Our verdict
Pros
- Smooth heel-to-toe transitions
- Lighter from
- Comfy ride for long miles
- Perfect for any pace
- Not tippy when cornering
- Stable on gravel
- Can double for casual wear
- Quite breathable
- Sustainable outsole
- Great-value
Cons
- Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20 Black Lime Blue Grass Mens Shoes
- Pricier than before
Audience verdict
- Top 22% most popular running shoes
Comparison
The most similar running shoes compared
+ + Add a shoe | |||||
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Audience score | 87 Great! | 89 Great! | 90 Superb! | 87 Great! | |
Price | $110 | $170 | $150 | $110 | |
Pace | Daily runningSpeed training | CompetitionSpeed training | Speed training | Daily runningSpeed training | |
Arch support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | |
from lab from brand | 7.9 Pms30739 Brooks Edt 73 8.1 zapatillas de running Brooks minimalistas talla 43 | 7.5 zapatillas de running Brooks trail constitución media pie normal 10k 7.8 Brooks maintained thier quiality all over the time | 7 mens brooks equip 9 short 7 oz / 199g | 8.1 zapatillas de running Brooks minimalistas talla 43 8.2 oz / 232g | |
Lightweight | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Drop lab Drop brand | 9.4 mm 10.0 mm | 8.2 mm 8.0 mm | 9.0 mm 8.0 mm | 10.0 mm 10.0 mm | |
Strike pattern | HeelMid/forefoot | HeelMid/forefoot | HeelMid/forefoot | HeelMid/forefoot | |
Midsole softness | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | Soft | |
Difference in midsole softness in cold | Small | Small | Small | Normal | |
Toebox durability | - | Decent | Good | Decent | |
Brooks reliable GuideRail support system keeps you moving efficiently mile after mile | - | Decent | Decent | Good | |
Outsole durability | - | Good | Good | Good | |
Breathability | - | Breathable | Moderate | Moderate | |
from Brooks that provide the support needed to alleviate Plantar Fasciitis | Narrow | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
zapatillas de running Brooks neutro ritmo medio pie normal minimalistas | - | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
Stiffness | Moderate | Moderate | Flexible | Flexible | |
zapatillas de running Brooks pista negras | Big | Small | Normal | Big | |
Torsional rigidity | Stiff | Flexible | Flexible | Moderate | |
Heel counter stiffness | Flexible | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | |
Rocker | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | |
Heel lab Heel brand | 32.4 mm 36.0 mm | 32.4 mm 34.0 mm | 28.7 mm 28.0 mm | 33.8 mm 34.0 mm | |
Forefoot lab Forefoot brand | 23.0 mm 26.0 mm | 24.2 mm 26.0 mm | 19.7 mm 20.0 mm | 23.8 mm 24.0 mm | |
Widths available | NormalWide | Normal | Normal | NormalWide | |
Orthotic friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Season | Winter | Summer | Summer | Winter | |
Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Ranking | #192 Top 47% | #58 Top 23% | #48 Top 19% | #103 Top 41% | |
Popularity | #89 Top 22% | #42 Top 17% | #33 Top 13% | #85 Top 34% |
Who should buy
The Brooks Launch 9 is an excellent perfect pick for runners in need of a:
- and your local Brooks retailer for
- road shoe built for any distance and can double for casual wear
Who should NOT buy
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 glycerin 19 vs brooks ghost or the Brooks Levitate 5.
And if you want something cheaper, the Brooks Revel 5 is our suggestion.
Breathability
The Brooks Launch 9 proved to be a fairly breathable shoe. With very little in-shoe padding, the Launch 9 allows for some decent airflow.
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 Launch 9 is over an ounce lighter than average.
Launch 9 | 7.94 oz (225g) |
Average | 9.38 oz (266g) |
mens brooks equip 9 short | Cushioning
When checking the menos of Brooks Launch 9, what surprised us is how big of a difference it is when comparing the menos at room temperature (22.7N) and after the shoe has spent 20mins in the freezer (37.8N).
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.
mens brooks equip 9 short | Drop
In the brand's specifications, it says that the Launch 9 has a drop of 10mm.
Based on our calliper 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.
Launch 9 | 9.4 mm |
Average | 8.7 mm |
Midsole softness
In our durometer measurement, the Brooks Launch 9 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.
Launch 9 | 22.0 HA |
Average | 21.4 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!
Stability
Brooks England Sillin B66
Despite its higher stack height for a speed trainer, the Brooks Launch 9 never felt tippy, even during sharp turns and when running on gravel.
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 catalogue!
Launch 9 | 4 |
Average | 3.2 |
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.
It may not be a stiff one but it held our ankle quite securely as far as speed-oriented shoes go.
Launch 9 | 2 |
Average | 2.8 |
Flexibility
zapatillas de running Brooks pista negras
When checking the menos of Brooks Launch 9, what surprised us is how big of a difference it is when comparing the menos at room temperature (22.7N) and after the shoe has spent 20mins in the freezer (37.8N).
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.
Launch 9 | 66.5% |
Average | 35.9% |
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.
Size and fit
from Brooks that provide the support needed to alleviate Plantar Fasciitis
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.
However, using a calliper, 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.
Launch 9 | 94.7 mm |
Average | 98.4 mm |
Comfort
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.
Tongue padding
What definitely screams SPEED is the tongue: it is very thin.
In the lab, we measured its thickness: an astonishing 1mm. Compare it to the average of 6 mm and you really get a race-ready tongue!
Launch 9 | 1.0 mm |
Average | 5.6 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 back would be nice as well!
Сукня міді біла гарна розмір s brooks brothers
This time around, the Brooks Launch 9 sees these updates:
- Brooks Dyad 11 Wide
- Lighter from because of the new Creel wrap upper
- Sustainability-driven design with the shoe's Green Rubber outsole
All these changes entail a price increase of £10. From £100, the Brooks Launch 9 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.