New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 running shoe review – opinion, price, comparison, who it is recommended for

New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 running shoe upper

The upper of the New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 running shoe is made from engineered mesh that is thin but densely woven. Because of the dense weave, its breathability is not outstanding, but it is not poor either. The upper is reinforced by a bonded layer made up of continuous strips. This is New Balance’s FantomFit technology, which is designed to remain lightweight while contributing significantly to precise and secure foot lockdown.

The upper has a narrow fit, although a wide version is available in some markets. It is not only narrow, but also low in the toe box. It fits true to size in terms of length, but because of the narrower shape it may be worth buying one size larger. The midfoot is snug and holds the foot well, while the heel area widens.

The tongue is thin and minimally padded, but it protects the instep well from lace pressure. The tongue is attached on both sides and also has a lace loop at the top, so it stays in place and does not move during running.

The heel collar is only minimally reinforced, flexible on the sides, with moderate stiffness noticeable at the rear. The heel collar is also minimally padded, but it is comfortable and wraps the foot well.

The thin internal insole is removable and is not glued into the shoe. The midsole uses only minimal sidewalls and does not rise high around the upper.

The upper of the New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 running shoe is clearly optimized for performance, but it can still be described as comfortable, albeit slightly snug.

New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 running shoe midsole

The midsole of the New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 running shoe consists of two layers. The midsole is made from InfiniOn foam, but it only shares its name with the InfiniOn foam found in the New Balance 1080v15 running shoe, because this is an aliphatic TPU made using a supercritical process, in other words A-TPU foam, which New Balance also uses in its racing shoe, the Supercomp Elite V6. It is not as soft and sink-in as the foam in the 1080v15, it rebounds quickly after compression, feels dynamic and bouncy, and does not lose its responsiveness even on longer runs. The midsole contains a carbon-plastic carbon-composite plate, which is more flexible than a carbon plate but contributes significantly to both dynamics and stability. The Energy Arc plate is curved like a spoon, positioned at the top of the lower 1/3 of the midsole at the rear and at the bottom of the midsole at the front, directly above the outsole, so it provides a completely different sensation at the forefoot than at the heel. It is less noticeable at the rear, while at the front it clearly feels rigid and firm. When landing on the heel, it is not intrusive even at slower paces, but at the front it is clearly best suited to faster running and feels very firm at low intensity.

According to the official specifications, the midsole is 40 mm high at the heel and 36 mmm at the front, so its 4 mm drop is lower than average, although it feels greater while running and does not produce the typical sensation of a low-drop shoe. The geometry is not as extreme as in a racing shoe. The midsole is narrower than average, though not as narrow as in a dedicated racing shoe. The forefoot rocker starts early and relatively aggressively, and the plate maintains this shape, which makes transitions very fast in the shoe. The longitudinal cutout underneath the midsole, which runs from the heel to the middle of the sole, divides the heel into two sections. These provide good support on both sides and improve the shoe’s torsional flexibility. This is necessary because while the forefoot is stable thanks to the plate running close to the ground, the heel section cannot be described as equally stable.

The midsole construction clearly favors faster, tempo-oriented running and provides the greatest benefit if you land on the forefoot. At lower intensities it feels firm; when landing on the heel it provides very good cushioning, but it is less stable. The SuperComp Rebel v1 can therefore be a good choice for faster workouts or even racing.

New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 running shoe outsole

The outsole of the New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 running shoe is segmented and does not cover the entire midsole. There are only two smaller rubber sections in the heel, placed on the areas exposed to the greatest wear. This allows the two separate sections of the midsole at the rear to move independently. The forefoot has a larger outsole coverage to provide the traction needed for toe-off and directional changes. The small cutouts are primarily there to reduce weight and do not compromise traction.

The outsole provides very good grip on both dry and wet surfaces, delivering the level of traction offered by most racing shoes.

The outsole is thinner than average, but not as thin as those used on racing shoes. Its abrasion resistance is surprisingly good, especially considering that the rubber compound feels softer. Its durability can therefore be considered good. It is more durable than the outsole of a racing shoe, although still not as durable as the outsole of a general daily training shoe.

What is it like to run in the New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1?

Cushioning and midsole

The midsole of the New Balance Supercomp Rebel v1 running shoe provides particularly high cushioning. The midsole itself is also tall, measuring 40 mm at the heel and, thanks to the low drop, still 36 mm at the forefoot. The midsole also provides outstanding energy return, which is further enhanced by the carbon-composite plate.

Stability and guidance

The New Balance Supercomp Rebel v1 is a neutral running shoe, but it provides very good stability. This is partly because the midsole is wider than average, partly because the plate makes it more rigid, and also because the midsole wraps up around the upper. The low drop primarily encourages a forefoot strike.

Upper and comfort

The New Balance Supercomp Rebel v1 has a lighter, thinner upper that still provides good foot lockdown. It has good breathability, making it a good option in summer as well. Padding is minimal and the upper is clearly optimized for performance, but it is not uncomfortable.

Ground contact and traction

Because the New Balance Supercomp Rebel v1 has a low 4 mm drop, it primarily encourages a forefoot strike. Accordingly, the outsole also covers a larger area in this section, providing very good traction on both dry and wet surfaces.

Pace and dynamics

The New Balance Supercomp Rebel v1 is a particularly dynamic and fast running shoe. The low weight and advanced midsole foam combined with a carbon-composite plate give the shoe high energy-return capability.

Long runs vs. tempo vs. training

The New Balance Supercomp Rebel v1 clearly shows its strengths during faster runs, even over longer distances. It is primarily designed for fast workouts, but it is fast enough to race in as well, although there are faster shoes available, even within the New Balance range. Because of the plate it feels firm, but not as firm as a carbon-plated shoe. On shorter, lower-intensity runs its stiffness is not especially noticeable, but on longer, lower-intensity runs it can feel too firm.

Who is the New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 running shoe recommended for – and who is it not for?

The New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 running shoe is recommended if you are looking for a fast and lightweight running shoe. It is recommended if you want a running shoe with good breathability for your faster workouts that you can also use in summer or at the gym.

The New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 running shoe is not recommended if you are looking for a highly padded running shoe with a comfortable upper for lower-intensity runs. It is not recommended if you are a beginner, as the shoe is too firm for that, and it is also not recommended if you do not like low-drop running shoes or if your lower-leg muscles are not sufficiently strong.

How is the New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 running shoe different from the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 running shoe.

These two shoes belong to two different worlds and are not alternatives to each other. Both shoes have lightweight, airy, minimally padded uppers, but the FuelCell rebel v5 has a wider upper in its standard-width version.

The real difference is in the midsole. The Fuelcell Rebel v5 midsole measures 35 mm at the heel and 39 mm at the front, while the Supercomp Rebel v1 measures 40 mm at the heel and 36 mm at the front. The midsoles of the two shoes are made from different foams. FuelCell uses an EVA – PEBA foam blend, while SuperComp infiniOn is an A-TPU foam that is lighter, more dynamic and has better energy-return properties. This is further enhanced by the carbon-plastic composite plate in the midsole. The Fuelcell Rebel V5 midsole is versatile, works well at lower intensity, does not have high torsional rigidity and can also be used for faster running, while the Supercomp Rebel v1 midsole is less comfortable at low intensity, has higher torsional rigidity, but is significantly faster.

The outsole rubber compound is also different. The Supercomp has a harder, thinner and lighter outsole with better abrasion resistance, while also offering better traction.

Alternatives to the New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 running shoe – comparison

Is there a difference between the men’s and women’s New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 running shoe?

The women’s New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 does not differ structurally from the men’s version. An important difference is that the men’s standard version is D width and the wide version is 2E, while the women’s standard version is B width and the wide version is D. This means that at the same length, the standard women’s version has a narrower fit. The weight difference therefore comes not only from the difference in size length, but also from the difference in width – the official 175-gram weight of the women’s New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 running shoe is measured in EU 37,5, while the men’s version is measured in EU 43