Launch 9

I have around 300 miles on them so far. Held up great

More a review of myself than the shoe. A person never steps in the same river twice, for its waters are ever-flowing. So too their footwear. I have run in every Launch since the original, comically fugly chartreuse-and-bright-orange. These days I use 3-4 of each model.Why always the same shoe? U probably heard this advice around the running community: vendors have their own unique foot molds that they typically use on many shoes. The game is finding the vendor with the mold closest to your foot. As you age, and more life-stuff builds up around you, the shoe becomes a commodity – you need it to perform consistently and not require much planning or input.Launch 9 is a significant update. Totally new tongue! The plush tongue is gone, the new one is flat and stiff, with just a tiny bit of padding. The lace loop also moved one notch closer to the toe. I'm down with the new tongue, it is a little bit harder to scrunch up when you cinch the shoes. They probably shaved a whole 0.01 ounce off! The heel of this one has gone totally robocop.I have never busted the heel out of a shoe. Back on earlier Launches, right after they switched away from leather, I would bust open the sidewalls before wearing out the treads. The plastic uppers have come a long way, tho. I have a pile of 7s and 8s, all uppers fully intact. The laces also continue to evolve. The 7s had these very flat, almost tiny, laces, that were SO easy to tie up in knots. The fabric would compress into a very tight little bundle. The 8 laces were a much more traditional braided affair, and never got tied up. The 9 laces are even tinier than the 7s, and very flat, but they also have a little bit of a slippery surface making them easier to unknot, and they don't compress like the 7s... not yet.Guess I can't get away without mentioning the colorways. The Launch has had many wild designs, going back to that original. I love it. My least favorite pair were actually the all-black ones. By the second pair I buy of any model, the less popular colors can be found for $80. But I have to say this newest pair with the light-teal and orange, is fairly attractive by conventional shoe standards.Running is good for your cardiovascular health and your mental health. Have a wonderful day.

Good quality

Great Shoe. Perfect for casual style and running. Runs slightly snug/narrow.

THUMBS UP!

I will admit, I was going to go with On Clouds but these Brooks were half the price. I've been running in crappy New Balances, so I decided to treat myself to real running shoes. I also tried out the Adrenaline GTS. I have wide feet... I prefer EEEE but EE can usually work. The GTS's were heavier, pricier, and didn't fit my running style. The outside edge of the heel landed first, which then jerked my foot and ankle inward. I'm sure there is a running name for this process. I didn't like that. The Launches didn't do this, so combined with the price, ample cushioning (compared to my NB's) and feather light weight, they stay and the GTS's go. The On Clouds will have to wait...Update: I'm up to almost 400 miles and I still love these Launch 9's. I just bought a pair of Ghost 15's, so we'll see how those compare. Gonna be tough to beat these Launches!!!!!!! I love them.Update 2: Had a chance to try the new Ghosts. My thoughts: The Launches are better!! They're lighter yet somehow have more shock absorption and springy-ness. I'll continue to wear them until they die then I'll switch to the Ghosts. And then, I'll buy a pair of Launch 10's if I can get them on sale.

Great shoes!Bought them 2 years ago and I use them till this very day! Have some decent mileage on these.For the low price - this is a no-brainer.Only downside is they are a bit slippery on wet surfaces, so if you plan to run in the rain, I might consider something else.

These are lightweight and fit perfectly. I bought these Brooks Launch 9 shoes one year ago, and wear them to run and workout daily. The material has gotten a little “fuzzy” from use, and the only con structurally I’d say is the very tip of the sole that comes up by the toes has started to separate from the shoe. It’s only about 1/16” of an inch now, but that’s how it starts.. They’ve been the most comfortable shoes though, and I’m getting ready to purchase the same pair as replacements. Next step, and they need it, will be the washing machine test. I recommend these shoes; a years hard usage is pretty good for the price.