New Balance FuelCell Propel v5 review

We believe that the New Balance FuelCell Propel v5 is:

• Amazing for runners seeking a plush, cloud-like experience without breaking the bank—especially suited for those with a midfoot striking pattern.
• Perfect for fans of New Balance's current geometrical design looking for an effective daily trainer with an attractive price tag.
• Ideal as an all-in-one shoe, because it performs well across various distances and paces, from easy long runs to demanding uptempo workouts.

Additionally, we've concluded that the toebox of the Propel v5 can be a significant drawback for those who prefer a roomier fit. For roomier options, we suggest considering the Adidas Adizero SL2 or the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4, which offer a more spacious toebox and enhanced stability as a side benefit.

The noticeable differences between an affordable and a premium shoe often lie in the midsole or the upper. In this case, New Balance has incorporated the FuelCell midsole, indicating that savings were likely achieved in the upper to maintain the shoe's affordability.

Despite the cost savings, our smoke test revealed that breathability wasn't compromised—it actually excelled, scoring a perfect 5/5. It was impressive to see how effectively the shoe expelled smoke, showcasing exceptional airflow.

Understanding this shoe's excellent ventilation involved multiple testing, which prompted us to move the shoe over our powerful light. This revealed the Propel's highly breathable upper, featuring ventilation holes throughout the midfoot and forefoot.

Under the microscope, the engineered mesh appeared standard, not particularly groundbreaking in terms of technical innovation, and maybe lacking in durability due to its thinness and lack of protective elements. We'll go into that in a minute.

Upon manually examining the upper, we discovered that its design and construction are quite good for a shoe priced just over $100. However, we're still unsure about its durability, so let's get into that!

After handling hundreds of shoes in our lab and testing their uppers against the Dremel, we've developed a great instinct for predicting outcomes. Unfortunately, we anticipated that the Propel v5 would not fare well in this test.

True to our suspicions, the Propel v5 quickly died—its outstanding breathability and the absence of protective elements led it to a dismal score of 1/5.

While the initial disappointment was somewhat anticipated and isn't rare in road running shoes, our next finding was more troubling.

We encountered another score of 1/5, and this one caught us off guard. Therefore, those who frequently experience wear and tear in this area should definitely steer clear of the Propel v5.

We moved on to the outsole with high hopes for improvements. Initially, we noticed that New Balance continues to replicate its design approach within the Propel series—they just craft a more economical version of their high-end models.

Just as the Propel v4 mimicked the SC Trainer v2, the Propel v5 adopts the midsole and outsole design from the SC Trainer v3, including the distinctive central groove that showcases the TPU plate.

Regarding the rubber, it's a standard compound that registered at 78.3 HC on our tests. It provides adequate grip but isn't exceptional.

It seemed unlikely the outsole could perform worse than the upper—and fortunately, it didn’t.

The results were notably better, though still not at the level of leading competitors like the ASICS Jolt 4. We measured a 1.1 mm indentation in the rubber, erasing major concerns but indicating there's still room for enhancement.

We measured the thickness of the Propel's outsole at 3.2 mm using our calipers. We believe this offers substantial protection for the midsole, and based on our durability testing, we're confident it's adequate for regular use.

However, we recommend avoiding gravel roads with this shoe. The outsole's central groove is not well-suited for such surfaces, making it a better option for regular roads or well-maintained groomed trails.

The Propel v5 not only weighs under 10 oz, but it's also lighter than its predecessor.

Weighing in at just 9.5 oz (269g) on our scale, this weight is good considering its stack height and level of cushioning.

The Propel v5 boasts a heel cushion measured at 35.2 mm, offering a level of comfort that rivals much more expensive shoes.

This generous padding provides robust protection against the ground, making it suitable even for runners with a heavier build. We've tested this during multiple runs and can confirm that its cushioning does not fall short even after 10 miles.

The Propel v5 boasts a 28.5 mm cushion in the forefoot, ideal for runners tackling any distance, particularly forefoot and midfoot strikers. Therefore, we confirmed that this model provides above-average cushioning in the forefoot too.

We calculated the shoe's drop to be 6.7 mm from our previous measurements, closely mirroring New Balance's stated 6 mm drop, which checks out perfectly on our end.

As we said before, the Propel v5 design makes it exceptionally well-suited for midfoot strikers, not only due to its medium drop but also because of the specific plate design we're about to discuss!

At 4.1 mm thick, the insole of the Propel v5 has a straightforward design.

Over recent years, it has become clear that New Balance is aiming to carve out a niche for itself by offering plush midsoles in road running shoes, even in their more budget-friendly options.

The Propel v5 is a prime example of this strategy, and it excels impressively in this regard, sporting the most favorable price-to-softness ratio we've encountered, with a durometer reading of just 9.8 HA.

Is this high level of softness good for you? We don't know. While many believe that softer means better, there can be major drawbacks too. For example, excessively soft midsoles might lead to increased stress on hips and knees and could demand more energy from the runner's legs if the foam does not rebound efficiently.

This specific formulation of FuelCell, designed to reduce costs and enhance affordability, does not offer extraordinary energy return. However, from our analysis, we consider it still surpass most EVA-based competitors in its price range.

Given that this variation of FuelCell is primarily EVA, we anticipated challenges during our cold weather test. We subjected the shoe to 20 minutes in a freezer and then assessed its softness again. Indeed, the result increased by 39.7%, a significant jump, yet it left the shoe still plush at 13.6 HA.

New Balance has continued the plate design from v4 in the Propel v5, featuring a partial length that stops at the ball of the foot. This design suits heel strikers well, aiding their transition to toe-off. However, we think the plate’s effectiveness is not a big deal.

Made from highly flexible TPU, the plate's impact on the ride is minimal. While it does offer slight stabilization and aids in transitions, it's also noticeable and somewhat diminishes comfort during slow, easy runs.

The early-stage rocker of the Propel v5 is subtly integrated, providing just enough lift to complement its moderate stack height.

This Pegasus-like curvature suits the shoe well, offering a balanced ride that enhances the overall running experience. We believe this is an effective approach for this type of versatile daily trainer.

Despite its partial-length TPU plate, we think the Propel v5 is only suited for neutral runners. We’ve determined this based on its ultra-soft FuelCell foam and midsole width. For runners needing more support, we recommend considering alternatives such as the Brooks Launch GTS 10.

Given its TPU plate, scoring a 1 or 2 in this test seemed unlikely. However, we're satisfied with a score of 3, as we had concerns it might be too stiff like the previous version, which isn’t ideal for a versatile daily trainer. New Balance's subtle adjustment here is a welcome improvement for us.

The heel counter earned a solid 3/5 regarding stiffness, and this wasn't surprising at all for us. It's a typical score for any daily driver, striking a good balance between comfort and support.

Turning our attention to the midsole's width, we recorded the forefoot at just 111.8 mm, which is a tiny bit narrower than the norm observed in our lab. This measurement, along with the softness of the foam, is a key reason why we don't recommend this shoe for those needing stability.

Similarly in the heel, the Propel v5 measures at 89.1 mm, hovering near the average. This dimension confirms it as a strong option exclusively for neutral runners.

During our flex test—requiring a bend to 90 degrees—we noted that only 18.8N was needed, a decrease from the previous model's 24.4N.

This improvement highlights enhanced flexibility, making the shoe exceptionally suitable for everyday activities, whether it's a casual walk by the lake or a quick trip downtown to get some tasty ice cream!

We repeated our 20-minute freezer test to assess the shoe's rigidity in extreme cold. Following the test, it required an additional 21.3% force to flex the shoe, which is a good outcome.

Right from the start, we noticed a snugger fit than usual, which seemed particularly suited for those with low-volume feet.

We later verified this with our calipers, recording a measurement of 96.7 mm. This confirms that the standard-width Propel v5 may not suit those with wide feet.

We also observed that the toebox tapers at a typical ratio, because our second measurement revealed it to be also on the narrow side at 76.3 mm. Consequently, there isn't much room for toe splay, which may not make it suitable for long-distance runners, except those with narrow feet.

Regarding vertical volume, the space is somewhat restricted, making this shoe less ideal for anyone looking for ample toe splay.

We discovered that the tongue is not attached to the sides, which was somewhat expected yet still feels a bit like a missed opportunity. Nonetheless, it includes a loop that effectively centers the tongue and prevents it from shifting during fast-paced runs.

In our lab, we typically encounter either paper-thin or excessively plush tongues in running shoes, but it's rare to find a brand that strikes a balance between weight and comfort. New Balance has managed to do exactly that with the Propel v5, featuring a 5.6 mm tongue that is both comfortable and lightweight.

We were also impressed with the simple lacing system that utilizes punched eyelets, a straightforward and cost-effective design approach that many brands unnecessarily complicate. The lockdown is solid, and the laces thread smoothly. We loved it.

All of New Balance's road running releases so far in 2024, including the Propel v5, lack a heel tab. And while we appreciate having something to pull on, its absence isn't a deal-breaker by any means.

We easily swapped the insole for a third-party footbed of our choice, as the shoe’s dimensions and shape are quite standard.

The New Balance FuelCell Propel v5 sees a minor increase from its previous version—a hike we hadn't expected. However, it remains competitively priced within the mid-tier range.

We feel that it offers great value, particularly for those who don't wear through shoes quickly. And it stands as a formidable alternative to more expensive daily trainers like the Nike Pegasus 41.

We understand New Balance's decision to reserve reflective elements for their premium models, and this is not one of them.