New Balance FuelCell Propel v3 Review
Propel Gets Prettier (and some other upgrades)
Likes
- Secure fit
- Stylish design
- Lightweight
Dislikes
- Thin tongue
What's New
Those familiar with the New Balance FuelCell Propel can see that the shoe has had a serious glow-up in its third iteration. While it features the same plush yet responsive foam as the previous version, the Propel v3 gets a new upper with a sleeker design and more stylish colorway options than its predecessor. These changes also lead to practical improvements, including better breathability and a more secure hold of the foot. What's more, the update shaved off a little weight, at 8.9 oz for a men's size 9, compared to 9.2 oz for the same size in the previous version.
The Bottom Line
If you're a fan of soft yet springy shoes, chances are you'll dig New Balance's FuelCell line. If you're also seeking a great value do-it-all daily trainer, look no further than the New Balance FuelCell Propel v3.
This lightweight little number still retails at just under $100, an incredible deal for beginner and experienced runners alike. The Propel v3 features a high-rebound FuelCell foam midsole that delivers a responsive ride with just the right amount of comfort for daily runs. That said, this is a shoe for folks who like a little bit of ground feel and don't need maximum cushioning on their runs. Our testers felt that the Propel v3 served them best on runs of around 5 miles or less.
Finally, our testers enjoyed the secure fit of the new upper, and they especially loved how breathable it was on hot and humid summer runs. All in all, the Propel v3 is an affordable and versatile daily trainer that a variety of runners will appreciate.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 8.9 oz (size 9) | Women's: 7.7 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 30 mm (Heel), 24 mm (Forefoot) | 6 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Caroline: "The updated FuelCell Propel offers just the right balance of cushioning and responsiveness. It hits the sweet spot of being neither too firm, nor too cushioned and provides immediate, step-in comfort."
Kaleb: "The midsole has a level of softness that I really enjoyed. The foam is fantastic across all FuelCell models and having it available in a shoe listed under $100 dollars is a real treat. The Propel v3 is not plush, but the underfoot experience was pleasant and comfortable throughout my testing."
Ride/Energy Returni
Caroline: "The FuelCell midsole provides supportive cushioning and responsiveness for a lively, springy ride. The energy return was solid, and I looked forward to lacing up and hitting the road in them every single time."
Kaleb: "FuelCell foam is very bouncy, and although the Propel is not nearly as fast as the Rebel v2 or the RC Elite, it delivers quality energy return that helps you whenever you want to pick up the pace. The ride was smooth, and I think the Propel v3 is a high-value daily trainer with a lot of versatility. I thought these shoes shone on daily runs in the 5-mile range."
Underfoot Protectioni
Caroline: "There is a good amount of ground feel, but it's not uncomfortably firm or bottom heavy. The Propel has enough cushioning and versatility to support me on my daily runs and offers a propulsive feel, allowing me to speed ahead."
Kaleb: "The Propel has a stack height of 30 mm in the heel and 24 mm in the forefoot, which is a modest amount of foam in my opinion, and it creates a connected-to-the-ground feel that was really nice for shorter training runs. I wouldn't take the Propel v3 for longer, more grueling runs, but I think it's great for simple daily running. This makes the Propel v3 a perfect choice for beginner runners, especially considering the affordable price."
Flexibilityi
Caroline: "There is enough forefoot flex for a smooth ride, and I felt comfortable racking up my daily training miles in them. It suited my natural stride and allowed me to pick up the pace without any limitation. The Propel v3 is fast, bouncy, and lightweight — just solid performance all around."
Kaleb: "These shoes are highly flexible — I could fold them in half without much effort — which creates smooth and natural transitions through the gait cycle. I think the only downside was that climbing hills with a high-flex shoe put additional pressure on my heel and Achilles, which had its post-run effects. That said, this is a bit of a reach to find something wrong with the shoe, but it's something runners with Achilles or arch issues should be aware of."
Upper Supporti
Caroline: "I love, love the upper! It's lightweight, breathable and wraps around my feet perfectly. It provided a secure, structured fit in the midfoot with a comfortable hold thanks to a thinner tongue and a generous, roomier toe box, which I didn't mind. My favorite feature was the stylish mesh design that looks like beautiful lace. It looks good and feels good — what's not to love?"
Kaleb: "The Propel's engineered mesh is super lightweight and has tremendous breathability (the mesh is practically see-through). The wrap is pretty structured and offers a secure hold, as well as a decently spacious toe box. The tongue is thin and almost feels like an afterthought. It did not cause any major issues, but I needed to adjust the laces to keep them from cutting into the top of my ankle when tied down. To end on a positive note, the upper is stylish and would go well with any running kit or casual outfit"
New Balance Men's FuelCell Propel
New Balance Women's FuelCell Propel
Individual Thoughts
The New Balance FuelCell Propel v3 is your comfortable, reliable and supportive workhorse that offers a perfect balance between cushioning and responsiveness at a great price point! I loved the beautiful lace-like mesh upper design, and the fit was spot on. The upper provided a secure hold in the midfoot with plenty of room for toe splay, and I liked the thinner tongue (I'm not a fan of padded tongues in general). The reflective details were a nice touch as well. When it comes to performance, the FuelCell midsole offered a cushioned yet bouncy ride that allowed me to pick up the pace. As soon as I laced up, I was ready to hit the ground running!
Overall, the Propel v3 is a stylish, lightweight, versatile trainer with a durable rubber outsole that consistently delivers an energetic ride and outperforms similar shoes at higher price points. The design is beautiful, and I received compliments on them during my run. Sometimes simplicity is best, which is why this has become my current go-to trainer. I know I'm in for a fun ride whenever I throw it on!
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
Simply put, I like this shoe. It is well balanced underfoot with a comfortable upper that gets the job done. With the midsole's balance, I can take the Propel on nearly any everyday run, though I thought it was best for shorter, slightly uptempo efforts. I think the Propel v3 compares favorably to other everyday trainers like the Saucony Ride, Brooks Ghost, and ASICS Cumulus. That said, the shoe is relatively simple, and I do not think it is quite as protective as the shoes listed above. One of the biggest distinguishing characteristics of this shoe is that you get a lot of value for a sub-$100 price tag, which I am always a big fan of. I think the Propel v3 is a great shoe for beginner runners or anyone looking for a cheap yet highly capable daily trainer.
