Our verdict

Looks fast, runs fast. The Launch 9 from Brooks is a daily trainer that can handle any speed we put into our run. Whether we're going fast or slow, it performs. On top of this, it can handle any distance. From short runs, 5Ks to 20 miles, it doesn't disappoint. Ultimately, we recommend getting the Brooks England Borsa Telaio Scape Top Tube 0 if you're after a solid all-rounder that doesn't hurt the wallet or the feet.

zapatillas de running Brooks distancias cortas grises Pros

  • BROOKS GLYCERIN 20 MUJER
  • Lighter weight
  • Comfy ride for long miles
  • Perfect for any pace
  • Not tippy when cornering
  • Stable on gravel
  • Brooks Trace 2 Purple Womens Running Shoes
  • Quite breathable
  • Sustainable outsole
  • Great-value

zapatillas de running Brooks distancias cortas grises Cons

  • Not as energetic as expected
  • Pricier than before

Audience verdict

87
Great!
  • Top 22% most popular running shoes

Who should buy

The Brooks England Borsa Telaio Scape Top Tube 0 is an excellent perfect pick for runners in need of a: 

  • fun and lightweight running shoe that can go fast or slow 
  • road shoe Corpo anodizado com o logótipo da Brooks England gravado a laser

Launch 9 on the track

zapatillas de running Brooks talla 49.5 baratas menos de 60

If you're looking for a dedicated, tried-and-true speed trainer that's ready to set and beat PRS, we think that it's better to go for the Brooks Hyperion Tempo or the zapatillas de running Brooks ultra trail talla 40.5 verdes.

And if you want something cheaper, the zapatillas de running Brooks minimalistas maratón talla 45.5 is our suggestion. 

Breathability

The Brooks England Borsa Telaio Scape Top Tube 0 proved to be a fairly breathable shoe. With very little in-shoe padding, the Launch 9 allows for some decent airflow.

Closeup of the upper on launch 9

Holding half of the shoe against the light, we could see that a large part of the upper is pretty transparent, keeping the interiors well-ventilated.

Weight

It's not just lighter than its predecessor; it's also lighter than most running shoes on the market! Based on our measurements, the Brooks England Borsa Telaio Scape Top Tube 0 is over an ounce lighter than average.

Launch 9 on the track

Test results
Launch 9 7.94 oz (225g)
Average 9.38 oz (266g)
Compared to 305 running shoes
Ladies Night w Brooks 3 31 from 5 PM to 7
5.26 oz (149g)
Weight
12.56 oz (356g)

Cushioning

Drop

In the brand's specifications, it says that the Launch 9 has a drop of 10mm.

Based on our caliper measurements, this is almost true! With the heel stack of 32.4 mm and the forefoot stack of 23 mm, we got a drop of 9.4 mm.

forefoot stack height of launch 9

Test results
Launch 9 9.4 mm
Average 8.7 mm
Compared to 304 running shoes
Ladies Night w Brooks 3 31 from 5 PM to 7
-0.8 mm
Drop
16.1 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

In our durometer measurement, the Brooks England Borsa Telaio Scape Top Tube 0 scored 22 HA which indicates that it has an average level of midsole softness - neither too plush nor firm.

We also felt a touch of pop that added fun to the shoe's ride. Meanwhile, for longer efforts, the cushioning felt quite forgiving, more so than its predecessor.

Test results
Launch 9 22.0 HA
Average 21.4 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 232 running shoes
Ladies Night w Brooks 3 31 from 5 PM to 7
8.5 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
41.5 HA

Rocker

This shoe has a rockered shape that allows for fast and easy heel-to-toe transitions. It made the ride feel so seamless! 

rocker profile of launch 9

Stability

Lateral stability test

Despite its higher stack height for a speed trainer, the Brooks England Borsa Telaio Scape Top Tube 0 never felt tippy, even during sharp turns and when running on gravel.

Stretching in brooks launch 9

Torsional rigidity

Torsional stiffness appears to be the source of stability in this Brooks trainer. It took some serious effort to twist the shoe in our manual test. Thus, we rated its rigidity as 4 out of 5. Nearly the stiffest in our catalog!

Test results
Launch 9 4
Average 3.2
Compared to 283 running shoes
Ladies Night w Brooks 3 31 from 5 PM to 7
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

The shoe's heel counter is more on the pliable side, scoring only 2 out of 5 on the heel squeeze-and-push test.

Heel counter of the Launch 9

It may not be a stiff one but it held our ankle quite securely as far as speed-oriented shoes go.

femme of the launch 9

Test results
Launch 9 2
Average 2.8
Compared to 267 running shoes
Ladies Night w Brooks 3 31 from 5 PM to 7
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Flexibility

zapatillas de running Brooks distancias cortas grises

When checking the flexibility of Brooks England Borsa Telaio Scape Top Tube 0, what surprised us is how big of a difference it is when comparing the flexibility at room temperature (22.7N) and after the shoe has spent 20mins in the freezer (37.8N).

Launch 9 in the freezer

Launch 9 has a 66.5% difference in those 2 measurements, while the average difference for all the shoes in our lab is 32.9%. You've been warned: store your shoes at room temperature. 

Test results
Launch 9 66.5%
Average 35.9%
Compared to 287 running shoes
Ladies Night w Brooks 3 31 from 5 PM to 7
0%
zapatillas de running Brooks distancias cortas grises
148%

zapatillas de running Brooks distancias cortas grises | Grip / Traction

It is amazing that Brooks managed to pull off a full-length rubber outsole while keeping the Launch 9 so light!

The grip made us feel very surefooted even on the slightly wet pavement.

Brooks England Borsa Telaio Scape Top Tube 0 outsole

Size and fit

brooks womens glycerin 15 black island blue diva pink womens shoes

The brand's new Creel wrap upper made us feel very secure and locked in. For our medium-width feet, the shoe appeared to be well-fitted and the knit-like fabric had enough stretch to feel accommodating.

Forefoot width of the Brooks England Borsa Telaio Scape Top Tube 0

However, using a caliper, we measured the widest part of the forefoot at only 94.7 mm. While this is still in the medium range of toebox widths, wide-footers should definitely go for the wide version of the shoe.

Test results
Launch 9 94.7 mm
Average 98.4 mm
Compared to 305 running shoes
Ladies Night w Brooks 3 31 from 5 PM to 7
89.5 mm
brooks womens glycerin 15 black island blue diva pink womens shoes
109.1 mm

zapatillas de running Brooks distancias cortas grises | Comfort

Tongue padding

Brooks Trail Løbesko Cascadia 16.

Thickness of the tongue on Brooks England Borsa Telaio Scape Top Tube 0

In the lab, we measured its thickness: an astounding 1mm. Compare it to the average of 6 mm and you really get a race-ready tongue!

Test results
Launch 9 1.0 mm
Average 5.6 mm
Compared to 302 running shoes
Ladies Night w Brooks 3 31 from 5 PM to 7
0.5 mm
Tongue padding
14.2 mm

Misc

Reflective elements

While it's great that the Launch 9 has some, we think that it wouldn't hurt to make them larger. Some at the femme would be nice as well!

Night run in Launch 9

Brooks England Sillín C17 Special Recycled Nylon

This time around, the Brooks England Borsa Telaio Scape Top Tube 0 sees these updates: 

  • More cushioned ride, thanks to the additional 2mm stack
  • La Brooks Bedlam tuvo oportunidad de desgranarla en profundidad
  • Sustainability-driven design with the shoe's Green Rubber outsole

Brooks launch 9 cut in pieces

All these changes entail a price increase of $10. From $100, the Brooks England Borsa Telaio Scape Top Tube 0 now retails for $110. But despite this, we still think that the shoe offers excellent value for money.

Sustainable materials

To champion a more eco-friendly approach, the Launch 9 has a green rubber outsole that's made using sand instead of petroleum. This lessens its environmental impact.

Launch 9 in the lab