New Balance FuelCell Propel v5 Review

Comfort and Fit

The Propel features a decent upper that utilizes relatively soft materials, although it doesn't stand out as supremely comfortable. There is no heel tab or loop to help you put the shoe on, and we found the higher back of the shoe to be pretty easy to crush. The heel cup is semi-rigid, with enough depth to provide solid heel retention. Soft-touch materials wrap the inside of the heel and ankle contact points. We didn't have any issues with rubbing there. The tongue is lightly padded and is not gusseted. It didn't move on runs and prevented any discomfort from the laces. The laces themselves are thin and can be easily over-tightened.

The length is true to size. The toe box is a little narrower than average, with a very long taper on the outside of the foot that makes it feel snug. The midfoot is of average width, and the heel feels slightly wider than average, likely due to the limited padding in that area. Overall, we experienced no issues with the shoe during testing and found the comfort to be decent, but not exceptional.

Cushioning

Thanks to a New Balance FuelCell formulation, the midsole of this shoe is pretty darn soft. It has a little bounce to it, though less than in other shoes we've tested with FuelCell foam. Instead, we found that the Propel v5 can feel a little mushy, especially under the forefoot, which leads to an unstable feeling. The TPU plate that extends from under the heel to the ball of the foot provides structure as you land, but then, as you reach the forefoot, it disappears, and the shoe feels abruptly softer as you roll through the foot.

We found the shoe to be reasonably protective. It's fine for long efforts, though our lower legs were a little more worked than usual after a 90-minute run. This is likely due to the relative instability of the shoe, combined with the soft forefoot, which requires us to push off with more force.

The pace versatility for the Propel is mediocre; it isn't a shoe we enjoy for fast running. It's a little too soft and unpredictable, and it's also not lightweight. We believe this shoe is best suited for steadier paces rather than runs that require pace changes.

Breathability

The Propel v5 breathes decently well thanks to an engineered mesh upper material that isn't airy, but features numerous small perforations for improved airflow. We think it's well-executed, especially considering how poor breathability often is in shoes at this price range.

Traction

The Propel utilizes New Balance's diamond pattern outsole, which provides decent grip on pavement. It handles wet conditions without issue. However, we also found that the large cutout in the middle of the foot can collect rocks when running on gravel paths or dirt roads.

Should You Buy the New Balance FuelCell Propel v5?

This is a decent and budget-friendly option for runners who prioritize price over performance. For the money, you get good cushioning and decent breathability. However, we believe that many other shoes, which don't cost much more, perform far better. Plus, many of those shoes can often be found on sale. We'd look for those options instead.

What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?