Fits Do Product Reviews: Brooks Ravenna 5

In the middle of last year, I switched from the Brooks Adrenaline to the Brooks Ravenna. A physical therapist that I was seeing for my IT band issues told me that she really didn't think I need all of the stability of the Adrenaline. She recommended that I try out the Ravennas, rotating them in with my Adrenaline to see how they felt. The Ravennas are a step back in terms of stability from the Adrenaline.  I wrote about my love for the Adrenalines HERE and I had run in the Adrenalines for quite some time. Yet I was open to a small adjustment within the Brooks family, so I picked up a pair of Ravennas.

I honestly didn't notice that huge of a difference between the two, but the Ravenna's are lighter and "cushier," so I have stuck with the Ravennas now for at least five pairs.

My first few pairs were the Ravenna 4's. Now Brooks has just come out with the Ravenna 5's!

I ordered a pair from Road Runner Sports (as a VIP member, I purchased them for slightly less than the price on the Brooks website).

So far, I have only run a few treadmill miles with these shoes. I am planning to rotate them in with my older Brooks Ravenna 4's, using the older 4's for outdoor, yak-trax/snowy runs, and the 5's for "dry" treadmill miles (which I am sure I will have a lot more of before this winter is over...)

Here's a bit of information on the Ravennas in general from the Brooks website: The Ravennas are a moderate support trainer shoe that is meant for mild over-pronators with varying foot shapes (there is also a wide version available). They are supposed to combine cushioning and guidance. Some reviewers call it a "chameleon shoe" because it adapts to the runner, with a combination of support and cushioning.

The Ravenna 5's are now a little lighter (only 241 grams) which is pretty light for a stability shoe.
They have a "caterpillar" crash pad, which is supposed to help with the transition from heel to toe. The durable "abrasive-resistant" outer rubber is also supposed to help them last longer.

Overall, I think the Ravenna 5's are an improvement to a shoe that I already loved. I recommend this shoe to anyone looking for an affordable and comfortable shoe, who also happens to be a mild-overpronator. And I can't lie- the fun new colors of the Ravenna 5's are pretty sweet!

A Friendly Reminder to Replace Your Running Shoes Frequently!
I'm pretty diligent about tracking my miles with each pair of shoes, and I try to replace them around 400 miles. But if you don't track your miles, there are other ways to tell if your shoes are "dead:"

• Try on a new pair of the model that you are currently wearing
• Compare these to your current shoes
• If the cushioning in your shoes fees dead in comparison, it probably is! Time for a new pair.

If you do track your shoe's life, the recommended mileage is anywhere between 350-550, though this can vary based on your running style, body weight, and the surface you on which you run.

But definitely remember to replace your shoes in a timely fashion! Running in old or worn out shoes can lead to an increase in injury. 

What should you do with your old pairs? Recycle them!
Runner's World offers this full list of places to recycle your shoes: 

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-319--10041-0,00.html

And if you are in the market for a new pair of shoes...be sure to enter to win the $50 gift card to Gear on yesterday's post (HERE). Just answer 5 easy questions for a chance to win!