New Balance SC Rebel Review

Cody

While we say goodbye to the SC Trainer, we now get to say hello to a lighter, faster, and more aggressive option. To me, the SC Rebel is built for speed days. Whether I was tackling interval workouts or cruising through long runs with marathon-paced efforts, this shoe constantly encouraged me to stay on my toes and keep the pace high. The updated Infinion Foam midsole delivers a responsive ride with plenty of pop, making every stride feel energetic.

The lockdown is another highlight. Heel counters on plated trainers can be hit or miss, but New Balance absolutely nailed this one. My foot stayed securely locked in throughout every run without creating pressure points or heel slip. The upper is lightweight, breathable, and comfortable, while the tongue stays in place and helps create an excellent overall fit.

And then there's the look. I probably could have started with this because everyone knows I'm a sucker for a clean white running shoe. The all-white colorway is incredibly sharp and easily one of my favorite-looking trainers on the market right now. It simply looks fast.

Eric

The versatility of this shoe as a workout shoe is up there with the best of them. So many shoes are great tempo options but maybe lack in the top end speed space. The SC Rebel feels great at all workout paces and is a very capable training option

The upper balances a streamlined fit with comfort in all the best ways. It manages to stay away from being overbuilt and maintains structure while staying breathable.

The new outsole seems like it’s going to be a winner from both a traction and durability standpoint as well.

Emily

Wow. Where to begin? Let's start with the looks. Fresh as f**k. Shoutout to the design team at NB for absolutely nailing it. I love the off-white colorway with the silver overlays. But the pop of RED?! Oooof. Sold.

The good news is, to me, the SC Rebel feels just as good as it looks. I was really worried about my calves with that 4mm drop, but it actually felt totally fine running up to 8 miles at all different paces. I think we have the ATPU Infinion foam underfoot to thank for that. It's incredibly lightweight, with excellent response and bounce at both easy and tempo paces. I wouldn't call it soft, but I also wouldn't say it's firm. It's right in that sweet spot.

This shoe also features an Energy Arc plate sandwiched between the midsole foam, which helps you get up on your toes during those peppier miles. Another big talking point about the SC Rebel is the aggressive rocker technology in the forefoot. If you've read any of my recent reviews, you've seen me complain about the lack of a rocker in almost every one of them. Here, NB goes in the total opposite direction. This is the rocker of all rockers, and boy, do you feel it. I loved this feature during my 8-mile tempo workout. I was also worried about my legs feeling trashed because of the aggressive drop-off, but luckily, they felt pretty fresh afterward.

But like I said earlier, this shoe is great at all paces, not just tempo. I loved my standard, everyday runs in the SC Rebel. The breathability is exceptional, and it just felt like an extension of my foot. The durability of the outsole also seems like it'll hold up along with the rest of the shoe.

Blake

The SC Rebel really comes alive once you start running at moderate to faster paces. The aggressive rocker, carbon-infused Pebax plate, and Infinion ATPU foam work together to create a fast, snappy ride that rolls you onto your toes. The plate adds a noticeable pop through toe-off, making it feel much more performance oriented than your typical daily trainer.

One thing I found interesting is how differently the shoe rides depending on your pace and foot strike. Landing towards the back of the shoe at easier paces gives you a softer, more cushioned feel through the heel and midfoot, while getting up on your forefoot transforms the shoe into a firmer, more responsive ride with plenty of snap. After my first run, I thought the foam felt a little flat, but each run after it softened up, especially through the heel and midfoot.

If you're looking for a fast training shoe or even a budget-friendly racing option, the SC Rebel has a lot to offer.

Cody

My biggest complaint is the ride firmness. The updated foam is certainly responsive, but after runs that stretched into double-digit mileage, my legs felt noticeably more beat up than I expected. The SC Rebel isn't harsh by any means, but I do wish New Balance had added just a little more softness to balance out its aggressive personality.

The listed 4 mm drop also surprised me. On paper it sounds fairly moderate, but on the run it feels much more aggressive. The geometry naturally pushes you onto your forefoot, which works well when running fast but may not appeal to everyone.

Speaking of which, I wouldn't recommend this shoe for heel strikers. During a few easier efforts where I landed farther back on my foot, the platform felt unstable and I even had a couple moments where it felt like my ankle wanted to roll. This is definitely a shoe that rewards efficient, forward-leaning mechanics.

Eric

The exposed plate sits very close to the ground and where not covered by rubber it does get pretty scuffed up. If this stays aesthetic it’s not a big deal but it may become a concern over time

While the shoe feels great for workout paces it feels a little firm and clunky at warm up or more relaxed paces. The foam is clearly meant for speed and isn’t the most comfortable if it’s not being used as intended

Emily

I struggled with the fit of the SC Rebel a bit. It's somewhat narrow, and while it's not a major issue, I probably could have benefited from going a half size up. I hesitate to even bring this up because I don't think it's the shoe's fault, but the night before my tempo run, I cut my toenail perhaps a bit too sharply on the side, and it cut into my other toe during my run. I ended up bleeding through the upper and just dealt with it for the rest of the run. This is totally on me, and the SC Rebel is not responsible, but perhaps if I had a little more room in the toe box, it wouldn't have been such a bloodbath. I had no issues with that on any of my other runs, though.

I also don't think this aggressive rocker will be for everyone and could feel unstable to some runners.

Blake

The biggest downside is its versatility. I found the SC Trainer to have a decent range of versatility for training and speed, and the SC Rebel being the direct replacement for that shoe, I was hoping it would still feel great no matter the type of run. However, the aggressive rocker can feel clunky at slower paces when you're landing farther back, and the shoe is clearly happiest when you're running at moderate efforts or faster. If you're looking for one shoe to handle everything from recovery runs to workouts, there are better options.

I also wouldn't mind if the plate wasn't bottom loaded, and was a little higher up in the foam. For two reasons. The first being I think it makes the forefoot feel a little TOO firm for my preference, and second for durability.

The exposed and carbon-infused Pebax plate, and the exposed parts of the midsole are already starting to show wear after 25 miles. I'm not convinced they'll hold up as well as I'd like over the long term.

Finally, the fit is narrower than I'd expect from New Balance, so runners who prefer a roomier toe box and midfoot may want to keep that in mind.

Cody

I like the SC Rebel, but I'm not sure I love it.

New Balance clearly built a shoe that wants to go fast, and it succeeds at exactly that. If you enjoy an aggressive rocker, responsive foam, and a plated shoe that constantly encourages faster paces, there's a lot to like here. For speed workouts, tempo runs, and marathon-pace efforts, the SC Rebel is a very fun option.

For me personally, I would have preferred a slightly softer midsole and a little more stability. Those two changes would have made it a much more versatile shoe.

Eric

Overall I really like this shoe. Off the top of my head the only other options with the same level of workout versatility are maybe the Xiaonian and Megablast. It’s not going to be as versatile for daily use as some options as the Evo SL or Azura but I think it checks the boxes for a workout potential racing option.

Emily

The SC Rebel is a joy to run in. It's not perfect, but it's damn near close. I'm not sure any other New Balance shoe has brought the juice quite like this one. Maybe the SC Trainer V1? But this is a way more versatile shoe. It also looks about 1,000 times better.

Blake

For me, the New Balance SC Rebel is built to be a performance trainer that rewards faster running. It's less versatile than the SC Trainer, but it's also noticeably quicker thanks to its aggressive rocker, carbon-infused plate, and responsive Infinion foam. While I'd like to see improvements to the durability and slow pace ride, it's a fun option for tempo runs, interval sessions, and even racing.

Cody

At $190, the SC Rebel enters a very competitive category. Most plated trainers sit closer to the $150-$170 range, while true super trainers justify higher prices with more cushioning and greater versatility.

I don't personally view the SC Rebel as a super trainer. It's a plated performance trainer with a very specific purpose: running fast. While it performs well in that role, I think the price feels a bit ambitious given what else is available at or below this price point.

If your primary goal is crushing speed workouts and faster long runs, the SC Rebel delivers. But if you're looking for one plated shoe to do everything, there are more versatile options available for less money.

Eric

I liked but didn’t love the SC Trainer v3 so to me the SC Rebel is a much better overall supertrainer. I think those with wide feet or those who prioritize comfort over speed then it may be worth snagging another pair of v3s. All in all $190 is a much better price than many other supertrainers on here market today

Blake

If your goal is speed, I still think the SC Rebel offers decent value. I was originally told this shoe would cost $190, but it looks like it'll be $200, which definitely is not cheap. That said, you're getting a plated trainer with race-inspired ATPU foam at a price that's still lower than most carbon-plated racing shoes, making it a solid option for workouts or even race day if you're on more of a budget. However, if you're looking for a super trainer that can do it all, I'd lean toward picking up the SC Trainer on sale or spending a little more for something like the Superblast.

Emily

I think it depends what angle you're approaching this shoe from. $200 definitely seems like a lot of money at first glance. However, if you take into consideration everything this shoe offers, and everything it can do, I think it ends up being worth the price. The only thing that gives me pause is the durability, which only time will tell.