New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 vs Saucony Endorphin Speed 6

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5

+ Praised

A light, bouncy and flexible ride that feels fun at easy paces and lively enough for tempo work.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 6

± Divisive

The new PWRRUN PBX foam and stiffer nylon plate make the Speed 6 firmer and snappier than its predecessor, which most testers love for tempo and threshold work but a few find harsh and uninvolving at easy paces.

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5

+ Praised

The taller PEBA-blended FuelCell stack adds protection without making the shoe feel heavy or mushy.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 6

+ Praised

A taller stack of lighter, bouncier foam takes the edge off long efforts and keeps the shoe comfortable at marathon pace, though the firm, plated ride still feels best at speed rather than during recovery miles.

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5

± Divisive

A light, secure Fantomfit upper with a roomy forefoot, though the midfoot can feel sloppy and the tongue causes pressure for some.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 6

± Divisive

A light, breathable mesh with a gusseted tongue locks the foot down securely, but the tapered toe box, low ceiling and scratchy material cause pressure and hot spots for several testers.

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5

+ Praised

The outsole rubber and foam hold up well for a light trainer, with better coverage than earlier Rebels.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 6

± Divisive

The rubber outsole is sparse at the heel and some testers worry it will wear through quickly, while others see only minor wear and expect the foam to hold its bounce.

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5

+ Praised

Traction is reliable on dry and wet roads, with enough grip for light paths.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 6

± Divisive

Traction is dependable on dry roads and moderate gravel, though the exposed foam becomes slippery once the thin heel rubber wears away.

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5

± Divisive

A wider platform and sidewalls add composure, but the soft foam and flexible forefoot make it less stable than firmer trainers.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 6

+ Praised

The wide forefoot, nylon plate and SpeedRoll geometry make it stable for a plated trainer, but the narrow arch leaves it less planted for runners who need support late in a race.

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5

+ Praised

At $140 it is one of the best values in the lightweight trainer category.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 6

+ Praised

At $175 it undercuts carbon racers and handles both workouts and race day, though some testers think the formula is ageing and prefer the cheaper, more versatile Endorphin Azura.