The rational large eddy simulation (RLES) model is applied to turbulent channel flows. This approximate deconvolution model is based on a rational (subdiagonal Pade) approximation of the Fourier transform of the Gaussian filter and is proposed as an alternative to the gradient (also known as the nonlinear or tensor-diffusivity) model. We used a spectral element code to perform large eddy simulations of incompressible channel flows at Reynolds numbers based on the friction velocity and the channel half-width Re(tau)=180 and Re(tau)=395. We compared the RLES model with the gradient model and the Smagorinsky model with Van Driest damping. The RLES model was much more stable than the gradient model and yielded improved results. Both the RLES model and the gradient model predicted the off-diagonal Reynolds stresses better than the Smagorinsky model with Van Driest damping. The latter, however, yielded better results for the diagonal Reynolds stresses. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.