New Balance Super Comp Rebel: First Look

A brand-new offering from New Balance for your fast training sessions, they have taken their super popular Rebel and added in innovative new tech and a precision engineered plate to take it from lively trainer to up-tempo monster.

Being part of the Super Comp family means you are part of New Balances fastest group of shoes, whether for race day, or the fast sessions that lead up to it, and while the brand new SC Elite v6 is still their marathon go-to shoe, the SC Rebel gives you the ideal tool for fast training sessions, daily use and all the way up to the big race.

Key Info

Price: £180

Weight: Men's 222g, Women's 175g

Stack height: 40 - 36mm

Heel offset: 4mm

Primary use: Fast training - But its super versatile

History

The rebel is now in its 5th generation, and has become an incredibly popular option for lively, up-tempo daily runs. So popular it has already spawned a trail version, now New Balance have made a plated version turning it into a super trainer for your fastest efforts.

Closer Look

The first thing I noticed about the New Balance Super Comp Rebel was how much it looks like the Super Comp Elite v6. That's no co-incidence, in many ways, the SC Rebel is as much a durable version of the SC Elite ready for daily miles, as it is a plated version of the Rebel.

It also shares the same midsole foam as the new SC Elite, instead of the FuelCell foam found in the current version of the Rebel. The A-TPU based Infinion foam, means you get similar elite race performance, with a softer, bouncier feel and a durable build that keeps delivering energy even after hundreds of miles.

Perhaps the most obvious point of difference between the Rebel and the SC Rebel, is the addition of a plate. While not a full carbon fibre plate like the one in the Elite, it will still add stiffness, especially to the forefoot, for a stable, and efficient pop of speed. The carbon infused Pebax plate sits low within the foam, meaning you get a cushioned, softer, less aggressive feel than in race orientated plated shoe like the Elite, making it ideal for workouts and long runs.

It also makes it a highly versatile option, rather than a shoe you keep back till race day, from daily miles to fast training and even race day, it's a great option if you only want one shoe to cover any type of run.

I mentioned stability earlier, and the plate will help will that, as will the deliberately wider platform. Giving a broader base to the outsole has made it surprisingly stable for a fast shoe, a plus for almost any type of runner, but especially people like me who occasionally benefit from a touch of structure in my shoes.

Conclusion

With reviewers suggesting it's one of the best shoes on the market right now, and one of the best New Balance shoes ever, the Super Comp Rebel looks sure to be a big hit, part of the reason for that is its versatility, from recovery runs right up to race day it can do the lot, another part is the stability, and a lot has to do with a foam that feels energetic, lightweight and fun. Its also known for being highly durable, so you should get plenty of miles out of each pair.

FAQ

Can it replace both your daily trainer and workout shoe?

Yes, the Super Comp Rebel could replace just about every shoe since it is exceptionally versatile.

Does it make race shoes unnecessary for most runners?

Maybe less necessary, but not unnecessary. A targeted race day shoe will deliver a more aggressive feel, which might be less durable, and ultimately a little less comfortable, but it will be lighter, and for most people faster. That said, the SC Rebel will do a great job for a lot of people.

Is this the most versatile shoe New Balance has ever made?

It might be, NB claimed that accolade went to the 1080, a premium daily milage shoe that they made much faster by using the Infinion foam found here. But the reality is, this is much lighter and faster, while still tough enough for daily miles.

What is the difference between FuelCell Rebel and SuperComp Rebel?

The big difference is the use of their new Infinion foam, coupled with the addition of a plate. The two big changes add a lot of extra speed, moving the lively Rebel into the realm of a true Super trainer with the Super Comp Rebel.

Do the new Balance FuelCell Rebels have a carbon plate?

The FuellCell Rebel does not have a plate in it; this is one of the main ways to split it from the Super Comp Rebel.