The Best Shoes of 2024 (According to Me)
Ok, all jokes aside, let’s discuss these shoes.
I have been testing the New Balance FuelCell Rebel V4 since October 2024. Of course, the first thing that caught my eye was how good they look. Even though we are now in 2025, some brands still think that shoes (colors) from the ’90s are cool—but they are not. I mean some old school styles are cool, but not all of them. So, brands need to be extra careful there.
Let’s take a look at the technical characteristics before we continue the discussion:
New Balance FuelCell Rebel V4 – Technical Specs
- Weight: ~6.8 oz (193g) for men’s US 9 / ~5.8 oz (164g) for women’s US 7
- Drop: 6mm
- Foam: FuelCell midsole (dual-density, with a slightly firmer layer on top for stability)
- Outsole: Strategic rubber placement for weight reduction and flexibility
- Upper: Engineered mesh with a wide forefoot for natural toe splay
- Plate: None
New Balance markets these shoes as tempo shoes. That’s fine—we are all different, and we can use shoes however we want. Personally, I find it hard to run in them at a fast pace. Not impossible, but I prefer them for everyday runs. I can run slow or pick up the pace slightly, but I wouldn’t call them an aggressive speedwork shoe.
By February 2025, I somehow ended up with seven pairs in different sizes.
Sizing & Fit
Oh yes, about sizing—this is where it gets interesting. The forefoot is very wide (which is great), but the sizing is confusing. I have them in my normal size US 8 and also half a size bigger, and both work great. Because of the width, some people buy their usual size, but then when running downhill, they feel small. I was able to wear both sizes comfortably, but the adjustment to such a wide forefoot is real.
At first, it feels weird because we don’t even realize how narrow most shoes actually are. But after a couple of weeks, you get used to it, and after that, you won’t be able to wear narrow shoes anymore.
Why Rebel V4 is the Best Shoe of 2024
New Balance nailed it with these shoes because of some key details:
✅ Wide forefoot but secure heel—a combination that’s hard to get right
✅ Extremely light—one of the lightest daily trainers out there
✅ Bouncy enough, but not too soft or too hard—perfect balance
✅ No plate, no massive foam, no unnecessary bulk
✅ Great color options
✅ Versatile—suitable for a variety of paces and daily running
While most brands are trying to put huge platform shoes with massive foam on our feet, New Balance actually made something runners want to wear—a light, versatile, natural-feeling shoe.
Honestly, I still don’t understand how people run in shoes like the Brooks Max. Those kinds of shoes completely mess with your running form.
Any Downsides?
If I had to mention a con, it would be durability. Due to their lightweight build, they won’t last much beyond 500 miles. I would say 500 miles is the absolute max before the heel area starts breaking down, foam feels fine though. Seems like the heel is the weakest point of the shoes.
Final Thoughts
While I was skeptical about the Rebel V4 for months, I now realize that this is exactly the type of shoe we need. Lightweight, natural-feeling, responsive.
If New Balance keeps making shoes like this, I might just end up with another seven pairs.
Live an Active Lifestyle 