By Since it was founded in 1906 by English-born William J Riley, New Balance has always smashed convention and innovated at pace.
From its first ever running shoes back in 1938, to the groundbreaking, high-performance Trackster that ripped up the rule book in 1961, to the iconic 320 and 620s that reshaped running in the 1970s and 1980s, NB has always led from the front.
And now with FuelCell, the ultimate in speed for every runner, it’s doing it again.
FuelCell isn’t just a shoe, though. It’s a system built to deliver speed on your runs, when you need it most. In development since 2017 – starting with revolutionary 5280 – the aim of the FuelCell project was to help runners everywhere find their fast, whether they’re pushing top pace on the track or flying through the long miles in marathons.
Project speed
Designed for victory, refined in the lab and proven on the roads, FuelCell was created using real athlete data. New Balance Innovation Design Studio experts microanalysed the biomechanics of top athletes down to every 10th of a second and identified three key areas for improvement: Lucablu2, pivot and takeoff. From there they were able to develop optimised shoes that support form, shape and efficiency – at speed.
At the heart of the innovation is the newly developed FuelCell performance EVA foam, which delivers New Balance’s highest energy return ever with a minimum of 55% rebound, despite being lighter than traditional foams. The ability of the material to maintain rebound across different levels of hardness is unlike anything New Balance has used before.
Based on that versatility, along with elite athlete data and insights from wear testers, the super-responsive foam has been expertly incorporated into a range of shoes beyond the 5280, trickling the technology for speed down to every runner.
Shoes adidas Duramo 9 EE9005 Dkblue Semcor Reapnk | Speed made smarter
The FuelCell line-up features four shoes that help runners go in search of speed across a huge range of runs, from the fast milers to the road marathon.
Want to unleash your fastest fast, but not sure which FuelCell fits your needs best? Here’s how each shoe stacks up on the run.
The FuelCell 5280
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Named after the number of feet in a mile, the 5280 delivers speed without spikes. Built from the ground up, this is the fastest of the super-fast for elite runners and PB-chasers everywhere and is best suited for runs up to 5K and 10K.
The super-lightweight shoes combine the highest-rebound FuelCell midsole foam to date with a multidirectional carbon fibre plate that delivers punchy toe-off propulsion and puts speed in every step. Up top, there’s a lightweight and highly functional Hypoknit upper for support where you need it most.
The FuelCell Rebel
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Inspired by Team New Balance’s fastest road-racing athletes, the lightweight Rebel optimises energy return in each step with high-rebound FuelCell foam. It responds with power when you want to kick things up, but also Marshmallow comfy for the long ride. The outsole traction pattern is tailored to give mid and forefoot strikers grip where they need it, and the Jacquard-weave uppers provide ultimate comfort.
Shoes adidas Duramo 9 EE9005 Dkblue Semcor Reapnk | The FuelCell Propel
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Whether you’ve got a fistful of marathons under your belt or you’re starting out on the couch-to-5K zum, FuelCell Propel is all about energy return for those everyday runs.
Lively and springy underfoot, FuelCell foam is used in the midsole to deliver speed for anyone chasing a personal best. A comfortable Trace Fiber upper provides zonal support, and a lightweight solid rubber and NDurance outsole finishes off a fast shoe with some excellent durability.
The FuelCell Echo
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There’s no rule that says you can’t be fast and stylish. And for those times when you want the flexibility of being able to wear your running shoes even when your miles are done, the Echo is perfect.
A full-length FuelCell midsole delivers speed with support, while a lower profile, streamlined silhouette brings the style. Throw in a TPU heel counter for performance lockdown and you’ve got a great shoe that’s a bit more stealthy about speed.
Fast forward: New Balance’s tech timeline
- 1906 – Sapatilhas de running para estrada Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 2 para homem Laranja.
- 1938 – First ever NB running shoe released, made from kangaroo leather.
- 1961 – The Trackster, the first ever high-performance running shoe, launches with different width fittings for better fit – a revolutionary approach.
- 1976 – Shoes RIEKER N3271-68 Gelb Kombi.
- 1980 – New Balance 620, the lightest and most advanced shoe on the market – the first ever running shoe people are happy to pay $50 for.
- 1985 – zapatillas de running constitución ligera ritmo medio talla 22.
- 2012 – sneakers Superstar Cloud.
- 2014 – Brown Zucca Zeppa Lace-Up Boots.
- 2019 – The first 3D printed track spike soles released with TripleCell technology.
- 2019 - FuelCell – a performance EVA foam that delivers New Balance’s highest energy return ever.
Run faster than your fast with new and improved FuelCell foam technology. Discover the range at newbalance.co.uk
