Article by Dave Ames
Brooks Ravenna 9
Brooks Ravenna 9
Introduction
Known for many years as a “hybrid” in the Brooks Running line, the Ravenna 9 can be ever so slightly categorized as a stability or guidance shoe. Using a diagonal rollbar, the Ravenna 9 provides just the smallest amount of additional support to keep a smooth heel to toe transition going. The Ravenna 9 sheds 0.7 oz of weight always welcome, making the Ravenna a very light shoe in the light guidance class. It boasts the BioMoGo DNA cushioning system to give an ever so responsive, yet fast ride for an everyday trainer. The new engineered mesh upper is a pleasant change from Brooks previously, in my opinion,“stale” uppers. It fits like a glove. I have had very pleasant running experiences in the Ravenna 9.
Stats:
Weight 9.5oz/(Men 9) 8.1oz (Women)
28mm heel/18mm forefoot, 10mm drop
$110. Available February 2018
$110. Available February 2018
First Impressions and Fit
Dave: It’s taken me a long time to really like a shoe from Brooks, other than maybe the T5 racer years ago and the countless miles I ran in the Radius in high school and college. It’s just not a running shoe company that worked well with my foot in the late to mid 2000’s, or more recently. However, and I think I said this in an earlier review for the Launch 5, Brooks is definitely late to the party in design, but this new 2018 line is quite impressive! The Ravenna 9 is an outstanding shoe. Upon initial step in, it doesn’t have that bulky feel that their shoes had in the past, one because the new upper finally works well with your foot.
I really enjoy the blue and neon yellow colorway and you continually get other runners checking out your kicks (that’s the point right!? JK) - - Sizing does run a tad small for my size 9 and I wouldn’t hesitate to say you may want to go up a half size.
Upper
Dave: The 2018 new Brooks uppers are outstanding. They really did a good job with the engineered mesh They rival some of the awesome stuff being put out there from Nike and Skechers Performance (2 companies doing it the best right now in uppers IMHO) - - I am over 250 miles in on this shoe, which is far more than I usually run upon testing, but the Ravenna 9 fits like an absolute glove.
Midsole
Dave: Using a Midfoot Transition Zone, the Ravenna 9 allows for a quick heel to toe transition. This was somewhat surprising to me as the new Launch 5 uses the same form of technology and I felt extremely unstable in that shoe when I reviewed it for RoadTrailRun. But the Ravenna 9 feels great! I was able to cruise in this shoe for long runs, tempos and Fartleks. I normally will always switch to a lighter shoe for a workout, but this thing felt so good I never switched for a few workouts into my lighter footwear option. The Ravenna 9 packs a ton of “pop” and I was really able to work pace down nicely. I found myself continually pulling for this shoe in a training week.
Outsole
250 miles in an I see only the smallest amount of wear in the forefoot, from the sweet spot I am landing. The Midfoot Transition Zone really helped me land where I wanted and this is pretty much the only area showing signs of the miles. The shoe has plenty of life left and my guess is it’s easily a 400 mile shoe, depending on your gait cycle. Heel strikers and heavier runners may get a tad less, but honestly, it’s a workhorse. Grip was good on snow and ice for a normal everyday trainer.
Ride
I was curious to see how a “stability” shoe felt. It’s been a long time since I have run in one. I tend to only review neutral shoes. Let me tell you, neutral runners will be fine in the Ravenna 9! In fact, for longer runs and tempos, one may prefer a more stable ride. I feel really fresh post run in this shoe. It’s smooth, it’s light enough and has a ton of power for a daily trainer. Would I race in it, heck no, but it’s good enough that I came coming back for it daily. Those 20 milers, 20+’s in a marathon cycle are perfect for the Ravenna 9. It’s just enough to keep the stride healthy and the legs fresh. If you want to throw some MRP work in there, it will handle that too! Recovery day shoe? That 8 to 10 miler shoe? All of the above!
Conclusions and Recommendations
Dave: All in all, I was wowed. Honestly Brooks, you did an outstanding job with the Ravenna 9 (send me another pair!) - - Run Specialty stores, don’t hesitate to pull this as a neutral option with a firmer ride for the runner seeking that. It’s not an Adrenaline and it won’t fire up the IT bands of a neutral gait cycle. A real, real nice shoe.
Dave's Score: 9.75/10
-.25 for running a tad short in sizing
-.25 for running a tad short in sizing
Comparisons
Brooks Ravenna 9 vs. Saucony Guide ISO
Dave: I’ll lean towards the Ravenna 9 on this one as I feel far more beat up in the EVERUN top sole and PWRFOAM midsole, post run. The heel collar tends to beat me up as well in Saucony.
Brooks Ravenna 9 vs. Saucony Ride 10 (RTR review)
Dave: While in different categories (depending on how you organize a shoe wall) - - I find a similar feeling in these too shoes, with the win going to the Ravenna 9. It simply just feels faster and allows a quicker transition time for me. I am able to use the Ravenna 9 for tempos, where Ride 10 gets a bit sloppy at higher paces.
Brooks Ravenna 9 vs. Asics GT-2000 6
Dave: I just can’t run in Asics. Too much shoe, too much control. Ravenna 9 for the win. I’d play a safe bet and say the BioMoGO DNA is more powerful than the FlyteFoam midole in Asics. The upper is far more advanced in the Ravenna 9 compared to the GT-2000.
Reviewer Bio
Dave Ames is the Founder and Head Coach of Ame For It Run Coaching, a nationwide run coaching business, training athletes of all ability levels from 5K to Marathon. A former competitive college athlete he keeps sub 3 hour marathon fit.
For Dave's full run bios see our Reviewers Bio Page here.
The Ravenna was provided at no cost.The opinions herein are entirely the author's.
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19 comments:
Which shoe to you prefer for long runs for a neutral runner...
Brooks Ravenna 9 or Skechers Forza 3?
You all seem to be a fan of both at RTR for similar reasons.
Thanks!
...also.
How does the width of the D-width Ravenna 9 compare to the width on the Skechers GORUN Ride 7? I sometimes need a 2E in certain shoes, but definitely not in the GORUN Ride 7. Wondering if I go with a Ravenna 9 if I should be going with the 2E or not.
Kip,
Upon testing on longer runs, I may give the slight edge to the Forza 3. It's just overall a more comfortable shoe. But don't sleep on the Ravenna 9 either. Honestly, I feel they both will perform just fine. If you want more of a smoother softer ride after a while go with the Forza 3. If you want it firmer the entire time, go with the Ravenna 9.
As far as width, I did find the toe box to be a bit snug, but in all my years back in the day of fitting runners in shoes, wides can really ruin your running experience, unless absolutely needed! The sockliner in the Ride 7 can be removed to give you more volume if you want it.
I think both the Ride 7 and the Ravenna 9 run a tad tight in the toebox initially, but they both opened up nicely after a few runs. I'd just stay with the normal widths on both.
Need anything else, let me know!
Dave
Thank you!
I actually have a Ride 7 already and love it. I run with the sock liner out because of the volume needed for my foot. I find with the sock liner in the toebox is just too shallow (pressure on big toe). With it out though, it feels great.
Does the Forza 3 also have a removable sock liner with secondary padding underneath like the Ride 7 does?
Hi Kip,
No secondary liner in Forza 3 but it does have a smoother EVA type strobel board below. Runs a bit small and low with sock liner I am half size up.
Sam,Editor
Kip,
Correction my pair of Forza is true to size and a bit low over the toes. With a flat thin sock liner they would be about perfect. Sam
Great Review
I currently run in the Brooks Adrenaline GTS but want to look at a lighter shoe, would this be a good choice with it having a slight less heel drop and also being lighter in weight ?
Kind Regards
Keith
Hi Dave,
I really enjoyed your review. Have just bought a pair of these after trying on a dozen shoes in a running shop.
I'm interested in your comment "Would I race in it, heck no, but it’s good enough that I came coming back for it daily." Would you be able to expand a bit on what you mean by this, and what you wear to race, and in what kind of race?
thanks
Matt
Hi Keith,
Ravenna 9 would be perfect if you were looking to go lighter than the Adrenaline. The Ravenna packs more punch, but still has the small stability characteristics should you want them in there. A fine choice for sure! Dave
Hi Matt,
What I meant by this is I wouldn't race in it because it's still too heavy because after all it's a daily trainer. However, I was able to do some tempo, Fartlek and Progression work in it and it was really nice, even though it's a tad heavier. A runner who really likes this shoe may want to run their goal marathon in it as I found it performed quite well on longer runs and kept my stride smooth!
For shorter racing and workouts, I'll grab more of a racing flat like the NB 1400v5 or the Reebok Fast.
Depending on how quick the runner is at the marathon distance the Ravenna could be used for race day.
Hope this helps!
Dave
Hi Keith. I ran in a Adrenaline GTS 18 for a bit and I recently picked up the Ravenna 9. Definitely a more nimble feeling shoe. The weight loss is noticeable. The drop feels lower for sure, which I like, even though it’s only 2mm spec difference. I love the Ravenna. The Adrenaline is definitely roomier overall but the snugger fit of the Ravenna is still incredibly comfortable. It’s a great shoe. Using as my do-almost-everything daily trainer. The only other shoe I’m really rotating in now is the Skechers GOrun Ride 7 for long and mellow runs. Not a stability shoe but too awesome to not have in rotation.
I couldn't decide between the Forza 3 and Ravenna 9 so I got both ; )
The most funnest stability shoes I've run in and both have there own character and scream"get out and run!"
Also, I find the Forza 3 better for longer runs because of the cushioning and the Ravennas better for faster work. Seems like the opposite of what it should be.
Hi Demian,
Two great choices. I agree on your assessment although I do find the Forza somewhat firm and of course stable front to back. I think the reason you may find Ravenna so fine for faster work is that its forefoot is nicely flexible while Forza is quite stiff.
Sam, Editor
Just ran the Brooklyn Half in the Ravenna 9's and they held up very nice! Light shoe with some good support when I got tired.
Great to hear demian!
HI Sam,
One of my favorite aspects of this shoe is how it fits and the soft tongue. With all the shoes you've tried, can you think of others that have that great quality? Is this something very specific to Brooks?
Thanks,
Demian
HI damien,
Many great tongues out there some not so good. New Reebok Sweet Road 2 is similar.
Sam, Editor
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