ROBBE: I don’t know what happened to Brooks sizing over the last five years, but I used to go a half-size up in all their models, now I have to go a half-size down. That’s a full-size swing. and Post. It’s advisable to use a service that insures the parcel in the event that it goes missing in transit. Sam: The midsole is Brooks usual BioGoDNA with 2mm more of it than in the Launch 8. Brooks rarely tells us what specific changes to BioMoGo DNA are and didn’t here. My sense is that the combination of 2 mm more of it and the Green Rubber outsole make for a somewhat softer more cushioned feel taking the rougher and firmer edge off the Launch 8’s feel, making the 9 a more versatile daily trainer able to handle somewhat slower and longer runs.

Mike P (10.0): The Endo Speed also features a more modern, bouncy, and responsive foam, in addition to the Speedroll technology. The Brooks has a more “regular” running shoe feel, while the Saucony seems to both bounce and propel you forward. The Endo Speed is a great shoe across the entire pace range from very fast to long runs. You feel much higher and unstable with the Endo than the Brooks - something to get used to. I reserve my Endos for speed work, and I’d prefer the Brooks for daily miles. Both are highly durable. I really like both shoes. Launch GTS 9 is a better shoe than Ravenna 11 (I didn’t run in GTS 8). Ravenna has a far better name, though, and first caught my attention with the 8. Coming from history with ASICS Kayano, the Ravenna 8’s light stability and smooth transition were very appealing. The most evident change in the Launch 8 is a softer midsole. Not much has really changed, other than an “updated BioMoGo formula,” but it felt softer to me. The shoe is still snappy, but not harsh like the seven. Brooks improved the upper to an airy mesh that breathes well. They also added extra blown rubber to the forefoot, and the enhanced underfoot feel is fantastic. Lastly, I’d like to give the Brooks engineers and designers a hand for an appropriate lace length. This is the first shoe from Brooks where I have been comfortable not sizing up for forefoot width. I started out with the bigger size even though I do not prefer extra length. Launch GTS turns out to be slightly longer than past Brooks shoes. The upper is thin and well fitted to your foot but it has enough stretch to keep it comfortable. The eyelets of the shoes are reinforced with the same material from the heel counter which adds a premium feel and guaranteed durability. It’s particularly helpful when removing your laces, which you’ll want to do, since…With the GTS 9, I barely notice they are there at all, no interference with my stride but..I can tell they are "there" really functioning more for sure like extended vertical sidewalls for a touch of support than posts, plates, variable density foams etc… or for that matter the earlier GTS shoes’ implementation. When combined with the 10mm drop I flow smoothly forward here without “interference” but with a touch of support. The Launch 8 and Launch GTS 8 are significantly more flexible than their predecessors. Brooks has omitted the internal bootie with a new air mesh upper. Some testers liked the increased flexibility. “My feet would tend to throb in the 7s after wearing them for too long,” said a tester who also competes in long-distance triathlons. “I did not experience this feeling at all in the 8s. I [do a lot of] long distance [training] so I need a shoe that is comfortable, well cushioned, and flexible. The Launch 8 is just that.”

JEREMY: The BioMoGo midsole just didn’t work. Even after a break-in period this shoe still felt stiff and had a slapping feeling to my stride rather than a bounce or roll through the stride. I took these shoes out for a number of runs including recovery runs, longer runs, and even an interval workout. To their credit, this shoe can get up to speed and is lightweight enough to run fast, but it didn’t feel great. The feeling in my feet and lower legs from the firm midsole just was not up to the standard other recently released Brooks shoes have given, with some pain developing in the lower legs towards the end of long efforts. The standout in the scoring categories is definitely Value. It’s a shoe that can handle all of your road mileage aside from speed day. Ride, Fit, and Style are solid across the board. (I’m not dinging the Ride based on the GTS stiffness - as I feel like this is the feature that some would be looking for, and others could choose the non-GTS version) The Hyperion Max is difficult to categorize, but that’s exactly why it’s one of the best Brooks running shoes: It does many things very well. The “max” in Hyperion Max refers to the hefty wedge of nitrogen-infused DNA Flash foam in the shoe’s midsole, which is very light and creates a plush, highly responsive ride. That makes the Hyperion Max an incredible dynamic shoe: You can lace them up for a long, mellow run or put them on for speedwork.Whether you overpronate or you just want some extra support when your feet get fatigued, the Launch is a solid choice—and proof that stable doesn’t have to mean slow. DNA is the brand’s most basic EVA foam. Its primary attribute is softness, which it brings to entry-level shoes across all three shoe categories. While DNA doesn’t have the pillowy feel or high energy return of Brooks’ more advanced foams, it’s a tried-and-true option that creates dependable cushioning. If you just need a basic trainer and don’t want to spend a lot of money, DNA will work well for you. AUSTIN: I’ve got nothing. Truly. No issues have emerged yet. Some runners may find the ride too soft, but I’m inclined to think not based on how poorly the Launch 7 fared from a crushing ride standpoint. What puts the “Go To Support” in these are the Guide Rails. Both sides of the shoe have extra pieces of firm foam that cradled my heel. On impact, they were there to help guide my foot, but only when I needed them to.