On Friday I went to Born To Run (Lafayette Hill) to get fitted for new running shoes. It has been 10+ years since I was last fitted. I have been living a happy existence in my Brooks Adrenalines for that long…until their Adrenaline 12s came out.
When I started training for Boston, I ordered the latest and greatest edition of Adrenalines like I do for (mostly) every training cycle. I immediately noticed that the 12s rubbed the inside of my ankle so bad it started to swell – not ideal for marathon training. I didn’t want to transition to a completely different shoe midway through training so I went back to the Adrenaline 11s and used them for Boston.
Realizing Brooks won’t make the 11s forever, I needed to find a new shoe. I was torn because I loved the Adrenalines and really credit them for my injury-free running (knock on wood). In the back of my mind I was thinking about switching to the Brooks Ravenna. They would probably fit similarly and, although they provide slightly less support, I use orthotics so maybe less support would be OK?
I walked into Born To Run with an open mind and ready to try any shoe they threw at me. Megan (owner) was wonderful and extremely patient as I hoped on and off the treadmill testing out different shoes.
I walked out with Brooks Ravenna 
The fit was so similar to the Adrenalines. I broke in my new kicks over the weekend and so far, so good. I still haven’t parted with my Adrenaline 11s yet…just in case.
Did any Brooks Adrenaline wearers experience a similar issue with the 12s? I placed the 11s and 12s side-by-side and the 12s are cut slightly higher on the inside which is why it rubbed my ankle.
Are you nervous to try out a different running shoe? I’m a creature of habit and you know the saying “if it ain’t broke…” I’m really hoping the Ravennas continue to be OK.
I went through this same thing with my New Balance. I LOVED the 1060’s, 1061s, 1062s & 1063s. Then all hell broke loose when they stopped making that line. When I took my old 1062s into the New Balance store in KoP, the guy said they don’t even make anything like it anymore. It was tough for me to find a new shoe, but I’ve settled nicely into a pair of Saucony’s. Why oh why do they have to keep changing the styles to just keep up with stupid fads? They really lose sight of their customer base, as far as I’m concerned!
I’m on my last pair of Adrenaline 11s because I can’t find any more in my size anywhere! I’m going to try Mizuno next because I got a free pair and I hope I like them. Well, I don’t really WANT to like them because they are so expensive to actually buy, but you know what I mean.
I’m definitely nervous when trying new shoes. If it doesn’t work out, it’s an expensive mistake! I’ve also had a number of stress fractures so I’m really cautious about my feet. Glad you like the Ravenna; I’ve been wearing them for a couple years now and really like the fit.
The Nike Lunar Glide had some small updates between the 2 and the 3 that I havent loved. I got a stress fracture from Kinvaras so I’m also really picky. I just got the Brooks PureCadence for tempo and speed work and they are fun!
I am on my second pair of Ravennas and I really like them–light with just enough support/cushioning. I am also transitioning into a pair of Newton’s. I went to a demo at my running store out of curiosity. I really expected not to like them but I found them really comfy.
Good luck! Hope you continue to do well in the Ravennas!
Good to know! HATED the 12’s on runs longer than 5+ miles and ended up buying a pair of 11’s from roadrunnersports.com for $60-something, but I know they won’t be around forever 🙁
I loooooooove getting new running shoes. Like totally love. They feel like squishy marshmallows.
I’m an Asics Kayano girl but haven’t been fitted for years! Who knows what I’d come out with if I went in to get fitted now.
I swore by Asics for years! I loved my Kayanos and then when the 18’s came out, I had to break-up with them. I found a pair of Sauconys I liked and haven’t looked back since. Running shoes are important! You can really love a pair or want to cuss them out by the end of a really long run! 🙂
Oh I just love stories of buying new running shoes or getting fitted for or finding something new altogether! I personally have always been a Nike or Saucony fan, but I am always curious about these Brooks because I hear a lot of good things! Enjoy 🙂
It sucks when in the name of “improvement” they screw up your favorite shoe! I ran in the same model for roughly 7 years but finally decided to make a switch last fall and haven’t looked back. Part of that had to do with my shoes gradually going up in price so now they’re $50 more than they were when I started buying them! I’m now a New Balance convert.
I’m a minimalist shoe wearer tried and true, but way back before I made that switch the Ravennas were my shoe. I’m like you, if I find something that works, I don’t stray far!
Had the same issue last year with my Mizunos – the 2011s were great 2012 – too tight and all wrong. I just switched to the Adrenalines 12s which are a happy match. I’m also playing with the Pure Flows for shorter distances – so far so good!
I LOVE my shoe guys – they are wizards and never slack on taking all the time necessary to ensure a perfect fit.
the ravennas are a great shoe! especially if you already wear orthotics. I used to be nervous about trying different shoes, but now I’m actually rotating three different ones and love them all. I guess I am too indecisive to choose just one..
I just learned how to fit people for running shoes – so exciting! I also had to try on every type of shoes in the store – not quite as fun as it sounds. Changing shoes is so scary. I was fine with the Adrenaline 12s – I’m with Kara trying Mizunos next!
I am nervous to try out new shoes, but there are so many out there to try that I am curious about them too! I’ve been wearing lighter stability shoes since my “fitting” at a Road Runner Sports a couple years ago, but I had someone check out my gait again now that I’ve been running more and higher mileage and it looks like I can be in neutral shoes now, I guess that’s exciting?