Shannon (GTS): Normally I run in the neutral version of the Launch, but I found the Launch GTS arrived in its stead. Not to worry though as that’s the beauty of Brooks’ Guide Rail system: they can still accommodate a neutral runner and without overcorrecting, unlike the medial posts of yore. In theory, this shoe should feel like its neutral counterpart, just with the added stability of the Guide Rails wrapping the heel. The Launch 9 is an excellent single shoe in the quiver for the high school or college runner as it can handle all paces and should prove durable. The same applies to faster runners piling on the miles in relatively short runs. JORDYNN: The women’s Launch 9 weighs in at about 7.05 oz. The upper material is made up of a Creel Wrap mesh for a tighter fit. The midsole is made of the infamous BioMoGo DNA foam, and sits on a rubber outsole. The color combo is an orangish pink with a navy blue accent. The fit is true to size with a neutral width, and it was designed for good energy return, smooth transitions, and a springy step. The Good Look, I’m just going to be honest, when I slipped this shoe on I had a moment of panic. I beat my previous pair of Brooks Launch to smithereens, I loved them so much. So far, this wasn’t feeling much like it at all. Rather, it felt stiff and like there was just too much shoe going on for something in the Launch franchise, but I was willing to give it a chance!

Topo Fli-Lyte 4: A much broader more rounded toe box with a firmer more responsive ride. 3mm from heel to forefoot. The ride of these will make them a shoe for faster running only for most runners. Although they do have enough underfoot to warm up and down in the shoes. Here is a link to our review: https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-fli-lyte-4-review/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.

Shannon (GTS): The upper on this model is relatively similar to that of the previous version. I loved it in that there are no uncomfortable seams or overlays. It wrapped the foot well and securely, but didn’t inhibit any motion of the foot. I did notice on this version, I did not have to utilize the second eyelet when lacing up to secure the heel, rather, the heel stayed snugly and securely put. After my mixed first impressions of the Launch 9, I’ve come to the decision they’re a good solid running shoe. Again I have to emphasize that I’m a forefoot/midfoot striker. I assume the GTS technology would work much better and is probably even designed more for heel striking. Once I became accustomed to the feeling of the Guide Rails, and was able to put that sensation aside, I did like the ride of the shoe a lot. Stability (with the Guide Rails) is obviously great, and my feet felt great after all of my runs. While not as bouncy or super lightweight as other shoes, the Launch still has a touch of response which makes running at all paces pretty fun.The tongue is lightly padded which I found offered enough protection from the laces. The laces slot through a tab on the tongue to prevent it from slipping either side.

Sam: The outsole is a new compound called Green Rubber. It is silica based instead of petroleum rubber based and as such is more sustainable. My sample pair was a half size up from my normal US 8.5 and fits very well but it is long so in a future pair I would go true to size. There is plenty of toe box room, well held with just two small overlays near lace up. The toe bumper below the denser front orange weave is quite firm more vertical than the weave would indicate over the toes and clearly has a plastic stiffener of some kind. Renee (Non GTS): The full coverage rubber works well to provide stability and increase durability as compared to road shoes with exposed midsoles. While I might call the midsole “unexciting” as compared to other road shoes, the rubber outsole has better durability compared to daily trainer/speed road shoes. 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 coverage is full for all intents and purposes, with what feels like a slightly firmer area at the medial heel forward to help with pronation support.The bottom line is this upper is actually very elaborate in construction, very supportive and comfortable but I am not sure particularly breathable as while thin, overall the mesh is dense with no light showing through as seen in the picture above.

Delivery timescales are based on working days; Public Holidays, Saturday's and Sunday's are NOT classed as working days. 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. Sam: The Launch is a traditional 10mm drop daily run trainer that has been a long time favorite on the lighter, less cushioned, more agile end of the category. With the 8 we saw Brooks add a second Launch version with GuideRails GTS (Go-To-Support) thus replacing the Ravenna as the light stability trainer in the line up. The toe box of the Brooks Launch is quite pointed. There is a bit less volume than there is in the Brooks Adrenaline GTS or Brooks Ghost toe box. The big toe line is straight. So, you do feel like you can effectively toe off. The snugger less volume upper does make the Launch feel more like a fast running shoe than it’s more cushioned everyday shoes.

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. The Sole unit in the Launch 9 uses Brooks BioGoDNA midsole foam, with a 10mm drop. I generally prefer a cushioned but not squidgy running shoe, and to me this felt a great bouncy balance. Similarly the Brooks Launch 9 is a neutral shoe and would be the lighter ,speedier version of the Brooks Ghost. As the Brooks Launch doesn’t have guide rails this does make the shoes slightly lighter. A Men’s UK 8 is 232 grams and a Women’s UK 5 is 201 grams.