Brooks Launch 12 Review
The Brooks Launch 12 is a lightweight road running shoe that is versatile enough for fast running and slower, easy runs. The Launch 12 has a nimble, light and energetic feel that is ideal for the road runner who likes to run quickly on most of their runs. Alternatively, the Brooks Launch 12 will fit nicely into a runner’s shoe rotation as their steady run or threshold shoe when you want a bit more of an authentic feel, allowing the feet and ankles to function more than they do in a running shoe with a soft, bouncy foamed midsole.
The fit and feel of the Brooks Launch 12 is very similar to the Launch 11, but there are a few changes that affect how the shoe functions. The heel cup is still made from a firm plastic that gives a solid hold around your heel and makes the rear of the Launch feel very stable. The Achilles tab is swallow-tailed, so it curves away from the Achilles to reduce the chance of irritation or rubbing. The inside of the heel cup is lightly padded but comfortable, and this padding continues around the cuff of the Launch 12 to give the shoes a nice step-in feel. These aren’t stripped-back road racing shoes where comfort is secondary to low weight. The Launch 12 is designed to be worn regularly, so although it is light, the upper is still padded and comfortable.
The tongue is soft and pliable, so it moulds easily to the shape of the top of the wearer’s foot. It is very similar to the tongue of the Launch 11, but arguably a little softer and nicer to the touch. There is a tab on top of the tongue for the laces to thread through, which stops the tongue from slipping to one side when running. There is also an additional lace hole at the top, which can be used to make the heel fit snugger or to butterfly lace the shoes. The upper is now made from a jacquard mesh that is much more open and therefore more breathable. In the current UK heatwave this has been noticeable. The new upper is also softer and more pliable, which makes the Launch 12 feel a little roomier in the toe box than the previous version.
The stack height is 35mm in the heel and 27mm in the forefoot, retaining the 8mm heel-to-forefoot drop. What has changed is the foam used in the midsole. The Brooks Launch 11 had a single-density DNA Flash midsole. This made the Launch 11 feel quick because of the stiffness of the midsole and the responsiveness of the foam. At slower paces, though, the Launch 11 could feel a bit unforgiving and for this reason was best used for runs under an hour in length. The positive side of this firmer ride was that you could feel the ground, which helped encourage you to be lighter on your feet.
The midsole of the Brooks Launch 12 uses dual-density foam. DNA Flash v1 is used in the heel section to give good shock absorption and a stable landing, while DNA Flash v2 is used in the forefoot to give a softer and more bouncy feeling at toe-off. This has noticeably changed the ride. The Launch 12 feels softer in the forefoot, but it is also more flexible, not just in the forefoot but through the midfoot section of the shoe as well. This makes the ride feel much smoother and allows a bit more foot function.
This change in the ride has also made the Launch 12 more comfortable for longer runs. The ride is still on the firm and responsive side, mainly because so many modern running shoes now have very soft midsoles, but the softer feel in the forefoot and the more flexible midsole make it much easier to run slowly in. This makes the Launch 12 a refreshing change on an early morning run and a real contrast to the softly cushioned plodding shoe that might normally be your choice for an easy day.
During steady runs, tempo runs or threshold sessions, the Brooks Launch 12 allows your feet, ankles and lower legs to function a lot more than they would in a running shoe with a soft, bouncy supercritical foam midsole and a rocker-shaped or curved sole. You have to work a little more to maintain pace, giving your muscles more of a workout. This provides more stimulus through the feet and lower legs, but it also means that you have worked a little harder during the session and may need a bit more recovery afterwards. On days when I do a steady run in the morning and a threshold session in the afternoon, or on a double-threshold day, I tend to use the Launch 12 for the second session, allowing myself the luxury of a super-foamed running shoe to carry me through the first session of the day.
The Launch 12’s versatility even extends to short, fast repetitions, making it a comfortable choice for 200m or 400m repeats on the track. The firm, responsive feel of the foam also works particularly well on hill reps or hillier routes. As you push off going uphill you can feel the power transferring into the ground and pushing you forwards, rather than sinking into soft cushioning as it can in softer running shoes.
The Brooks Launch 12 weighs 224 grams in a women’s UK 5 and 253 grams in a men’s UK 8. The firm, responsive feel makes the Launch 12 feel even lighter on your feet than those figures suggest. The RoadTack rubber outsole gives a good level of traction on both wet and dry roads while still allowing a good amount of road feel.
The 8mm heel-to-forefoot drop makes the Brooks Launch 12 a road running shoe that can be used by both midfoot strikers and heel strikers. When landing on the midfoot you are aware of the heel on steep downhills, but on flat roads or more gradual downhill sections the ride feels smooth.
Brooks running shoes are a similar length to Topo, Altra, Saucony and 361. If you use New Balance, Hoka, La Sportiva or INOV8, then we would suggest trying half a UK size smaller in Brooks to get a similar length. For example, a UK 11 in Brooks running shoes is a similar length to a UK 11.5 in Hoka.
In summary, the Brooks Launch 12 is a versatile road running shoe that feels most at home at quicker paces but is now cushioned and flexible enough for some slower, easy recovery runs as well. The changes to the midsole have made the ride smoother and more forgiving without taking away the firm, responsive feel that gives the Launch its character. It remains a lightweight shoe that lets you feel the road and makes you work a little, but the Launch 12 is easier to use across a wider range of runs than the previous version.
Alternatives to Brooks Launch 12
Altra Escalante 5: Zero drop with a broad rounded toe box to stimulate foot function. This makes the Altra Escalante 5 a slightly different offering to the 8mm heel to forefoot drop of the Brooks Launch 12. However, the firm responsive authentic feel to the ride is very similar. Both stimulate foot function and allow the feet, ankles and lower legs to do some work. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-escalante-5-review/
Mount to Coast R1: A more cushioned shoe but, also light and flexible which allows the lower limbs to function. As an Ultra shoe these are more comfortable to wear for longer runs but the trade off is that they aren’t as zippy on the shorter stuff. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/mount-to-coast-r1-review/
Brooks Ghost Amp: No rocker but, a very bouncy midsole foam takes away the feel for the ground. These are soft and easy to cruise in but, won’t stimulate your feet and lower legs quite as much. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-ghost-amp-review/
VJ Fuzion Tempo: A shoe designed as a road to trail running shoe. They do have a nitrogen infused midsole but it is firm and responsive like the Launch 12. These have a very similar ride. The toe box is more rounded with more space for your feet to spread and function. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/vj-fzn-tempo-review/
Hoka Mach 7: A softer midsole and a rocker. Easy to cruise in but, not as much foot and lower leg stimulation. They are more flexible than the previous version so you so get a bit more foot function. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-mach-7-review/
Saucony Endorphin Azura: A firm feeling to the midsole but no flexibility and a pronounced rocker. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/saucony-endorphin-azura-review/
New Balance FuelCell Rebel V5: A soft midsole with a noticeable rocker. Available in two width men’s and women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-fuelcell-rebel-v5-review/
Topo Specter 2: A broad rounded toe box gives the feet the room to spread and function but the soft bouncy foam takes away the ground feel. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-specter-2-review/
Comments are closed here.