I’ve been on a Brooks kick lately when it comes to running shoes. The Levitate and Levitate 2 have been in regular rotation and the former is easing in on 500 miles and still going strong. While these are my go-to’s for mileage, what I am really lacking in my shoe arsenal at the current moment is some footwear that can double as both a casual and running shoe – something that has the function and style to accomplish both. When I came across the new Brooks Revel 2, I thing I found my void filler!
I took these to Hawaii in early October and they were absolutely perfect for what I needed. I could wear with jeans and shorts and they paired fantastic in the looks department – a simple black color scheme with a flat knit upper. They are the kind of shoes that people just comment on. That, at the same time, allowed me to travel prepared to tackle a few runs (in between much-needed naps on the beach), without having to fill up valuable space in my luggage. Even when I wasn’t trudging through some warm miles on the Maui sidewalks, they stayed on my feet more than I would have thought because they were so comfortable. I am obsessed with the Revel 2’s for this reason alone.
As far as fit goes, they are part of the cushioned line within Brooks. I found them a little rigid overall, but there is definitely enough cushion to keep things comfortable within. Their BioMoGo DNA cushioning “adapts to your stride, weight and speed. Why? So it can protect you by deflecting impact away from your body“. The inner fits nice around the foot and the upper allows for a snug fit without feeling cramped. They do have a medium to high arch support, which is perfect for me, but may not be ideal for others.
Speaking of the upper (the real star in the shoe, in my opinion), the entire upper is flat-knit (outside of the logo) and composed of heat-activated yarns that prevent it from stretching more than it needs to. This makes them very capable of adapting to the foot and adding to that comfort level.
Over the past few weeks, I have run in these in a variety of locations and weather systems, from road running in the humid hills of Maui to some light trail running in the new autumn rain of the PNW. While these are clearly destined to pound the pavement, they have proved to be quite durable in all situations and still look pretty dang good.
And the kicker is that I now have a fantastic and functional pair of shoes, all for just $100. In running shoe world, that’s and absolute steal.
Shoe: Brooks Revel 2
Category: Neutral
Weight: 10.2 oz (for M Size 9)
Heel Drop: 12mm
Arch: Medium, High
Cost: $100
Thank you to Brooks for providing us with a sample pair. Please read our transparency page for info on how we do our reviews.
