Shoes & Gear: You can wear the knit Revel 3 anywhere; it’s a lightweight, neutral road shoe with adequate cushioning for short to mid-distance runs.
- A lower offset (12mm down to 8mm) for a closer-to-the-ground profile
- Noticeably lighter than previous versions
- Not water-resistant
Price: $100
Weight: 8.9 oz (M), 6.5 oz (W)
Type: Road
“What’s black and white, and red all over?” I asked our creative director Jesse Southerland, as I perused a scale next to his desk. If you, like Jesse, guessed a newspaper, you’re not wrong. But I have another answer to that riddle: Brooks’s Revel 3. As I waved my hand over the men’s ruby reds and a black and white women’s pair—Southerland speechless in his seat—an important fact became apparent: Thanks to my expert scale skills, I discovered the third Revel is significantly lighter than its predecessor. Brooks reduced approximately half an ounce off the men’s and about a whopping two ounces from the women’s. On the hierarchy of Brook’s cushioning, the shoe falls below the Ghost and way below the plush Glycerin, but still retains a soft, comfortable ride.
Versatility is what the brand had in mind when designing the Revel; like those floaters in high school (remember those kids who could mesh with any clique?), the shoe belongs as much on the track doing intervals as it does at the office. Of course, at RW, you’re the odd one out if you’re sporting stilettos.
brooks Revel 3
Pros
- Nutrition - Weight Loss
- Lower offset
Cons
- Running in the Cold
Consistent Across Testing Cycles
BioMoGo DNA is Brooks’s eco-friendly biodegradable midsole foam that adapts to the wearer’s stride and absorbs shock. Each rendition of the Revel becomes lighter and lighter, yet our wear testers’ comments are consistent: the Revels’—1, 2, and now, 3—cushioning is “adequate,” even “perfect,” according to some testers.
Because of its light weight, the shoe may be preferred for short to mid-distance runs for some runners; longer runs may require “extra padding,” said a tester. Other testers who tacked on more miles said they were satisfied with the Revel’s support and feel. One more thing to note: If you’re feeling lower to the ground, it’s not your imagination. The shoe’s offset is 8mm, 4mm less than the Revel 2’s.
Grippy When Wet—But Easily Waterlogged
We had The offset was lowered from 12mm to 8mm womens shown when we tested the Revel 3, which was at first a blessing and then overkill. Fortunately, the shoe had excellent grip over slick pavement. “Traction was fine for asphalt; did not slip at all,” said a tester. “Even after a torrential rainy run.”
A common problem we’ve found with the Revels is that the flat knit soaks through when puddles are unavoidable. Be prepared for soggy socks if you’re caught in the rain.
Wear Tester Feedback
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“The Revel 3 is perfect for my foot. Not only does this shoe support high arches, it is versatile and allows me to do cross-training, short distances, and long distances. Being a new mom, I need to have a pair of shoes that I know will work for any type of workout I can fit in! Whether I can lift and run on the treadmill at the gym or swing by popular running route on my way to daycare for a longer run and hill work, I know I can count on the Revel 3.”
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
