Featured
- Precision engineered propulsion plate
- Infinion foam
- FANTOMFIT technology
ON THE RUN
Kristi: I’ll admit it: before the SuperComp Rebel v1, I had never really used a super trainer. So I wasn’t entirely sure what I was supposed to feel when I first laced these up. Was I expecting a race shoe? A cushioned daily trainer? Something stiff and awkward in between? What I got was something that felt surprisingly fun and the best way I can describe it is: the SC Rebel v1 is a reverse mullet. Business in the heel, party in the forefoot.
The heel is all business. There’s plenty of cushioning underfoot, and the 40mm heel gives the shoe a comfortable, protected landing without feeling like you’re running on a giant marshmallow. The Infinion foam has a nice combination of bounce and support, so easy miles still feel comfortable. For a first-time super trainer user, that was probably the biggest surprise: all that cushioning doesn’t make the shoe feel slow or clunky.
Then you get to the forefoot and the party starts.
The front of the shoe feels noticeably more energetic and snappy. The rocker and plate work together to create a quick, springy transition that makes you want to pick up the pace. It has that feeling where you finish one stride and immediately want to take the next one a little faster. The forefoot doesn't feel harsh or overly stiff; instead, it gives you a satisfying snap right when you need it.
Jacob: When I first started getting into longer distance running, one of my first ever plated trainers I wore was the New Balance SC Trainer v1. I loved the cushioning, the pop, the speed that it provided me on my run. V2 was even better for me, with a better fitting upper material. I even ran my first marathon in them! Then v3 came out, and I started to see a decline. A firmer cushioning that did not aid itself well to the plate, along with an awkward fit led to me exploring other options. So when the SC Rebel arrived, I was hesitantly excited. It was like having your favorite show get rebooted and being nervous if it’s going to be any good. I am happy to report that this is a good reboot and a return to form for New Balance.
THE FIT
Kristi: The fit is like the best party dress you own. The kind that looks amazing the moment you put it on, but somehow stays comfortable the entire night. You don’t spend the evening thinking about it, adjusting it, or wishing you had changed into something else. You just enjoy the party.
Before even getting into the run, the fit immediately stood out. The upper feels seamless and dialed in, especially for my narrow foot. There’s no sloppy extra space in the toe box, which I really appreciate as someone who usually swims in wider fits. The material is also breathable, so even on warmer runs my feet never felt trapped or overheated. And most importantly, there’s no side-to-side movement at all. It is just a secure, locked-in feel that made me forget about the shoe entirely once I started running.
Jacob: The fit is like a glove! The Fantomfit upper that New Balance has used in their speed shoes is present here, and keeps me locked and loaded. I would say this shoe fits a bit on the slim side, but it’s not a turnoff. I would recommend sizing up a half size in these though. I wear a size 10.5 but felt my toes hitting the end right away. But going up to a size 11 worked great without making the shoe feel sloppy or too long.
THE FEEL
Kristi: What really defines this shoe, though, is its dual personality. It has a cushioned, protective heel that feels smooth and forgiving on landing, paired with a snappy, responsive forefoot that wants to move. The heel is all business. It is soft, stable, and confidence-inspiring while the front end is pure energy. It almost feels like the shoe is gently guiding you toward a midfoot strike, then immediately rewarding you for it by encouraging you to push the pace.
Jacob: The cushioning was the biggest update to this shoe. New Balance took their newest foam “Infinion” and added a carbon infused plate. I was not the biggest fan of Infinion when it debuted in the 1080, but it feels like it was waiting for some sort of plate to help liven up the party. Adding the carbon infused plate not only adds more structure, but also gives that extra pop underfoot that I love. What makes this shoe special, however, is the location of the plate. The plate sits right above the outsole of the shoe, adding extra structure to each landing. You really feel that pop on the plate now! I feel like this is a design that will be copied in the future by other brands to help their speed shoes.
THE NITTY GRITTY
Kristi: I would genuinely use this shoe for race day, speed sessions, or even long runs where I want to keep things honest. It has purpose. It doesn’t just carry you through mileage. It shifts your mindset. Compared to something like the New Balance Rebel v5, which feels more like a relaxed mileage companion, the SC Rebel v1 actively pulls you toward faster running. The v5 says, “Let’s just get the miles in.” The v1 says, “Let’s see how fast those miles can be.”
Jacob: This could be a decent “do it all” shoe, but I think this is a great speed shoe or even a lower price race day option. One of my first runs in this shoe was for a local 5k, and I enjoyed that race day pep with a bit more structure. This shoe will really shine in the longer runs, specifically half/full marathon distances, thanks to the soft and stable landing and lightweight design. Comparing this shoe to the SC Trainer it’s replacing, it cuts the weight significantly, fits better, and feels more lively for faster runs. I’d compare this directly to shoes like the Sonicblast 2, Endorphin Speed 5, and Rocket x3
THE RUNDOWN
Kristi: My first few runs were basically an introduction to what a super trainer can do: cushion your landing, keep the ride lively, and then give you a little extra encouragement when you decide to turn up the pace.
If this is what super trainers are supposed to feel like, I’m officially a fan. The SC Rebel v1 gives me the comfort and protection I want in the back, with the responsive, snappy personality I want up front. It’s a true dual personality shoe. It is cushioned and calm in the heel, lively and fast in the forefoot. It doesn’t just support your run, it directs it. Business in the heel, party in the forefoot. And somehow, the mullet works.
Jacob: The “SC” in SC Rebel stands for SuperComp, but I think it should stand for “Seriously Celeritous” (there aren’t a lot of fast words that start with C, so enjoy the vocab lesson). New Balance hit it out of the park with this shoe! Mostly everything was an upgrade to the previous line, and will be a versatile shoe for training/racing. The only change I’d make is having it fit more true to size, but outside of that, full points.
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