Brooks Men's Launch Gts 9 Sneaker

Product Information

ROBBE: I only keep asking to test the Launch because I’m forever chasing the dragon of my first Launch experience. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to get the same buzz. Now, I will say that this version of the Launch is better than the last two, likely because of the slight addition of foam to the midsole. It’s ever-so-slightly more comfortable and less harsh. This week due to popular request we’ve finished up our Brooks Launch 10 review. The Brooks Launch 10 is a lightweight trainer or racer/trainer designed to be versatile enough for your faster running but cushioned enough for slower everyday runs. It is available in both neutral and a version that offers some anti-pronation support, the Brooks Launch 10 GTS. All Brooks running shoes that have the suffix GTS offer support. The upper is a very light one piece polyester. The heel cup is nicely padded. Not to the same extent as a Brooks Ghost or Brooks Adrenaline but more than adequate to be comfortable. Although the added padding around the heel of the Ghost and Adrenaline add to the feeling of comfort. Like you are slipping into a soft sofa. When out on the run I don’t think this level of padding improves the comfort. The slightly less padded heel cup of the Brooks Launch is more to my liking. The heel cup is plastic so that is offers some support but not so stiff that it will cause any discomfort. It is flexible enough to pull around your heel when you lace the shoes up to give a snug feel.

Renee: The Rebel v2 was my favorite road shoe of 2021. The midsole is magic. The Launch 8 is a more traditional, firmer ride, for daily miles. For speed and tempo work, the Rebel v2 is better. The Launch 8 has better protection underfoot, but I’ve used the Rebel v2 from short speed work to 20 milers on gravel. Sizing is comparable. Delivery timescales are based on working days; Public Holidays, Saturday's and Sunday's are NOT classed as working days.

Standard Cushioning

Worth noting, sizing was the same as the previous model and I felt my size 8 fit just as it did previously. If you’re looking for a softer, more plush ride consider the Brooks Ghost range, but for a faster more responsive run, the foam in the Launch 9 is spot on. It also felt good for gym workouts with bodyweight movements due to this slightly firmer foam. The rest of the rubber is the same firmness all the way to the front, moderately firm and also not a soft blown rubber up front yet I do think compared to the prior rubber it may contribute to the slightly softer ride I feel. This is not a super flexible light trainer as say the Kinvara 13 or Puma Liberate are. There is a moderate long flex with the front of the shoe with the toe off very stable. Mike P (GTS) The new Green rubber works well for the Launch and has a sustainability benefit.. It’s full coverage, but well segmented so it doesn’t restrict flexibility. It also feels soft, which is a good match to the feel of the midsole. Nothing hard or slappy. It works. 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.

The heel counter is well padded, yet high and rigid but this gave no problems with rubbing or slipping even from the first wear, but something to consider if you prefer a softer heel counter. GTS Guide Rails are not in the way of transition or over rigid/firm, a slight improvement over 8 for this neutral heel striker at slower paces Sam Shannon: Ah, two of my favorites head-to-head. Look, if you love one, you’re probably going to love the other. Overall, the Kinvara has a faster, lighter, more flexible ride and feels like a more minimal shoe, but what the Launch gives up in those categories, it gains in cushioning material and–I would assume but this remains to be seen–life of the shoe. I wore a women’s 8 in both of these. The Brooks Launch GTS 9 is a light stability traditional 10mm drop run trainer featuring GuideRails. They are foam extensions above where the midsole normally ends to help stabilize on landing and transitions with the goal of reducing knee motion, and injuries, by guiding forward in the line of travel. GTS is thus less about controlling “classic” pronation, which they certainly do to a certain extent, yet without firmer under mid foot foams or plastic pieces . The medial side GuideRail is co molded of slightly firmer foam than the midsole while the lateral rail is the same foam as the main midsole. Sam: Puma’s Nitro foam: responsive, soft, bouncier swings me towards the Velocity in this match up although if you really need some stability you might be better off in the Launch GTS or even regular.This version of this shoe also gets a green rubber outsole, in that it’s made of silica and not petroleum, so it’s more sustainable. It also gets a Creel Mesh upper, which is basically just a mesh upper made to sound cool. From time to time carriers may deliver earlier or later, or on non working days however this is cannot be guaranteed nor should it be expected. Looking inside, the outer pattern of orange and red areas is reproduced but the orange is all longitudinal making me think the outer denser orange areas are another layer of weaving. 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.