Shopping for affordable running shoes often feels like scraping the bottom of the barrel, which makes the affordable Revel 6 feel like a hidden gem. It’s a well-made neutral trainer that just happens to have a very attractive price point. Part of Brooks’ Energize cohort of high energy return shoes, the Revel 6 serves up a bouncy ride that field testers compared to the Hyperion Tempo, one of the brand’s premium speed training shoes. The real comfort comes from the upper though. Super flexible, very breathable. The laces are nice and stretchy over the top of your foot avoiding any lace bit. I found myself running around town in it after a workout, no need to hastily get out of them after a run.

The Hyperion Elite has a relatively wide footbed compared to other elite racers, such as the Nike Vaporfly, which gives it a more stable ride (especially when cornering) and a more accommodating fit. Overall, the Hyperion Elite 3 is the best choice for longer races and marathons: You get a comfortable ride without compromising on weight or energy return. The Revel can be used on standard training days, and the Launch – which is lighter and more neutral, can be used on short race days or for fast tempo sessions. Both models are quite durable for trainers. Brooks has developed four main cushioning foams for its shoes. Each one is optimized for different traits, like soft cushioning or low weight, which play a large role in defining the distinct feeling of Brooks’ “Cushion,” “Speed,” and “Energize” experiences.DNA Flash, like DNA Loft v3, is nitrogen-infused EVA foam, but it’s optimized for low weight and high energy return. It also offers some softness to absorb impacts. It’s Brooks’ lightest cushioning material, giving shoes like the Hyperion Tempo their propulsive, energetic ride. It’s the foam you want under your feet if you’re focused on speed training or racing. The grip was good on dry hard surfaces. There’s a ton of micro siping on the outsole so it should do fine in wet conditions as well but I was not able to test in the rain. Throughout my test runs, there’s no evidence of wear on the outsole or midsole creasing at all. No issues on dry surface

The Revel weighs in at 8.7 (247g) ounces, which for a budget shoe is really impressive. This is a whopping 1.4oz lighter than the Ghost 14 (10.1oz/287g), a massive difference. Like other shoes with the GTS moniker, this version of the Adrenaline 23 features GuideRails on either side of the footbed. These extra layers of foam cradle your foot and promote proper joint alignment as you run, without interfering too much with your stride. The Revel is based on a BioMoGo DNA biodegradable midsole that is intended to be responsive. And, surprisingly, the entire sole is made of high abrasion-resistant rubber. Like the Ghost, it has a high drop, which may feel a bit clunky to runners used to lower-drop shoes. Even so, the plush heel cushioning softens impacts, and the thinner forefoot has good flexibility for snappy toe-offs. The air mesh upper breathes well and features lots of padding around the collar for comfy fit, and the high-coverage rubber outsole is grippy and tough enough to withstand high-mileage training routines.

Energize

The Adrenaline GTS 23 offers a moderate amount of support and a soft, well-cushioned midsole, which makes it a great choice for easy runs and long distance efforts. Cushioned with DNA Loft v2 foam in the midsole, the Adrenaline serves up a highly cushioned heel and firm forefoot. I don’t love most of the Brooks lineup. Their midsole foam is dull underfoot and the shoes tend to be slightly overweight and overpriced based on how they perform in my opinion. In the Revel, one is not restricted to either running close to the ground or to lifting the feet high up. The Revel is happy to facilitate either running style. Reasonably-priced shoe Brooks has been around for over 100 years, but its story as a running company began in 1974, when the brand released its first running shoe, the Villanova. The shoe was a revelation: It was the first to use ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam padding, which was lighter and softer than other midsole materials used at the time. The Villanova set a new standard for running shoes–EVA is still widely used in running midsoles today. Whether you overpronate or you just want some extra support when your feet get fatigued, the Launch is a solid choice—and proof that stable doesn’t have to mean slow.