New Balance FuelCell Rebel Trail

The New Balance FuelCell Rebel Trail takes the spirit of the Rebel line, which works so well in the FuelCell Rebel v5, beyond the tarmac with an agile, responsive and versatile approach. It stands as the Boston brand's more dynamic alternative to the Fresh Foam X Hierro v9, which is designed for piling up miles with generous cushioning. The Rebel Trail is not a lugged version of its road counterpart: it is a trail shoe with its own personality, closer to what the Summit Unknown was than to a simple "door-to-trail" shoe.

The chassis is built from a single injection-moulded piece of FuelCell PEBA+EVA foam, denser and firmer than that of the aforementioned Rebel v5 to gain stability on uneven ground. The multi-layer upper combines a tough outer mesh with a more comfortable inner layer, 3D-printed overlays and a Toe Protect toe cap to fend off rocks and roots. The tongue is joined to the sides by perforated elastic and has a central TPU pull tab that protects the instep, while the heel counter holds firmly without feeling aggressive.

The full-length Vibram Megagrip outsole with Traction Lug and 5 mm lugs is the model's strong point. The inverted chevron pattern on the tread pushes dirt and stones to the sides, improves traction on steep descents and sheds mud better than most similar models. Ideal for light to medium-weight neutral runners looking for a fast, secure shoe for intervals, short races and technical mountain training.