Details
Brand
Brooks
Breathability
7.8/10
Terrain
Road
Type
Stability
Key Features
• Ravenna 8• Air Mesh Upper• BioMoGo Midsole Cushioning• A saddle that is adjustable• Wrap around heel collar• Segmented Crash Pad• Adjustable Saddle• Diagonal Rollbar• Abrasion-resistant rubber outsole.
Upper
The upper section of the Ravenna 8 uses a mesh that manages moisture. You will notice how this feature keeps your feet dry and cool. Not a bad feature for those far summer runs in the afternoon sun. Its upper section provides a narrow fit, however, it does not sit up too high where it actually rubs on your ankles. Have you ever noticed that some running shoes are much too narrow with an even narrower rear support where the backrest of the shoe rubs against your Achilles? This usually causes excessive rubbing ultimately leading to your skin breakage. The Ravenna 8’s upper design was perfect and caused zero irritation even when running a 20-mile run. A thumbs up for the upper section of the Ravenna 8’s.
Midsole
The Ravenna 8’s provide a nice and snug fit. The shoe tapers through the midfoot eventually leading up to the open toe box. The narrow fit of the upper midsole helps with excessive pronation ultimately providing better stability through your runs. When the paths become steep or uneven you can feel the firmness from the shoes’ midsole. There’s also what they call a “ BioMoGo DNA Midsole cushion ” which actually is designed to adapt with your stride. This cushion ultimately leads to a more natural feel increasing its level of comfort with each step.
Outsole
The Brooks Ravenna 8 offers a springy toe-off and you can certainly feel the quick turn over while never losing a step from the cushioned soles. After a visual inspection of the shoe, you will notice how the outside is broken into little squares. Brooks innovative design will bring you an immediate spring like an extra pep to your running step causing your feet to feel fresh and energized through your next training program
Breathability
Shoes can be lightweight but just because they weigh less relative to other shoes does not mean they automatically ventilate efficiently. One feature you will immediately notice from the Ravenna 8’s is the open toe box. Your toes have plenty of room to move around, almost enough room for a song and dance. With this open space and lightweight feel you would most likely predict an abundance of ventilation, however, the breathability is just at par, no complaints, but no need for any extra praising.
Comfort
The comfort of the Brooks Ravenna 8 may be its most superior feature. The cushion that Brooks brings to the table with this shoe is immediately noticeable from the second you step in a pair. This is most likely due to its soft lining along with its soft soles and plush tongue which combined offers an incredible running experience The best part is that even with all of the extra cushion you don’t feel the loss of energy during speed training. Sure there are much faster shoes, but the balance of comfort, weight, and support with the energized toe-off is impressive. In addition, they have a wraparound heel collar alongside a padded interior that provides additional comfort for runners. In regards to their sizing accuracy, the Ravenna 8 was spot on and both feet felt secure and did not slip.
Style
Every running shoe has a particular style relative to the individual runner, that is, we all have our own taste. The Brooks Ravenna 8 does a good job offering a style that the majority would wear. Let’s call the style streamlined and somewhat safe. They mesh well with most running outfits and come in multiple colors and sizes. If you are looking for an exotic style of running shoes the Ravenna 8’s are not for you although they would defiantly go well with any type of running outfit of choice.
Durability
We all want a running shoe that’s durable, one we can rely on, and one that provides us with our money’s worth. The Ravenna 8 does a fine job at this. The abrasion resistant rubber throughout the outsole not only provides a stable ride but also creates the long-lasting durability that a runner can hope for. After 60 miles of running, one being a 20-mile run, the shoe wore respectably and still feels new and strong. Some shoes wear quick and some shoes fall apart, but the Ravenna 8’s are sturdy, firm, and yes, they are durable.
Protection
As stated previously, the upper section of the shoe provides a moisture away mesh but when considering the mesh try to think past the breathability of the shoe. In addition to ventilation, the mesh will actually protect your feet from different elements. The Ravenna 8’s also come with a lace-up feature which helps with closure. The lace-up felt secure and did not provide any sort of irritation.;With the BioMoGo DNA Midsole Cushioning, this shoe adapts well with your stride and provides cushioning on your feet while absorbing a great deal of shock that would otherwise be forced onto the body. In addition, the Ravenna 8’s are a road shoe and provide little protection on the trails so if you decide this is a shoe for you, staying on the road, track, or treadmill would be best. They were not built for the trails as they supply little protection on uneven and rigid surfaces but an adequate amount of protection on the roads.
Responsiveness
The Ravenna 8 is well recognized for its responsiveness. It uses a midfoot transition zone and a heal crash pad that work together in harmony for a quick turnover. Likewise, add in the blown rubber in the forefoot and you have a shoe with one extra-springy toe-off. Yes, the Ravenna 8 provides a lot of cushion for the long run but they also perform well when you decide to pick up the pace or opt for a day of speed training. Many runners describe the shoe as “cushioned yet springy”, this combination provides a noticeably effective responsiveness.
Support
One of the unique features of the Ravenna 8 is its Diagonal Rollbar Medial Post which adds to the support of the shoe. Although the shoe feels somewhat stiff at times, one can certainly tell that Brooks put a lot of effort in providing a great deal of support, they even added an adjustable synthetic saddle that pulls from the heel wrapping the foot for a nice and secure fit for even the longest of runs.
Terrain
As runners we prefer to take the road less traveled. We push through an intense workout to run farther and to move quicker than ever before. We compete against each other but most importantly, we compete against our selves. So, as we begin spending more time on our feet to achieve our new goals our running shoe becomes increasingly important as we progress. This is why it’s essential to choose a shoe built for your desired type of terrain or running surface. The Brooks Ravenna 8 is built for the road, period. They are cushioned yet lightweight, secure, and stable. The constant pounding of the pavement requires a shoe that can absorb shock and the Ravenna 8 does a job well done. When using this shoe try to stay on the roads, tracks and treadmills, leave the trail shoes for the trails.
Price
The MRSP of the Brooks Ravenna 8 is $120.00. After reviewing the price trends online it seems that the average price is $110.00 plus approximately $10.00 in shipping charging still bringing you up around the $120.00 mark. If you’re fortunate enough find a $110.00 price with free shipping and catch a 10% promo code allowing you to score a pair for under $100.00. Overall, these prices are in the ballpark of the average marathon quality running shoe. Either way, the Ravenna 8’s performance is definitely worth the money.;If taking your running seriously then your shoe is the most important selection to your race day arsenal. You will find a lot of novice runners, for example, overly pronate and not do research on their running shoe selection ultimately purchasing a neutral shoe that was “on sale”. Next, after a few runs, they develop knee pain or push even further to injury. This vicious cycle is common and can be easily fixed by being fitted for the proper running shoe by a local running specialty store. Overall, The Ravenna 8 can certainly be a high-quality shoe for race day and is well worth its cost.
Drop
The Ravenna 8 has a 10mm heel-to-toe drop. This type of feature has been advertised since the push of a more minimalistic shoe hit the markets back around 2009. This particular Brooks shoe is far from minimalistic with the offset for a more moderate heel striker, however, even with a 10 mm drop the heel isn’t much of a notice, especially for a runner that prefers a support for excessive heel striking.
Stability
The Ravenna 8’s are as stable as the best of them. The sole contributes to a smooth ride and a mid-foot post that brings a great amount of stability to the shoe. The design of the Ravenna 8’s works well for a low to moderate pronator. In addition, they lacked stability on uneven dirt trails but you can feel the security from the top to bottom while running on a smooth open road. It’s obvious they were made for long distance running on the road and provides a great experience.
Flexibility
The Ravenna 8 initially feels somewhat stiff in nature but once worn in they feel a bit more flexible. Although they are not the most stretchable running shoe on the market, their full-length S-25 Cushsole Midsole Compound has an insole board for increased flexibility. The shoe even incorporates Omni Grooves in the outsole. This feature provides a multi-directional flexible function for those short agility runs through the city. Not bad for a cushioned stability running shoe.
Traction
The Ravenna 8 running shoe has an adequate amount of traction for the roads. The outsole comes with a blown rubber traction pattern built tough for short fast runs as well as long run in the rain. After 60 miles of running turn the shoe upside down and notice the traction pattern squares still bulging from their surface. This durable rubber outsole not only resists abrasions but provides increased traction as well.
Bottom Line
The Brooks Ravenna 8 is a reliable road running shoe. Its stability is only second best to its support and comfort. Many runners find the shoe to be reliable along with having springy and lightweight feel. If you want a shoe that brings a cushioning lightweight running experience with a stable yet springy toe-off and a toe box that is not overly snug, then this is a great shoe for you. If it’s a long run on the road or speed training on the track, make sure to bring your Brooks Ravenna 8’s along for the ride, they won’t let you down.
