Brooks Revel 3 test & review - A plush neutral shoe
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Brooks markets these trainers as a “street-ready” shoe that can be worn casually - thanks to its good looks. This is a true story; the shoe looks great.
My second-first impression was, “wow, these are lightweight!” The Brooks Revel 3 weigh-in at 7.9oz for the women’s model—quite a light shoe for being in the cushion category.
When I first put the Revel 3 on my feet, I noticed the cushioning around my heel and Achilles. The collar is quite padded and offers a sock liner in the interior to make the foot feel secure and supported, yet manages to keep from over-bulking the shoe like padded heels often do.
My insoles help support a slightly higher arch, but I felt sufficiently supported in these shoes as-is. These are a neutral trainer, so if you absolutely require more support from your shoe and/or insoles, the Revel 3 might not be the right choice.
For sufficient toe box room and a secure heel, I usually go a half size up from my street shoes in my running sneakers. This held true for the Revel 3 as well. I’m normally a 7.5 in street shoes, and the 8 was perfect here.
Brooks claims that the fibers are heat-activated and won’t stretch out over time. A hundred miles in and no visible signs of wear yet. There wasn’t any break-in period either. I put 8 miles on them fresh out of the box, and my feet, heels, and ankles were all happy.
The flat-knit upper with heat-activated yarns and an inner liner claim to mold to your feet upon wear. After over 100 miles in this shoe, I haven’t experienced any visible wearing spots, nor do I feel the knit is stretching out.
I have really been enjoying the cushioning of the midsole. It is noticeably soft when you put the shoe on and provides a very smooth, floaty ride. At a moderate 8 mm offset, the transitions are smooth.
Most of the cushioning is felt in the heel, but mid and forefoot strikes are still ultra-soft and fluid. Combined with the light weight of the shoe, it’s easy to feel a pep in your step as you glide through the miles.
Brooks Revel’s outsole has been nice and grippy, though I haven’t had the opportunity to wear them in the rain yet (SoCal winter has been dry so far). The forefoot provides a nice, wide base of contact with tiny grooves that allow for good traction.
The hard bottom rubber combined with the blown rubber provides a good amount of flexibility in the sole without sacrificing longevity. I was surprised to look at the soles and see minimal visible signs of wear at this point in the shoe’s life.
Overall the Brooks Revel 3 checks boxes for a soft ride, lightweight, and comfortable fit. It’s fast and smooth, breathable, and looks good to boot. Plus, it’s holding up really well against daily use, so, to me, that is an excellent return on investment.
Kristin Smith
RunRepeat Expert