Brooks Launch – Shoe review

Brooks Launch a multi-purpose racer trainer

By Hamish Hamilton
intraining Staff Member
Half Marathon PB: 1:13:13

220x300_brookslaunchThe Brooks Launch offers a comfortable feeling under foot with its smooth heel to toe transition. The 10mm heel drop propels you through your running gait with ease and efficiency. It almost feels as though the shoe is pushing you forward without any effort.

The midsole offers a plush cushioning under foot, when compared to other racer trainer’s such as the Asics DS Trainer whilst still offering a responsive and faster ride.

Being a midfoot, forefoot striker the idea of a lightweight racer trainer, at just 288g, was very appealing. Having worn both the Mizuno Sayonara and Nike Zoom-Elite I found this shoe to be softer than the Sayonara but more responsive then the Zoom-Elite. The Brooks Launch’s great combination of cushioning and weightless feel, makes this shoe a great choice for faster paced sessions whether they are short or long. This is really my go to shoe for speed-work and faster paced tempo runs up to 20km.

Key reasons why I like the Brooks Launch

  • Great propulsion
  • Soft yet responsive ride
  • 10mm heel to toe drop (less than T7 and racer ST)
  • Lightweight for speed sessions
  • Cushioning to faster longer run

Brooks Launch Specifications

PRONATION: None/Normal
ARCH: Medium, High
BODY BUILD: Small, Medium, Large
SURFACE: Road/Track
WEIGHT: 224g (womens) / 278g (mens)
MIDSOLE DROP: 10 mm

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Review date: November 2016