New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 Review

Let's cut to the chase. The New Balance SuperComp Rebel is a stellar shoe when used as a longer-effort performance trainer. It gives athletes an efficiency boost that's usually only found in "true" super shoes, alongside the cushion and comfort needed for daily wear and tear.

The Infinion superfoam has a plush element and feels good underfoot, but it responds well and bounces back appreciably when we put pace and force into the shoe. It feels best at tempo-range, more energetic paces, but it doesn’t punish you outright at slower paces. You can feel the energy potential under your feet when going slower, almost asking to go faster, but it’s not uncomfortable or awkward like some other speed trainers feel at slower paces.

The outsole is minimal and provides good traction. Combined with the light upper and midsole, the overall feeling of the shoe is blissfully light on foot.

The shoe does feel like it has a maximum speed capacity, with the toe rocker activating early and dramatically, but then staying a little bit lower than we would have liked for faster-than-5k efforts. The shoe also felt like it had a maximum range capacity, with the rigidity of the plate feeling less than ideal past the 15-mile mark. But, again, for workouts or uptempo mileage where you are in the shoe's comfort zone, we found the shoes to be exceptional.

One final note is the durability of the carbon-infused plate. While most of us didn't experience any issues, Cameron experienced significant scuffing on the plate of his right shoe. He's a heel striker who tends to come down harder on the right side due to a stiff left ankle, so if you tend to load a lot of weight and/or energy on one foot versus the other, this may be something to keep in mind. That said, the plate itself is still performing well at the time of this review.

Underfoot, the New Balance SuperComp Rebel has a fantastic, bouncy ride, with the cushioning being one of our favorite aspects of the shoe. There's a fun factor there, and the shoe successfully avoids feeling overly soft or mushy. While the plate feels ever-present, the overall underfoot sensation is comfy and pleasant.

The heel collar and tongue are streamlined but maintain an upscale feeling, with enough padding for comfort without adding extra weight. The tongue has a thin, flat layer of padding that is just right and offers a minimal yet effective barrier between your foot and the laces. The rest of the upper is light and breathable, with enough hold to secure the foot without being too stiff.

One of the few knocks we had against the comfort is the constant energy potential underfoot that we mentioned as a performance positive, so take this with a grain of salt. While that need for speed didn't cause any discomfort during easy runs, we could feel the shoe constantly asking to go faster. For TRUE easy runs, some of us noted that sensation wasn't our favorite. But again, the combo of softness and responsiveness underfoot makes for a protective and comfortable experience, and the SuperComp Rebels still work well enough on those easy days. It's just a trade-off worth noting.

Our team came away a little bit divided about the fit of the SuperComp Rebel. Universally, we experienced minimal chafing or heel slippage. The shoes felt snug in all the right places, especially through the midfoot while still giving us a nice amount of room in the toe box (for a fast shoe), as some of us prefer. Ultimately, the volume and width feel true to size for a performance trainer.

However, two of our testers found length-based pain points in the shoes. Grace found the SuperComp Rebels to run just a touch short and would have preferred to size up from her standard size 9 to a 9.5. Lia noted a small blister that formed on her third toe during one of her longer runs, but it would not deter her from keeping the shoe in rotation, nor would she want to size up.

"I found the Megablast to feel taut underfoot. It’s quick, but it doesn't have the sink-in, high-bounce feel of the SC Rebel v1. Both shoes are great for long runs that are a bit uptempo. The greater amount of foam underfoot in the Megablast makes it the leg-saving choice if your long run nears or goes beyond 2 hours. However, the way the SC Rebel v1 returns energy, I found it to be a more enjoyable experience and one that better mimics race-day super shoes." -Jonathan

"The MEGABLAST and the SC Rebel are both great for long runs and have bouncy foams. The MEGABLAST is a bit firmer and more taut, and its height and geometries feel more platform-like. It also doesn’t have a plate, which some runners might like for less stiffness underfoot. The SC Rebel’s foam has a slightly softer feeling while still being very responsive, which is only enhanced by the carbon-infused plate. For my preferences, the SC Rebel wins here." -Lia

"These are two of my favorite shoes, but I feel they serve slightly different purposes. I love the MEGABLAST for any long run at any pace. Because of the extra stack underfoot, I’ll happily take them up and over 24-mile training runs, while the SC Rebel caps out closer to 2 hours for me. For mid-length long runs of 90 minutes at a steady effort I'd hands-down pick the SC Rebel. For my longest runs, I'm going with the MEGABLAST." -Cameron

"While the Neo Vista 3 has a fun bouncy midsole setup, the narrow fit in the forefoot doesn’t work for me personally. The toe taper of the Neo Vista 3 leaves my toes too crowded, which causes my feet to cramp after about 20 minutes. The SC Rebel’s fit works much better for me, secure but lets my toes/feet move naturally, and has that fun bouncy ride with an added touch of softness that I love." -Lia

"The sock-like upper of the Neo Vista isn’t for everyone. I don’t mind the secure fit, but I prefer the lockdown I get from the SC Rebel. Overall, I really love the ride and fast feel of the SC Rebel, especially when I’m picking up the pace. If I’m cruising over 18 miles, I might enjoy some extra stack underfoot with the Neo Vista." -Cameron

"On the surface, both shoes are very bouncy, which makes them fun. However, the Neo Vista 3 is much more of a cruiser. It’s fine for some uptempo pace, but it’s not assistive like the SC Rebel v1. The Neo Vista 3 also feels heavier on foot. But in contrast to the ever-present plate of the SC Rebel v1, the more flexible plate in the Neo Vista 3 is barely noticeable. Due to this, the Neo Vista 3 lacks the efficient propulsive nature of the SC Rebel v1.

If you want a shoe that leans more into pure comfort with the range for long runs and daily training, go with the Mizuno. If you want a purpose-built performance trainer for long run race prep, the New Balance is the clear choice." -Jonathan