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Buyer's Guide

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 Review & Sizing Guide

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Buy Rebel v4 only on heavy closeout sub-$100 if the wide platform fits your foot and the v5 isn't available [US] New Balance NB Rebel v4 98.99 USD; skip it for v5 in any case where v5 is in stock — v5 fixed every major v4 complaint per side-by-side owner reports.

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Key facts

Use case
Lightweight daily mileage if the wide platform suits your foot.
Ride
80/20 EVA/PEBA FuelCell midsole; dead-feeling per v5 reviewer; less cushion than v5.
Fit
Comically wide in standard width; very short tongue; Achilles-rub heel collar.
Status
Outclassed by Rebel v5 which is 5mm taller stack and fixed v4 issues.
Value
$98.99 closeout direct from NB <ref id="c2">official store</ref>; extra 20% off deals to ~$93.
Heavy runner note
A 250lb runner included Rebel v4 in current rotation for daily training despite v4's reputation.

Full breakdown

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 is the polarizing fourth-generation lightweight daily trainer — 80/20 EVA/PEBA FuelCell blend, comically wide standard-width platform, and a short tongue that rubbed many owners' achilles. A Rebel v5 reviewer summarized the v4 critique bluntly: he was not a fan of v4, the width felt comically wide in a standard width, the midsole felt dead, and the heel collar rubbed his Achilles I was not a fan of the Rebel v4. The width felt comically wide in a standard width, the midsole felt dead and the heel collar rubbed my Achilles. Buy it on closeout if you have wide feet that liked the v4 width; skip and buy Rebel v5 if you're new to the line.

FAQ

Should I buy Rebel v4 or wait for/buy Rebel v5?

Rebel v5 in every case where it's in stock — it fixed v4's biggest complaints. The Rebel v5 reviewer said NB rectified the fit issues that defined v4 — width, midsole feel, heel rub, short tongue — all addressed in v5 Initially upon step in, the sizing and width is fixed from the last generation. The upper fits comfortably with a heel collar that has enough padding to secure your heel. The tongue being insanely short was another issue I had with v4 that is now totally fixed. Buy v4 only on deep closeout if v5 is unavailable in your size or you specifically need the lower stack.

Is Rebel v4 worth it on closeout pricing?

Yes if you find it sub-$100 and have wide feet that liked the v4 width. NB direct dropped Rebel v4 to $98.99 with free shipping Official store, and an extra 20% off deal landed one buyer at $93.27 Out the door at $93.27 for me. At those prices it's a fine cheap daily trainer for someone who specifically wants its profile; at retail $140 it never was a good buy.

How does Rebel v4 fit?

Wide and short in the heel/tongue area per multiple v5 owners. The v5 reviewer noted the width was 'comically wide in a standard width' on v4 The width felt comically wide in a standard width. Buy true to size; if you have narrow feet, definitely skip in favor of v5.

Rebel v4 vs Rebel v5 — what changed?

Width fixed, stack height increased 5mm, tongue lengthened, heel padding improved. The v5 reviewer was specific: 'midsole appears to be the same 80/20 EVA/Peba blend that was in the v4, there is just more of it everywhere, as the stack height increased by 5mm in the heel and forefoot' there is just more of it everywhere, as the stack height increased by 5mm in the heel and forefoot. Buy v5 in every dimension that mattered — v5 works best for runners who found v4 too wide, too short in the tongue, or too dead in the midsole; skip v4 unless on deep sale.

Can I still race in Rebel v4?

Sure, but it's a daily trainer not a racer — and a heavy 250lb runner specifically uses Rebel v4 as part of a 6-shoe rotation for daily training FuelCell Rebel v4... New Balance FuelCell Propel v5. Buy v4 for casual training mileage; pick something else for race day.