New Balance Balos vs Rebel V4: Two Daily Trainers, Two Very Different Rides

Introduction

New Balance has released a lot of running shoes recently, and the ranges cross over enough that choosing between them can be tricky. The Balos and the Rebel V4 are two daily trainers that show up in the same shortlist when you want one shoe that can handle a bit more than a basic easy day, whether your focus is 10K training or marathon build-up. They share a 6mm drop, but they deliver very different ride feels, and the price gap between them is significant.

New Balance Balos: Soft, Bouncy, and Built for Big Miles

The Balos costs £200 or $199.99 and weighs 243g (8.6oz) for men in a size 8, with a 6mm drop. There is no plate, but the soft and bouncy PEBA blended foam slots the shoe neatly into the super trainer category, designed for versatility. The midsole provides a high level of cushioning for easy runs while still allowing you to pick up the pace thanks to impressive energy return and smooth rocker geometry.

Alongside the balanced midsole foam, there is a healthy layer of ground-contact EVA on the outsole, built to add protection and grip while keeping the weight relatively low. The upper combines a mesh material with a knit tongue and plenty of padding around the ankle collar.

In testing, the Balos felt lighter than its stack suggests and remarkably nimble for a high-stack shoe, with a noticeable rocker point at the midfoot. It is the softer and bouncier of the two shoes, delivering more of a wow sensation, and it shines on long runs and easy days. It can even handle track sessions, though its softness means it can sink in a little during sustained fast paces, so it is not ideal for holding top-end efforts for long spells.

New Balance Rebel V4: A Dependable All-Rounder

The Rebel V4 costs $139.99 and weighs 207g (7.3oz) for men in a size 8, also with a 6mm drop. It is a daily shoe designed for faster training while still providing plenty of cushioning. The FuelCell foam, a PEBA-EVA blend, offers a soft ride with a good level of propulsion, and the geometry is taller and wider than its predecessor, making it more stable and supportive for long runs.

The upper is a breathable mesh using New Balance’s Phantom knit technology for a supportive fit, with good padding around the ankle collar. The outsole carries a generous layer of rubber across the forefoot plus strategically placed sections at the rear.

The Rebel V4 is not the liveliest foam, and it does not deliver the sink-in bounce of the Balos, but it is responsive, keeps its shape well at sustained paces, and stays light and nimble. It is a simple, well-designed trainer that works for track reps, tempo sessions, and easy runs alike, and it pushes itself into your affections over time by being such a dependable option at a much lower price.

Fit and Sizing: True to Size for Most Runners

Both shoes fit well in your normal running size. The Balos is quite a low-volume shoe with a shallow toe box, but the upper is flexible and forgiving once you start running, with no issues reported after around 60km of use. The Rebel V4 has a wider toe box and a roomier fit than earlier versions of the shoe, which historically ran short, and its light, flexible upper is comfortable even with a slightly shallow forefoot.

If you are between sizes, note that New Balance footwear can sometimes feel a little cramped, but both of these shoes work in regular sizing, with no concerns around the heel or midfoot on either.

Durability and Outsole: A Clear Advantage for the Rebel

The Rebel V4 has the better outsole of the two, with lots of rubber coverage and no visible wear even where sections are exposed. The Balos uses more of a composite design with a hardened midsole area in the forefoot and rear, with only two small pieces of full rubber at the very front and back, and it shows some signs of wear on the midsole. That is worth considering if the Balos is the shoe you plan to put most of your long-distance miles into.

Which One Should You Buy?

If price were no object, the Balos is the more fun, more cushioned, and more exciting daily trainer, and a strong pick for marathon training sessions and long tempo work where you want maximum energy return. But there is a large price gap between these shoes, and the Rebel V4 is by far the better value. It is a genuinely versatile lightweight trainer that handles nearly everything well, and it is hard to argue you get $60 more out of the Balos unless you specifically want that all-out soft and bouncy feel.

For runners who prioritise maximum cushioning and comfort for easy and long runs, the Balos is the stronger option. For everyone else looking for one dependable shoe for a wide range of training, the Rebel V4 is the easier recommendation.

Conclusion

Both are really good daily trainers from New Balance this year. The Balos is the more enjoyable ride with a softer, bouncier feel and some limitations at top speeds, while the Rebel V4 is a lightweight, simple, fantastic-value shoe that does a bit of everything. Lean toward the Rebel V4 to make the saving, and choose the Balos if that plush, springy ride is what you are after.