New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 Review: A Fast, Forgiving Plate Trainer

Introduction

New Balance has retired the SuperComp Trainer and replaced it with something more interesting: the SuperComp Rebel v1. It borrows the strong Rebel name, slots into a newly restructured lineup, and costs noticeably less than the outgoing SC Trainer did, which was widely considered overpriced. On paper, the rebrand raised some questions. In practice, New Balance has pulled it off remarkably well.

This is a plated super trainer with real speed. It is light, responsive, and surprisingly comfortable, and it makes a genuinely convincing case as a race day option for regular runners training for everything from 5K to the marathon. This review covers where it sits, what it does well, and the trade-offs to weigh before buying.

Where It Sits in the New Balance Lineup

The SuperComp Rebel v1 slots between two familiar shoes. Below it is the standard Rebel, New Balance’s plateless daily speed shoe, great for everyday miles, speed work, and the occasional 5K or 10K. Above it is the SC Elite v6, the lightweight carbon-plated flagship racer worn by some of the world’s fastest runners from 5K all the way to the marathon.

The SC Rebel aims to blend the two: a little more forgiving and accommodating than the SC Elite, but clearly faster and more versatile than the standard Rebel. Think of it as a training companion to the SC Elite v6 that can still pull race duty. Comparable shoes include the Nike Zoom Fly 6, the Saucony Endorphin Speed, and the Puma Deviate Nitro 4.

Specs and Construction

Here is what you are getting:

• Stack height: 40mm, an interesting and technically race-illegal stack, with a 4mm drop
• Weight: a genuinely light 253g in the tested size
• Price: £180 at launch, a lot of money but far cheaper than the outgoing SC Trainer
• Midsole: Infusium foam, an ETPU blend said to be the same compound as in the flagship £230 SC Elite
• Plate: a carbon-infused Pebax plate running the full length of the shoe
• Upper: Phantom Fit engineered mesh with good breathability, a gusseted tongue on both sides, and a lightly structured heel counter
• Outsole: typical rubber with decent coverage and good wet grip so far, though the rubber layer is on the thin side

The fit leans racing-style, so if you are between sizes, go half a size up. A wide option is available, which is good to see.

What We Liked

The biggest surprise is just how quick this shoe is. The Infusium foam is very responsive, and at 5K, 10K, and half marathon pace it helps you dial in a speed and hold it. The rocker geometry is obvious and pronounced at the front of the shoe, getting you up on your toes and leaning forward. Midfoot and forefoot strikers will love the shape, and heel strikers get solid rear cushioning with a smooth transition through foot strike.

Stability is a real strength too. The foam sits slightly on the firmer side, which delivers a confidence-inspiring ride, and the grip has performed well. Comfort is another pleasant surprise: lockdown is good, heel padding is generous, and breathability is solid enough that you could happily run a long way in these.

It is also a snappy, versatile shoe for key sessions, and it can stretch from 5K all the way to the marathon, or potentially further given how comfortable it is. This is a shoe that always wants to go a little bit faster, quietly pushing you to pick up the pace.

Finally, for marathoners targeting around 3:15 or slower, this is a very user-friendly, stable, comfortable option you can run a long way in. For many regular runners, it may be the best race day pick right now.

Things to Consider Before Buying

First, the fit runs slightly narrow, and the toe box has more of a racing-style shape. If you have a wider or higher-volume foot, take the wide option New Balance offers.

Second, this is not a soft, squishy, marshmallow ride. The firmer foam feels great at race pace but a little dead for easy jogging, so pair it with a proper daily trainer such as the New Balance 1080 or the standard Rebel rather than expecting it to cover every run.

Third, £180 is a significant outlay, even if it undercuts the outgoing SC Trainer by a wide margin. Finally, the rubber on the outsole is thinner than ideal for a training shoe. Something like the Nike Zoom Fly 6, with its thick waffle outsole, sets a much higher durability standard, and it is unclear this shoe will match it.

Buying Advice

The SuperComp Rebel v1 earns its place as a fast, forgiving option for runners who want one shoe for hard sessions and race day. Against the Nike Zoom Fly 6, which is £25 cheaper at RRP and often discounted further, the New Balance is lighter (253g versus 322g), lower to the ground (40mm versus 42mm, with a 4mm versus 8mm drop), and feels more nimble and quicker overall. The Nike is softer, more unstable, and better on wet-weather grip thanks to its waffle outsole, but if you can grab the New Balance, it is the pick between the two. A sub-£100 deal on the Zoom Fly 6 is still excellent value.

Against the ASICS Mega Blast, which is £30 more expensive at £310 with 5mm more stack and no plate, the choice comes down to preference: the New Balance handles quicker paces better and suits anyone wanting a plated ride, while the ASICS has a wider platform and shines at marathon pace and long runs. Both share a racing-fit toe box.

Against the Adidas EvoRide, £50 cheaper at RRP and heavily discounted in 2026, the difference is the plate. The EvoRide is bouncier and more responsive but has only a stability shank, while the New Balance’s carbon-infused plate makes it far better over long distances, with better lockdown, better fit, and more stability. If you do not like taking a shoe past 90 minutes, the New Balance makes a compelling marathon training case.

Conclusion

The New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 is a genuinely good race day option for so many regular runners out there. Anyone training for a 5K, 10K, half marathon, or marathon will get a lot of value from it. It is light, responsive, and comfortable, and it is hard to imagine being disappointed. Just match it with a softer daily trainer, size for the racing fit, and accept that the outsole rubber may not be its strongest long-term suit.