Tom's Guide Verdict
The New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 is an excellent plated running shoe that excels for fast workouts but can also be used as an all-rounder for your daily training runs. It’s expensive, but one of the best options on the market in its category and a shoe that will stay in my own rotation.
Pros
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Lightweight but cushioned design
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Fast, spring ride with plate
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Great for fast training and even races
Cons
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Cheaper alternatives available
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Not the most stable
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Once the best carbon plate running shoes were established as the fastest option for race day, it was only natural for plates to start appearing in training shoes as well, and for a few years, these plated super-trainers were all the rage.
That era seemed to be ending, however, with a wave of plate-free super-trainers taking their place, led by shoes like the Adidas Adizero Evo SL and Asics Megablast, as runners opted for a more natural, plate-free experience outside of race day.
The New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 might be the shoe to bring plated trainers back to the fore. It’s one of the best running shoes for fast training I’ve ever tested, with a lightweight, springy and fun design, and the plate helps you to keep pushing during workouts.
While it’s not cheap and some runners might well still prefer a lightweight, plate-free shoe like the Evo SL or Dynafish Xiaonian for workouts instead, the SuperComp Rebel v1 is an outstanding fast trainer and a shoe I’ll continue to use in my own rotation.
I've been putting the shoe through its paces, along with Fitness Editor Jane McGuire. Read our New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 review below.
New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 review: Price and availability
The New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 launched in August 2026 and costs $200 in the U.S. and £180 in the U.K., making it considerably more expensive than the New Balance Rebel v5, which is $145/£140 and doesn’t have a plate.
It’s priced in line with most super-trainers, but there are some notable fast training alternatives that come in cheaper, like the Adidas Adizero Evo SL and Dynafish Xiaonian.
New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1 review: Design and fit
NHF: The SuperComp Rebel v1 is currently available in four colors, including the angora with slate grey model I tested.
It’s quite a tight-fitting shoe, but I was just about OK in my normal running shoe size. If you tend to be big for your size, however, I’d consider going half a size up.
The shoe has a 4mm drop and a stack height of 40mm at the heel and 36mm at the forefoot, so it’s a well-cushioned shoe if not as maxed out as some.
At 7.9oz in a US men’s size 9.5, the SuperComp Rebel v1 is lightweight given the high stack, if not as light as true racing shoes like the New Balance SC Elite v6, which are closer to or under 7oz.
JM: I tested the SuperComp Rebel v1 in a pistachio colorway, which is beautiful. Like Nick, I found this to be a tight-fitting shoe. I normally go up half a size in New Balance, but I went up a full size in the SuperComp Rebel v1.
Upper
The SuperComp Rebel v1 has a lightweight, breathable mesh upper with a little padding around the collar.
It’s not as plushly padded as the uppers on cushioned shoes built for easy runs, but I found it perfectly comfortable on all my runs and had no issues with rubbing or hot spots.
Midsole
The midsole in the SuperComp Rebel v1 is made from the same supercritical aliphatic TPU as the SC Elite v6 and delivers a very energetic, bouncy ride.
It’s the biggest upgrade on the shoe compared with past plated trainers from New Balance I’ve tested, like the SuperComp Trainer v3, making the SC Rebel v1 lighter and more responsive.
Running through the foam is a carbon-infused Pebax plate, which is a little more flexible than the plate on the SuperComp Elite v6, to make the SuperComp Rebel v1 more comfortable for regular use in training.
Outsole
The SuperComp Rebel v1 uses PU rubber to cover the forefoot and heel of the shoe and I’ve found that it grips well in wet and dry conditions.
A large cutout runs down the center of the shoe, which reduces weight and shows off the plate in the midsole. I found that if you run on gravel trails, you can be sure this cutout will pick up the odd stone that needs to be removed ASAP to avoid damaging the plate.
For a lightweight, speed-focused shoe, the Rebel v1 has quite a wide base, which improves its stability, even though it’s still a pretty wobbly, soft shoe.
New Balance SC Rebel v1 review: Running performance
NHF: I used the SuperComp Rebel v1 for a variety of training runs during my testing, including workouts with short one- and two-minute reps, a steady 10-miler and a threshold session running six-minute reps at around half marathon pace.
While I mostly did faster runs in the shoe, I also tested it with some easy running to see how it fared as an all-rounder that can handle all your training.
It impressed me most at speed. The springy midsole and plastic plate produce a ride that’s almost as fast as a full carbon racing shoe, and I loved doing both short and long interval workouts in the SuperComp Rebel.
The bounce from the midsole also holds up throughout long runs, like the steady 10-miler I ran in the shoe, and the SuperComp Rebel v1 could be a good racing option for longer events if you don’t enjoy the feel (or high price) of pinnacle racers.
I also enjoyed using the SuperComp Rebel v1 for my easy runs, even if it’s not the most stable or supportive shoe. It works best in a running shoe rotation alongside a more cushioned and stable daily trainer for easy runs, but if you want one shoe for everything and like speedy sneakers, it would be a great pick.
JM: Like Nick, I mainly wore this shoe for tempo sessions and easy runs. I immediately loved how bouncy and exciting this shoe feels underfoot. If you're looking to travel with one pair of running shoes and get all your sessions done, this is the shoe you'll probably reach for. It's an exciting shoe to run in.
Should you buy the New Balance SuperComp Rebel v1?
The SuperComp Rebel v1 is the best New Balance running shoe I’ve tested in years, maybe even ever. It’s fast, bouncy and fun to run in, especially when doing workouts.
Thanks to the excellent midsole foam, it’s a clear step up from New Balance’s other speed-focused trainers, like the Rebel v5 and SC Trainer v3, though the Rebel v5 is a bit more comfortable and stable for easy efforts.
There are cheaper alternatives that are also brilliant for faster training, though, especially the Adidas Evo SL and Dynafish Xiaonian, and those who want a more supportive and stable super-trainer could look at the Asics Megablast instead.
It’s the best plated trainer on the market right now, though, in my opinion, outperforming previous favorites like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 and Hoka Mach X3.
Unless you use a true carbon racer for your workouts, the SuperComp Rebel v1 is as good as it gets for fast training, and it’ll stay within easy reach for my own marathon
