Brooks Revel 6 Review: A Lightweight, Totally Fine $100 Everyday Trainer

Article by Michael Ellenberger

Brooks Revel 6

Introduction

Michael: I’ve worn and reviewed the Brooks Revel 3 and Revel 5 for RoadTrailRun. To see the Revel 6 maintain its $100 price point (“in this economy?”) genuinely made me happy, and considering the fun that the Revel 5 brought, I jumped at the chance to test the Revel 6. 

But let’s back up quickly - Brooks Revel? Huh? It’s true that this shoe is often overlooked in Brooks’s lineup; it’s a neutral shoe, and with its DNA foam midsole, functionally a stripped-down Levitate (DNA AMP). There’s some Ghost DNA (as in, lineage - not the cushioning), to be sure, but basically this is a lightweight, no-frills, everyday mileage trainer. And it’s been a good one in the past, so let’s see how version 6 runs, shall we?

Pros:

Long live the $100 daily trainer (aka the price!) (Michael)

Upper (Michael)

2mm more cushioning at the heel- now a 10mm drop shoe)(Michael)

Outsole, especially in winter! (Michael)

Recycled midsole material (Michael)

Cons:

Mildly dull ride, especially for easy running (Michael)

Stats

Official Weight: men's 8.8 oz  / 249g  /  women's 8.1 oz / 230g 

Sample: men’s: 8.65 oz  / 245 g (US8.5)

Drop: 10mm 

Available now $100

Saucony Peregrine 13 and Peregrine 13 GTX Multi Tester Review: 11 Comparisons

Article by Mike Postaski, Renee Krusemark, John Tribbia and Jeff Valliere

Saucony Peregrine 13 ($140 ) Peregrine 13 GTX ($160)

Pros:

+1.5mm stack increase & softer lighter PWRRUN, a big difference in cushion Mike P/Renee/Jeff V

More of a do-it-all trail shoe than V12 Mike P/Renee/Jeff V/John

Same great upper fit and security Mike P/Renee/Jeff V/John

More stack, less weight Mike P/Renee/Jeff V/John

Runs much smoother on roads, hard surfaces Mike P/Renee/Jeff V/John

Cons:

Maybe a minor stability & agility loss from V12? Mike P/Renee/Jeff V/John

More exposed outsole as compared to v12: Renee

Stats

Weight:

  Peregrine 13 Samples: men’s  9.62 oz  /  271g US9, 9.6 oz / 272g US 9.5

                                       men’s  10.1oz  /  285g US10

                                       women’s 8.30 oz / 235g US8

  Peregrine 13 GTX Samples: men’s 10.12 oz / 289g US9, 10.6 / 300g US 9.5

                                                women’s 9.05 oz / 257g US8

Stack Height: men’s 28mm heel / 24 mm forefoot 4 mm drop

Available February:  $140 Peregrine 13, $160 Peregrine 13 GTX

Saucony Ultra Ridge GTX Multi Tester Review: Hiking Boot? High Performance Trail Runner? Easily Both and More!

Article by Jeff Beck, Sam Winebaum, and Alex Tilsley

Saucony Ultra Ridge GTX ($190)

Introduction

Sam: The name.. Ultra Ridge GTX is a bit confusing but it actually spells out exactly what this new entry from Saucony is capable of. The “Ridge GTX” is clearly,  based on appearances, a sleek modern hiking boot. The stats hint at the “Ultra” part and we’ll get to that here. 

It is very, very light at a mere 12.72 oz in US9 for a 32.5 mm heel / 26.5 mm stack height hike collar boot and is on the higher end of what a trail running shoe, with a low or mid height top would weigh. 

How is that possible? Well, Saucony uses a core of its supercritical high rebounding  PWRRUN Pb PEBA foam (same as in is Endorphin Pro and Speed road shoes) surrounded by a frame of firmer PWRRUN EVA/TPU foam (as found in the Peregrine 13-14). 

The undercarriage construction and 4mm lug outsole with woven rock protection for sure looks.. Ultra run worthy and is identical to the Xodus Ultra trail runner but with a ridge running hiking upper! 

Genius yet again from Saucony as we have here what potentially is both a no compromises all seasons hiking boot that is super light and a trail runner, winter run offering that while heavier than many has the ride of a fast trail runner. Let’s see how they performed in our early testing.

 

Pros:

Boot? Trail Runner? Both! and with few compromises beyond maybe weight as a trail running shoe:  Sam/Jeff/Alex

-Runs as well as hikes! Smooth flowing 8mm drop, supercritical foam core, very stable, lightly propulsive rock plate: Sam/Jeff/Alex

-Incredibly light for a supportive full pledged boot Sam/Jeff/Alex

-Incredible foot/ankle support - Jeff/Sam

-Light in weight considering everything it brings - Jeff/Sam

-Great option for the ultrarunner with “bad ankles” or very rough terrain racing: Sam/Jeff/Alex

--Flexible lacing: tight down low, looser up top for forward run flex with side support or full on boot snug to the top: Sam

-State of the art trail runner underfoot platform with plenty of run flexiblity (same as Xodus Ultra) in a boot, what a great and fast idea: Sam/Jeff/Alex

-Solid underfoot protection - Jeff/Alex

-Torsionally rigid with high collar makes it stable for carrying decent size loads: Sam

-Excellent grip on hard packed snow: Sam

-Waterproof gusset goes up high enough - Jeff

-Front/rear pull tab helps ingress/egress - Jeff

Cons:

-Waterproof Gore-Tex upper but outsole struggles in mud - Jeff/Alex

- I wonder if such a high cuff is really needed, may add to weight: Sam

- Weird blue sample color way neither run shoe or boot: Sam

- Ankle collar can create pressure points – Alex

Stats

Official Weight: men's 12.6 oz  / 357g (US9)  /  women's 11 oz / 312g (US8)

  Samples: men’s  12.72 oz  /  361g US9, 13.44 oz / 381g US10.5

Stack Height: men’s 32.5 mm heel / 26.5mm forefoot

$190  Available now at Saucony HERE

Daehlie 2023 Winter Run Apparel Round Up Review: Compete Long Sleeve, Vest Run, Winter Wool 2.0 Tight, Intensity Jacket

Article by Sam Winebaum

Compete Long Sleeve ($60),  Vest Run ($120), Winter Wool 2.0 Tights ($140), Intensity Jacket ($90)

I have been a huge fan of Dahelie not only the brand but its namesake founder Bjorn Dahelie, winner of a staggering 29 medals in the Olympics and World Championships in nordic skiing. Needless to say the brand has focused on winter equipping many national teams including of course his own home country of Norway.

Nordic skiers also train many many hours in summer: running, cycling, hiking, and roller skiing. And of course Norwegian runners have excelled in track and field using the same training principles as the nordic skiers. In the past  I have tested items from their winter and summer run collections. All have been exceptional in their functionality and clean modern design.

After excellent experiences in their Elite Singlet and Short and Intensity Jacket this past summer RTR Review, Daehlie sent me winter gear for testing here in Park City. 

I have now had multiple runs (and some Nordic skiing of course) in the Compete Long Sleeve, Vest Run, and Winter Wool 2.0 Tights in temperatures ranging from below 20 F (-6C)  to about 25 F (-4C) often with and a breeze and they have performed superbly. On the colder windier days I have paired the three with the Daehlie Intensity Jacket. I purchased a nifty Daehlie nordic hat  the at the local nordic ski shop and it has never been off my head the last few weeks on the move. Here is what I found.

Hoka Transport Multi Tester Review: My favorite (non) running shoe ever!

Article by Peter Stuart, Dominique Winebaum, and Allison Valliere

Hoka Transport ($140)

Introduction

Peter: The Hoka Transport is an all new daily wear,  lifestyle and light hiking shoe from Hoka. On their spec sheet Hoka says “A crossover shoe with everyday appeal, the Transport is geared to propel runners through daily life.” That pretty much sums it up. It also seems to be a way to get the same Hoka comfort that people have come to love in their running shoes into a less “running” focused package. For all the other Hoka dads who don’t want to look like you’re wearing your running shoes with your jeans or Rhones–this is the shoe for you. 

Saucony Kinvara 14 Initial Video Review: Still 100% a Kinvara! Lighter, More Cushioned, Smoother, and Still $120

Video and Article by Sam Winebaum

Saucony Kinvara 14 ($120)

Update: Full Multi Tester Review HERE

In the video, I take the Kinvara 14, for a 1st run and share Details; Fit, Ride, as well as Conclusions and Comparisons. 

The Kinvara is Saucony's low drop light, flexible trainer now lighter and more cushioned with a more effective flowing midsole geometry 

It is topped with a very light and airy upper.

The Kinvara 14 releases early March 2023. $120. Full Multi Tester Review soon

Kinvara 14 Initial Video Review (14:09)

Tester Profile

Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is 65 with a 2018 3:40 Boston qualifier. 2022 was Sam’s 50th year of running. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range, if he is very lucky, training 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 164 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.

RoadTrailRun may receive a commission on purchases at the stores linked in this article. 

Your purchases help support RoadTrailRun and are much appreciated. Thanks!

Samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased via shopping links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.

Comments and Questions Welcome Below!

Please let us know mileage, paces, race distances, and current preferred shoes

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Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX Multi Tester Review

Article by Renee Krusemark and John Tribbia

Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX ($170)

Pros:

Complete Gore-Tex upper coverage: Renee/John

Versatility in winter conditions: Renee/John

Cons:

Weight: Renee/John

Heel shape: Renee

Midsole is dense and harsh in cold temperatures: John

Stats

Sample Weights:  men’s     9.84oz  / 279g (US 9.0)

                               women’s 9.70 oz /275g (US 7.5)

Stack Height: M 32 mm heel / 28 mm forefoot :: W 30mm heel / 26mm forefoot

$170. Available now at our partner REI  HERE