No surprise, Ravenna 11 is 8 mm longer than its smaller-size cousin, DS Trainer, with a 7 mm wider heel base and an 8 mm wider base at the ball of the foot. I know going up was the best choice as smaller would have pinched at the ball of the foot. To explain, I’ll compare size 10 in Ravenna 11 to size 9.5 in the ASICS Gel-DS Trainer 24. However, with the same size in Ravenna, Brooks’ stability speed shoe, Adrenaline, their speed/cushion stability hybrid, and Transcend, the plushed-out stability workhorse, I only get the fit issues in Ravenna. It shares with the mid-cushioned Adrenaline (the Ghost with GuideRails®) and ultra-plush Transcend (the Glycerin with GuideRails®). That’s helpful to know for next time, but I had no complaints about my first run in Ravenna 11. Repeated miles brought my fit issues more to the forefront.

prefer a cushioned stability shoe for daily training (consider a pair from the Brooks Adrenaline GTS line) Speaking of which, I really tried to make my preferred size work in past Brooks shoes as I do not like extra length in a shoe. Ravenna seems to fit longer than Transcend though they are the same size. The plush heel in the latter holds the foot further forward in the shoe.Further, between the Ravenna and DS Trainer, the DS is snappier, but the Ravenna combines more cushion (to a still responsive ride) with an outsole that banks outward from the upper more than the ASICS. One of the nice surprises of the Ravenna 11 has been the traction throughout the outsole. I was able to run mostly on roads, but I added in some gravel, grass, dirt, and asphalt, and felt great on all surfaces. Wet or dry, the outsoles have performed wonderfully with plenty of traction, whether running, hiking, or walking. All this to say, DS feels more like an extension of the foot; Ravenna combines responsiveness with support in a more beefed-up (for a speed shoe) midsole. I hope that this review finds you faithfully hitting the roads (or treadmill) to help manage the stress and grief of our times. However, I wonder if there is room for a bit more cushion throughout the forefoot, especially. Weight to wish for!

The inflexible upper makes it fit a narrow foot best, and the responsive, supportive, and grippy sole unit encourages a light step in up to 10K races—or even a half marathon, for those with low-moderate support needs. Lace up industry-leading knee support that starts right at your feet in the revamped Brooks Ravenna 11 running shoes with all new GuideRails technology. I have been comfortable running in the Brooks Ravenna 11 since day one. The weight (266g) and heel-to-toe drop (10mm) both fall on the lighter to moderate side of things, providing for a wonderful ride that makes you wonder just how this is a stability shoe in the first place. Let’s link (virtual) arms while “running in step” and get through this. Keep making the world a better place, runner friends (even if that means by distancing)!

However, the DS Trainer’s material is more flexible, which allows the slight give I need to maintain the smaller shoe size. Delivery timescales are based on working days; Public Holidays, Saturday's and Sunday's are NOT classed as working days. The GuideRails® function like an extended heel counter—that stiff piece around the heel of many running shoes to counter excess heel movement—by continuing to guide the foot as it moves through footstrike, with the goal of correcting knee alignment from the ankle up.

This method of foot guidance works for me, and it allows for a lighter shoe as well, from those with extra bulk in the midsole. Speaking of weight, the 11 is .4 oz. lighter per shoe than my half-size smaller in Ravenna 9. From time to time carriers may deliver earlier or later, or on non working days however this is cannot be guaranteed nor should it be expected. Brooks’ signature BioMoGO DNA cushioning makes up the midsole to ease pressure on the joints. This cushioning is also made from eco-friendly materials that decompose after its lifespan is complete.The measurements verify what my fit experience told me: a half-size bigger Ravenna fits my forefoot like my regular size in DS Trainer, but it makes for a longer-fitting shoe with a less-secure heel fit. Combined with a stable midfoot fit which moves into a low-volume toebox that nonetheless accommodates little “knobs” on both sides of my forefoot.

It also features a GuideRails® Holistic Support System which supports runners through their natural gait cycle. It provides more stability through each stride and ensures that wearers remain balanced. Outsole The Brooks Ravenna 11s are a wonderful combination of speed and stability. While I’m not ready to take the shoe out for ultra distances, I feel comfortable with the shoe when time and speed count. Ideally, I would recommend the shoe for race day, interval training, and tempo runs. The extra length (8 mm. from the DS Trainer) really is not that noticeable when running—I was surprised! But the heel has more give.

Blown rubber on the outsole is abrasion-resistant and durable yet springy. It is paired with flex grooves on the sole to provide a flexible platform for versatile movement. Alternative Road Running Shoes Take my last statement with one caveat: if you have a narrow foot throughout, your regular size in Ravenna will likely support you well, especially for faster, short to mid-distance efforts. I finally grew tired of loosening the laces enough that I could convince myself that the 9.5 didn’t pinch my forefoot and went with size 10 for this year’s Ravenna 11, Adrenaline GTS 20, and Transcend 6.