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Brooks Revel


Details

Brand

Brooks


Heel To Toe Drop

11mm


Breathability

9/10


Latest Version

No


Terrain

Road


Type

Neutral


Key Features

• BioMoGo midsole: environmentally friendly, extremely cushiony, providing comfort and absorbs shock
• Stretch saddle over upper and lacing system keep feet snug and secure
• Heel crash pad in the segmented outsole
• Flat-knit mesh upper: very breathable and stylish
• Very versatile shoe



Upper

This shoe has a flat knit upper and is designed to transition easily from running to wearing as a lifestyle sneaker. The popular knit look in sneakers right now correlates with the upper in this shoe. It is a very breathable sneaker, seeing as the flat knit material allows for air to pass through it with ease, keeping the foot cool during activity. Not only is the upper stylish, but it is also stretchable and allows the material to move in all directions while enabling a more customized fit for almost any foot shape. Inside the shoe, you will find a sock-like bootie construction which wraps the foot snugly and gives you a comfortable feel without added constriction. Like the midsole of the Revel, the sock liner included inside the sneaker is made of BioMoGo foam and adds to the already comfortable bootie-like fit and contours to your foot to fill in any negative space within the shoe. Additionally, the upper has a padded heel collar and tongue to reduce hot spots and irritation that may occur during your run. The upper also boasts a mid-foot stretch saddle that helps retain the shape of the shoe and is connected to the lacing system. This saddle is a printed on molding that acts in conjunction with the lacing so that when you tighten the laces, you also tighten the sneaker, making it more secure on the mid-foot.


Midsole

The Brooks Revel has a midsole made up of BioMoGo DNA material. Typically, the company’s DNA midsoles are made up of a gel-like material but the BioMoGo is a different technology which is a biodegradable compound designed to deliver adaptive cushioning throughout the sneaker’s platform. Like many of Brook’s shoes, the Revel has a very cushiony midsole and is full of responsive BioMoGo material. This particular shoe is designed to be a neutral running sneaker and not particularly well-suited for those who have high or stable arches and who may run on the lateral (outside) of the foot. The cushioning provided by this shoe’s midsole will help support the arches and keep the foot in place throughout the run. There is also a plush transition zone found at the center of the midsole, on the lateral side, that provides a smooth heel to toe transition.


Outsole

This neutral running shoe has an outsole designed for delivering a great run on the road or treadmill. The Revel’s outsole is made of High Propulsion Rubber (HPR) which is highly resistant to the abrasion that naturally occurs when running. The rubber outsole boasts a great design perfect to allow for a lot of traction. It also offers a specially segmented heel crash pad that will aid in both shock absorbency and a supportive heel strike. Because this heel crash pad is segmented off from the rest of the HPR outsole, it helps you have a smooth transition from heel strike to lift-off.


Breathability

The lightweight flat-knit mesh material that makes up the upper of the Revel is designed to allow for a great amount of air flow. It is important to have excellent airflow in running sneakers in order to keep your feet from getting too sweaty, thus, leading to blisters or irritation. Although there is plenty of heel and tongue padding in this shoe, it is amazingly breathable. The molded stretch saddle extending over the middle of the sneaker does not inhibit this breathability.


Comfort

Many users have commented on how incredibly comfortable the Brooks Revel is and how they feel great on the feet right out of the box, requiring little break-in time. The flexible flat-knit fabric that makes up the upper will shape to almost any foot and allow for a customized feel. The Revel has a pretty large cushiony BioMoGo midsole and gives lots of bouncy comfort to your feet. Not only that, but the stretch saddle and lacing system allow you to tighten the shoe comfortably and easily, giving you a personalized fit. As far as comfort goes in the Brooks Revel, you will not be disappointed.


Style

The Brooks Revel has been said to possibly break the mold in running shoes because of their style. They were engineered to be a comfortable and performance-enhancing decent running shoe while also resembling more of a lifestyle sneaker. Their stripped-down upper can easily compete against many lifestyle sneakers in today’s market with its flat-knit design. The sneaker is offered in some subdued colorways that don’t scream “running shoes” and look great when you hit the ground running a few miles or hit the ground running in your everyday tasks.


Durability

Some users have expressed concerns about this shoe’s durability due to its design. Because there is not a ton of support offered in the sneaker other than the heel strike plate, padded collar, and stretch saddle across the upper, it may not prove to line up in contention with some other more durable running shoes out there. However, it should be mentioned that this sneaker was not engineered to be a training shoe or meant to be worn on extreme long-distance runs. Therefore, if you plan on wearing this sneaker for regular-old runs totaling a small to a moderate number of miles, then they should hold up well. Also, if you plan on wearing them as lifestyle sneakers, they should not only last you for quite some time, but they’ll also keep your feet nice and comfortable.


Protection

The High Propulsion Rubber making up the Revel’s outsole will aid in protecting your feet from underground debris and road conditions. They have a decent amount of traction and neutral arch support so you will stay comfortable and surefooted even on wet ground. The stretch saddle found on this sneakers’ upper will protect your foot from moving around within the sneaker while the generously padded heel collar and tongue will help avoid blisters. An additional BioMoGo insole will also protect your feet from blistering because it fills in any negative space within the sneaker.


Responsiveness

With the extremely cushiony BioMoGo midsole, you will definitely feel some added spring and bounciness in your step as well as some shock absorption. The most notable responsiveness feature, however, is found in the outsole. The HPR outsole is segmented with a larger portion found at the forefoot and a smaller section found at the lateral portion of the heel, known as the heel crash pad. This crash pad will aid in cushioning your foot upon heel strike. This feature, along with the plush transition zone found at the center of the outsole, which extends up into the midsole, will help you have smoother transitions from heel strike to toe-off. It should be noted that some users have said that they do not feel a lot of propulsion forward in the Revel. However, it should also be noted that this sneaker is not designed to be a training or racing shoe but is ideally suited for everyday runs.


Support

This sneaker is supportive mainly in its upper. The flexible flat-knit mesh material molds to any foot shape and moves easily with your foot, without being too constrictive. All this while keeping your foot safely supported through the use of the stretch saddle that extends over the middle part of the upper in conjunction with the lacing system. This stretch saddle will keep your foot secure and snug and will aid in any sliding of the foot within the sneaker. The plush transition system gives a decent amount of arch support as well. At the back of the heel, you will find a generously padded heel which will keep your foot comfortable and supported inside the sneaker. The Revel is not meant to be a stability shoe and offers more cushioning and comfort over support and stability.


Terrain

The Brooks Revel does not boast aggressive lugs on the bottom of the sneaker. Rather, it has textured flatter lugs that are ideally designed for running on flatter surfaces such as the road, sidewalk, or treadmill. The patterned HPR outsole will definitely give you a great ride on these terrains but is not well-suited for trail-running.


Price

Whether you are looking to wear the Revel as a neutral running shoe or as a lifestyle sneaker, or even as both, they are a great value. The price tag is lower than many running sneakers as well as some lifestyle sneakers. For the price, you will not be disappointed.


Drop

Due to a large amount of cushion provided in this shoe’s midsole, it has a large drop. With a heel height of 30mm and a forefoot height of 19mm, the Revel delivers an 11mm drop. These are not a minimalist running shoe and you will not have a lot of underfoot ground feel.


Stability

As stated before, the Brooks Revel is not engineered to be a highly supportive stability sneaker. It offers some stability with the stretch saddle and the padded heel collar as well as in the arch support. However, if you have foot concerns and need support to help you in pronation tendencies, you may want to consider a different model of running shoe.


Flexibility

Because the Revel is engineered using all lightweight materials, e.g. the flat-knit mesh upper, BioMoGo midsole, and HPR outsole, it is a flexible sneaker. The segmented outsole provides flexibility when transitioning from the heel to the forefoot seamlessly. The forefoot of the sneaker’s outsole boasts flex grooves to help your foot flex more naturally and comfortably.


Traction

The outsole of the Brooks Revel boasts a rectangular-patterned High Propulsion Rubber design and will keep you sure-footed when running or walking on flatter ground surfaces. They will help carry you through your run or throughout your day, whether it is sunny or rainy.


Bottom Line

The Brooks name is synonymous with supportive and comfortable performance running shoes. While the Revel is comfortable, it is well-suited for everyday runs as opposed long-distance, sprinting, or training runs. This shoe does not offer a ton in the way of stability or support but it does have enough to help neutral runners to have a comfortable and efficient run. The flat-knit mesh upper offers a lot in the way of breathability and is in line with many lifestyle sneakers offered on today’s market. A large number of consumers have noted how incredibly comfortable the Revel is right out of the box, which is a big plus no matter what kind of sneaker you are looking for. In conclusion, the Brooks Revel is an excellent option for someone looking for a light-running shoe that will keep them comfortable and give them a decent run, while also looking for a great-looking stylish everyday sneaker.

Where to buy

Brooks Revel

See best prices on Amazon

Summary
The Brooks Revel is an excellent hybrid of a performance running shoe and lifestyle sneaker. It offers a lot of cushioning and boasts features that will give you a comfortable running experience. The stretch saddle that runs over the middle of its upper works along with the lacing system to keep the shoe snugly on your feet, adding to the shoe’s comfort. With the sneaker’s heel crash pad, which is a specially segmented part of its outsole, you will have a smooth transition from heel strike to toe-off, which is always a plus. The Revel has a stylish flat-knit upper design that brings it from day to night easily. These sneakers aren’t meant to be worn on long training runs but are a great sneaker to be worn by the neutral everyday runner or by someone just looking for a comfy sneaker to wear as a casual shoe – or both!
Good
  • Stylish flat-knit upper
  • BioMoGo midsole is extremely cushiony and comfortable
  • Stretch saddle and lacing system provide a secure fit
  • Generously padded heel and tongue for added comfort
  • Segmented heel crash pad gives you a smooth heel strike to lift-off
Bad
  • Not suitable for long training runs
  • Some consumers worry about the sneaker’s possible lack of durability
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