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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

However, the DS Trainer’s material is more flexible, which allows the slight give I need to maintain the smaller shoe size. 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.It shares with the mid-cushioned Adrenaline (the Ghost with GuideRails®) and ultra-plush Transcend (the Glycerin with GuideRails®). 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. Combine the extra heel movement with a less robust heel counter, and a dull ache sets in along the outside of my heel, a key indicator for me of poor heel support.

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. Delivery timescales are based on working days; Public Holidays, Saturday's and Sunday's are NOT classed as working days. Needless to say, time will tell on this question. When it comes to creating durable running shoes, I think Brooks does some fantastic work, and I hope nothing less from the Ravenna 11. Wet or dry: this grip won't fail you The take-away for you is that if your entire foot is narrow, your regular size in Ravenna has a good chance of fitting well. If you have a narrow heel and medium forefoot, you’ll likely need a half size up.Brooks is well known for their range of stability shoes and like many others in the series, the Ravenna 11 is specially designed for overpronators and built to take on the roads. 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.

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. The shoe looks and feels light and airy, and that is just what you will experience from day one. Conclusion I can be hard to please when it comes to upper fit as I like a close-fitting shoe with a narrow heel fit and firm heel counter.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. 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. 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 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. prefer a cushioned stability shoe for daily training (consider a pair from the Brooks Adrenaline GTS line)