Brooks Men's Revel 5 Running Shoe

Product Information

The Glycerin is one of the most expensive options on our list, but we think it’s well worth the investment. Versatile and durable, it works for runners and fitness walkers, as well as for exercisers looking for a comfy gym shoe or a supportive option for all-day wear. We tried these shoes on multiple terrains—concrete, sand, cement, gravel, cushioned gym floor—you name it. On all of these terrains, these running shoes maintained a high level of stability, especially in the ankle area.

Together, the DNA Flash foam and SkyVault create an energetic ride, and enough responsiveness to get a good feel for the ground underfoot, which can be helpful for navigating obstacles on technical trails. The upper comes with a toe cap for protection against trail debris, and it also features drainage holes to shed water, so your feet won’t slosh around in the shoe after a creek crossing. In RW testing, the Catamount 2 won praise for its excellent grip, even in wet and wintry conditions. The shoe’s ample cushioning provides a soft underfoot but with lots of energy return for a responsive ride. We noticed that the plush feel of the shoe also helped in not further aggravating any pre-existing knee injuries. Typical mild pain and discomfort were minimized and soothed and our knees felt completely supported.

Speed

Whether you overpronate or you just want some extra support when your feet get fatigued, the Launch is a solid choice—and proof that stable doesn’t have to mean slow.

The Upper Unit of Brooks Revel 5 is Fit-Knit construction. Brooks updated the upper, although it is the same knit mesh engineering, the updated Fit Knit Upper offers a better secure and distraction-free fit. In addition, we found the new upper of Brooks Revel 5 has better breathability in the forefoot and the sides. Function: Are you a trail runner, or do you plan on logging miles on the road? Look for running shoes that are specifically designed for your intended use.

With the Revel, you can save money without sacrificing performance. While it doesn’t have quite enough cushioning for long-distance running, it’ll be a great workhorse trainer for speedwork and short day-to-day runs. Renee: We live in a world of super shoes with a shoe for each “type” of run: a shoe for slow days, a shoe for speed work, a race shoe, a tempo shoe, etc. The ride of the Revel 5 might not be the most exciting as compared to shoes designed for a certain purpose. However, it does handle any type of run well. The shoe does not obstruct my natural stride. The drop seems much lower than 8mm, which I found great. Like Jacob, I used the Revel 5 for speed work and found the responsiveness good. When you’re running, the last thing you want is to feel weighed down by a heavy shoe. We tested Brooks’ Hyperion Max shoe, and were extremely pleased with how secure and lightweight it felt, which is why we selected it as Brooks' best lightweight running shoe. Speaking of, it felt like we were running on a pair of clouds. We found ourselves exercising longer in these shoes on concrete and pavement because of how pleasant they felt. While other Brooks shoes may offer a little more stability, the extra padding here is what really sold us and made these running shoes stand out.

To choose the best Brooks running shoes, we first asked Angelo Sutera, DPM, a board-certified podiatric surgeon, podiatrists Diana Levin Valencia, DPM, and Pamela Mehta, MD, an orthopedic surgeon, about the benefits of wearing Brooks running shoes. Additionally, we sought their expert advice on what to look for when choosing a pair from Brooks’ line-up. This latest version of the Launch features an engineered mesh upper that’s breathable and lightweight, making the shoe a nice choice for warm-weather running where you feel closer to the ground when running. The shoe offers responsive cushioning and neutral support, as well as the comfort and durability you want in a daily trainer, whether you're running outdoors or on a treadmill desk in the office. Yet the Launch’s lightweight feel, flexibility, and grippy outsole also make it ideal for racing and fast-paced workouts. I don’t love most of the Brooks lineup. Their midsole foam is dull underfoot and the shoes tend to be slightly overweight and overpriced based on how they perform in my opinion. Some runners felt that the upper fit was a little too loose on some days, but the dynamic lacing system allows you to make small adjustments to the fit as needed. It also has a nice and roomy toe box that allows your puppies to naturally splay inside of the shoe for added comfort as well as stability.Brooks made necessary changes on the outsole of Revel 5 and include more lug patter for a better grip performance. The stretch woven technology allows immense breathability and the shoes have a very snug fit that prevents slipping and sliding. Even during sessions where we ran up to 10 miles, we didn’t experience any blisters or irritation. We felt supported and secure, especially around the heel while having ample space in the toe box.