New Balance Rebel V3 vs Mach 5: Two Light Trainers With Very Different Rides

Introduction

New Balance’s lighter trainer line keeps improving with each iteration, and two models show exactly where the brand is heading: the Rebel V3 and the Mach 5. Both are lightweight road trainers, but they are built for noticeably different rides.

We put both shoes through weight checks, flexibility tests, and stack height measurements. On the scale, the Mach 5 came in around 7 ounces, while the Rebel V3 measured 6.7 to 6.8 ounces depending on the scale, making the Rebel V3 just a smidge lighter.

New Balance Rebel V3: Soft, Forgiving, More Stable

The Rebel V3 uses an engineered mesh upper with more splay in the toe box and a wider landing platform. If the Rebel V2 ever felt a little unstable underfoot, the V3 addresses that directly: it simply feels more stable with each step.

The heel counter is much improved too. It is narrower and hugs the Achilles tendon better, with a pleasing heel flare at the back. The bottom of the eyelet chain now runs straight across instead of the previous diagonal design, which makes lacing up easier. Breathability is excellent, which makes this a clear summertime shoe rather than a winter one.

Midsole and Ride Feel

Underfoot, the Rebel V3 uses a TPU performance foam that is nitrogen infused. Durometer readings came in around 28, confirming a genuinely soft midsole that is very forgiving on impact. The outsole uses endurance rubber with very little exposed foam through the midfoot, and there is essentially nothing to complain about there.

Stack height measures 29.5mm at the heel and 23.5mm at the forefoot. The ride is soft and forgiving, which made it a go-to for 6 to 10-mile steady-pace runs, especially when transitioning from dirt paths to pavement and concrete.

New Balance Mach 5: Snappy and Springy

The Mach 5 is the natural alternative here, and it is the only real competitor we could think of in this segment. But the two shoes are different rides: the Mach 5 is bouncy and snappy, while the Rebel V3 is soft and forgiving.

If you like a little more forgiveness on easy and steady runs, go Rebel. If you prefer more snap and livelier energy return, the Mach 5 is the one. That distinction underfoot is really what separates these two shoes.

Upper, Fit and Comfort Details

Back to the Rebel V3 for the finer fit points. The toe box fit is excellent, with noticeably better splay than the V2, enough to accommodate thicker socks in cooler weather. The tongue is semi-gusseted, which helps keep it in place.

One small drawback: the tongue could stand to be about a quarter inch longer. The laces can land close to the top of the foot, and a touch more tongue would solve it. Beyond that, the upper updates are genuinely well executed.

Which One Should You Buy?

At $130, the Rebel V3 feels reasonably priced in a market where running shoe prices have continued to climb. It earned a final score of 7.6 out of 10, and the answer to “would I buy this shoe again?” is a straightforward yes, in a heartbeat.

Pick the Rebel V3 if steady-pace miles with a soft, stable feel matter most to you. Pick the Mach 5 if you want a lighter, springier ride with more energy return. Neither is the wrong choice; they simply serve different runs.

Conclusion

The Rebel V3 is a thoughtful third iteration: more stable, better heel lockdown, easier lacing, and a soft nitrogen-infused TPU midsole, with the tongue length as the only real nitpick. The Mach 5 covers the snappier end of the same lightweight trainer category. New Balance has not gone in the wrong direction with this line, and the trajectory from V1 to V3 suggests the next iteration is worth waiting for.