The RW Takeaway: More affordable than other trainers in its category, this neutral road shoe holds its own with a soft upper and plush heel cushioning.
Preceded By: Revel 3, Revel 4, Revel 5
Key Tech: The RW Takeaway
Pros
- 2RW+ Member Exclusives
- Other Hearst Subscriptions
- Bargain-buy price
- Soft padded tongue and heel collar
Cons
- Less cushioning in the midfoot and forefoot
| Type | Road |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8.8 oz (M), 7.4 oz (W) |
| Drop | 10 mm |
Today, the $100 running shoe—the good kind—has become as mythic as the Boston Marathon’s unicorn. Such shoes do exist, however. Saucony’s Axon 3, for example, wowed us with its rocker-soled propulsion and high rebound. Known for the Ghost, its everyday trainer, Brooks also offers a bargain-buy shoe: the Revel 6.
The Revel is a part of Brooks’s “Energize” family of shoes, categorized for their high energy return and springy ride. The 6 does its fam proud, providing high rebound with a locked-in fit. Compared to the Revel 5, this iteration has an even sleeker knit upper, yet Brooks Ample toebox room.
“The step-in feel is fantastic,” said a tester who previously ran in Altra’s super shoe, the Vanish Carbon, and the Altra Rivera (a shoe similar to Brooks’s Revel in terms of weight and ride). “The upper feels as good as—if not better than—some of my $150 running shoes.”
Brooks upped the stack height in the heel with an extra 2mm of DNA foam. This makes for a more responsive ride. My runs felt fast and had some pop, reminiscent of earlier versions of the brand’s Launch, and even comparable to Brooks’s Hyperion Tempo, a racing shoe pumped up with nitrogen-infused DNA Flash foam.
Suited for Speed
Past the six-mile mark, I noticed some soreness in my forefoot, which I attribute to the thinner foam in that area. Another tester, who’s also a midfoot-striker, had the same experience.
“The heel cushioning is great for running on roads,” she said, “but it is a little lacking in the mid- and forefoot. This is okay for shorter runs and feels very responsive, but it’s not enough cushioning for longer runs.”
With this to consider, the Revel is best suited for speedwork and middle-distance racing. One more small perk: ample room in the toebox.
Said a tester, “The Revel has a comfortable upper with a wide toebox. This is always a must-have for me and something I really enjoy with Altras and Topos (brands known for their wide toeboxes).”
Tester Feedback
Krista H. | Tester since 2017
Arch Height: Medium | Pronation : Neutral | Footstrike: Midfoot
“This shoe has a great fit with a wide toebox. However, the overall length may be a little short compared to Altras and Topos. The upper is a great mix of flexible and durable, and it conforms well to my foot. The collar and tongue are also nicely padded—no hot spots anywhere on this shoe!
“The stability and support were also great. My foot does not slide around at all inside the shoe, but the fit does not feel too constrictive. The Revel 6 truly feels like an extension of my foot!”
Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
